India to put investors before voters in election-year budget

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's finance minister had a bruising battle with cabinet colleagues in the run-up to the budget he unveils this week, rebuffing demands for pre-election spending and insisting on austerity to shore up investors' faith in a troubled economy.

Japan to sell $10 billion stake in tobacco company

Japan's government has announced plans to sell almost 17% of Japan Tobacco, a long-held state asset that is also one of the world's largest cigarette producers.

China's manufacturing sector stumbles

A key gauge of momentum in China's manufacturing sector fell unexpectedly in February, raising concerns about the strength of recovery in the world's second largest economy.

Indonesia Central Bank Choice Elicits Mixed View: Southeast Asia

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s surprise choice of Agus Martowardojo to run Indonesia’s central bank met with mixed reactions, with some questioning his record as finance minister and others praising his banking experience.

Vietnam Inflation Rate Eases as Economy Struggles to Revive

Vietnam’s inflation eased in February as domestic consumption struggled to rebound after a credit crunch that slowed economic growth to a 13-year low.

IMF approves $278.8 million aid to Bangladesh

WASHINGTON: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a financial aid of $278.8 million to Bangladesh.

Fearing stumble, Japan PM eyes opposition for smooth BOJ succession

TOKYO: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is keen to avoid a rerun of the debacle in 2008 when the seat for the Bank of Japan governor was left open for weeks, so he is carefully calculating the odds that potential candidates will win vital opposition support.

India Cuts Borrowing Program as Chidambaram Curbs Spending

India cut its annual borrowing program as Finance Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram reined in spending and raised as much as 220 billion rupees ($4 billion) selling stakes in state companies.

Thailand economic recovery picks pace in fourth quarter

Thailand's economic growth exceeded expectations in the last three months of 2012 as it continued to recover from the previous year's devastating floods.

Singapore Q4 GDP likely to be revised upwards

SINGAPORE: Singapore's economy likely expanded at a faster pace during the fourth quarter of 2012 than was earlier estimated, helped by higher production of oil rigs and pharmaceuticals in the final weeks of the year.

Japan's economy contracts for third straight quarter

The world's third-largest economy failed last quarter to pull out of a mild recession, further raising prospects of aggressive fiscal and monetary stimulus.

India industrial output drops for 2nd month in Dec

MUMBAI, India (AP) -- India's industrial output fell for the second straight month in December, government data showed Tuesday, adding to worries over a marked slowdown in Asia's third-largest economy, now predicted to grow at its slowest rate in a decade.

China's trade still smaller than that of US: China Commerce Ministry

BEIJING: The Chinese Commerce Ministry today contradicted reports that China has overtaken the US to emerge as the world's biggest trading country.

North Korea nuclear test: Asian stock markets mixed

Asian markets have had a mixed reaction to the nuclear test carried out by North Korea, its third since 2006. South Korea's Kospi index dipped 0.3%.

China becomes the world's biggest trading nation, beats US dominance

BEIJING: China surpassed the US to become the world's biggest trading nation last year as measured by the sum of exports and imports of goods, a milestone in the Asian nation's challenge to the US dominance in global commerce that emerged after the end of World War II.

India cuts economic growth forecast to 5%

India has lowered its growth forecast for the second time in two weeks, underlining the challenges it faces in reviving its sluggish economy.

Germany Focusing on Southeast Asia for Growth, Westerwelle Says

Germany plans to expand its economy through free trade as it seeks more collaboration with Southeast Asian nations, the country’s Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said in Singapore today.

China reports better than expected trade data

China has reported better-than-expected trade data, fuelling optimism that its economic growth may be rebounding from the recent slowdown.

China, Japan lead Asian stocks lower

HONG KONG (AP) — Most Asian stock markets retreated Thursday, led by declines in Japan that followed a huge rally and China, which was preparing to shut down for a weeklong holiday.

Indonesia Economy Expands On Investment, Domestic Demand

Indonesia's economy managed to expand at an above-6 percent level again in the fourth quarter on robust investment and domestic demand.

Japan Pension Fund’s Bonds Too Many If Abe Succeeds, Mitani Says

Japan’s public pension fund, the world’s biggest manager of retirement savings, is considering the first changes to its asset structure in seven years as a new government pursues policies that could erode the value of $747 billion in local bonds.

N. Korea Seen Preparing for Nuclear Test Amid Tighter Sanctions

North Korea is showing signs of resuming work for a third nuclear test a week after it threatened to conduct one in response to strengthened United Nations sanctions.

Japan raises growth forecast as yen slides

TOKYO (AP) — Anticipating a boost from stimulus spending and a weakening yen, Japan's government on Monday raised its growth forecast, predicting the economy will emerge from recession and expand 2.5 percent in the coming fiscal year.

Uneven recovery for China's factories

Activity in China's manufacturing sector increased again in January, but separate surveys of purchasing managers' sentiment painted a mixed picture on the pace of recovery and hinted at continued weakness in export markets.

Powering the Philippine Economy With Elvis and Zeppelin

MANILA — For more than 30 years, Josetoni Tonnette Acaylar has been singing and playing the piano throughout Asia.