Be sure to check out our "Recent Columns" page for more news. The Latest in Asian Business News : September 1999 Columns Business Opportunities Looking for suppliers of: 1) Fire-escape equipment for individuals from high-rise buildings. 2) Earthquake protection devises or equipment. 3) Earthquake-resistant buiding materials . 4) Fire-retardant building materials. Improving Our Services for You September 29, 1999 PRO management wishes to thank our readers for their support and response since we came into being last year. Although we don’t claim that our service to be always impeccable, we believe that by sincerely trying our best, we have been able to help all who contacted us. We usually alert our readers about what is or has been happening in Asia and offer our assessments of the situation for doing business in the region. Nevertheless, there are improvements remaining to be made on our online services. One area of development is to respond to the mushrooming presence of websites requesting open bids and to specify prices for certain goods. Therefore, we take much pleasure in initiating this service on our site and ask that interested readers send in their terms for either investment or for any trade items. We will use our extensive contacts in the Asian and U.S. regions to find the right matches. All information will be, of course, treated with utmost discretion and professionalism. Would you like to learn more? Please contact us. Any other improvements that you wish to see from us?   September 19, 1999 Extra! Extra! Extra! Taiwan was hit yesterday by an earthquake of 7.6 magnitude by Ritcher. PRO staff respectfully request their readers to join them in a prayer for those who suffered and are still suffering from this act of God. May God continue to give, during this national distress, blessings to each and everyone on that island. PACIFIC RIM COUNTRIES’ OPEN-HOUSE FOR INVESTORS Two years after the start of the recent financial crisis, many Pacific Rim countries, which have been suffering the economic pain, seem to stand up again.Thailand and Malaysia started recently to show GDP growth about 4.1%, while Singapore has a more remarkable 5% economic growth that depends chiefly on her neighbors’ prosperity. The Philippines has also gained an increase in GDP of 3.6% as compared to last year. These upbeat news reports indicate that those Pacific Rim countries, as well as Taiwan and communist China, both of which had not been as affected by the said crisis, are going to achieve an even higher prosperity than ever before. International profit-concious investors always pay the utmost attention to the stability of society and currency of the host country. With fast-improving economies all over the region , it looks now is the most opportune time to start investment again in Asia. Because of their growing economies and impact on the WTO(World Trade Organization), Pacific Rim countries, desirous of more trade and investment, have been holding “open houses” - not only to encourage the import of more goods but also to give foreign investors “national treatment” (i.e., to allow foreign investment into their service industries). All this expansive treatment is in addition to the regualr tax holidays, local currency loan, and a number o other fringe benefits. If you are prepared to make investment in Pacific Rim countries, we are equally prepared to offer you the professional advice you need. E-mail: VJCHANG@hotmail.com Tel/Fax USA : (301) 438-7439   HOT INVESTMENT ITEMS IN PRC Septermber 6, 1999 As a result of the Asian financial crisis, almost each and every country has been trying to put more money into national projects in order to prod domestic market demand. PRC survey shows that, for all industries, profit margin is low and risk is high. During a recent economic seminar in PRC, experts examined the supply and demand of 600 principal commodities. The surprising conclusion was that only one among them had DEMAND HIGHER THAN SUPPLY, while the oversupply ratio in the first six months of 1999 hiked 38%!  No hot items for investment in this area. On the other hand, optimistic experts have FOUND the items below as high growth areas: service industries for the SILVER-HAIRED GROUP, MEDICAL and HEALTH SUPPLIES FOR SOCIETY, SCHOOLS FOR URBAN AREA, TOURISM, and RECREATION. We also have the latest statistics analysis of Chinese familiy expenditures (both urban and rural) that is essential information for any investors. If you like to have them, please contact us.   E-mail: VJCHANG@hotmail.com Tel/Fax USA : (301) 438-7439