Better house loan outlook
THE China Construction Bank (CCB) is scheduled to provide a total of 50 billion yuan ($6.04 billion) in housing loans in 2000 to assist individual house buyers.
Catering to dynamic people
ASKED what was the most surprising feature of Shanghai, Michael Thomas, general manager of Hotel Sofitel Hyland Shanghai, responded: the dynamism of Shanghai people.
Two-way mobile fees to stay, for now
SHANGHAI's telecom-munications authorities are playing down rumours in the media about a massive reform of mobile phone charges which had a huge impact on relevant stocks.
Microsoft China has new GM
MICROSOFT (China) Co said it will take the same stance - localization of business and strong opposition to counterfeit products in the China market - after the inauguration this month of Jack Gao, the company's newly-appointed general manager.
Four incineration centres to be built
THE city plans to build more incineration complexes to handle the increasing garbage.
Rexpo fair to excite house buyers
ALTHOUGH we have already glided into the new millennium, millennium mania will continue for a long time.
My city.com aims at home shopping
IF you are fond of shopping but not of the stuffy air and crowds of customers that accompany department stores, the launch of a commercial website "Mycity.com.cn" is just for you.
E-commerce takes off but no E-cash in China
ANYONE who has surfed the Internet recently has seen the extensive growth of electronic commerce worldwide. Advertisements flash across the screen, hawking everything from low airfares to compact discs and health insurance.
Brief
Overstated food
Robust trade outlook raises shipping fees
By Chen Qide
CHINA'S container market is recovering from last year's sluggish business with the freight index reaching 1,157.12 points yesterday, up slightly 0.6 per cent over last week. "The container business is expected to be promising this year as foreign trade increases," said Chen Yan, a spokeswoman with the Shanghai Shipping Exchange. China is expected to handle foreign trade valued at $400 billion this year and has worked out detailed plans and policies to push forward exports of listed products, Chen said. She said many shipping companies have raised their prices in the hope of gaining more profits from the possibly robust foreign trade. The Mediterranean Far East Conference has decided to charge higher fees for westward and eastward services. The westward price hike plan will be carried out in two phases. The first phase will begin on April 1 with an additional charge of $150 for each 20-foot container. The second phase plans an increase of $150 to $250 on August 1. Chen said the Far East Freight Conference has already made price increases, charging an additional $150 for each 20-foot container and $300 for each 40-foot container. "The additional charges will be increased from $150 to $300 and from $300 to $600 on August 1," she said. The Trans-Pacific Stabilization Agreement has also reaffirmed an increase of $400 for each 20-foot container on May 1 and said it will charge additional fees during the brisk business season between July 1 and October 31. "These price-hike plans have indicated this year's market will be bright," the spokeswoman said. Yesterday's index for services bound for Europe was reported at 1,460.43 points, up 2.9 per cent over last week. Chen said Asian services are expected to have a promising business outlook this year as the Asian economy grows. The index, which was announced yesterday by the centre, showed that points for Japanese services reached 745.01, an increase of 6.2 per cent over last week. But the index for services bound for Southeast Asia was reported at 971.85 points, a rise of only 1.5 per cent.
Copyright 1999 by Shanghai Star. All rights reserved.