Asian autos: bleak times ahead

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Allianz: another entrant into burgeoning Islamic insurance sector

Global insurance giant Allianz is to launch a range of Shariah law-compliant services in southeast Asia as it looks to take advantage of the growing demand for the religiously and ethically sensitive products. With awareness of the new Takaful insurance sector taking-off, those who can get in early are almost certainly in line to prosper.

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Productscan skincare review: from grocery bag to wash bag

Food ingredients such as grapes, wine and yogurt expanded into the health and beauty market this summer, as new product marketers used healthy foods and drinks for inspiration, reports Datamonitor's Productscan Online. Companies also found new ways to make products more portable than ever, a development which should please travelers and frequent fliers.

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Cadbury: sweetening its image through ethical initiatives

Cadbury Schweppes is following an increasing trend among consumer products companies for undertaking ethical and green initiatives. Cadbury's pledge to invest substantial sums in cocoa farming in Ghana is just one of numerous initiatives which the company has introduced, as it strives to improve its image following the salmonella outbreak in 2006.

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New food review: flowers inspire chocolate creations

This month's run down of novel new food launches reveals that chocolate producers are looking for new ways to take the guilt out of chocolate consumption, whether through touting medicinal benefits or investing in eco-friendly packaging. Meanwhile, 'plantable' paper bags and floral flavor combinations show that 'flower power' continues to be a key inspiration to innovators in the chocolate space.

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The biorefineries value chain could be worth $300 billion by 2030, but Europe may miss out

According to the World Economic Forum, the value chain around biorefineries might be worth $300 billion by 2030. Europe is in a uniquely favorable position to capture some of this, but unless it has the political will to do so, Brazil, China, Indonesia and the US are likely to reap the benefits.

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Bank Indonesia: calling time on the onshore wealth market

As a result of serious failings at wealth managers in the country, Bank Indonesia has issued a moratorium on the acquisition of new wealthy clients for one month. While the moratorium is temporary, it will encourage wealthy Indonesians to move their money offshore, thereby enhancing the perception of Singapore as a hub for regional wealth management.

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Maybank's Diamante program highlights the growing promise of the ASEAN region

Maybank has announced that it is rolling out a new program designed to provide a seamless experience for HNW clients no matter where they travel within the ASEAN region. The program demonstrates that not all strategies to grow in the Asian HNW market need focus on Greater China, and that the deepening integration and rising affluence of the ASEAN region represents an attractive market.

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Number of millionaires in emerging Asian economies set to overtake Western Europe in 2013

According to Datamonitor statistics, the emerging Asia Pacific economies are set to have a greater number of millionaires than Western Europe by 2013. This largely results from the emergence of the Indian and Chinese economies, which have experienced significant export-driven growth. Internal demand is also becoming increasingly important, and is helping to increase the number of millionaires.

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Indonesian market one of the few to tempt further CBA expansion

While considered to be the most domestically focused of the big Australian banks, CBA recently announced plans to speed up expansion in the fast-growing Indonesian market. Unlike its other big Asian presence in China, its operations in Indonesia focus on SMEs and the mass affluent, a combination that will stand it in good stead with the local wealthy.

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