India

Geography

India is a large country located in southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan. Its geographic coordinates are 20 N and 77 E. Over one billion people live in an area that is slightly larger than one-third the size of the United States. India is a land of lofty mountains, mighty rivers, and a fair amount of plains with 56% of its land being arable. The Himalayan Mountains dominate the north with deserts comprising the extreme western portion. Just south of the Himalayans lie the Northern Plains, which include the rolling plain of the Ganges River located in the northeastern region. To the south of the Northern Plains lies the Deccan Plateau, which is an upland plain consisting of the peninsular region of India. Three major rivers dominate India, the Indus in the extreme north, and the Ganga and Brahmaputra both in the northwest.

Except for the Northern Himalayans, most of India enjoys a three-season climate, the hot, wet, and cool seasons. The hot and dry lasts from February through mid-June and temperatures in May can be as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit with the average being about 98 degrees Fahrenheit on the Northern Plains. The temperatures in the southern peninsula region are somewhat lower averaging between 95 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit. In the Northern Himalayan regions, temperatures during the hot and dry season are significantly cooler due to the higher altitudes. The extreme heat breaks when the summer monsoon season arrives in June. Violent weather and torrential rains, causing occasional floods that can turn deadly, characterize the wet season. It is during this season that India receives most of its rain. India averages 49 inches of annual rainfall. Finally, around October the monsoon ends and brings about the best season in India, a cool winter. The cool season in India lasts through March. During the cool season, vegetation is lush, and the temperatures are mild averaging between 55 and 81 degrees across the continent.

India is also known for its violent earthquakes. Just recently (January 26, 2001) the arid western state of Gujarat experienced an earthquake that measured approximately 7.7 in magnitude. This quake resulted in a devastating death toll of approximately 30,000 and flattening many buildings.

Economy

India’s economy encompasses traditional village farming, modern agriculture, handcrafts, a wide range of industries, and a multitude of support services. More than one third of the population is too poor to be able to afford an adequate diet, and market surveys indicate that fewer than 5% of all households had an annual income equivalent to $2,300 or more in 1998-99.

The agriculture products that India produces include rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, soybean meal, potatoes, cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats, poultry, and fish. In 1999, India exported $36.3 billion worth of goods and services to the U.S., U.K., Germany, Hong Kong, and Japan. India’s exports include the following commodities: textile goods, gems and jewelry, engineering goods, chemicals, and leather manufacturers. India imported $50.2 billion of crude oil and petroleum products, machinery, gems, fertilizer, and chemicals. India imports from countries such as the US, Belgium, UK, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Japan. Blessed with an abundance of arable land, India is self-sufficient in agriculture. Agriculture provides 67% of the country with employment. However, this is shrinking portion of GDP, declining 5% since 1997.

The GDP for India was $1.8 trillion in 2000 with agriculture comprising 25% of GDP, industry comprising 30%, and services making up the largest portion with 45% of GDP. India’s inflation rate was down significantly to 6.7% in 1999 from a previously high rate of 14% in 1998. The per capita GDP was $1,800 in 1999, a slight increase of $80 from 1998. Overall, India’s economy grew at an encouraging rate of 6.2% during 2000 fiscal year. This is an increase from 5.5% in 1999. India’s economy is projected to grow at a rate of 6.5% before the year 2002.

India’s currency is called the Indian Rupee (Rs). One US dollar is worth 46.340 Rupees as of 4 February 2001.

Government

The federal republic of India is based on a separation of powers into executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The federal republic is governed according to the provisions of a constitution adopted in 1949, which incorporates various features of the constitutional systems of Great Britain, the United States, and other Western democracies. India’s constitution is much like the United State’s in which it grants civil liberties protected by a set of fundamental rights. These include not only the rights to free speech, assembly, association, and the exercise of religion, but also rights for citizens to conserve their culture, language, and to establish the schools to aid this endeavor.

Like the United States, India is a union of states, but its government is more highly centralized than the U.S government, and the rights of the states and territories are rigidly limited. The chief executive and head of state of India is the president. The role of the president in government is largely nominal and ceremonial. The most important political responsibility of the president is to select the prime minister. The prime minister is the most powerful figure in government. The president is elected for a five-year term by an electoral college consisting of the elected members of the national and state legislatures and is eligible for successive terms.

The current President is Kocheril Raman Narayanan, placed in office on July 25, 1997. The current Vice President is Krishan Kant, placed into office on August 21, 1997. The current Prime Minister of India is Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who has held the position since March 19, 1998.

The actual executive power resides in a council of ministers responsible to the parliament, which is comprised of the Rajya Sabha or the upper house, and the Lok Sabha or lower house. The constitution vests national legislative power in this bicameral parliament. The House of People consists of 545 members directly elected by universal adult suffrage, except for two members who are appointed by the president to represent the Anglo-Indian community. Members of the Lok Sabha serve a term of five years, but the house may be dissolved upon the defeat of major legislation proposed by the government or by the president upon the advice of the prime minister. The number of seats within the House of People that are allocated to each state and union territory is proportional to its population.

The Council of States consists of not more than 250 members, of whom twelve are nominated by the President because of their special knowledge in literature, art and sciences, or social services. The Rajya Sabha is presided over by the Vice President of India. The elected members are chosen for a six-year term by a means of proportional representation. A two-thirds majority is required for amendments to pass with some amendments also requiring by one-half of the states.

The Judicial authority in India is exercised through a system of national courts administering laws of the republic and states. At the apex of the judicial system is the Supreme Court, consisting of up to 17 members. All judges are appointees of the executive branch of the government. The next in authority are the high courts and subordinate courts in each state.

Being a democracy, India’s political parties are of some significance. The most powerful political party in India is the Indian National Congress, founded in 1885, which led India in the struggle for independence and provided the country’s prime ministers until 1977. In 1969, a small Indian National Congress-Organization formed as an opposition. The small Indian National Congress-Organization later joined three other parties to win a majority of the seats in the House of People in the elections of 1977. Today’s most competitive political parties include the Indian National Congress-Indira, Janata Dal (the largest party in the National Front coalition), the Bharatiya Janta party, a right wing Hindu group, and the nations newest national party the Bahujan Samaj (Society’s Majority).

Currently, India’s democratic government is stable and no dramatic changes are expected for the immediate future.

People

India is a land of great diversity, more heterogeneous than any other country in the world. India is the second most populated country in the world with slightly more than one billion people. People in India speak literally thousands of languages, practice all of the world’s great religions, and participate in a complex social structure that incorporates a wide variety of different backgrounds.

India has two large ethnic groups in which 72% are Indo-Aryan, 25% are Dravidian, and 3% are Mongoloid and others. People in the north and northwestern regions of Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Punjab are said to be descendants of Indo-European Aryans. They are tall, fair, and have pronounced featured. The Central Indian region (Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar) is inhabited by a mixture of Aryan and the indigenous Dravidian races. Dravidians are dark, short and are used to living in a typical hot Indian summer.

A combination of Mongolian and Dravidian people line in the Eastern Indian regions. Their high cheekbones and small, slanted eyes characterize these people. The Aryans established a dominant presence in the northwest and the Gangetic plain. Their affinity with the Southeast Asian world is remarkable and is reflected in the motifs used in the crafts. Southerners in peninsular India have had a link with Negroid racial elements, known for dark skins and tightly curled hair.

India’s culture dates back to c.2500 B.C. when the Indo-Aryan and many other cultures flourish across India until the arrival of the European powers in the middle 1500’s. European powers influence India the most. Arriving after the Portuguese, the British made the biggest mark. The largest group of European Indians are descendents of British men. Throughout the years, the British and Indian societies rejected the offspring of these unions. Many of these Anglo-Indians fled the country in 1947, hoping to make a new life in Britain or elsewhere in the Commonwealth of Nations, only to return to India after unsuccessful attempts to find a place in other societies.

The Portuguese also left behind a small imprint, being the first to arrive and the last to leave. There are 730,000 Portuguese Indians, commonly known as Goans or Goanese, in which about half live in the state of Goa. They are descendents of the former Portuguese colonies who established prominent empires in the lands of India. Another important group known as the Siddhis also has many descendents prevalent in India. They are the descendents of Africans brought to India as slaves. Most modern-day Siddhis are Muslims and are primarily engaged in agriculture pursuits.

India has a wide variety of local languages and in many cases the State boundaries have been drawn on linguistic lines. The constitution recognizes 18 state languages used in schools, with English being the most important followed by Hindi, which is the national language and primary tongue of 30% of the people.

In India, religion is a way of life. It is an integral part of the entire Indian tradition. For the majority of Indians, religion permeates every aspect of life, from commonplace daily chores to education and politics. Secular India is home to 80% Hinduism, 14% Muslim, 2.4% Christianity, 2% Sikhism, 0.7% Buddhism, and 0.5% Janism and other. However, India has the second largest population of Muslims in the world after Indonesia.

Education is divided into preprimary, primary, middle (intermediate), secondary (high school), and higher levels, with 52% of the population being literate. The government provides most educational funding. Preprimary schools involves children under the age of six, and primary school includes children ages six to eleven, organized in classes one through five. Middle school aged children aged eleven to fourteen are organized into classes six through eight. Secondary school includes children aged fourteen through seventeen and are enrolled in classes nine through twelve. Higher education includes technical schools, colleges, and various universities.

Three fourths of India’s people live in villages with one hundred to several hundred families being typical. Most villagers are farmers, with most owning some parcels of land. The other one-fourth India’s people dwell in the city in which poverty varies upon location and stature. Urban and village households often consist of more than one married couple, headed by the senior male. There is an extreme contrast between urban and rural India that has led to the observation that there are "two Indias": one of wealth and splendor, and another of grinding poverty and chronic hunger.

Diet

According to 1997 statistics, Indian people have a daily per capita calorie intake of 2,388 (vegetable products 93%, animal products 7%), 108% of FAO recommended minimum requirement. Cereal remains the primary food group consumed, providing most of the energy intake. The average Indian is deficient in meat, fish, leafy vegetables, and other nutrients such as vitamin A, iodine, and iron.

India incorporates an intense use of spices that are whole, ground, roasted, or stewed. In addition to spices, local cuisines include a prominence of flatbreads and a far greater use of dairy products than anywhere else in Asia. Breads are made of wheat, rice, and ground legumes depending on the part of the country. Dairy products include milk, cream, yogurt, buttermilk, sour cream and cheese. Religion influences food consumption. The cow is sacred in India and, therefore, not much meat is consumed. The small amount of meat that is consumed includes lamb, goat, some beef, chicken, shark, lobsters, shrimp, and many types of fish. The main types of fish consumed are dogfish, haddock, cod, monkfish, and chilly fish.

The South is the land of rice where more vegetarians prevail, but in the North the emphasis is more on grains and breads. More meat is consumed in the North with more emphasis on spices and less on chili. In all parts of India, food is traditionally eaten off of plates made of bell metal or stone. Tables and chairs were not used traditionally; instead people would sit cross-legged on mats with plates and bowls placed in front of them on the floor or on a small wooden pallet. Common utensils are normally used except in South. Southern vegetarian food is eaten without utensils. Water, milk, lemonade, tea, and some alcohol are the most common drinks. The alcohol in the South is most often fermented loddy palm juice. Cheap distilled spirits are mainly consumed in the North.

In the urban areas the food staple is grain. However, the variety and the amount of vegetables and meat is greater than in the villages. Food is bought and consumed in the same day, and even those with refrigerators typically only use them keep water, soft drinks, and milk cool. Meals in villages of India consist mainly of the staple grain-rice, wheat in the form of unleavened bread baked on a griddle-with stir-fried vegetables, cooked lentils, and yogurt. Vegetables consumed vary with the seasons, and the mix of spices used varies with the regions. During celebrations, city-style soft drinks and snacks are common in both the urban and rural occasions and the men often consume alcohol.

Singapore

Geography

Singapore is a series of islands located to the south of the Malay Peninsula in southeast Asia. A cluster of 50 smaller islands, which are generally flat and low with a few small cliffs and valleys, surround the main island. The country lies between Malaysia and Indonesia. The main island is drained by a number of short streams. Singapore is 5% forested, 1% pastures and agriculture, and 94% urban. The climate is tropical with hot and humid conditions. Average annual rainfall is approximately 95 inches. Monsoons and violent wind squalls called Sumatras are common, which bring flooding to the island. The heaviest rainfall occurs between November and January. Temperatures range between 24° C (75° F) to 32° C (90° F) all year long.

Economy

Singapore has a highly developed and successful free market economy. The economy is characterized by an open and corruption-free business environment, stable prices, and the fifth highest per capita GDP in the world. GDP is currently at about $91 billion US dollars. They trade an average of $354 billion US dollars. Singapore is one of few countries whose trade is greater than its GDP. Its economy is prosperous and developing rapidly. Singapore has an unemployment rate of 3.2% and an inflation rate of 0.4%. Exports of electronics, chemicals, and services are the main drivers in this fortunate economy. Singapore is the busiest port in the world in terms of shipping tonnage. The government demands high levels of savings through investment and spends heavily on education and technology. The future of Singapore is marked by globalization and its readiness to take on the financial and high tech sectors of the world. Singapore lives by the motto, "simple means, nice profit".

One problem for Singapore is its lacks resources and a small domestic market. The appreciation of Singapore’s dollar to its neighbors tends to put a threat on competitiveness. Singapore maintains one of the most liberal trading regimes in the world. It pursues a free and fair trade policy. Singapore exports $114 billion worth of its products and services to United States, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, China, and Germany. The major exports include machinery and equipment including electronics with 63%, chemicals and mineral fuels make up the remainder 37%. Singapore imports $111 billion worth of goods and services from United States, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Taiwan, Germany, and Saudi Arabia. Machinery and equipment make up 57%, mineral fuels, chemicals, and foodstuffs make up the remainder of 43%.

The GDP real growth rate is currently 5.5% with a GDP per capita of $27,800. Two sectors make up the countries GDP. Services are the largest with 72% and industry makes up the remaining 28%. Agriculture is such a small portion that it is not figured into the countries GDP. Their agricultural production consists of rubber, copra, fruit, vegetables, poultry, eggs, fish, vegetables, orchids, and ornamental fish.

Singapore has a labor force of 1.932 million people of which 38% are in finance and business, 22% in manufacturing, 20% in commerce, 7% in construction, and 12 % other. The currency of one Singapore dollar (S$) is equal to 100 cents. The exchange rate is currently around 1.67S$ per $1. The current inflation rate is a steady 0.5%.

Government

Singapore has a very straight forward, easy to understand government system which they operate under. The government of Singapore is categorized as a Republic within a Commonwealth. The legal system is based on English Common Law: has not accepted compulsory jurisdiction. It has a parliamentary system with a written constitution. The Supreme Court is divided into High Court, Court of Appeal, and Court of Criminal Appeal, with subordinate courts including district courts and magistrate’s courts. Singapore’s government can be broken down into three divisions: executive, legislative, and judicial. The parliamentary division is the most important in the government of Singapore.

Singapore has a parliamentary form of government, with the president elected as head of state and a prime minister as head of government. There is an 83-seat unicameral parliament whose members are popularly elected. The Supreme Court, the nation’s highest judicial body, has seven members. The People’s Action party (PAP), the most important of Singapore’s numerous political parties, has been in power since 1959.

The functions of Parliament include forming the Government, making laws, controlling the state’s finances, and checking the actions of the governing party and the Ministries. The Members of Parliament also act as a bridge between the community and the Government by making the concerns of the constituents in their elected constituencies heard in Parliament.

The Executive Branch consists of the president, Sellapan Rama (S.R.) Nathan, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, and deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. The president appoints the cabinet. The president is elected by a popular vote for a six-year term. Following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister by the president. The next election will be held in the year 2005.

The second division of government is the legislative branch. It consists of 83 seats, in which the members are elected by popular vote to serve a five-year term. The judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court. The president with the advice of the prime minister appoints the chief of justice. The president, with the advice of the chief of justice, appoints other judges.

Singapore’s government has been relatively stable since the beginning. The government could be called "centrist" with no signs of change in the future. Singapore is in a time of great prosperity economically and as long as there is economic success, we believe the government will remain stable for many years to come.

People

Singapore consists of 3.5 million people known as Singaporeans and has a growth rate of 2.0%. In terms of population by age, 22.8% are 14 and below, 67.2% are between 15 and 59, and 10% are 60 years and above. With a population density of 4,702 persons per square kilometer, Singapore is a crowded place to live. There are three main ethnic groups. The Chinese is the largest with 77%, followed by the Malays at 15%, and Indians with about 6.5%. Most people are of either Buddhism or Muslim religions. Christianity and Taoism are also very popular.

Singapore recognizes four official languages: English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil. English is the language of administration and crucial for their economical development. Malay is the language in which the National Anthem is sung. Singaporeans have developed their own form of spoken English, sometimes referred to as Singlish. This local concoction mixes English with common phrases in the Chinese dialects and some Malay. People ages 15 years and older have a literacy rate of 93%. Most Singaporeans have become literate in multiple languages. Fifty-six percent of Singapore residents are literate in two or more languages. Over 12% of the population has graduated from a university, twice the amount of ten years ago. Most households own the houses they live in.  They continue to further improve their homes as the economy grows. Transporting by car has increased over the past ten years with public transportation being the most popular for travel.

Diet

With the GDP being competitive with that of the United States, people love to go out to eat and shop just as much as American do. Teenager’s choices of restaurants include McDonalds, KFC, and Burger King. Singaporeans eat a lot of grains and vegetables, with meat, fish, and chicken making up a smaller portion of their diet. This low fat, natural diet causes less chance of heart attacks and strokes. Some of the foods include chicken in clay pot, chili crabs, and fish head curry. Chili crab is the most popular dish and is served with a large square chunk of bread to dip in the delicious sauce. Singapore is the world’s third largest shark fin trading center after Hong Kong and Taiwan. Shark’s fin soup, which can cost up to US$100 per bowl, is sought-after delicacy among the Chinese population and is often slurped down at business and wedding dinners. Singaporeans believe in very healthy diets and lifestyles and in most cases live longer than Americans.

South Africa

Geography

The most southern African country, the Republic of South Africa occupies the largest part of Africa south of the Tropic of Capricorn. South Africa has two capital cities, Cape Town and Pretoria. Other major cities include Johannesburg, Durban and Bloemfontein. 43,500,000 South Africans inhabit 472,300 square miles, roughly twice the size of Texas. South Africa consists of nine provinces: Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, North West, the Eastern Cape, the Free State, the Northern Cape, Northern Province, and the Western Cape. Within the country’s borders are the Independent Republic of Lesotho and Independent Swaziland. South Africa has a variety of climates and geographical features. The Western Cape has a Mediterranean climate, Kwa-Zulu Natal has a sub-tropical climate, Gauteng has a temperate climate, and in the Karoo region has an arid and semi-desert climate.

Economy

South Africa is changing economically from solely a producer of raw materials to an industrial nation that produces commercial products as well. The nation's manufacturing, commerce, and services have been built extensively on the foundations of mining and farming. The economy remained primarily agricultural for much of the 19th century until the discovery of diamonds in 1867 and gold in the 1880s. Mining quickly became dominant, but was overtaken by manufacturing during World War II. South Africa's gross domestic product (GDP) was $133.5 billion in 1998.

The labor force of South Africa is 14,200,000. Occupations include: services 35%, agriculture 30%, industry 20%, and mining 9%. Unemployment rate is 30%. The aids epidemic has affected the South African work force, but is a problem that the government has chosen not to deal with.

The GDP per capita in South Africa is $3,220 per year, which ranks South Africa alongside other middle-income countries such as Chile, Mexico, Hungary, Thailand, and Malaysia. The modern industrial and commercial economy gives a minority of the population, mostly whites, a standard of living equivalent to that in Western Europe; but for many who are wholly or partially excluded from the economy, incomes and lifestyles are characteristic of developing countries. In total, service industries contributed 64 percent of GDP in 1998. The largest categories are wholesale and retail trade, real estate and business services, catering and accommodation, government, finance, and insurance. Transport, utilities, construction, and community and personal services make up most of the remainder. The financial sector is highly developed and on par with industrialized nations.

Primary economic activities currently include mining, manufacturing, and agriculture. South Africa is the world's main supplier of manganese, gold, vanadium, ferrochromium, alumino-silicates, and chrome ore. In addition they are the second or third most important supplier of platinum group metals, vermiculite, zirconium, titanium, antimony, asbestos, diamonds, and uranium. South Africa’s main export partners include Italy, Japan, US, Germany, Hong Kong, UK, and other EU countries.

The main export commodities include gold (25%), diamonds, asbestos, coal, cocoa beans, copper, ferro-chromium, mineral products, and sugar. South Africa’s main import partners include Germany, US, Japan, UK, and Italy. The main import commodities include chemical products, various petroleum products, plastic products, professional and scientific instruments, synthetic lubricants, and timber.

The South African currency is the Rand (R), which is divided into 100 cents. One Rand is worth roughly $0.13 as of 5 February 2001.

Government

The Dutch East India Company landed the first European settlers on the Cape of Good Hope in 1652. In 1814, Britain took permanent possession. Organized political activity among the Britain and the Africans started with the establishment of the African National Congress (ANC) in 1912. South Africa came into World War II on the allied side, and became a charter member of the United Nations in 1945, but refused to sign the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. African voters had already been removed from the voter rolls in 1936. Over the years, Nationalists in favor of apartheid and racial separation gained power. A ban was imposed on the African National Congress. In 1989 the ban was removed and Nelson Mandela, the ANC deputy president was released from prison after 27 years. Negotiations between the government and the ANC commenced. The ANC approved a plan that would allow minority parties to participate in the government. The 1994 election resulted in a massive victory for Mandela and the ANC.

The constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, re-instated South Africa as a republican state. The constitution is the highest and most important law of the land. No other law or government action can supersede the provisions of the Constitution.

Parliament is the legislative authority of South Africa and has the power to make laws for the country in accordance with the Constitution. It consists of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces. Parliamentary sittings are open to the Public.

The National Assembly, which is elected to a term of five years, consists of no fewer than 350 and no more than 400 members elected through a system of proportional representation. The National Assembly is elected to represent the people and to ensure the democratic governance as required by the Constitution.

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) consists of 54 permanent members and 36 special delegates and aims to represent provincial interests in the national sphere of government.

The President is the Head of State and leads the Cabinet. He or she is elected by the National Assembly from among its members and leads the country in the interest of national unity. The President, Mr. Thabo Mbeki, was elected in 1999.

People

The mingling of South Africa's urban areas means that old cultures are fading and new are emerging, but traditional black cultures are still strong in much of the countryside. All the traditional cultures are based on masculine superiority, ancestral spirits and supernatural forces. Polygamy is permitted and a bride-price (where the groom's family reimburse the bride's family for the loss of their daughter) is usually paid. Cattle play an important part in many cultures, as symbols of wealth and as sacrificial animals.

The Afrikaners' distinct culture has developed in a deliberate isolation, which saw them wandering around with cows and a Bible while 19th-century Europe experimented with democracy and liberalism. Today's rural communities still revolve around the conservative Dutch Reform churches, but 'Afrikaner redneck' is far from a tautology.

Aside from the Afrikaners, the majority of European South Africans are of British extraction. The British are generally more urbanized and have tended to dominate the business and financial sectors. The Afrikaners (more or less rightly) feel that they are more committed to South Africa, and have a charming term for the man with one foot in South Africa and one in Britain: soutpiel or salt dick. There is also a large and influential Jewish population and a significant Indian minority.

Diet

Food is essentially English, with a few distinctive Afrikaan dishes and some North American influences.  Pasta is very common, as are steaks and other such meats. The country grows virtually everything it needs. The Western Cape has an abundance of fruits, grains, and grapes. The Eastern Transvaal supplies tea and subtropical fruits -- lush mangoes, bananas, and papayas. Natal produces sugarcane and avocado. Excellent lamb comes from the Karoo along with low-cholesterol game meats such as venison, ostrich, and impala, come from wild herds or from farming. Seafood is regional, fresh, and plentiful -- crayfish, prawns, tuna, mussels, oysters, mackerel, and snock are caught in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

South Africa's excellent wines are also becoming more and more popular. The wine industry is reasonably large by world standards (no. 6 in world production of wine) harvesting just over a million tons of grapes, yielding over 900 million litres of wine in 1999. Per capita consumption, however, is barely 9 litres per annum, compared with Australia's 20 litres and France's 59 litres at present. Beer production is also very significant, with South African Breweries (beer manufacturers) being the 4th largest brewing company in the world.

Thailand

Geography

Thailand is located in southeastern Asia, bordering Cambodia to the southeast, the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. It borders Myanmar to the northwest and Laos to the east. The population of 61 million occupies a landmass of about twice the size of Wyoming. The climate is considered tropical. Rainy, warm, and cloudy weather characterize the southwest, while the northeast is cool and dry. The southern isthmus is always hot and humid. The monsoon season runs from mid-May to September in the southwest and from November to mid-March in the northeast. Thailand’s terrain consists of a central plain, the Khorat Plateau in the east, and mountains elsewhere.

Economy

Despite enjoying the world's highest average economic growth rate from 1985 to 1995 (almost 9%) Thailand fell victim to the Asian economic crisis of the late 90’s. However, the Thai economy has experienced a fairly good recovery of late. In the past few years’ economic growth has been around 4%. Beginning in 1999, the baht has stabilized and inflation and interest rates have begun to lower. Thailand is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Cairns Group of agricultural exporters. Future performance of the Thai economy depends on continued reform of the financial sector, corporate debt restructuring, attracting foreign investment, and increasing exports.

Thailand’s most recently estimated GDP is in the area of $390 billion. The Thai people have an average per capita purchasing power estimated at $6,400. The GDP is composed of three main sectors agriculture with 12%, industry with 39%, and services with 49%. 12.5% of the population lives below the poverty line. The inflation rate sits at 2.4%, and unemployment is at 4.5%.

A labor force of 32.6 million work mainly in the industries of tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing such as jewelry, electric appliances and components, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, and plastics. Thailand is the world's second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer.

Thai agriculture products include rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, and soybeans. Thailand exports $58.5 billion worth of computers and parts, textiles and footwear, integrated circuits, rubber, jewelry, fishery products, and rice. Its export trading partners include US 22.3%, Japan 13.7%, Singapore 8.6%, Hong Kong 5.1%, Netherlands 4.0%, UK 3.9%, Malaysia 3.3%, China 3.2%, Taiwan 3.2%, and Germany 2.9%. Thailand Imports $45 billion worth of capital goods, intermediate goods and raw materials, consumer goods, and fuels. Its import partners include Japan 23.6%, US 14.0%, Singapore 5.5%, Malaysia 5.1%, Taiwan 5.2%, Germany 4.2%, China 4.2%, South Korea 3.5%, Oman 2.6%, and Indonesia 2.1%.

Thailand’s currency is the baht (THB). The current exchange rate is 42.3137 THB per $1.

Government

The Thai Government is considered a Constitution Monarchy. The capital of Thailand is Bangkok. Since Thailand was never colonized, it has been considered an independent state since the year 1238. Like the US, the Thai government is split into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. In 1997 King Phumiphon signed a new constitution into law.

The executive branch of the Royal Thai Government is composed of the hereditary position of King and the Prime Minister who is usually the head of the dominant political party. King Phumiphon Adunyadet has held this position since 9 June 1946. While the Thai people love King Phumiphon, they have historically dealt with unlikable rulers by assassination. The Thai Rak Thai party won elections in January 2001 and billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra became prime minister. Thaksin’s election was surrounded by controversy. His platform was based on economic improvement and eliminating government corruption, but during the election he was accused of illegally hiding funds. Despite the controversy, Thaksin won with an overwhelming majority and the controversy has since quieted considerably.

The legislative branch is a bicameral National Assembly called the Rathasapha. The Rathasapha consists of the Senate or Wuthisapha, a 200-member elected body that’s members serve six-year terms, and the House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon, a 500-member body with representatives elected to serve four-year terms. Both houses are composed of members from approximately a dozen parties. The dominant Thai Rak Thai party has formed a coalition government with the Chart Thai and New Aspiration parties.

The judicial branch or Supreme Court is called the Sandika. Executive judges are appointed by the monarch.

The recent focus of the government has been on economic recovery, a topic that the new government promises to become even more proactive about. Recently the government has, among other things, passed tariff and tax laws to stimulate private investment from external and internal sources. As a firm with interest in international trade, the Royal Thai Government appears to be a potential asset to our company.

People

The forebears of the modern Thai were Tai-speaking people living south of the Chang Jiang, a mountainous plateau of what is now the Chinese province of Yunnan. 75% of the 61 million people who call Thailand home are Thai natives, 14% are Chinese. Despite historically being a migratory crossroads of the Mon, Khmer, Burmese, Lao, Malay, Indian, and Chinese, the country has great cultural and social harmony. Buddhism is the dominant religion with 95% of the population claiming to be Buddhist. In keeping with Buddhist teaching, the Thai people are peace loving. Muslims are the second-biggest religious group, but there are also Christians, Hindus, and other faiths. Tolerance is total, and there is no history of religious conflict. Thai is the native, most widely spoken, language but ethnic and regional dialects do exist. The Thai are very proud of their language. It is the carrier of the cultural and artistic heritage, and also a mark of Thailand's long-standing independence and sovereignty. English is the secondary language. 93.8% of Thai people are literate. Life expectancy in Thailand is 68.55 years. Thailand's world-renowned style of kickboxing draws big crowds. Another local sport is takraw, which is played rather like volleyball but with feet instead of hands. Kite flying is a popular favorite. Festivals linked either to Buddhism or to the changing seasons, are celebrated with exuberance throughout the year. Sex also has a strong influence on the Thai culture. Much of the Thai art, comedy, entertainment etc… revolves around sex. The important role of sex in Thai culture has contributed to an AIDS problem.

Diet

Rice is the staple of most Thai meals. Rice is generally eaten with one or two curries, seafood, pork, soup, and vegetables (usually salad). Fresh fruit is also important to the Thai diet. Two different forms of rice are common. Fried rice is eaten with a short handled, large cup spoon. Sticky rice is formed into a small cup by hand and used as an edible spoon. Plenty of seasoning ingredients such as garlic, onions, galangal root, ginger, basil, tamarind juice, lemon grass, mint, chilies, and lime go into the making of Thai cuisine. Fish sauce (naam plaa) or shrimp sauce (ka-pi) is used to flavor food accordingly. Red and green chilies are always discreetly mixed into the food, which can take the uninitiated by surprise because food can range from the mild to fiery hot. The hottest of the lot is the yellow-orange phrik lueng and also phrik khi nu while the others such as phrik yuak and phrik chi fa are comparatively mild.

Thai food has become a favorite throughout the world. The infamous tom yam soup is strongly flavored with lime and lemon grass. Green curry is chicken or beef curry that is green in color (derived from the coriander leaves) and cooked in rich coconut milk. A very popular dish which usually accompanies most meals is som tam, a salad made with grated unripe papaya, sliced tomatoes, garlic, chilies, dried shrimps, fish sauce, and lemon juice. Many Thai desserts feature bananas in several different forms as over 20 varieties are to be found in Thailand all-year-round. Coconut in various forms is also popular. Coconut milk is used liberally in many dishes. In the drinks department, Singh, Amarit, and Kloster beers are brewed in Thailand. Singha is the most common. Maekhong rice whisky is also a favorite among the locals. Other whiskies are Singharaj and VO Royal Thai. Sang Thip is rum made from sugar cane.

Although grocery stores are present in Thailand, the majority of food is purchased fresh in open-air markets from commodity producers. Restaurants are common and most have been westernized to the extent that you are served at a booth or table and chairs. However, in many homes it is still very common for meals to be served on a grass mat on the floor.

Vietnam

Geography

Vietnam is located in southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South China Sea. It borders China, Laos, and Cambodia. Vietnam’s approximately 78,773,873 inhabit an area slightly larger than New Mexico. The terrain consists of a low, flat delta in south and north, central highlands, and hilly, mountainous terrain in far north and northwest. Vietnam’s climate is tropical in south, monsoonal in north. A hot, rainy season dominates mid-May to mid-September and a warm dry season extends from mid-October to mid-March.

Economy

Vietnam is a poor, densely populated country that has been forced to recover from the ravages of war, the loss of financial support from the old Soviet Bloc, and the rigidities of a centrally planned economy. Vietnam's greatest economic resource is its literate and energetic population. Over the last ten years, Vietnam has seen a 9% growth per year, making substantial progress from a very low point. The actual potential for economic growth based on Vietnam's wealth of natural resources, however, is being rendered increasingly problematic by population growth, environmental degradation, and rising domestic demand. The country remains one of the poorest in the world.

Vietnam exports $11.5 billion of its goods and services to countries such as Japan, Germany, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, France, South Korea, United States, and China. Some of their major exports include crude oil, marine products, rice, coffee, rubber, tea, corn, potatoes, soybeans, bananas, poultry, pigs, and fish. Agriculture is by far the most important economic sector in Vietnam. The great majority of the population earns its income from farming. Vietnam imports $11.6 billion worth of machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizer, steel products, raw cotton, grain, cement, and motorcycles. Vietnam is very close to balancing its trade. This is a huge improvement from its previous years, which included significant trade deficits. Vietnam’s foreign direct investment has fallen dramatically from $8.3 billion in 1996 to about $1.6 billion in 1999.

Vietnam has a per capita GDP of $1,850 with a real growth rate of 4.8%; this is a 0.8% increase from last year. Three major sectors make up Vietnam’s GDP. These three sectors are agriculture with 26%, industry with 33%, and services with 41%. The country’s banking sector is considered to be the riskiest in the world. The Vietnamese monetary unit is the Dong (D), which as of January 2000 was exchanging at 14,020 D to $1. The country is currently experiencing an inflation rate of 4%.

Vietnam has a labor force of 38.2 million of which 67% are employed in agriculture and 33% are employed in the industry and services sector. Approximately 37% of the population lives below the poverty line, which is down dramatically from previous years. Despite a few problems, there are many indications that Vietnamese economy is close to taking off. The private sector is currently experiencing rapid growth. The government continues to sustain an effort to cure the nagging problems of the state-controlled sector of the economy and has enacted new legislation more attractive to foreign investment.

Government

Formally the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is considered a Communist state with its capitol in Hanoi. Vietnam gained its independence in 1945 from France. Its constitution was adopted in 1992. The legal system that dominates is based on communist legal theory and French civil law system.

The executive branch of the government is divided up into chief of state or President, head of government or Prime Minister, and a cabinet appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister and ratification of the National Assembly. The National Assembly from among its members elects the president, and the president appoints the prime minister. The next election will be held in 2002. Currently the President is Tran Duc LUONG, and the Prime Minister is Phan Van KHAI.

The legislative branch is a unicameral National Assembly with 450 seats. Its members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms. 92%of those elected are members of the CPV (Communist Party of Vietnam) the other 8% are not CPV members but are approved by the CPV to stand for election.

The judicial branch of the Vietnam government is the Supreme People's Court. The National Assembly, on the recommendation of the president, elects the chief justice for a five-year term.

The Vietnam government’s recent policy focuses has been on improving Vietnam’s economic condition. It is putting together a new policy on lending to industry, the processing sector, exporters, and raw materials producers. One key focus is the program of restructuring State-owned enterprises in an attempt to continue making them more profitable. Trade is another vital plank of government policy. Vietnam will take advantage of the implementation of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) duty schedule to boost trade with Southeast Asian countries, particularly neighboring Laos and Cambodia.

Vietnam is a communist regime, which generally makes trade a bit harder. However, the government has taken important steps to opening the country up for trade, a good sign.

People

Archaeologists say that Vietnam is one of the earliest cradles of human race. Vietnam, as a nation called Van Lang, was formed 4,000 years ago. People moved into the Vietnam area from the north and from islands to the south. The Vietnamese people developed out of these two groups. 54 ethnic groups call themselves Vietnamese and they live in harmony throughout the country. The largest of these groups is Viet or Kinh accounting for 80% of the entire population. Vietnam has suffered nearly 1000 years under Chinese domination, 100 years under French invasion, and 20 years under American occupation.

A population of 78 million people inhabits Vietnam. Ethnic Vietnamese comprise 90% of the population. The Chinese account for 3% of the population. Life expectancy in Vietnam is 69.27 years. 93.7% of Vietnamese are literate. The Vietnamese have slim body build, black hair, and brown or black eyes. Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam. The people speak three major dialects (local forms) of Vietnamese: northern, central, and southern. These dialects differ little from one another. Many members of the country's minority groups speak Vietnamese in addition to their own languages. Vietnamese people, especially those living in the cities, can also speak English, French, Chinese, or Russian. The Communist leaders of Vietnam discourage all religious practices. However, most of the Vietnamese people who practice a religion are Buddhists. Catholicism is somewhat less common. In the South there is a special religion namely Caodaism, a mixture of Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism and Worship of Genie. Majority of Vietnamese practice the ancestral worship.

Diet

Vietnamese food relies heavily on rice, wheat and legumes, noodles, an abundance of fresh herbs and vegetables, minimal use of oil, and treatment of meat as a condiment rather than a main course. Vietnamese food is among the healthiest on the planet. In a country of 78,000,000 people food differs strikingly between the north, south and central regions, but two key features stand out. First, rice plays an essential role in the nation's diet as it does throughout Southeast Asia. However, this is also a noodle-crazy population, regularly downing them for breakfast, lunch and dinner, in homes, restaurants, and at roadside stands. Noodles are eaten wet and dry, in soup or beside soup, and are made in different shapes and thicknesses of wheat, rice, and mung beans. Secondly, no meal is complete without fresh vegetables and herbs. A key portion of every meal, north, south and central, is a platter containing cucumbers, bean threads, slices of hot pepper, and sprigs of basil, coriander, mint, and a number of related herbs found principally in Southeast Asian markets.

As in any country, Vietnam's cuisine reflects its geography and history. Geographically, it consists of two great river deltas separated by a belt of mountains. Vietnamese describe their country as two great rice baskets hung on either end of a carrying pole. The Red River Delta surrounding Hanoi provides rice for the residents of North Vietnam. The tremendously fertile Mekong Delta, centered by Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) produces rice plus a wide variety of fruits and vegetables both for itself and the central strip of the country whose principal city is the former imperial Hue.

Despite centuries of domination by the Chinese, Vietnamese food retained its own character. Due to its proximity to the border, northern Vietnam reflects more Chinese influence than central or southern. Soy sauce rarely appears in Vietnamese dishes except in the north. Instead it is replaced by perhaps the most important ingredient in all of Vietnamese cuisine fish sauce or nuoc mam. Stir-frying plays a relatively minor role in Vietnam and once again is seen more in the north than elsewhere. Frying in general is less important than simmering.

Northern cuisine exhibits fewer herbs and vegetables than the other regions because its climate is less hospitable than that of the Mekong Delta. For heat, northern Vietnamese cooks rely on black pepper rather than chilies. Residents also exhibit a particular fondness for beef, picked up from the Mongolians during their 13th century invasions. Food presentation is important. Even the poorer families are likely to have multiple dishes of simple vegetables.

Servings are larger and fewer in the south and hot chilies replace black pepper for heat. The profusion of fruit in the area means that sweet fruit occasionally makes its way into a dish of meat and vegetables. Preparations are less complex and the style of cooking often resembles that of neighboring Cambodia. This is the part of Vietnam responsible for curries.

Vietnam remains a poor country of peasants and workers. At mealtimes, noodle stands line the roads where people pull over their bicycles for a quick meal and a shared chat and a cigarette with their co-workers. Three meals a day of noodles is not uncommon.

Fresh fruits are purchased in season. Some of the more important fruits are: mangosteen, rambutan or hairy-cherry, sapodilla, sweetsop, sugar-apple, longan, star fruit, papaya, guava, waterapple, corossolier, jackfruit, and 28 different varieties of banana. Many of the same fruits are important across Southeast Asia, including Thailand.

India and Vietnam

Asian Tea Basket

Nothing is better than a cup of hot or iced tea during a long conversation with friends. Asian Tea International Inc., in India, will be assembling an Asian tea basket that will combine the finest teas from India, Thailand, and Vietnam. Tea will be collected from the following companies in the following countries and then exported to your country through Federal Express, www.FedEx.com.

India: Stash Tea Company at http://shopstashtea.com will be featuring a green tea sampler with a variety of Southeast India’s finest green teas. The tea sampler features 80 individual tea bags.

Thailand: Don Khunhuay Agriculture Cooperative Society Ltd.
Tel: (66 32)472-506, (661) 616-5293 Fax: (6632) 472-506

Don Khunhuay will be featuring a mix of mulberry tea, ginkgo tea, and natural herbal teas. These teas are sure to give you a pleasing taste of the Thailand tea culture. Thailand’s tea will come in an assorted variety pack featuring 60 individual tea bags, one set of twenty for each of the three flavors.

Vietnam: Future Generation Co. Ltd., located in Hanoi, Vietnam at www.vietnam-tea.com Tel: (844) 853-1808, Fax: (844) 853-1809

Future Generation Co. Ltd. will be featuring Vietnam’s finest Ceylon tea, a bright a lively tea with a wonderful delicate flavor and pronounced, almost perfume like aroma.

All three of these teas will come in tins, in which the three tins are packaged into a basket and shipped straight to you. The cost of the basket, weighing approximately 2lbs/.9 Kg, is $53.00/ 2,492.59 INR plus shipping costs, which can be found through Federal Express at www.FedEx.com. The cost to ship the package from India to Britain is $2.32/ 109.11 INR per basket.

Thailand

Thai Health and Beauty Bag

Selected from Thailand’s finest health and beauty products, this variety bag offers products that address an array of health and beauty needs in a 100% natural manner. These products soothe the body and enhance appearances with a Thai flavor.
$120 + Shipping

Products:

Pueraria Mirifica Supplement - younger/firmer skin, Breast enlargement and Buttocks reformation Contact: Tropical Herbal Products Co., Ltd.
PueriaThai.com

Aromatherapy products
Contact: BIO Pure Co., Ltd. info@biopure.net

Natural Herbal Shampoo, Conditioner, and Soap
Contact: Enlighten Co., Ltd. enlight@samart.com.th

Sea Weed Cosmetics (Lotion)
Contact: Phuket Pearl Ltd Part: Tel: (662) 392-7709, 381-2220
Fax: (662) 381-2220, 393-6909

Wooden Decorative Comb
Contact: Shinko Enterprise Co., Ltd. tcgroup@loxinfo.co.th

Herbal Supplement Capsules
Contact: Wanalee Co., Ltd. info@trisiam.com

Ginkgo Tea, Natural Herbal Teas
Contact: Don Khunhuay Agricultural Cooperative Society Ltd.
Tel: (66 32) 472-506, (661) 616-5293
Fax: (66 32) 472-506

Dried flowers (Packaging)
Contact: PSC International Trading Co Ltd :
Tel: (662) 326-7012-6
Fax: (662) 326-6457

Decorative Cosmetic Bag
Gift Design Co Ltd.
Tel: (662) 248-0489, 248-0499
Fax: (662) 248-0481

Shipping and packaging will be handled through ILS Co. Ltd., Bangkok Business Center Building, 15th Floor, Room 1503, 29 Soi Ekamai Sukhumvit 63 Road Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Thailand. Each product will be shipped from its producer to ILS for packaging and forwarding. One Thai Health and Beauty Bag is approximately 20cmX15cmX10cm. 35 bags will ship in a 1M cube box at 40Kg. Shipping costs should range from $7-$12/bag.

South Africa

Cape Vintage Reserve Port 96

Made only in exceptional vintages. Somewhat drier than usual with higher alcohol, firm tannins, and a strong nut-berry nose. This huge Cape Port has a plumy color, fleshy succulence and vibrant flavors of coffee and chocolate.

Cost: $40 per bottle
$15 shipping

Contact Details:
Carel Nel
Boplaas Estate
P.O.Box 156
Calitzdorp 6660
South Africa
Phone: +27 (0)44 21-33326
Fax: +27 (0)44 21-33750
email: boplaas@mweb.co.za

Glace fruit assortment

This assortment consists of apricot, orange, pear, pineapple, and melon fruits. The fruits are candied by a slow process of immersion in hot syrup, which cooks the marrons, alternating with drying periods. When candied to the core, the marrons are then glazed and hand-wrapped in gold foil for protection and elegance.

Cost: $15.66 per box (6 in a box)
$9.34 shipping
P.O. Box 70
Malmesbury, 7299
South Africa
Telephone
+27 22 4821144
Facsimile
+27 22 4824154
Email:
sugarbird@sbird.co.za

India

India has always had a weakness for fine gourmet desserts; therefore Handi Bazaar at www.handibazaar.com, located in Southern New Delhi has agreed to offer an Australian Cheesecake Assortment. The cheesecakes will come from Epicurean Kitchen in Australia at www.Epicurean_kitchen.com.au/ Tel: (02) 9557 7311 Fax: (02) 9519 2914

Epicurean Kitchen will offer a variety of Australia’s finest cheesecake desserts in four assorted flavors. The four flavors include angel raspberry ricolta, blueberry, apricot, and lemon. The cheesecakes will be shipped to New Delhi via FedEx International Priority.

The cheesecakes will be approximately $11.60/ 544.55 INR. The cost to ship one package of four cheesecakes is $22.99/ 1081.22 INR or $5.75/ 270.31 INR per cheesecake.

Singapore

Tea Bag Gift Set

This wonderful mixed tea set is ready to drink by just adding water. Shipping will be through Foong Sun Shipping Pte Ltd, Tel: 323 1133, Fax: 221 4053, CR: 10969830000W. Shipping rates by Federal Express will be $22.50 (S$40.58) for this wonderful selection of hot or cold teas. The set is packaged in one box with 18 tiny bags for your convenience. This gift set makes a great present for someone’s birthday or any holiday.

Fine Wines

These wonderfully aged white and red wines will be shipped from Switzerland for your convenience at a rate of $64.92 (S$117.15) by Euro Pac Shipping Agencies Pte Ltd, Tel: 225 0188, Fax: 225 3588, CR: 15260890000D. They will be in your hands in 2-3 days and are great for wining and dining with a significant other or just for sheer relaxation. These wines have a unique taste that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Cup of Excellence

The Cup of Excellence Coffee Gift Set comes to you from Brazil at an affordable rate of $24.95 (S$44.98). This includes 0.45kg of tasty coffee. The best quality coffee can be to you in 2 to 3 days by Federal Express delivery. This basket would also make a nice gift for someone or any special occasion.

Fine Fruit Juices

These fine juices are from nowhere else other than the Caribbean. They will be shipped at an affordable rate of $32.25 (S$58.20) in one box of 40-12 oz. packages via Federal Express. The individual boxes can be enjoyed at your convenience any time during the day.

South Africa

The Dutch Cheese and Frontier Baskets were selected to cater to the tastes of upper-class South Africans who have made an effort to tie themselves to the cultures of England and Western Europe. The products will be distributed in strategic eateries that are frequented by the target consumers.

Dutch Cheese: (Western Europe)
Gift box with cow, goat and sheep cheeses.
Shipping unit is 2.8 lbs.
Price is $19.50.
Shipping is via FedEx from Henri Willig.

Frontier Basket (Scandanavia/Denmark) $280.00.
Vendor www.northerner.com
Shipped out of Copenhagen Denmark
Smoked Reindeer Steak (89.0 oz)
Smoked Reindeer Sausage (17.65 oz)
Smoked Reindeer Salami (17.65 oz)
Bothnia Cheese (17.65 oz)
Swedish Ecological Crisp Bread (22.95 oz)
Gammel Dansk Bitter Dram (350 ml)

Distributer: Minler Gardens (Drink Service)
87 Marseilles Crescent
Briardene Industrial Park
Durban
4051
Phone: (031) 836872 Fax: (031) 836880)

Thailand

Tourism enhancing box

Catering to high-class tourist is big business in Thailand. Thailand is an increasingly popular destination for business retreats, as well, drawing top executives from around the world. The tourism enhancing box is an excellent choice for the target consumers.

Vended By:

The Imperial Lake View Hotel & Golf Club
80 Moo 4, Hubkrapong-Praburi Highway,
Cha-Am, Phetchaburi, Thailand
Tel: (66-2) 6776240 to 5
Fax: (66-2) 6776246 to 7

Chumphan Cabana
69 Moo 8 Thung Wua Laen Beach Saplee Pathiu Chumphon 86230 Thailand
Tel: (66-2) 6776240 to 5
Fax: (66-2) 6776246 to 7

Import Information:

RUM:
Nassau Royale ( Bahamas)
Purchase price $ 17.87 for 1 bottle, $ 50.87 for 3 bottles, $ 96.39 for 6 bottles,
$ 182.97 for 12 bottles

Appleton special gold rum (Jamaica)
$ 17.87 for 1 bottle, $ 50.92 for 3 bottles, $ 96.49 for 6 bottles, 189.42 for 12 bottles

Cigars: (Jamaican)
Royal Jamaica Churchill cigars 25 51x8 $147.71
Royal Jamaican toro cigars 25 50x6 $122.59

All Prices Include Shipping.