"It is understandable that the government in PRC has chosen some unconventional economic and market tools to boost its slowing economy at a time of an exceptional crisis. For instance, the government has tried to reduce overproduction in eastern coastal regions by expanding production in less-developed central and western areas to narrow imbalances in national economic development. However, the economic recovery following an avalanche of stimulus packages is not built on a solid foundation.

It has become increasingly manifest that these non-traditional and quantity-first economic stimulus measures have left a series of negative elements in the country's long-term economic development, which, if unresolved, will pose a major obstacle to the resumption of normal economic functions. That may give birth to an economic model that is short of vigor and could easily plunge the country into inflation or deflation, or a more terrible stagflation."

"Indonesia's economy may expand closer to 6 percent next year if the government can address problems related to sea transportation and ports, a prominent economist said. Inefficiencies in sea transportation and ports contributed to high logistic costs. Spending on logistics accounts for 30 percent of the country's Rp 5,400 trillion ($572 billion) gross domestic product (GDP).

Logistic costs in Indonesia are 30 percent of GDP, compared to 20 percent in PRC and 10 percent in Thailand. A significant improvement could be made by simply making the services given under the National Single Window (NSW) available 24 hours a day. Businesses often have to spend $30,000 per day renting ships while waiting for cargoes to be unloaded."

"With a growing number of older people and a large impoverished population, Bangladesh needs to improve social security support for the country's most vulnerable groups, experts say. Existing social security measures are unable to meet the needs of vulnerable people, and the scope of these programs urgently needs to be widened, say experts. Bangladesh is exposed to natural disasters, extreme weather events and other shocks, leaving the poorest without any form of protection.

To ensure sustainable social security for the poor, the efforts of the local government units must be supplemented by a strong framework of government economic regulations. About 1.2 million people are employed by the government and are eligible for pensions after they retire at age 57, but most of the country's labor force, which is rural, does not receive a pension."

"A year ago, Viet Nam was considered to be one of the countries in the world most exposed to the effects of the global financial crisis, due to its strong reliance on external finance and export markets to sustain its fast rate of economic growth. Over the past year the government has implemented measures to stimulate economic activity during the crisis and mitigate its impact on the most vulnerable segments of the population, and today Viet Nam is again emerging as one of the strongest economies in the region.

However, as we come out of the crisis it is important not to lose sight of the challenges that remain. Viet Nam now stands at the threshold of achieving middle-income country (MIC) status, which will bring both challenges and opportunities. We believe Viet Nam could be a star MIC performer, but to do so it will need to plan now to avoid the 'middle income trap' and ensure that further development is inclusive, equitable and environmentally sustainable."

"Milk is among the few recent success stories of Indian agriculture, with output virtually doubling since 1990-91. The estimated value of milk production in 2007-08 was higher than that of paddy, wheat and sugarcane, making it the country's No. 1 farm produce. It is ironic, then, that dairy farming is still viewed by many farmers as a subsidiary activity due to cows being largely fed on crop residues and pasture grasses.

Feed and fodder no longer come cheap, unlike in the past, when straw fetched barely a fraction of grain's price and animals had abundant village common lands to graze. Milk production growth based on unconstrained ('free') supplies of farm by-products has more or less run its course. The future strategy for growth would have to treat milk as any other crop and dairy farming as an agricultural activity in its own right."

"Despite devaluing its currency by 5.2 per \cent late last month, Viet Nam has not yet resolved its macro-economic problems resulting from low foreign exchange reserves, high inflation and rising trade deficits. This means a further devaluation of the Vietnamese dong by another 10-15 per \cent is likely in the coming months as authorities attempt to stabilize the macro-economy and convince the markets of their determination to tackle problems.

As far as Thailand is concerned, the devaluation of the dong would negatively affect Thai exports and the tourism sector because Viet Nam prices would go even lower. Thai rice and other farm products such as tapioca, textiles and leather goods as well as marine and rubber products are among the export items facing fierce competition from the neighboring country whose goods have become cheaper. The price of Thai rice is now as much as $100 (Bt3,310) more expensive per ton compared to Vietnamese rice."

"The Philippine government's obligations to its creditors rose in the first nine months this year as it borrowed more through the sale of peso-dominated debt papers to make up for lower-than-expected tax collections. The government's debt rose 5.8 percent to P4.34 trillion at the end of September from P4.1 trillion last year.

The increase in the domestic debt of 5 percent from the recorded end-August level was because of the net issues of government securities. The government borrows from local banks and other institutional lenders on short-term notice through the sale of Treasury bills, the proceeds of which are used to plug a budget deficit borne out of tax collection shortfalls."

"With the Association of Southeast Asian Nations set to see a Free Trade Agreement with PRC begin to come into force next year, companies in ASEAN member state Indonesia will have no option other than to be more nimble. The private sector can serve as the locomotive for economic growth but it will need help from the government. In this regard, it is heartening to hear the finance minister say the government will pursue greater public-private sector partnerships.

It can do this by listening to and working with the private sector to develop more business-friendly policies. It can do so by lowering taxes and being less bureaucratic. It can do so by pushing ahead with reforms that make doing business less onerous and it can do so by providing the necessary infrastructure to support strong business activities."

"Fiji should brace for an agricultural drought, the Fiji Meteorological Center has warned. The warning comes as about 60 percent of climate reporting stations across the country showed well below average rainfall -- less than 40 per cent of normal rainfall.

Should the present low rainfall continue to be experienced until the end of December and into January, many parts of Fiji will be in a state of agricultural drought. Therefore, agencies such as water and electricity authorities, agricultural managers and industries are to take adaptive measures should this situation become more severe."

"Figures showing a rise in the number of women dying in childbirth have only confirmed the multiple challenges facing maternity provision in the Kyrgyz Republic, which is short of qualified hospital staff, medical supplies and equipment. From January to the end of August, the latest period for which national data are available, 58 deaths were recorded among mothers during pregnancy, childbirth and the post-delivery period. The figure for eight months was 10 more than for the whole of 2008.

The main problem areas are in cases involving emergency treatment, when decision-making was dilatory, communication between staff was poor, and standard procedures were not followed. Maternity care is deficient all across the Kyrgyz Republic rather than just in this one hospital. Teams from the Health Ministry inspected medical facilities in Naryn, Issykkul and Osh regions and found high rates of maternal mortality."

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