The peso's rise is hitting call centres in the Philippines, handicapping the global leader in the lucrative business as it combats a challenge from top rival India, industry officials said on Wednesday.

India's finance minister promised Monday a "credible" plan to cut a gaping fiscal deficit that has alarmed investors and said he was determined to push through more reforms to spur the economy.

A former coalition ally said on Friday it would bring a no-confidence vote against India's government over its reform proposals, pointing to the fierce legislative battle lying ahead in parliament.

The Indian rupee on Friday soared to its highest level against the dollar in almost six months after the embattled government pushed ahead with more measures to attract foreign investment.

India's embattled government pushed ahead on Thursday with its make-or-break reform agenda, approving contentious new measures to open up the insurance and pensions sectors to foreign investors.

India's embattled government pushed ahead on Thursday with its make-or-break reform agenda, approving contentious new measures to open up the insurance and pensions sectors to foreign investors.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh vowed Saturday to press ahead with reforms to further liberalise the country's still inward-looking economy, undeterred by strong political opposition.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh vowed Saturday to press ahead with reforms to further liberalise the country's still inward-looking economy, undeterred by strong political opposition.

India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh mounted a defiant defence Friday of reforms that resulted in the loss of his government's majority, saying he had to act to bolster growth and restore confidence.

India's government lost its majority Friday when a key ally finalised its divorce from the coalition, but it was saved from the immediate risk of collapse by securing the support of a regional party.

The Philippines expects to boost its revenues from call centres to nearly $15 billion by 2016, sustaining its three-year lead over rival India, industry leaders said Tuesday.

India's central bank kept its benchmark interest rate on hold on Monday, preferring to wait to see the impact of a flurry of government reforms before reducing the cost of borrowing.

India's top carmaker Maruti Suzuki said on Thursday that more than 500 workers had been sacked after staff rioted at a plant near New Delhi last month in violence that left one manager dead.

Singapore Telecom (SingTel) said on Tuesday its first quarter net profit rose 3.2 percent from a year ago, driven by improved earnings from some regional associates and gains from an asset sale.

India's top carmaker Maruti Suzuki may resume production in late August at a factory closed last month after a deadly riot by workers, a company executive said Sunday.

India's biggest carmaker Maruti Suzuki Saturday reported a 23 percent plunge in quarterly profit, missing market forecasts as the company struggles to recover from deadly labour unrest.

Indonesia's weakening rupiah and widening current account deficit are raising concerns about Southeast Asia's largest economy, which is struggling against contagion from the global crisis.

Shares in Indian software exporter Infosys tumbled more than 10 percent Thursday after it unexpectedly cut its full-year revenue outlook and net profit came in lower than expected.

The ability of Indian banks to borrow overseas could be impacted if the country's sovereign rating is downgraded, the central Reserve Bank of India said in a report on Thursday.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has urged finance officials to revive the economy's "animal spirit" and reverse a climate of pessimism at a time of sharply decelerating growth.