Service sector full of potential
FACING a slight decline in foreign investment, Shanghai is being urged to turn to the service sector - ranging from accounting, consulting, law, tourism to education - to reverse the tide.
Certificates for OTC medicines to be discussed
ALL pharmaceutical companies wishing to grab a share of the OTC (over-the-counter) medicines market in China need to apply for certificates for their products this August.
Jinjiang gets five-star rating
JINJIANG Hotel was awarded a five-star hotel rating last week by the National Tourism Administration, making it the 12th five-star hotel in Shanghai.
Bayer to build Pudong R&D centre
CHEMICAL company Bayer of Germany last week announced an investment of $10 million in a research and development centre for applied polymer technology in Pudong's Jinqiao Export and Processing Zone.
Epson offers long-lasting prints
YOU may want copies of your favourite photos to be brilliant and last as long as possible. But conventional printers can let you down.
In search of sub-contracts
MAJOR software producers in Shanghai have joined forces to woo more sub-contracts and orders from overseas markets.
Internet, mobile phone match up
PRODUCERS are clamouring for new applications software to cement the marriage between the Internet and mobile telecommunication.
Website offers sympathy over big and small ills
CHINA'S first on-line problem page which invites comments from people who have suffered everyday setbacks from being ripped off to getting the sack has opened at zhaodaola.com.
Serviced offices come to Shanghai
FOR the Shanghai real estate market, 1998 and 1999 was the era of serviced apartments. Will 2000 usher in the era of serviced offices? Vigers Shanghai Research Department takes a look at three businesses offering serviced offices in Shanghai: "Instant office" from Regus, "Executive Suite" from Servcorp and "AABiz Center" from BAA.
Sino-EU talks on WTO push shipping high
By Chen Qide
CHINA'S container business outlook is bright as its negotiations with Europe about the entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) continue smoothly. The composite index for China's export containers, announced by the Shanghai Shipping Exchange yesterday, was reported at 1,164.26 points, up 0.9 per cent over last week. "The market will be brisker as China approaches entry into the WTO," said Liu Xiaoliang, a spokesman with the exchange. But yesterday's index for services bound for the US East Coast dropped to 1,530 points because of the fierce competition among shipping companies. Some companies are expanding their services by adding new ships and some plan to open new services. "This will toughen the competition," Liu said. Container carriers are showing more confidence in the services bound from Asia for South Africa. They will raise freight prices in containers shipped from South Africa to the Far East starting on May 1. Each 20-foot container on the westward services bound from Asia for South Africa will be charged at an additional $200 and every 40-foot container will be charged at an additional $400. Liu said many shipping companies are still suffering from a rise in fuel prices and will charge customers additional fees to alleviate their burden. Beginning on May 1, every 20-foot container will be charged $60 as extra fuel fees and each 40-foot container $80. "The extra charges are expected to last for a long time judging by the current market situation," Liu said.
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