China's Xi signs multi-million-dollar deals in Congo

BRAZZAVILLE: China's new President Xi Jinping on Friday signed deals worth several million dollars with his Congolese counterpart in sectors as varied as banking and infrastructure, on the final leg of his three-nation Africa tour.

BOJ chief says Japan economy on the mend

TOKYO (AP) — Japan's economy has stopped weakening and should show signs of recovery by midyear, the newly appointed central bank governor said Thursday, as weaker-than-expected retail sales for February underscored the challenge he faces in restoring consumer confidence.

South Korea lowers growth forecast as exports slow

South Korea has cut its growth forecast for the second time in three months, amid a slowdown in its exports.

Malaysia's Najib says economy at risk from weak election result

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (Reuters) - Malaysian leader Najib Razak has warned that nascent reforms can't be done "overnight" and that Southeast Asia's third-largest economy risks slipping backwards if he does not win a strong majority in an election he must call within weeks.

Fed study says China's growth could slow sharply by 2030

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Economic growth in China faces mounting headwinds and could fade dramatically in the years ahead due to declining productivity and an aging population, according to a U.S. Federal Reserve study.

India to unveil shale gas policy within 2 weeks: minister

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India plans to unveil its shale gas policy within the next two weeks as it seeks to exploit unconventional resources to fuel its expanding economy and cut subsidies, oil minister Veerappa Moily said on Sunday.

China Vice Premier says economy faces headwinds, urges broad reforms

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's economy faces more headwinds as it struggles with surplus production capacity and risks to the financial system, a member of the country's top decision-making body said on Sunday, calling for sweeping reforms, including lessening state control.

OECD urges China to free markets, ease migration

BEIJING (AP) — The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development urged China to make good on pledges to force state companies to compete in more open markets and ease movement of migrants into cities to keep its economic growth strong.

Japan posts trade deficit for eighth straight month

Japan has posted a trade deficit for the eighth straight month, underlining the challenge the new government faces in spurring on the country's economy.

China "extremely concerned" about US-Japan island talk

TOKYO: Japan and the United States have started talks on operational plans in the case of armed conflict over a group of East China Sea islets claimed by Tokyo and Beijing, Japanese media said on Thursday, prompting China to complain of "outside pressure".

India cuts interest rates for second time this year

India has cut its main interest rate for the second time in three months as it looks to revive its sluggish economic growth.

China's new premier seeks "new type" of ties with U.S.

BEIJING (Reuters) - New Chinese Premier Li Keqiang pledged on Sunday to work with U.S. President Barack Obama to forge "a new type of relationship" for the sake of peace in the Asia-Pacific region, and said the war of words about cyber-hacking must end.

Despite Tension, India Eyes Trade With Pakistan

Despite a spike in tensions between South Asia's nuclear rivals, India's ambassador said Friday her country wants closer trade ties with Pakistan.

Vietnam Tries to Tame Its Corporate Offspring: Southeast Asia

Vietnam’s state coal miner may make it onto a list of the world’s top mining companies by just one measure: its workforce. With almost 140,000 staff, it has more than BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP) and Rio Tinto Plc (RIO) combined.

Haruhiko Kuroda confirmed as BOJ governor

Japan's parliament has approved Haruhiko Kuroda as governor of the Bank of Japan, who is expected to push for monetary stimulus to boost growth in the world's third-largest economy.

Japan's lower house clears Kuroda to head BOJ

TOKYO (AP) — The lower house of Japan's parliament has endorsed Haruhiko Kuroda, a finance ministry veteran and president of the Asian Development Bank, to become central bank governor and spearhead efforts to break the world's third-largest economy out of its long bout of deflation.

China's auto sales up 19.5 percent in Jan-Feb

BEIJING (AP) — China's auto sales accelerated in the first two months of this year, rising 19.5 percent over the same period of 2012 in a possible positive sign for an economic recovery.

Japan economy grew in last quarter of 2012

TOKYO (AP) — Japan's economy did better than first thought in the last quarter of 2012, eking out a slight expansion instead of shrinking in a boost for Prime Minister's Shinzo Abe's policies for ending two decades of deflationary stagnation.

China eyes India trade by boosting spending in Nepal

KATHMANDU: China's ambassador to Kathmandu was recently pictured in a traditional Nepali cap and silk scarf, digging with a spade to symbolise the laying of the foundations of a new dry port near the Tibet border.

India On The Mend, Moody's Says

India may be heading for a rebound, Moody’s Analytics said on Friday.

ASIA MARKETS: Asia Shares Mixed; Tokyo Outperforms On Weak Yen

HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Japanese stocks climbed for a seventh session on Friday, reaching a fresh multiyear high, as the yen fell against the U.S. dollar, while Hong Kong and Australian markets rose after trade figures kicked off China's monthly economic data.

India Said Likely to Start Year With $13.7 Billion of Cash

India’s government will probably have a 750 billion rupee ($13.7 billion) cash balance at the start of the next fiscal year after reining in spending, a Finance Ministry official with knowledge of the matter said.

China property curbs may trigger home buying rush

HONG KONG: China's property-related shares fell by the most in nearly five years on Monday on plans to tighten curbs on the housing market, though some economists predict a near-term spike in existing home prices, at least until local governments work out how to implement the changes.

ASIA MARKETS: China Stocks Stage Strong Bounce, Lead Asia Gains

HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Asian markets rebounded Tuesday as a higher finish on Wall Street attracted buyers a day after most regional equities suffered a sell-off, with Japanese stocks extending gains on hopes for further monetary easing under a new central bank chief.

BOJ nominee Haruhiko Kuroda promises to beat deflation

Haruhiko Kuroda, nominated to be the next head of Japan's central bank, has promised aggressive steps to raise inflation to 2%, sending Japanese shares higher.

China Monetary Tightening Pressure Eases as Growth Rebound Slows

China may hold off tightening monetary policy after growth in services and manufacturing weakened, underscoring challenges for the nation’s leaders as they open the annual session of parliament tomorrow.

Philippines May Shun Borrowing Abroad This Year, Treasurer Says

The Philippines may shun the global bond market this year as record-low interest rates at home and flush money supply supports increased domestic borrowing, Treasurer Rosalia de Leon said.

India announces rise in spending to help spur growth

India's finance minister has announced an unexpected rise in public spending for the next financial year in an attempt to revive its sluggish economy.

Japan's Abe to advance reforms with free trade decision

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appears poised to raise the curtain on Act Three of his "Abenomics" drama with a decision to join talks on a U.S.-led free trade pact, seen by some as a test of his appetite for vital economic reform.