Tuesday, November 10, 2009 SINGAPORE: From nurses to welders, Asia-Pacific economies including the United States and Japan face critical labour shortages if they fail to allow easier movement of temporary workers, a study has warned.The research, commissioned by the APEC Business Advisory Council urged governments to address the problem or risk hampering business competitiveness and economic growth.The report, expected to be circulated at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Singapore this week, said most free-trade deals within the grouping looked at easing travel for businessmen. 'They ignore the movement of the actual skilled and lower-skilled workers that are needed in large numbers to fill these labour shortages and skill gaps,' it said.The study, by the University of Southern California Mashall School of Business, raised the need for a 'policy framework' among APEC members to facilitate the movement of temporary labourers.'Real shortages of skilled and lower skilled workers exist in many APEC economies, even during this recessionary period,' it said.'And these labour shortages and imbalances of skills and jobs are predicted to become increasingly critical because of the changing demographics of ageing populations,' it added. 'This gives business real concern as access to workers is directly correlated with business competitiveness and growth.'
Sunday, February 28, 2010 HAVANA: Hundreds of wealthy merchants and cigar aficionados from all parts of the world gathered in Havana this week to bid high stakes for humidors full of premium cigars. Cuba's annual Habanos festival ended on Friday night with an auction of ornate humidors of cedar and mahogany stacked with hand-rolled stogies that raised 800,000 euros ($1.09 million dollars). Habanos S.A. executives this month said cigar sales fell 8 percent to $360 million in 2009, so they have created the Julieta, a smaller, milder version of the Romeo y Julieta cigar, aimed specifically at female smokers. Women now make up only 5 to 10 percent of customers for Habanos. But even with the creation of the Julieta, Garcia said Habanos has only modest hopes for 2010 sales, due largely to a weak economy in Spain, the biggest market for Cuban cigars. The flavor of premium tobacco relies on the soil and climate in which it is grown. The western province of Pinar Del Rio, famous fo...
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