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Developing Asian Economies

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Asia has three main financial centers. They are in Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo. Call centers are becoming major employers in India, due to the availablity of many well-educated English speakers. The rise of the business process outsourcing industry has seen the rise of India and China as the other financial centers

 

-CHIANGRAI TIMES – Cambodia’s economy can grow as much as 8.7 percent this year, its strongest in a decade, propelled by a resurgence in its garments and tourism industries, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Monday.

The Cambodia government’s official estimate for economic growth in 2011 is 6 percent, but Hun Sen said that could be topped by a wide margin.

“There is a possibility of higher growth of 8.7 percent,” Hun Sen told a graduation ceremony at a university in the capital Phnom Penh, agreeing with an estimate by a local think-tank, the Economic Institute of Cambodia (EIC).

Hun Sen, however, cautioned that “unclear economic situations in the US and Europe” will affect the country and that Cambodia should diversify its economy into other sectors such as agriculture and mining.

After decades of war and upheaval, including the Khmer Rouge “killing fields”, Cambodia witnessed an unprecedented boom before the global financial crisis, its economy expanding at around 10 percent annually in the five years leading up to 2008.

EIC economist Neou Seyha said the garment sector generated the country’s strongest source of growth and was projected to bring $3.5 billion in exports this year. That would compare with $2.9 billion last year according to the Commerce Ministry.

“The garment sector is the driver of the economy while other sectors are beginning to recover,” he said.

Peter Brimble, the Asian Development Bank’s senior country economist in Cambodia, said Hun Sen’s 8.7 percent projection was “very different” to the ADB’s forecast of 6.5 percent.

The economy of Asia comprises more than 4 billion people (60% of the world population) living in 46 different states. Six further states lie partly in Asia, but are considered to belong to another region economically and politically. China is the largest economy in Asia and the second largest economy in the world.

The Asian Development Bank ( ADB) has cut its 2011 and 2012 growth forecastsfor developing Asia amid worries about weak external demand from its key trading partners, according to a report released by the bank Wednesday.

 In its Asian Development Outlook Update 2011, ADB trimmed its 2011 full year forecast of growth to 7.5 percent from its previous estimate of 7.8 percent. The 2012 projection is also lowered slightly from 7.7 percent to 7.5 percent.
Asian Development Outlook and its update version are ADB’s flagship economic reports analyzing economic conditions and prospects in Asia and the Pacific. The reports are issued in April and September each year respectively.
According to the analysis, the slowdown in demand from the United States and Europe continues to cast a shadow over the region, with export growth dropping substantially in the second quarter of 2011 in leading economies.
However, ADB found the share of intraregional exports among the largest economies in the region has increased from 42 percent in 2007 to 47 percent in the first half of 2011.
Accelerating price pressures remain another threat to many economies in developing Asia, with the inflation rate for the region expected to be 5.8 percent this year, up from an earlier estimate of 5.3 percent.
In terms of sub-regional growth, the report showed that East Asia remains the key economic driver for developing Asia with expected growth of 8.1 percent in 2011 and 8 percent in 2012. Growth in South Asia slows this year as monetary authorities move to combat high inflation. GDP is expected to expand 7.1 percent in this region, with the inflation forecast marks up to 9.1 percent. Next year growth should pick up to 7.7 percent.
Growth projections for Southeast Asia and Central Asia have also been lowered slightly to 5.4 percent and 6.1 percent respectively for 2011, although overall economic activity in both regions remains buoyant on the back of solid private consumption, investment and favorable export prices.
Taking those facts into account, the report suggested in the long term, the region should press forward with structural reforms that encourage domestic-led inclusive growth.
WEAK GLOBAL DEMAND CLOUDS CHINA’S GROWTH
ADB trimmed its 2011 growth estimate of China to 9.3 percent from 9.6 percent projected in April. In 2012, the growth forecast is slightly lowered to 9.1 percent.
“Downside risks to the growth outlook relate mainly to uncertainty over the external demand, in particular from the European Union, the country’s largest trading partner,” said ADB Chief Economist Changyong Rhee.
According to the report, the 2011 estimate for China’s inflation has been revised up to 5.3 percent from 4.6 percent, largely as a result of the spike in food prices. Those pressures are expected to ease in the second half of the year when inflation is expected to pull back to 4.2 percent in 2012.
ADB found that the tighter monetary conditions and weak demand from Europe and the United States would lead to moderate growth in China in the first half of 2011. However, fixed asset investment expanded by over 25 percent, while foreign direct investment inflows rose to more than 60 million U.S. dollars in the same period. Private consumption was also robust, underpinned by a rise in real incomes of nearly 14 percent in rural area and 7.6 percent in cities.
The report estimates that in 2012, fixed asset investment in China is likely to remain the major growth driver with continued strong investment in housing. Private consumption should also pick up, as well as exports, provided world trade conditions improve.
The report noted that China’s rapid expansion over the past three decades has led to economic imbalances which policy makers are seeking to address in the 12th Five Year Program. Continuing reforms, including rebalancing the investment and export-led pattern of economic growth to put more emphasis on domestic consumption, will be crucial for China’s sustainable, long-term growth.
AGING ASIA REQUIRES REFORMS
Asia’s demographic landscape will change dramatically in the coming years and policy makers will need to manage the process carefully to ensure further growth as population growing older, says the ADB report.
“Asia’s population is aging at a speed unprecedented in human history,” commented Changyong Rhee. “As the population dividend that fueled Asia’s labor-intensive growth becomes a tax, the region must find more innovative ways to sustain its economic expansion, and to provide more comprehensive support for its growing elderly population,” the report states.
Data provided by the report showed that many parts of East and Southeast Asia, with South Korea and Singapore in particular, are already seeing a significant rise in the aging population. China, the largest economy in the region, is set to see the proportion of elderly and working age people quadruple between now and 2050, surpassing the United States.
These demographic challenges will require a range of structural reforms and actions. The report suggested that for middle and advanced aging societies, governments will need to strengthen state support systems for the elderly, which remain largely underdeveloped.
Developing Asian nations must also make their labor markets more flexible, allowing greater mobility of workers from younger, labor–abundant countries to those where labor is scarce, the report said. Increased investments in physical and human capital will also help both older and younger countries sustain rapid growth in the face of demographic transition.

 

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PepsiCo Reduces Revenue Projections As North American Snacks And Key International Markets Underperform.

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(VOR News) – In the third quarter of this year, Pepsi’s net income was $2.93 billion, which is equivalent to $2.13 per share. This was attributed to the company.

This is in stark contrast to net income of $3.09 billion, which is equivalent to $2.24 per share, during the same period in the previous year. The company’s earnings per share were $2.31 when expenses were excluded.

Net sales decreased by 0.6%, totaling $23.32 billion. Organic sales increased by 1.3% during the quarter when the effects of acquisitions, divestitures, and currency changes are excluded.

Pepsi’s beverage sales fell this quarter.

The most recent report indicates that the beverage and food sectors of the organization experienced a 2% decline in volume. Consumers of all income levels are demonstrating a change in their purchasing habits, as indicated by CEOs’ statements from the previous quarter.

Pepsi’s entire volume was adversely affected by the lackluster demand they encountered in North America. An increasing number of Americans are becoming more frugal, reducing the number of snacks they ingest, and reducing the number of times they purchase at convenience stores.

Furthermore, Laguarta observed that the increase in sales was partially attributed to the election that occurred in Mexico during the month of June.

The most significant decrease in volume was experienced by Quaker Foods North America, which was 13%. In December, the company announced its initial recall in response to a potential salmonella infection.

Due to the probability of an illness, the recall was extended in January. Pepsi officially closed a plant that was implicated in the recalls in June, despite the fact that manufacturing had already been halted.

Jamie Caulfield, the Chief Financial Officer of Pepsi and Laguarta, has indicated that the recalls are beginning to have a lessening effect.

Frito-Lay experienced a 1.5% decline in volume in North America. The company has been striving to improve the value it offers to consumers and the accessibility of its snack line, which includes SunChips, Cheetos, and Stacy’s pita chips, in the retail establishments where it is sold.

Despite the fact that the category as a whole has slowed down in comparison to the results of previous years, the level of activity within the division is progressively increasing.

Pepsi executives issued a statement in which they stated that “Salty and savory snacks have underperformed year-to-date after outperforming packaged food categories in previous years.”

Pepsi will spend more on Doritos and Tostitos in the fall and winter before football season.

The company is currently promoting incentive packets for Tostitos and Ruffles, which contain twenty percent more chips than the standard package.

Pepsi is expanding its product line in order to more effectively target individuals who are health-conscious. The business announced its intention to acquire Siete Foods for a total of $1.2 billion approximately one week ago. The restaurant serves Mexican-American cuisine, which is typically modified to meet the dietary needs of a diverse clientele.

The beverage segment of Pepsi in North America experienced a three percent decrease in volume. Despite the fact that the demand for energy drinks, such as Pepsi’s Rockstar, has decreased as a result of consumers visiting convenience stores, the sales of well-known brands such as Gatorade and Pepsi have seen an increase throughout the quarter.

Laguarta expressed his opinion to the analysts during the company’s conference call, asserting, “I am of the opinion that it is a component of the economic cycle that we are currently experiencing, and that it will reverse itself in the future, once consumers feel better.”

Additionally, it has been noted that the food and beverage markets of South Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa have experienced a decline in sales volume. The company cut its forecast for organic revenue for the entire year on Tuesday due to the business’s second consecutive quarter of lower-than-anticipated sales.

The company’s performance during the quarter was adversely affected by the Quaker Foods North America recalls, the decrease in demand in the United States, and the interruptions that occurred in specific international markets, as per the statements made by Chief Executive Officer Ramon Laguarta.

Pepsi has revised its forecast for organic sales in 2024, shifting from a 4% growth rate to a low single-digit growth rate. The company reiterated its expectation that the core constant currency profitability per share will increase by a minimum of 8% in comparison to the previous year.

The company’s shares declined by less than one percent during premarket trading. The following discrepancies between the company’s report and the projections of Wall Street were identified by LSEG in a survey of analysts:

SOURCE: CNBC

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Old National Bank And Infosys Broaden Their Strategic Partnership.

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Old National Bank And Infosys Broaden Their Strategic Partnership.

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(VOR News) – Old National Bank, a commercial bank with its headquarters in the Midwest, and Infosys, a firm that specializes in information technology, have recently entered into a strategic expansion of their link, which has been in place for the past four years.

This expansion is more likely to take place sooner rather than later, with the likelihood being higher.

For the purpose of making it possible for Old National Bank to make use of the services, solutions, and platforms that are offered by Infosys, the objective of this expansion is to make it possible for the bank to transform its operations and processes through the application of automation and GenAI, as well as to change significant business areas.

This lets the bank leverage Infosys’ services, solutions, and platforms.

Old National Bank Chairman and CEO Jim Ryan said, “At Old National, we are committed to creating exceptional experiences for both our customers and our fellow employees.”

This statement is applicable to Old National Bank. Infosys is carefully managing the business process innovations that it is putting us through, putting a strong emphasis on efficiency and value growth throughout the process to ensure that it is carried out efficiently.

This is a routine occurrence throughout the entire operation. Because of Infosys’ dedication to our development and success, we are incredibly appreciative of the assistance they have provided.

Old National has been receiving assistance from Infosys in the process of updating its digital environment since the year 2020, according to the aforementioned company.

Ever since that time, the company has been providing assistance. The provision of this assistance has been accomplished through the utilization of a model that is not only powerful but also capable of functioning on its own power.

Infosys currently ranks Old National thirty-first out of the top thirty US banks.

This ranking is based on the fact that Old National is the nation’s largest banking corporation.

It is estimated that the total value of the company’s assets is approximately fifty-three billion dollars, while the assets that are currently being managed by the organization are valued at thirty billion dollars.

Dennis Gada, the Executive Vice President and Global Head of Banking and Financial Services, stated that “Old National Bank and Infosys possess a robust cultural and strategic alignment in the development, management, and enhancement of enterprise-scale solutions to transform the bank’s operations and facilitate growth.”

This remark referenced the exceptional cultural and strategic synergy between the two organizations. Dennis Gada is the one who asserted this claim. This was articulated explicitly concerning the exceptional cultural congruence and strategy alignment of the two organizations.

We are pleased to announce that the implementation of Infosys Topaz will substantially expedite the transformation of Old National Bank’s business processes and customer service protocols. We are exceedingly enthusiastic about this matter. We are quite thrilled about this specific component of the scenario.

Medium-sized banks operating regionally will continue to benefit from our substantial expertise in the sector, technology, and operations. This specific market segment of Infosys will persist in benefiting from our extensive experience. This phenomenon will enable this market sector to sustain substantial growth and efficiency benefits.

SOURCE: THBL

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American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack

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American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack

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water

The largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States stated Monday that it had been the target of a cyberattack, forcing the company to halt invoicing to consumers.

water

American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack

American Water, based in New Jersey and serving over 14 million people in 14 states and 18 military facilities, said it learned of the unauthorized activity on Thursday and quickly took precautions, including shutting down certain systems. The business does not believe the attack had an impact on its facilities or operations and said employees were working “around the clock” to determine the origin and scale of the attack.

water

The corporation stated that it has alerted legal enforcement and is cooperating with them. It also stated that consumers will not be charged late fees while its systems are unavailable.

According to their website, American Water operates over 500 water and wastewater systems in around 1,700 communities across California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

SOURCE | AP

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