Saturday, November 17, 2012

Hong Kong's Causeway Bay world's most expensive shopping areas


 Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island, has become the most expensive shopping district in the world, surpassing the Fifth Avenue in New York .
"The first of this year's ranking of Hong Kong," the cabinet said in a statement received on Friday. "Despite the economic slowdown, dealers still consider this market as the ideal platform to enter mainland China."





 The square meter is currently rented to 22,307 euros on average per year, against 21,204 euros in New York. The Champs Elysee's in Paris are now in the third place worldwide (to 9573 euros per m2), after being fifth in 2011.Al trio followed Ginza (Tokyo), Pitt Street Mall (Sydney) and New Bond Street (London).

 



 According to the annual survey , the commercial rental rates are driven by distributors in the luxury sector, waging a fierce competition to be on the sites 'most wanted .

The Asia Pacific region includes five of the ten most expensive shopping districts in the world, the emergence test in this area has a middle class that increasingly more resources.

History of Indonesia




Indonesia is a country whose territory is occupied for thousands of years, not in vain here lived the Java Man, one of the oldest on record. The history of this archipelago before and after becoming a country is impressive, it is a story full of historical moments.Java Man, the Papuans, Malays, Polynesians ... all of them were going through here, until the Europeans arrived, and until today. 

Indonesia is Southeast Asia, which is why this is a region with important business contacts with countries like India or China, constructed its civilizations, an activity that being on the coast of Sumatra, near the Straits of Malaka, this Archipelago was an important geostrategic location.In Java, for example, the kingdoms that had happened in their best expressions monuments, is why Indonesia is a country with a wide range of religious temples to visit Buddhist temples such as Borobudur, the largest this religion exists worldwide. 
Already in our era, during the time of the Buddhists, and the Indians began to appear the first Indian Muslims, a situation that began in the eighth century and that today results in an Indonesia that has the largest Muslim population in the world. 

The Europeans arrived in Indonesia until well into the sixteenth century, in particular the Portuguese were first to do so, interested in trade, after the Dutch arrived, the creation of the East India Company, and the business of sugar and coffee. In the nineteenth century the Dutch controlled much of the archipelago, area, and global trade in these products. The Dutch took control of the area, a situation that lasted until 1945 when after a Japanese invasion of the island in August 1945, with the Dutch out of it and just defeated Japan in World War II, Indonesia proclaims independence and the Republic of Indonesia, endorsed in 1949. 

Indonesia thus becomes one of the first democracies in the region, a situation that is short, since a coup in 1965 gives power to the dictator Suharto, a general who had the support of the CIA to overthrow the left government. It's when the economy becomes embroiled in a crisis by falling oil prices in the 70s. Suharto was in power until almost the XXI century, in an era of confrontation and tension, until the first democratic elections in 1999. 

Today, Indonesia is torn between his problems of different religions in the country, hardly unifiable, and tourism that seeks emerging in places like Riau, Bali or Jakarta its wonderful beaches and its equally impressive and comfortable hotels to stay during their holidays in Indonesia, an ideal place to spend your vacation in one of 6,000 islands.

Malaysia

Malaysia has grown from a developing country that depended on the production and export of raw materials, to become one of the most rapidly industrialized and third richest in Southeast Asia. Under the New Economic Policy (NEP) launched in 1970, which sought a better distribution of national income and diversify the structure and ownership of the economy, hitherto dominated by the Chinese community (which caused several ethnic clashes), Malaysia has become one of the leading producers of electronic components in the world. It was also the first country in Southeast Asia to develop a national car .




When the NEP ended in 1990, the industry accounted for almost 30% of gross domestic product (GDP), a high figure compared with 20% a decade earlier, in 2002 accounted for 33.5% of GDP. In the early 1990s, industrial products accounted for nearly 60% of total revenue from exports, and today the figure is similar. In 2006, construction accounted for 2.70 percent.
The tertiary industry also expanded very rapidly under the NEP and services today are the most important economic activities. In 2006 accounted for 41.3% of GDP. Tourism, like financial services, has grown substantially since the 1970s and today provides numerous foreign exchange earnings. Since the 1990s, Malaysia is a major tourist destination, with 17.5 million visitors in 2006, which was 4.018 million dollars of foreign exchange earnings.




  


Although over 90% of tourism visits peninsular Malaysia, tourism in Sabah and Sarawak is also growing.
Under the NEP, Malaysia's economy grew faster than its population growth rates were an average of about 6% per annum between 1970 and 1990. In 2006 the gross domestic product (GDP) was estimated at 150,672,000 dollars. This amounted to $ 5,769.90 per capita, one of the highest in Southeast Asia. In 1991 the federal government launched the ambitious "Vision 2020" to turn Malaysia into a developed country by that year. Economic growth during the period 1990-2002 reached 6.2% annually. 


Kuala Lumpur




The Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur is the capital and largest city of Malaysia, a few tens of kilometers south from the city are located Putrajaya, the new administrative capital and seat of the federal government, and Cyberjaya, a 'smart city 'planned to house more than 200,000
  residents, both urban centers forming part of Multimedia Super Corridor (Multimedia Super Corridor, MSC), a green technology corridor 50 km long and 15 wide.









The Peninsular Malaysia has an area of ​​131,598 km2 and extends mainly the Malay Peninsula. Its topography is dominated by a series of mountain ranges that extend from the northern half of the peninsula, the most important is the backbone, or Banjaran Besar (also known as Barisan Titiwangsa), whose highest point is Mount Kinabalu to 4101 m altitude. Some coastal lands, densely populated mountain ranges bordering the west, on the east lowlands are narrower and covered by vegetation in the south, the peninsula is relatively flat and is the area where the tourist highlights.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Education to 61 million children

Providing access to education to 61 million children. This commitment is the first decision adopted at the Fourth World Summit for Innovation in Education (WISE), organized by Qatar Foundation. For this we have launched the initiative: 'Raising a Child'.

"We started working with some 25 projects in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. We have reached 500,000 children. It is only the beginning, and for me it is not enough, "said Sheikha Mozah Bint Nazer, President of Qatar Foundation.

Students also have a prominent place. This year, 30 people from 24 countries have joined this community increasingly active.

"We will have the opportunity not only to be at this event but to share our hopes and sharing of other international space .
 
Some of the most impressive educational projects around the world are collected in the book published this year by WISE, illustrated by Iranian photographer Reza Deghati and social activist.The world will change through education and no other means 

The cream of Education, meeting in the convention center of 40,000 square meters, is discussed in debate, from shop to shop. In total, more than 50 sessions that began Tuesday and will end on Thursday .

The Republic of Indonesia ,Overview

 Climate


Indonesia's climate is characterized by hot and humid throughout the year, especially in coastal areas. The interior highlands are cooler. Besides this, the climate is affected between December and March by heavy monsoon, hampering travel and can cause significant damage and loss. Hence the need to visit the archipelago during the dry season, from April to October. The time of the Christmas holidays and the Indonesian holiday period (after Ramadan), are the high season, during which prices rise a lot and is almost impossible to get accommodation.

Important Information


The requirements to enter Indonesia are different for each country. Nationals of Argentina, Chile, USA, Mexico, EU and Venezuela are the only ones that do not require a visa for stays of up to 60 days. Tourists from other countries, all journalists and business travelers need, in addition to a visa, a special permit. 
The official currency is the rupiah (IDR) and foreign currencies can be easily converted at any bank or exchange house hotel. The change in cash has better rates than travelers checks, on the other hand, are not always accepted. 

 It is recommended that travelers checks are in U.S. dollars. Most major credit cards are received in hotels, restaurants and tourist-oriented shops. In addition, ATMs are plentiful. It is often difficult to get change, so it is recommended to save the small bills and coins for bus tickets, donations in temples or purchase refreshments.The major hotels add a 10% extra for the service bills. If this percentage is not included, it is customary to leave a tip of 5-10%. The porters at airports receiving Rp. 2,000 per bag. Tipping the drivers is not mandatory, but if want to, Rp. 1000 is sufficient for taxi drivers, while a little more is fine for drivers of rental cars. 

There are some health issues that must be taken into account when traveling to Indonesia and are advised to consult the latest updates about at least one month before the trip. Throughout the year malaria is a problem in Jakarta, the resorts of Java and Bali and other major cities. Before traveling you should get polio vaccines (especially those traveling to Java and Sumatra), hepatitis A and B, Japanese encephalitis, and typhus. For those coming from infected areas are asked a requirement for a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever.  
It is also recommended that travelers to areas affected by the tsunamis receive tetanus shots. The mosquito that transmits dengue is common throughout the country and cases of this disease significantly increase during the rainy season. There have been also cases of bird flu, even in humans and, so far, Indonesia has the highest death rate from this disease. While bird flu is not a serious hazard to tourists, avoid contact with birds and eat well cooked and hot any dish containing poultry or eggs. 

 In the east of the province of Nus a Tengarra Anthrax is endemic and reported occasional outbreaks of leprosy. Diarrhea in a big problem for tourists, so you are advised to stick to bottled water only and avoid dairy products, raw meat and salads or unpeeled fruit. The level of care is very low and high costs. It is essential, therefore, to purchase health insurance coverage for the trip. 

After the bombings in Bali in late 2005 has increased the risk of terrorism directed at tourists and foreigners, especially in the West Country. It is necessary to take extra security measures in public buildings and spaces, including transport and terminals, shopping centers and especially in restaurants, hotels and places specifically for tourism. 
  
Religious conflict between Christians and Muslims and the unstable political situation become unsafe to various parts of Indonesia. There are some places where you should be extremely careful and, if possible, avoid like Sulawesi, mainly central, some areas of Maluku, especially Ambon and Aceh.  

The crime rate in Indonesia is quite high and lesser crimes are quite common in tourist areas and public transport. Have also increased credit card fraud. We must take into account the potential for floods, 
earthquakes and 

tsunamis.While Indonesians understand the differences between Eastern and Western cultures, appreciate that visitors respect their customs. In the month of Ramadan is better not to eat, smoke or drink in public during daylight hours. Visitors should be kind and avoid public displays of affection and anger, some jokes and ridicule are considered extremely vulgar.  

It is considered unfriendly to use the left hand to pass or receive things. The dress is of great importance in public places and temples, especially in regard to women, who must cover their shoulders and legs. In Jakarta is forbidden to give money to beggars, buskers and unofficial tour guides, who did so were exposed to six months in prison and a fine of $ 5,000. Bets are also illegal. 

Where to go The island of Java is the geographical, economic and political development of the archipelago, and home to more than half of the country's inhabitants. This was the place where Hindu and Buddhist empires left some of his best architectural relics as Borobudur and Prambanan. Also you can visit the National Park Bromo-Tengger-SemeruThe site consists of Lombok beaches and tranquil landscapes and little crowded. Dominated by the Rinjani volcano, the people kept alive many of their traditions, evident in their ritual dances and fights. Here it is worth visiting the four cities of Swete, Mataram, and Caimanegara Ampenan. 

Sumatra, four times bigger than Java is an island that has important and attractive wildlife specimens. Here you can visit the small village of Bukit Lawang and attractive Bukittinggi, located in one of the peaks of a group of majestic mountains.The landscape of Bali is so incredible that it's real hard to believe. The slopes are covered with rice terraces, volcanoes beyond the clouds, the clear waters lap the beaches and rainforests attract with their exuberance. Besides enjoying this idyllic landscape can visit Ubud, the cultural center of the island.FestivalsThe Indonesian ethnic variety is reflected in their festivals and celebrations. Between February and March are held war games in Sumba commemorating wars of mutual annihilation. Between March and April takes place New Year's Eve caka Balinese, during which, the sound of the drums to scare away evil spirits, bathe in the waters of the icons of the temples.  

Another important festival is the festival of Galungan Balinese, dated variables, which says that the gods descend to earth to join the festivities earthly. It also pays to be present on the island of Larantuka important for Easter procession and Ruteng for duels of whips in August. In addition, between August and October are celebrated funeral banquets Trojans in Sulawesi. If you are thinking of organizing an itinerary that includes some of these festivals should be aware that many events are governed by the lunar calendar, which means that the dates vary a few days from one year to another.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Euro  high in Asia

 

 

 The euro held near one-month high against the dollar in Asia before a Spanish yields drop and good housing data in the U.S. boosted market.


The best tonic around risk and the resulting jump in yields helped the U.S. dollar to a maximum of one month against the yen, which has been pressured by expectations of further stimulus by the Bank of Japan.

Against the yen, the euro rose to one-month high of 103.85 points, nearly matching the ceiling 103.858 four months of September, but the inability to break that level led to some profit taking.

In Europe, Spanish yields fell to a seven months bodes well for Thursday's debt auction, in which the Spanish Treasury expects to raise 4,500 million euros.
The focus will be on the EU summit in two days, starting on Thursday, although not foresee any major announcement regarding Spain as the central theme will be the creation of a single banking supervisor and integration in the euro zone.

Chinese indicators released Thursday were in line with expectations or above. The third quarter GDP was 7.4 percent year on year, coinciding with a Reuters poll.