Forum to focus on sustaining growth
Finance, infrastructure and human resources will be the themes of the second annual Vietnam Economic Forum to be held here on Sept 19 and 20 and attended by 400 regional business delegates and policymakers.

China tightens currency controls to curb inflows
SHANGHAI (AP) - China has issued new controls on transfers of foreign currencies, moving to contain growth in its foreign exchange reserves and curb speculative inflows blamed on fueling inflation.

Japan Airlines reduces fiscal first-quarter losses
TOKYO (AP) - Japan Airlines Corp. reduced its losses for the fiscal first quarter compared to the previous year, thanks to cost cuts such as the use of smaller aircraft and more efficient flight routes.

Daimler, China's Beiqi Foton OK joint venture deal
SHANGHAI (AP) - Daimler AG and Beiqi Foton Motor on Thursday signed an agreement to form a 50-50 joint venture to make medium and heavy-duty trucks in China and to look for opportunities to sell Foton's Auman trucks in overseas markets.

South Korea's central bank raises key interest rate
SEOUL (AP) - South Korea's central bank said Thursday it raised its key interest rate by 0.25 percentage point to cope with spiraling inflation.

Cheaper oil fuels hope
The declining crude oil price in the global market has lifted expectations the Government may cut fuel prices sold at local pumps under a new market-driven pricing system to be in place next month.

Local steel supply still okay
The liberalisation of the domestic steel market has not resulted in an artificial shortage of the commodity or higher steel exports as claimed by local housing developers and construction industry players.