Singapore's non-oil domestic exports - a key indicator of the

Singapore's non-oil domestic exports - a key indicator of the
republic's economy - plummeted a record 30.7 percent in
September, the government said Wednesday. The sharp year-on-year
fall, to S$7.11 billion (US$3.9 billion), was due to slack global
demand for electronics and air traffic disruptions caused by the
Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, the Trade
Development Board said. -- AP

The Australian government on Wednesday revised down its forecasts
for economic growth and the budget surplus due to a faltering
world economy and the impact of the U.S. terrorist attacks.
Finance Minister, Treasurer Peter Costello, said the midyear
review has revised down to 3 percent from 3.25 percent the
forecast for overall economic growth - gross domestic product -
made in May. In the following fiscal year, 2002-03, growth is
seen rising again to 3.5 percent. -- AP

Taiwan's cabinet approved on Wednesday a two-month extension of
third party war risk insurance cover to prevent the possible
grounding of the island's airlines following the September 11
attacks on the United States. The cabinet agreed to extend the
war risk cover until December 25, an official with the Government
Information Office said. -- Reuters

The U.S. economy, hit by the September 11 attacks, is likely to
reach a growth rate of around 3.5 percent in the next 12 months,
U.S. Commerce Secretary Don Evans said on Wednesday. "The attack
of September 11 was a mild shock to the U.S. economy. I continue
to have great confidence in the long-term fundamentals of the
U.S. economy," Evans said -- Reuters