http://asiadev.org/ Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:09:16 +0000 Latest Development & Economic News On Asia http://newsonjapan.com/ http://article.wn.com/view/2010/07/30/UK_author_vows_to_fight_Singapore_contempt_charge_g/ Jul 30 By ALEX KENNEDY Associated Press Writer SINGAPORE (AP) - A British author vowed Friday to fight charges in Singapore related to his book on the city-state's death penalty policy, even if it lands him in jail. Alan Shadrake, 75, said he rejected a plea bargain from the attorney general's office to drop a contempt of court charge in exchange for an apology for statements about Singapore's judicial system in his book, "Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock." "They can put me in jail, I don't care," Shadrake said in an interview before a preliminary hearing. "They will not shut me up." Shadrake... http://www.china-briefing.com/news/2010/07/30/chinese-chamber-of-commerce-celebrates-110-years.html Jul 30 Jul. 30 – The Hong Kong-based Chinese General Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 110th birthday this week, hosting a lunch at which Dai Xianglong, China’s National Social Security Fund Chairman, was the honored guest. Stating in his address to the Chamber that he expected “decades” of growth in China, he said he believed that China’s GDP [...] http://www.china-briefing.com/news/2010/07/30/circ-allows-interest-rate-exchanging-among-insurance-agencies.html Jul 30 Jul. 30 – The China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) recently issued a notice regarding insurance agencies engaging in interest rate exchanging. According to the notice, the number of agencies that can develop the interest rate exchanging business as derivatives has been extended to the entire industry. Baojianfa [2010] No. 56, issued on July 20, stipulates that [...] http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/connectasia/stories/201007/s2968786.htm Jul 30 The Indian rupee has joined the ranks of the world's major currencies with this month's release of its own currency symbol. http://www.moneymanagement.com.au/Article/Choose-India-over-China-says-Ferguson/521225.aspx Jul 30 Renowned Harvard-based economic historian Niall Ferguson believes Western investors are far better off spending in India than China, in terms of market sustainability and social structure stability. http://sg.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20100725/tbs-uae-rasalkhaimah-investments-7318940_1.html Jul 25 * Free zone develops infrastructure, renewables, education http://sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20100724/tbs-india-eu-trade-fta-558302b_1.html Jul 24 India and the European Union are to hold a fresh series of free-trade talks next month in Brussels in a bid to clinch a deal by the end of the year, an official said.