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Article: In intensive care; Hong Kong's economy.
- Article from:
- The Economist (US)
- Article date:
- April 26, 2003
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Economist Newspaper Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Masked for school
From hopes for a strong recovery to fears of recession within weeks
SARS is not bad news for everybody. Makers and retailers of Chinese medicine are struggling to meet demand, as people in Hong Kong and China turn to traditional herbs to boost their immune systems. Telecoms companies are doing well as businessmen cancel meetings and tele-conference instead. Rentals of DVDs and sales of instant noodles have been soaring, as people stay at home.
But these are exceptions to the rule. East Asia is now in the midst of an economic period, says the World Bank, "as troubled and uncertain as any since the 1997-98 financial crisis". Bill ...