Inflation target timing not like 'train schedule' :BoJ deputy chief

[TOKYO] The Bank of Japan's deputy governor said Tuesday the timeline for reaching its inflation target "can't be like a train schedule", remarks that may fuel doubts about the ambitious goal of conquering years of deflation.

World Bank urges China to cut economic growth target to seven percent in 2015, focus on reforms

(Reuters) - China can cut its economic growth target to 7 percent next year without hurting its labor market, the World Bank said on Wednesday even as it urged Beijing to get rid of rigid growth objectives.

Pacific trade talks progress but gap remains between U.S., Japan

(Reuters) - Negotiations for an ambitious trade pact among Pacific countries made significant progress over the weekend but there is still a gap between Japan and the United States over market access and other hurdles, trade representatives said on Monday.

Vietnam to Accelerate Privatization With Share-Sale Reboot

Vietnam plans to set up a working group to help spur share sales of state enterprises as the government takes steps to bolster a flagging privatization program and drive economic growth.

China refutes US' criticism on Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank

BEIJING: China today refuted US' criticism of Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) lacking transparency saying 20 countries have endorsed the multilateral structure of the newly-established institution.

India Must Bring Down Inflation to Spur Growth, Subramanian Says

India must curb inflation and the budget deficit to revive economic growth from near a decade low, Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian said.

Indonesia’s Graft Body Probes Several Former Ministers

Indonesia’s anti-graft agency, tasked by President Joko Widodo to assess candidates for his cabinet, said it is investigating several ministers in former leader Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s government and wants the incoming team to sign an integrity pact.

South Korea third-quarter GDP rebounds but global headwinds raise uncertainty

(Reuters) - South Korea's economic growth quickened in the third quarter led by private consumption and construction spending, but quarterly exports declined for the first time in a year in a sign of cooling global growth that should keep the door open for more monetary easing.

Japan’s Exports Rise Most in Seven Months in Boost to Abe

Japan’s exports climbed the most in seven months in September, supporting a rebound in the economy as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe weighs another sales-tax increase.

China's growth slowest since global crisis, annual target at risk

(Reuters) - China grew at its slowest pace since the global financial crisis in the September quarter and risks missing its official target for the first time in 15 years, adding to concerns the world's second-largest economy is becoming a drag on global growth.

South Korea economy lifted by switch away from deposit based rentals

(Reuters) - For a country trying to avoid the menace of deflation, South Korea is receiving timely help from unusual quarters - the country's landlord and their tenants.

China, Russia mull high-speed Moscow-Beijing rail line: report

Beijing (AFP) - China and Russia are considering building a high-speed rail line thousands of kilometres from Moscow to Beijing that would cut the journey time from six days on the celebrated Trans-Siberian to two, Chinese media reported Friday.

IMF says Singapore's foreign worker curbs could hurt competitiveness, growth

(Reuters) - Singapore's plans to cut reliance on foreign workers could reduce its competitiveness and growth potential while keeping core inflation elevated, the International Monetary Fund said in a report on Saturday.

Japan’s 2-Year Yield Falls to Record 0.005% on Flight to Safety

Japan’s two-year notes climbed, pushing yields to a record low, as a decline in domestic equities reinforced speculation the Bank of Japan will maintain its unprecedented debt purchases to sustain growth.

India's Modi names Rajan ally as chief economic adviser

(Reuters) - A high-powered academic who tells his students to read Joseph Conrad and Gabriel Garcia Marquez to better understand economic development was confirmed on Thursday as chief economic adviser to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.

China inflation slips to near five-year low, more stimulus measures expected

(Reuters) - China's consumer inflation slowed more than expected in September to a near five-year low, adding to concerns that global growth is cooling fast unless governments take bolder measures to shore up their economies.

India’s CPI Slows More Than Estimated as Food Prices Eas

India’s retail inflation slowed more than economists had estimated after central bank Governor Raghuram Rajan held one of Asia’s highest interest rates for a fourth straight meeting.

Russia signs deals with China to help weather sanctions

(Reuters) - Russia and China signed energy, trade and finance agreements on Monday proclaimed by Moscow as proof that a policy turn to Asia is bearing fruit and will help it to weather Western sanctions over the Ukraine crisis.

Chinese Premier says economy will avoid hard landing

(Reuters) - China will avoid a hard landing despite worries over a slowdown in the world's number two economy and a flagging real-estate market, the country's Premier Li Keqiang said in a speech in Germany on Saturday.

Malaysia Accelerates Building Projects With 6% GDP Growth Target

Malaysia is accelerating infrastructure investment as Prime Minister Najib Razak leans on public expenditure to boost growth amid concern subsidy cuts and a new consumption tax will curb private spending.

BOJ's Kuroda says no gap in view with government on weak yen benefits

(Reuters) - Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said there was no gap in views between the government and the central bank that a weak yen was positive for the world's third-largest economy.

Indonesia Tax Boss Wants to See Bank Records in Revenue Push

Indonesia’s tax chief is pushing for access to personal bank accounts and wants to track car and home purchases in his fight to catch evaders and boost revenue.

Japan service sector sentiment unchanged in September: government survey

(Reuters) - Japan's service sector sentiment index was unchanged in September, staying below the 50-point threshold that separates pessimism from optimism for the second straight month, a Cabinet Office survey showed on Wednesday.

Mink prices sink after slump in Chinese demand

The price of mink has more than halved in the past year after retailers in China and other big fur markets were left with surplus stocks after the bursting of the Chinese fur bubble.

World Bank trims China, East Asia 2014-2016 growth forecasts

(Reuters) - The World Bank cut its 2014-2016 growth forecasts for developing East Asia, noting that China was likely to slow due to policies aimed at putting the economy on a more sustainable footing, and it also cautioned of capital-flight risks to Indonesia.

China's c.bank vows to maintain steady credit growth

BEIJING, Oct 5 (Reuters) - China's central bank said on Sunday it will use various monetary tools to maintain adequate liquidity and reasonable growth in credit and social financing.

Singapore’s Lee Doesn’t Expect More Curbs on Foreign Workforce

Singapore probably won’t need more measures to restrain the inflow of foreign workers as a further tightening could deter overseas companies from setting up business in the city, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said.

Thailand approves $2.74 billion investment in 18 projects

(Reuters) - Thailand's investment agency said on Friday it had approved applications for 18 projects worth 89.7 billion baht ($2.74 billion), many of them involving the automobile sector and renewable energy.

China ready to grab business after EU-Russia showdown

(Reuters) - China is ready to seize any business opportunities in Russia resulting from Moscow's diplomatic showdown with Europe over Ukraine, Beijing's ambassador to Berlin said ahead of a meeting of German and Chinese leaders next week.

Risks to 'Abenomics' growing, whether Japan PM raises tax or not

(Reuters) - If history is a guide, a string of disappointing economic reports in Japan would seem to argue against raising the country’s sales tax again.

China Factory Gauge Falls From Initial Reading

A Chinese manufacturing gauge fell from an initial reading a week ago as a property slump weighs on the world’s second-largest economy.