Asia

Microsoft and Toyota have announced a $12 million investment in Toyota Media Services, a strategic partnership to make the automobile the ultimate mobile device.

The partnership intends to use Microsoft’s “cloud computing” Windows Azure platform to develop next-generation telematics services, fusing telecommunications and information technologies in vehicles for GPS systems, energy management and other multimedia technologies.

Toyota’s electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles will be equipped with the new services in 2012, with worldwide roll-out by 2015.

After years of planning, design and construction, Singapore’s sophisticated new driverless Circle Line metro system is ramping up to full operation. Khoo Hean Siang, executive vice president at multi-modal transport company SMRT, explains to Gay Sutton how the knowledge and experience gained from operating and maintaining the majority of Singapore’s rail systems is benefiting rail projects across Asia.

Toyota Motor Corporation has said that some interruptions to production in North America are likely in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, although it was too early to predict their location or duration.

Toyota has 13 vehicle and engine plants in North America, which have continued to run normally until now, apart from overtime being discontinued.

China will loan nearly $700 million to Zimbabwe in a deal that will provide a major boost to the struggling southern African nation.

The loans awarded by China’s Export-Import Bank include $342 million for agricultural equipment and machinery, $99.5 million for health equipment and supplies, and $144 million for the renovation of Harare’s water and sewerage system.

China also provided $102 million to Zimbabwe’s government and two grants worth $14 million.

Getting ready for future competition from companies in China and other emerging markets is not an optional activity, say George F. Brown, Jr. and David G. Hartman. The day is coming when such organizations will change your business landscape.

The world’s finest hotels combine the very best in accommodation, food and service to offer their guests an unforgettable experience. Okura Hotels & Resorts certainly delivers on that front; and with the recent acquisition of JAL Hotels, the company looks set to bring the very best of Japanese hospitality to new markets, as Becky Done discovers.

After predictions of a world shortage of uranium at the Prospectors and Developers Assosciation of Canada's annual convention (PDAC) in Toronto last week, the global mining community must suddenly be reeling.

If there were ever a sure bet, uranium was it—before the earthquake in Japan and the subsequent problems unfolding in its “earthquake proof” nuclear reactors.

Turkey is close to commencing talks with Ethiopia over signing a free trade agreement (FTA), according to Turkish foreign trade minister Zafer Ça─ƒlayan.

Ça─ƒlayan, who is currently in Ethiopia to participate in talks with the Ethiopian government, said that both countries have already agreed on signing a FTA to ease custom difficulties, according to Turkish newspaper Today’s Zaman.

Turkey currently has FTAs with 13 countries, as well as with members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which consists of four non-EU member states.