Europe
Japan's Muji to expand in Europe after 16pc profit rise
Japanese clothing and homewares retailer Muji is to expand in Europe this year, after a 16 percent rise in profits. According to The Independent on Sunday, Muji is looking to open stores in existing European countries, including the UK, France and Sweden.
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Some Asian economies reflect strains
Manufacturing activity in parts of Asia sputtered in October, data showed, reflecting strains on the region's export-dependent economy from Europe's debt crisis and efforts to cool inflation that has plagued several countries this year.
A slowdown in Asia's economy could prompt more countries to reverse, at least partly, some of the monetary tightening taken over the past few years to clamp down on price pressures.
Japan's Daihatsu to exit Europe
Small-car maker Daihatsu Motor Co. said last Friday that it will pull out of the unprofitable European auto market, as the yen's strength has made exporting vehicles from Japan next to impossible. Daihatsu said it will discontinue auto sales in Europe on 31 January, 2013, though it will continue after-service operations there.
In its main market of Japan, however, Daihatsu's sales have held up relatively well. For the fiscal year ending in March, the company expects net profit to grow 8 percent to JPY44 billion (USD531 million).
Shipping Corp. of India to hike container freight on India-Europe sector
The Shipping Corporation of India will increase container rates on the India to Europe sector by USD200 per twenty-foot equivalent unit from 1 November.
The company said it is a "rate restoration" to meet the operational cost and make the service viable.
The liner service – which has been making losses – made a turnaround in the April-June quarter, the first time in two years.
Most Europe airports remain closed
Air traffic remained seriously disrupted across Europe Sunday as a cloud of ash released from Iceland's volcanic eruption forced many countries to close their airspace.
Following is a list of airspace disruptions across the continent:
China seeks business deals in Europe
China is beginning to poke around Southeastern Europe for business deals, taking advantage of a capital drought in the region to gain a manufacturing toehold inside the EU.
