Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Strategies & Market Trends : Asia Forum -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Stitch who wrote (3060)	4/11/1998 8:55:00 PM
From: John B. Smyth	Respond to of 9980

"Hear Hear" for the quality of your thread. We tried for a number of years to penetrate the fresh Water and Sewage Sector in Malaysia but ran into a rather condescending group of "Brits" that were in charge of the projects. As they had the water franchise, they would only consider British made products. When I pointed out the superiority of our products and the fact that it was cheaper than what they were considering, one of the officers had the audacity to say that the Malay's were not smart enough to operate the more advanced equipment. That statement was very upsetting to me and our agent. The truth of the matter was that this "Brit" was not smart enough to understand it, as its very advancement made it easier operate. Because the franchise was let to the British consortium, we focused on other sectors and are now well established with the Water & Drainage Authority. One of the advantages of SCADA systems in fresh water supply is the ability to detect losses. In Sao Paulo (a city of 17 million people) for example they have water losses running up to 60%. A lot of it is due to old lines rupturing and a lack of monitoring. In Canada we typically have losses of 5% which is mostly consumed for flushing drains testing fire hydrants and the odd accident or line breakage. I have no idea what Malaysia's experience is now. Our systems are used to monitor collection, storage and distribution. I believe there is a good market for us, but the granting of the water franchise (Indah Water I believe it is called) to the Brits has given it to the British SCADA manufacturers. Regards, John

To: Stitch who wrote (3060)	4/12/1998 10:23:00 AM
From: Zeev Hed	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 9980

Stitch, a lot is being said about the "high saving" rates in Japan relative to the US. Japan, 13% while the US has only 5% saving rate. I wonder if these figures compare apples to oranges. Here is my point, Being an independent fellow, I pay 15.3% in SS and Medicaid (or whatever that is), it covers, I believe the first 65 K or so and after that it is only about 2.5% (medicaid). These funds are "supposedly" savings, in my book. What is the rate that the Japanese are paying on the their earnings? I am also led to understand that home ownership in Japan is not even half the rate it is in the US. I believe that the part of mortgage payments going toward the principal should be considered "savings as well". Finally, the statistics report an average saving of $163,000 (not clear to me if it is per capita or per household), I would venture to say that I could not retire on that sum of money and I doubt that a Japanese family could either. Many retirees in the US cash in their expensive housing and move into condos, adding the differential to their savings. Is the situation in Japan similar (namely, what is the size of real estate assets typically held by a Japanese family?). In summary, is the saving rate differential really that different? Maybe this is one of their problems, they should save less and spend more? (VBG) Zeev