Site of the Month for May 2011 is about Asian Business Directory. It provides information & resources on Asian business, investment, trade, supplier, manufacturing, engineering, real estate, business organizations, investor support, industrial goods, financial services, legal services, companies in Asia.

Various factors fuelling the growth of this industry have been identified and presented by our team of experts in the report. One of the main factors fuelling the growth of the mobile market is the investments made by the telecom operators. With the increasing competition and roll out of 3G services, investments reached more than TL 3 Billion during H1-2009. Besides, penetration rate in Turkey is 90% compared to more than 100% penetration rate in many western European countries. Turkey telecom market has segmented the telecom market into, Fixed line, Mobile, Internet and Broadband and has also provided detail analysis of the trends and growth drivers prevailing in each segment. Besides, the report has identified potential growth areas such as, WiMAX, IPTV, and others, which will help the investors to get the knowhow of the Turkey’s telecom market.

“Turkey Telecom Sector Forecast to 2012″ also provides information of the key competitors existing in the market along with their business information and areas of expertise. The report shows a highly concentrated structure of the market, with top players dominating the market. It provides segment level analysis of the industry along with emerging trends that may shape up with the betterment of economic conditions. The research will help consultants, industry analysts, and vendors to get in-depth knowledge of the current, past, and future performance of the industry.

One of the top places in the world for Polypropylene shopping bag manufacturing is Vietnam. While China may seem to be at the top for reusable shopping bags, Vietnamese reusable shopping bags are performing equally as well and are sometimes available at a lower cost. There are companies in Vietnam who have mastered two important factors about bag production – they make good quality woven bags that last for hundreds, or even thousands of uses. Secondly, they produce them at a low cost. Due to the efficient technology used in the shopping bag factories as well as the skilled labor that they have to offer, these bags can be produced cheaper than they can in many other industrialized countries.

First of all, the PP bags produced in Vietnam are of a good quality level, in several different aspects. The bags are made to high standards so that they can hold a lot of weight, over 100 or 150 kilograms in some cases. This also means that the handles of the bags must be attached firmly – one weakness of paper and traditional plastic disposable shopping bags is that the handles rip, spilling the contents of the bag out onto the floor. With the bags from Vietnam, this is not a problem.

Also, along with quality, shopping bags made in Vietnam have vivid designs printed on to the bag that stay for a long period of time – often times for the life of the bag without any wear showing on the design. Vietnamese bags can be made in any combination of colors or patterns that the client desires; this is especially good for businesses that want to have their logo imprinted on the side of a bag. Also, for bags that are designed to be sold to the consumer, patterns can be added such as fake animal prints. A coating can be added to give additional protection to the design on the bag. Additionally, the material and pattern used on the bag handle is selected at the discretion of the client.

Also, bags produced in Vietnam are low cost. Vietnam has a good combination of low-cost labor and efficient technology, so that a lot of work can be done in a short amount of time. Materials here also can be purchased for lower cost, even though they are quality, which further lowers the cost per bag. This results in quality bags that are much cheaper than they would be if they were produced in other countries, but just as durable. The time factor is also important, as with such efficient technology, large orders are able to be manufactured and delivered in a relatively short amount of time.

Vietnam truly is one of the premier countries for producing PP shopping bags. These reusable bags are growing in quality, and therefore are being manufactured all over the world now. However, businesses and consumers should keep in mind that Vietnam offers the best combination of low price and high quality PP woven reusable shopping bags.

Worth mentioning among them are the One Pillar Pagoda – built in 1049 and shaped like a blooming lotus; Tran Quoc Pagoda – the oldest pagoda in the region; Ambassadors Pagoda – the center of Buddhism in the country; the Temple of Literature – built in 1070 and dedicated to the worship of Confucianism; Quan Thanh Temple – devoted to Huyen Thien Tran Vo; and Ngoc Son Temple which is in the middles of the Hoan Kiem Lake. Equally fabulous are the beautiful lakes of the area, including, Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake – the largest lake in the city, and Truc Bach Lake, each of which are bounded by picturesque gardens and trees.

Attractions in Hanoi also cover the Presidential Palace – a fantastic chateau located within the Ho Chi Minh’s Relic area; Hanoi Cathedral constructed over the former Bao; Hanoi Flag Tower whose focal point is a three platforms and a military watch tower offering panoramic views of the city; Hanoi Opera House which hosts various performances; and the mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh where you can find the body of Ho Chi Minh encased in a glass coffin.

No visit to Hanoi would be complete without taking a tour to sites such as Co Lao Historical Site, containing remains dating back to the Bronze and Iron Ages, and the elegant French Quarter – a fine example of surviving colonial structure in the world, with beautiful boulevards enclosed by well-designed French style mansions.

Hanoi also has to its credit a myriad of interesting museums like Vietnam History Museum, exhibiting artifacts that date back to various periods of Vietnam’s history; Vietnam Army Museum, with selections related to the armed forces of Vietnam; Fine Arts Museum, consisting of a superb collection of paintings and sculpture; and Ho Chi Minh Museum displaying art objects such as documents, press articles, and pictures of the times of Ho Chi Minh, apart from memorabilia of the 19th century.

Further, the city boasts of many traditional professional handicraft villages, such as, Bat Trang pottery village, Ngu Xa bronze casting village, and Yen Thai glossy silk, where one can see local artisans engaged in bronze molding, embroidery works, and silver carving and lacquer.

The place’s gastronomy is excellent, which is more or less influenced by the French Colonial Era. Some of the specialties available here are pho (beef noodle soup), gio lau or pork sausage, nem ran, and cha ca. Also, included in the specialties are a range of vegetable and seafood dishes. In addition, Hanoi is a shopper’s paradise, with its much favored Old Quarter, which is noted for its colorful as well as traditional narrow streets that are packed with market places and shops selling porcelain, jade carvings, wickerwork and Russian Vodka. Hang Gai Street is also a great choice for shopping.

Above all, Hanoi is home to a number of vibrant festivals, which among many others, are Dong Nhan Temple Festival, Lady Tam’s Temple festival, Thay Pagoda Festival, Chuong Village Festival, Tran Vo Festival, and Dong Festival.

We believe that Japan is the best place to buy used cars mainly because cars in Japan are very carefully maintained and the Japanese roads are one of the best in the world. World-class public transportation system, heavy traffic conditions, high toll and parking fees, and stringent rules of Japanese government with regards to proper maintenance of car safety system are some primary reasons why Japanese cars are used infrequently, and hence, are technically sound. Also the Japanese government discourages people to own cars more than 5-6 years through a tier based technical car examination system called ‘shaken’- the older the car is the more ‘shaken’ tax you have to pay. This system encourages Japanese people to buy new cars since shaken taxes vary greatly depending on the age of the car. Also as repair costs in Japan are very high buying a new car makes much more sense than repairing a damaged car even if it is easily repairable. All these factors make Japan a very attractive used car market and it makes a good economical sense to import used cars from Japan.

Once, you’re convinced that Japanese used cars are the best; the primary question that impinges your mind is, ‘Where to buy used Japanese cars from?’ There are several dealers and exporters who supply Japanese used cars, you can easily purchase your used Japanese car from them. However, in reality all these exporters get the used cars from major auction houses. These auction houses have a wide variety of used Japanese cars, and all of them are available at very low prices to professional buyers such as dealers and exporters. Hence, it would be a better proposition to buy your used Japanese car directly from such auction houses rather than obtain it from intermediate dealers and exporters.

However, you cannot purchase Japanese used cars directly from auctions because you cannot become a member of these auction houses. Only used car dealers and exporters in Japan can apply for the membership. Furthermore, there are several strict contract terms that have to be followed when applying for the membership. Nevertheless, there are several used car exporters as www.best-trade-car.com, who provide “Auction Agent” service, that is, they would purchase Japanese used cars from auctions on your behalf. They also handle all the necessary procedure for shipping Japanese used cars.

When you buy used Japanese cars from online auction houses, using an “Auction Agent”, you would neither get a chance to inspect your Japanese used car from close quarters nor you would have the privilege to test drive the used car before purchasing it. Hence, to know more about the condition of the car, you would have to depend solely upon the ‘Auction-Sheet’, which is nothing, but a car evaluation sheet prepared by the auction house. Although all auction houses have different criteria for measuring the condition of the Japanese used cars, but some parameters are the same. For instance, they allocate grades 2 to 5 or 6 to S for the condition of car exteriors, and grades A to C for the state of car interiors. Apart from external and internal condition, mileage is the next most crucial factor that used car buyers’ worry about. The auction houses take care of this aspect. The seller is compelled to divulge the correct mileage. If the owner rolls back the mileage to hide the true figures, he is severely penalized by the auction house.

Most used car buyers hold the opinion that it is usually difficult to import used Japanese car. Nonetheless, importing used cars from Japan is not at all difficult if you know the correct process. Here is a glimpse of the entire procedure that is put into practice while importing Japanese used cars.

1. Find out details about every law dealing with import of foreign cars in your own country.

2. If you haven’t found the right used Japanese car as yet, then you would have to send a request to the dealer to find the right car for you first.

3. Before giving a confirmation to the exporter/dealer (Auction Agent) to buy the used car, you should (1) check recent market price of your favorite car, which is usually provided by Japanese used car exporter or dealer (Auction Agent); (2) read the auction sheet very carefully; and (3) decide your budget to bid from auctions.

4. The next step is to make the payment. Before issuing the check, you should verify the authenticity of the exporter/dealer. This can be done in two ways:

(1) by getting the company registration number and address confirmed at Japanese embassy in your country,

(2) by checking if your exporter is a member of JUMVEA (Japan Used Motor Vehicle Exporter Association), which is the most reputable organization in the Japanese used car export industry, and is officially accredited by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japanese Government.

5. On arrival of the used car in your country, you would have to reproduce the documents that the exporter/dealer has sent to you. Thereafter, you would have to complete a few official procedures as paying import tax, getting your Japanese used car tested and insured etc. Once, you do that, you can drive your used Japanese car home.

But even the best book notes won’t lift the veil and reveal the true essence of Saudi Arabia culture. To do that, you have to read the account of someone who has lived and worked among the Saudi people, who has experienced, firsthand, history in the making. There are few outsiders who regularly interact with Wahhabi Muslims in Saudi Arabia, for example, since most non-Arabs live in segregated compounds. The real insights into the culture come from people like those who have worked in nursing in Saudi, and thus have seen the good, the bad, and the unthinkable.

For example, something that Westerners take for granted – like an aspirin – can be rife with controversy in Saudi Arabia culture. Although aspirin’s anti-clotting properties have many useful medical purposes, for years women were prohibited from taking the analgesic. Why? The thought was that aspirin could cause longer menstrual periods, which meant that a woman would be “unclean” for a greater length of time, which in turn would lead to an absence of conjugal relations and the possibility that the husband would engage in a sinful act with another woman.

Westerners are often perplexed by even the simplest Saudi customs, such as Saudis’ traditional garb. In truth, the multi-layered robes are extremely practical as a means of trapping the body’s moisture and prevent dehydration in the searing desert sun. Although much has been made of the abaya, or black garment, that Saudi women wear for modesty reasons, most Westerners don’t realize that behind closed doors and only in the company of other women, the abayat come off. Underneath, the wealthy are often wearing the latest fashions that have been imported from New York, Paris, and Milan.

To one extent or another, each of us is ethnocentric, believing that our culture and our traditions are superior to those of another. Saudi Arabia culture is no different, in that Wahhabis believe that this Sunni sect of Islam is superior to all others. Similarly, Americans tend to believe that their culture is superior to that of Saudi Arabia. The truth, of course, is at neither extreme. Indeed, it is only through exposure to another’s culture through the eyes of someone who has lived it can we build bridges of understanding.

Night Safari

The ever so popular Night Safari can be found on the grounds of the Singapore Zoo. It is in fact the first night safari found anywhere in the world and it allows its visitors to view a large number of nocturnal animals in their natural settings. There are over a hundred species of animals which visitors can see during their visit to the Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari. Opening hours of the Night Safari are daily from 19:30 until midnight. Tickets for the Night Safari range from SGD 10.40 until SGD 15.50.

Jurong Bird Park

Another very popular tourist attraction in Singapore is the Jurong Bird Park. Not only tourists enjoy visiting the Jurong Bird Park as also a lot of local Singaporean residents enjoy visiting this lovely and rather stunning wildlife park. Visitors can find nearly ten thousand birds from six hundred species in this twenty hectare bird park. If you would like to visit the Jurong Bird Park then please note that opening hours are daily from 08:00 until 18:00. Entrance fee for children is SGD 4.10 and the entrance fee for adults is SGD 10.20.

Sentosa Island

No visit to Singapore can possibly be complete without a visit to the amazing Sentosa Island. It is an island which is located on the main island of Singapore and it has been developed into a major travel destination. There are a number of wonderful hotels and resorts located on Sentosa Island and a large section of Sentosa Island has also been developed into what seems a major theme park. All types of attractions and activities can be found on Sentosa Island including an underwater world as well as several camping grounds. Please note that the entrance fee for adults to Sentosa Island is SGD 6 and for children it is SGD 4. You will need to buy separately tickets for all the various attractions on Sentosa Island.

As you travel up or down the country, you will notice sharp differences in both main dishes and snacks eaten by locals. Its one of the joys of traveling in the country, and it’s a good idea to ask your guide to point out interesting things to eat.

THE NORTH

With the weather so cold for so much of the year, soups play a large part in Northern cuisine. Pho, Vietnam’s ‘chicken soup,’ is made with white vermicelli noodles, sliced beef or chicken, bean sprouts, chopped peanuts, hot broth and mint leaves that is served piping hot and at all hours of the day. Pho stalls can be found all over Hanoi (and Hanoi style Pho can be found all over Vietnam, catering to homesick Hanoians) and a bowl can cost between 5,000 and 10,000 dong, depending on the location.

Once the bowl is put in front of you, spice it up with bean sauce and chili sauce and squeeze in a few lime wedges; then dig in with a pair of chopsticks in one hand (to lift up the noodles to cool them off) and a spoon in the other (to lift the noodles to your mouth). Other soups include Chao, a kind of rice porridge, and it’s often prescribed as a remedy for common colds.

By far the favorite food in Hanoi is ‘Bun Cha’ grilled meat eaten at makeshift restaurants serving patrons on the street. It’s a great way to fill up for just a few thousand dongs, and when walking around the city it may be impossible to resist the smell.

Bia Hoi is a Hanoi invention, and ‘Bia’ comes from the English word ‘beer.’ Its freshly brewed and served in plastic jugs; its cheap, and it’s a great way to soak up Hanoi’s ambience at night and you might even make some friends along the way.

Hanoians may be a reserved bunch, but they are downright adventurous when it comes to exotic food: fried silk worms, cobra meat, dog meat among others are eaten by people in the capital to cure sickness, increase virility or just because it’s the right season.

THE CENTER

Most of the food eaten in Central Vietnam has some link to the imperial kitchens of the Nguyen Emperors in Hue. Many of the spices, techniques and vegetables come straight from the tables of the emperors themselves.

Imperial spring rolls are commonly eaten, as is Bun Bo Hue, a spicy beef soup that is not for the faint hearted; you may need a bottle of water nearby to wash down the chili peppers.

Perhaps the most famous is Banh Khoai, a pancake like food that is eaten with nuoc leo, a rich peanut sauce. The pancake includes eggs, shrimps and bean sprouts (much like Banh Xeo, in the south, discussed later)

A popular snack is Banh Beo, tiny ceramic dishes with a boiled rice cake topped with pork bits and eaten with a spoon; Drop a small amount of fish sauce (Nuoc Mam) on top and dig in.

A lot of seafood is eaten here as well, and boiled crabs are a specialty.

Perhaps the most exotic food eaten here is Com Hen, a cold rice dish flavored with juice from clams that live in the river near Hoi An. Other ingredients include white vermicelli noodles, chili and shrimp sauce. Its quite a difficult dish to prepare and is not for those who worry about healthy shellfish.

THE SOUTH

The South of Vietnam is considered to have the best food in the country, namely because Saigon, with its increasingly wealthy inhabitants, demand the highest quality vegetables fruits meats etc, and foreign foods (even American Fast Food giants KFC are here) are increasingly common from French to Mexican to Indian.

With the lush Mekong Delta so close, the fruit is very fresh and durians, pineapple, mango and star fruit all come into play in dishes as they come into season.

Banh Xeo is perhaps the most famous Southern Dish, like Banh Khoai, it too is a pancake, but the dish Banh Xeo is much larger, and uses more green beans, shrimps and coconut milk. It serves more than one person, and is dipped in nuoc mam, fish sauce, after being wrapped in fresh lettuce leaves.

Freshly cooked spring rolls are famous in Saigon, but the most specialized are Goi Cuon, the fresh spring rolls combining sliced cold shrimp, mint leaves, cold vermicelli noodles, and rice paper that is dipped in nuoc mam.

Some Southern exotics include Hot Vit Lon, or fertilized duck egg, that is eaten with a spoon and is usually available in markets and street stalls.

It is also important to realize that the Japanese for the most part are very careful with their money. They are very analytical and calculated with their financial decisions, and it is important to have a very well composed proposal for any meetings. Make sure that you also have your proposal or documents translated into Japanese, this is very important and will be further addressed later in this piece.

When visiting Japan for business, try to make the meetings as casual as possible. In many cases the Japanese hosts will lose interest in forming alliances with American companies due to the fact that they feel too pressured to do something. The Japanese are very relationship based and loyal to their business partners. Japanese companies hire for life, they will do this for you too if you come across the right way. Some good advice would also be to wear slip on dress shoes, because the Japanese frequently take their shoes off in restaurants, homes, and other places.

Most importantly, carry many bilingual business cards with English on one side and Japanese on the other. This is a stable of Japanese business etiquette and will be the first test of your knowledge in this subject. The Japanese present their business cards at the start of every meeting, and it’s the equivalent of a handshake in American culture. When someone presents you with a card, do not put it in your pocket, leave it out in front of you on the table or put it in a cardholder. You should also bow slightly when you accept the card. Having your cards translated into Japanese is a minimum requirement, but you really should have them printed 2 sided, with English on one side and Japanese on the other. By translating your cards, proposals, and other documents into Japanese, you are demonstrating your seriousness and dedication. Japanese businessmen love to see translated documents, just make sure you have a reputable translator so embarrassing situations are avoided.