Google will provide seed funding in Asia's renewable energy that will start off in Taiwan. Through the Center for Resource Solutions, the funds will be used to set up renewable energy certification programs.
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Tracking sell-off on Wall Street, Asian markets turned weaker. Renewed growth concerns and effectiveness of central bank policy have worsened the investor sentiment.
El Niño is hitting on cane productions especially in Asia, leading to a global shortage and the rise in prices. This would be the first year of sugar shortage after years of surplus. The shortage is projected to be prolonged to at least next year.
Samsonite saw strong sales in Asia, particularly China, in 2015. The company is not sure about 2016 outlook due to potential challenges, as it moves forward to boost presence in Asian markets.
500 Startups is seeing a great potential in Vietnam, where more than half of its population are below the age of 30 and most adults are using smartphones. The Silicon Valley-based accelerator is preparing a $10 million investment fund dedicated for Vietnam startups.
Asian shares fell back from a seven-week high on Tuesday as oil prices fell more than 2 percent. The sudden drop happened after the Asia-Pacific indices rose to its highest level since the beginning of the year, after seeing the rise in oil prices before reversing back.
Asia has been a growing market for startup companies and venture capital deal. However, as U.S. venture capital faces a slowdown and overblown valuation, will Asia also experience the same?
McDonald's is about to launch its experimental outlet in Seoul, South Korea, with draft beer. The fast-food giant has taken its first steps to introduce the concept of beer with hamburgers in Asia, having added this beverage long time back in its German, French, and Spanish outlets. If the Asian people embrace this concept, McDonald's is ready to open up two more similar outlets in Gangnam and Sinchon.
The rise of oil prices had brought positive growth to most of the Asian markets, except for Japan. On the other hand, European market had seen a drop. The oil prices increased overnight due to speculations that U.S Federal Reserve would possibly decide not to increase interest rates throughout 2016.
Ford Motor has announced on Monday that they would be exiting the Japanese and Indonesian markets by the end of this year as the governments are running a very "closed" market, protecting domestic sales over the international ones. The automaker has been unable to increase their sales or sustain profits under such circumstances. They said that the employees have already been informed and they would be providing detailed explanations regarding post-sale services like servicing and providing new car parts to its customers very soon.
In the face of declining home prices, as evident from the last quarter, the chairman of Hang Lung Group, Hong Kong's leading developer, expressed that the city property market is now more robust than it has ever been in the last 25 years.
Uber Technologies Inc. said it had been given approval from Jakarta governor to operate as a fully legal entity in the Indonesian capital, assuming it meets local tax rules and other requirements laid out by the government.
On Thursday, the new market forecast said that global smartphone sales growth will cool to single digits for the first time amid the China's economic slowdown. IDC predicted the 9.8% increase in global smartphones shipment to a total of 1.43 billion units. Android dominates the market share with 81.2% with Apple holding only 15.8%.
Though usually considered only when convenient for consumers in the US, the 7-Eleven franchise in Asia has become a different company, selling varieties of snacks and services to its varied customers across Asia.
US President Barack Obama is heading for an Asian trip and is expected to join the APEC Summit in Manila to talk about the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) summit, which will be attended by all Asia-Pacific leaders will be the center of Obama's attention to deliver a speech and convince leaders to sign the agreement.
