Mr Schrempp's lieutenants believe the Asia Express, in which the European consortium is to hold 39%, would be even less competitive than the now-defunct Fokker 100.

ECONOMIST: Daimler-Benz

The package-delivery company says it will increase its cost-cutting program as a result and, starting next month, reduce its express business in Asia.

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So maybe Arabia was colonized early and there was a long pause before the Beachcomber Express set off for southeast Asia?

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Cooling demand, explained Graf, was responsible for the deterioration in their expected performance for FedEx express, led by lower activity in Asia.

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This is a significant trend for Visa and other payment technology providers such as MasterCard, American Express and Discover Financial as it signifies the importance of growth opportunity that exists in Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Latin American countries.

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DHL, an express firm, between 1998 and 2002, among numerous other assets, mostly in Europe but also in Asia.

ECONOMIST: Post offices