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Jack Boureston
ICR
icr@ix.netcom.com

_______________________________________________________________________
Issue 1, No. 1

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                        Asia Technology Review

***********************************************************************
       Construction  :  Telecommunications   :  Transportation
***********************************************************************

Asian Technology Review (ATR) focuses on new regulations, technological
and business developments, and opportunities in the following Asian
emerging economies:
  
  Cambodia  : Indonesia : Laos : Myanmar : Philippines : Vietnam 
_______________________________________________________________________


Contents: 

Pacific Sweep
Development in Focus
Construction Industry
Telecommunications Industry
Transportation Industry

_______________________________________________________________________


Pacific Sweep
----------------

Asian Political and Technological Objectives


ASEAN: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) appears to
have found its place as  Southeast Asia's regional forum for
cooperation. During the fifth ASEAN summit, the current seven ASEAN
members and  three non-
ASEAN nations (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar) met to discuss new trade
agreements, set new guidelines for resolving several regional disputes,
and agreed to hold annual informal meetings to supplement  the formal
tri-annual sum
mits. 

Upon returning home, Philippine President Ramos said that he was
pleased with the summit and the support he found for a Philippine
initiative to increase trade and services between Southeast Asian
nations.</b>  These serv
ices include, sea and air transportation, telecommunications, tourism,
construction, and business services.
(ATR Philippine Correspondent, 12/29/95) 

China Watch: Expect China to increase joint-ventures with foreign
technology related companies to relax various trade regulations and
tighten  internal economic measures.  The Chinese government is paying
strict attention
 to growth in unemployment, increased inflation, and foreign currency
fluctuations. These factors will prompt new measures while Beijing
attempts to stabilize the economy. 

For indicators of China's future actions, watch the following
developments:  the health of Deng Xiaoping; preparations to integrate
Hong Kong; the China-Taiwan relationship; the stability of the South
China Sea region and
 in the Korean Penninsula. (JBoureston)

The Chinese Government is currently debating a draft bill that will
standardize foreign investment regulations in the financial, aviation, 
land-use, and shipping sectors.  The bill includes new procedures for
obtaining f
oreign loans, certifying those who work as stock brokers, for
standardizing methods of foreign investment, and setting safety
standards in the shipping industries.  (Xinhua 11/95)

In its ninth Five-Year Plan, China  expressed its plans to increase its
focus on importing advanced technology, equipment, and key components
needed for economic development.  It also stressed the need for keeping
actual 
use of foreign direct investment at or below US$ 150 billion.  The plan
outlined specific measures to achieve a balance of payments, improve
trade, and increase macro control over the economy.  Some measures may
include, 
tariffs, foreign exchange rates, taxes, and credits (Renmin Ribao,
12/5/95).  One recent change in policy may be the intent to develop
internal support for an export-led economy, indicating a gradual
maturity in infrastru
cture and trade development.

China's ninth Five Year Plan focused on developing  the domestic
computer industry.  According to the plan, China will use foreign
technology, funds, and information to achieve a dominance in both the
domestic and interna
tional markets.  General tactics include increasing output of the
computer industry to 170 billion yuan, increasing the export value of
the industry to US$ 11 billion, increasing the level of computers in
China to that of
 developed countries, and developing an information network that spans
the entire country.  

Specific development strategies include: 1) Providing computer
equipment, software, systems, and services to domestic industry  2)
Encouraging and supporting the creation of large corporations and joint
enterprises 3) Res
training competition by promoting domestic joint activities before
seeking joint ventures with foreign enterprises 4) Adjusting the
industrial distribution and product mix  to improve economic efficiency
in the developmen
t of software, components, and parts 5) Increasing exports by
developing the Zhujiang Delta, Chanjiang Delta, and Bohai Delta regions
as major export bases, and 
6) Encouraging joint development of research facilities among domestic
enterprises to develop technological capabilities and accelerate
scientific achievements. (Shichang Bao 12/6/95)

Indonesia:  Indonesia will close most of its development projects in
Java, its most populated island, and encourage development in its
Eastern Regiony.  According to the National Development Planning Board,
Indonesia's de
velopment plan for the Eastern Region will get over 54% of all funding
for developing road and bridges, 44%  of all funding for ports built,
33% of all funding for installing irrigation systems, and 53% of all
funding for
 rice fields planted.  To further encourage development the government
will also give a 20% income tax rebate to those who invest in the
Eastern region. (Suara Pembaruan, 10/26/95)
 
Japan: On 10/31/95,  Japan's House of Representatives passed a science
and technology (S&T) US$ 219 million promotion bill to improve research
facilities, national research institutes and universities, establish an
inform
ation infrastructure for R&D, and promote exchanges among researches. 
(Nihon Kogyo Shimbun 11/9/95)

Laos:  Investment in Laos has increased to US$ 5 billion since 1990 and
analysts expect it to continue. The energy sector received 76% of the
total investment, with tourism getting 7% and mining 5.6%.   Thailand
is the le
ad investor, contributing a total of  US$ 1.9 billion in 229 projects,
followed by the United States investment of US$ 1.5 billion in 38
projects.  Other investors include South Korea, France, Australia, and
Myanmar. (Ban
gkok Post: Inside Indochina supplement, 10/31/95  Vientiane Times,
11/17/95) 

South Korea:   Samsung Electronics will work with its affiliate Samsung
Systems America to develop new technologies in the fields of
telecommunications, computers, and multimedia.  Within these areas,
Samsung will focus o
n developing systems such as asynchronous transfer mode switching
equipment, personal communications systems, and direct satellite
systems. (Chonja Sinmun, 11/14/95)

Korea Telecom plans to begin providing a global position system (GPS)
service by 4/96 by   purchasing necessary equipment from US company
Qualcomm and utilizing the Koreasat-1 satellite. (Chongja Sinmun
11/18/95)  

The ROK Systems Engineering Research Institute (SERI) will produce a
prototype of a vehicle direction guidance system as the follow-up to
the recent successful development of its GPS system that can determine
an automobil
e's speed and direction. (Chonja Sinmun 12/1/95)   

Taiwan: In early December, 1995, Premier Lien Chan announced that his
government is planning to make Taiwan an "Asia-Pacific Regional
Operations Center (APROC).  Plans include establishing special economic
zones for direc
t exchange of personnel and goods with mainland China.  Potential
locations for these zones include Penghu, Mailiao, Taichung Harbor, and
Kaohsiung.  (Taipei Ching-Chi Jih-Pao, 12/10/95)

Thailand: The Thai government is making progress in implementing its
first national master plan for industry.   The 1997-2012 plan aims to
develop a strong, stable, and flexible industrial base that can compete
in regiona
l and global markets by 2012.  It emphasizes decentralizing industry,
developing small and medium sized companies, meeting international
standards, developing skills in industrial technology, and promoting
personal skills
 (Thailand, Business Day, 1/5/96) ATR
_______________________________________________________________________


                     Development in Focus
                     --------------------


                          Indonesia  
                          *********

Indonesia is set to become one of the next economic powerhouses in
Asia.  With its vast waterways and abundant resources, Indonesia is a
favorite for foreign investors.  However, before strong industrial
development can o
ccur, Indonesia must first develop a strong infrastructure.   

 During the 9/95 APEC conference held in Jakarta, representatives of
the Indonesian Government delivered a paper describing the priorities
for development during its current Five-Year Plan. Within these
development plans 
are great opportunities for private investment. These include:

Telecommunications: Increasing the number of telephone lines by eight
million and increasing  switching capacity by 5 million lines.  Total
cost for both goals are set at US$ 6 billion.  State owned PT Telkom is
expected 
to add 2 million lines at a cost of US$ 2.4 billion.  The remainder is
expected to be provided by several private consortia and other private
investment.  The government encourages the development of network
programs, sat
ellite services, and other joint venture activities. 

Demand-The Indonesian Government estimates that between 1995 and 2010,
an estimated 25 million subscribers will demand telephone services. 
Demand for cellular phone services is also expected to rise to from the
current 1
00,000 subscribers to more than 1 million subscribers by the year 2000.
 

Transportation: For a country such as Indonesia which is made up of
several thousand small islands, transportation infrastructure is
extremely important. Over the next five years, the government plans to
spend approximate
ly US$ 13 billion on basic transportation services. 

Sea Transport Program - A US$ 90 million sea transport upgrade includes
purchasing 22 vessels, support services and related construction worth
approximately US$ 90 million.  Also planned is the investment of US$
330 milli
on on improving port and handling facilities at Jakarta's Tanjung Priok
and 12 other ports.

Air Transport Program - Approximately US$1.1 billion is expected to be
invested on improving and constructing nine airports.  An additional
US$ 1.4 will be invested on 65 commercial planes and their support
services.   
 
Railway Infrastructure Program - Investment in the conventional railway
system will total about US$ 169 million for electric lines, diesel
railways, new railway networks for the islands of Kalimantan and
Sulawesi, and ter
minal expansions in Jakarta.  Plans are also underway to establish a
"fast train" service between Jakarta and Surabaya.   
    
A group of local private, government, and industrial investors has been
tasked with creating plans for building a mass transit system.  The
system includes 20 kilometers of mixed underground/aboveground
North-South line t
hrough the commercial areas of Jakarta.  Thirteen of the 20 kilometers
is expected to be completed during this five year period.  Total cost
for the project is estimated at US$ 1.3 billion.  

Road Improvement:  244,000 kilometers of roadway will either be
improved or constructed over the next five years.  An additional 400
kilometers of toll roads are scheduled for completion by the year 2005.
 Demand for road
s greatly exceeds current allocation for investment, and private
investment is encouraged to fill all demand for investment.  
Also included in road improvement programs are plans for 26 new
passenger and eight new cargo terminals worth US$ 90 million, increased
services for traffic management, and improved toll road efficiency. 
Investment poten
tial in road improvement is vast and private sector participation is
encouraged.  

Other infrastructure plans include increasing clean water production
capacity by 30,000 liters, and increasing energy output to 13,000MW.

With the current stable conditions within the domestic government and
new APEC, ASEAN, and Australian-Indonesia agreements in place,
Indonesia  can now concentrate on laying the foundation for 
industrialization and  deve
lopment to its fullest potential. 

(Source: National Trade Data Bank, 10/3/95) ATR 
_______________________________________________________________________


          Emerging Nations In Asia Activities and Opportunities
          -----------------------------------------------------


                          Construction Industry
                          ********************


Indonesia:  P.T. Indonesia Bulk Terminal (IBT) will build a deep
seaport on an island off South Kalimantan.  The project includes
building a port 19-20 meters deep with the ability to accommodate
vessels up to 2,000,000 t
ons and handle various products including coal, oil, and agricultural
goods. Also included in the project is the construction of  a US$ 9
million airport for transporting goods to and from the deep seaport. 
The build -op
erate-transfer project, valued at US$ 600 million, is due to be
completed in approximately 10 years and will proceed in multiple
phases.  

The first phase of the project is to be completed sometime in 1997.  It
will be a joint venture between IBT and a German company and financed
by a loan from the National Bank of Australia and Banque de Paris worth
US$ 80 
million.  (Bisnis Indonesia, 10/31/95)             

The Government of Indonesia is seeking Technical Assistance for its
EAST JAVA URBAN DEVELOPMENT II program.  The project involves
strengthening and providing priority urban infrastructure development
in East Java Province
  For more information contact: The Directorate General of Human
Settlements, Ministry of Public Works, J1, Raden Pata no. 1/1,
Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta, Indonesia, Tel: (62-21) 739-7758, Fax: (62-21)
739-7727.

The Government of Indonesia is seeking technical assistance to improve
its urban infrastructure in approximately 20-25 townships in four
Sulawesi provinces.  For more information contact:  The Directorate
General of Human
 Settlements, Ministry of Public Works, J1, Raden Pata no. 1/1,
Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta, Indonesia, Tel: (62-21) 739-7758, Fax: (62-21)
739-7727. 

Philippines: A holding company owned by a Philippine business group,
Taiwan's Asiaworld International Group, and  the Tuntex Group announced
on 11/11/95 that it is planning to develop a small Philippine island
into a 2910
 hectare free port.  The project will proceed in several phases.  The
first phase, to be completed by 1999, includes developing roads,
communication facilities, and shopping malls.  The second phase will
include construct
ing commercial, residential, recreational districts,  and high-tech
industrial parks. (ATR  Taiwan Correspondent, 11/95)    

In 9/95, Amtrust Financial and New Zealand's Pacific Development and
Investment Corporation (PDIC)  signed a contract  worth US$300 million
to construct 20,000 low cost houses and a family entertainment center
in Manilla.
   Plans are also underway to build 80,000 more low cost houses in the
future. (National Trade Data Bank: IMI, 9/29/95)  



                       Telecommunications Industry
                       ***************************

Cambodia: The Thailand Kantana Group, Thailand's leading TV producer,
plans to invest over $40 million in Indochina over the next three
years.  Kantana and Thai Nakorn Pata Co. have formed a joint venture
called Mega Medi
a Co. to operate TV Channel 5 in Cambodia, with an initial investment
of approximately US$ 2 million.

The station is owned by the Cambodian Defense Ministry and was
previously operated by IBC Cambodia Co., a subsidiary of Thailand's
Chinnawat Group.  Kantana is in charge of production and management,
except for news progr
ams, which are supplied by the Defense Ministry.  Channel 5 will be on
the air from 1700 to 2230 on week days, a
nd from 1600 to 2230 on weekends, with   40 %  of the airtime reserved
for local programs. Mega Media Co. is licensed to operate on AM and two
FM radio stations in Cambodia.  The AM station is expected to begin
broadcasti
ng in the first quarter of next year.  (The Nation, 11/02/95)

Laos:  Part of recent $US 25 million dollar French grant to Laos will
go towards improving its telecommunication systems in the regions near
Pakse and Don Khong.  Other projects slated for the grant include
renovating the
 Nam Dong Dam and Phone Tong and Thanaleng Power stations, procuring
medical equipment, and training Lao pilots. (Vientiane Times, 11/17/95)
   

Vietnam: Speaking at a recent Vietnam Telecomp 95 exhibition in Hanoi,
Party General Secretary Do Muoi has called upon world telecommunication
organizations to boost their investment in manufacturing
telecommunications ne
tworks in Vietnam.  He also urged the Directorate General of Post and
Telecommunication (DGPT) to work closer with other relevant
organizations to acquire the latest know-how and advanced technology
with the goal to accel
erate industrialization. Specific target technologies include
telecommunications, electronics, information systems, radio, and
television broadcasting.

"The DGPT must modernize the national post and telecommunication system
in close connection with national security preservation  through
information and communication," Do Muoi said.

The Telecomp '95-Broadcasting '95 exhibition was held from Dec. 8-12
attracting over 200 corporations from more than 20 countries. (Hanoi,
VNA, 12/13/95)



                      Transportation Industry
                      ***********************

Indonesia: The Directorate General for Human Development's top railway
program priority is to increase load capacity of the South Sumatra Line
from its current five million tons to 12-15 million tons.  In order to
accompl
ish this goal, the government is plan ning to purchase 350 coal wagons
and replace 400 kilometers of single-tracked rail with double-tracked
rail.  The Directorate's plans also include purchasing an additional 20
new loco
motives.  Other priority projects include purchasing 15 locomotives for
the island of Java, and completing the upgrade on the North Java Line's
track and railway signalling system.  For more information contact: The
Direc
torate General of Human Settlements, Ministry of Public Works, J1,
Raden Pata no. 1/1, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta, Indonesia, Tel: (62-21)
739-7758, Fax: (62-21) 739-7727.  (National Trade Data Bank: IMI,
11/30/95)  


The Government of Indonesia is seeking bids for a project to provide
Technical Assistance for Railway Efficiency.  For more information
contact: The Purumka at: J1. Perintis Kemerdekran 1, Jakarta,
Indonesia.  Tel: (62-22
) 430-031, Fax: (62-22) 430-3342.

The Government  of Indonesia is seeking bids for a project to help
establish a national urban roads program.  The program will implement
priority links in urban road networks and improve the institutional
capacity for urb
an road program management.  For more information contact: The
Directorate General of Human Settlements, Ministry of Public Works, J1,
Raden Pata no. 1/1, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta, Indonesia, Tel: (62-21)
739-7758, Fax: (6
2-21) 739-7727.

Laos:  The People's Republic of Lao is seeking technical assistance and
training for upgrading existing roadways.  For more information
contact: The Ministry of Communications, Transport, Post and
Construction, Vientiane,
 Lao PDR, Fax: (856-21) 41-41-23.  

Philippines: The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority is seeking bids for
consultants who will provide technical assistance in improving the
infrastructure of the Second Subic Bay Freeport.  Projects include site
improvements
 of buildings, roads, and bridges, land use, and transportation
planning.  Other projects include improvements for the water supply,
sewerage, and solid waste management.  For more information contact:
The Subic Bay Metro
politan Authority, Building 229, Waterfront Road, Subic Bay Freeport
Zone 1111, Philippines,
Tel: (63-47) 222-3572, Fax: (63-47) 222-3572.   

Vietnam: The Vietnamese Government is seeking foreign funding for three
projects to upgrade and build new railways by the year 2000.  The first
project will install new rails on the Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City route
for trai
ns carrying heavy loads at high speeds.  The second  will entail
constructing a new railway linking Ho Chi Minh City with Vung Tau for
transporting goods from the Mekong Delta to Thi Vai Port in Ba Ria-Vung
Tau Province. 
 The third project  will upgrade the current railway linking Hanoi with
Cat Dao and Lao Cai Provinces to carry mineral and forestry products,
as well as goods from China through Hanoi to Haiphong and Thai ports.
For more 
information contact: The Ministry of Transportation  80  Tran Hung Dao
Street, Hanoi 10 000, Telephone: 84 (4) 252925, (ATR  Vietnam
Correspondent 12/1/95)

The Ministry of Transport is seeking bids for construction supervision
and feasibility studies in the Highway Rehabilitation II.  The project
will focus on reconstructing about 290 kilometers of Highway No. 1
(including b
ridges).  An appraisal mission is currently scheduled for mid-January
1996.  For more information contact: The Ministry of Transportation  80
 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hanoi 10 000 Tel: 84 (4) 252925  ATR
_______________________________________________________________________


International Competitive Research (ICR) assists the investor in
determining the risks and profit potential of investing in the
lucrative Asian market place.  ICR provides a periodic report on
investment regulations and a
ctivities, labor regulations, new business opportunities, and contacts
in the countries of the Pacific Rim.

_______________________________________________________________________

    ATR targets the following emerging economies in Southeast Asia and 
 
      Indochina:

	Cambodia
	Indonesia
	Laos
	Myanmar
	Philippines
	Vietnam

and monitors developments in the following technologies:

	Construction
	Telecommunications
	Transportation


The following factors are monitored constantly to give our customers
successful investment power:

	Politics
       -------- 
	Political stability
	Trade policy
	Development policy
	Entry regulations/entry barriers
	
	Trade
       ------
	National demand  for trade
	Currency transfer risks
	Infrastructure levels to support investment activity
	Trade barriers (tariff and trade tariff barriers)

	Competition
       -----------
	Domestic business activity in the target market 
	Businesses competing in the target market
	Successes and failures of competing businesses
_______________________________________________________________________


Asian Technology Review (ATR) monitors:

	Business related policy statements of Asian nations
	Overall business activities in Asia 
	New or revised trade regulations 
_______________________________________________________________________


Copyright & Copy; International Competitive Research 1996