Archives

TOKYO, (AFP) Business sentiment among Japanese companies operating in Asia remained bleak in December particularly in the Philippines, Indonesia and Singapore, an official survey showed Monday.

The government's Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) surveyed 1,578 Japanese companies with operations in key member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with 68.8 percent of them replying.

According to the poll, business confidence in the Philippines fell 7.5 points to minus 40.9 in December from minus 33.4 in November.

Indonesia hit minus 30.4 from minus 25.6, while Singapore slipped to minus 67.2 from minus 64.3.

The index measures the difference between firms saying economic conditions in a particular country are favourable and those saying they are not. A negative figure means a majority of firms believe conditions are unfavourable.

In Malaysia, sentiment improved very slightly to minus 72.5 from minus 72.6, the export-import association said, adding that gloom in Thailand lifted to minus 20.6 from minus 21.8.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager