Current issue      EDITORIAL       Getting through 1999 - For many, the year 1999 will be a year to "get through" as it is forecast (promised?) that by year's end, the road returning to Normalville will at least be visible. Therefore, Asia (especially East and Southeast Asia) approaches 1999 with apprehension and many questions.  Will elections in Indonesia be credible and violence-free? Will 1999 see privatization in any of Asia's state-run tobacco monopolies? Will elections return progressives to power in Thailand, or a reactionary, protectionist group? Will China devalue the renminbi and exacerbate regional difficulties? How will the United States tobacco industry settlement effect the region? Will there be consolidation amongst the multi-nationals? Will China begin another program of large-scale investments in the tobacco industry? We look forward to the answers in 1999. Thailand's strange bedfellows. With different motives but common goals, anti-smoking groups ally themselves with tobacco farmers and TTM employees in Thailand to protest the possible privatization of Thailand Tobacco Monopoly's (TTM). "Privatization" in today's cash-strapped economy probably means at least partial foreign ownership ?something all these groups want to avoid. What's wrong with foreigners? To tobacco farmers, this means less sales non-government companies may not be inclined (required?) to buy domestic leaf. To tobacco factory workers, multi-national means rationalization of bloated employee rosters and guaranteed overtime. Anti-smoking groups are afraid of everything. Anti-smokers and government tobacco employees also banded in the late 1980s to protest the market opening to foreign cigarettes. China new crackdown on smuggling seems to be working through its efforts to root out accomplices in the People's Army. With several high-placed convictions and punishments and stripping the army of all its "business interests", foreign cigarettes may become scarce in the coming months. The Chinese government itself creates the huge smuggling problem through excessive import duties. These taxes essentially amount to an imported cigarette ban, and create trade opportunities for enterprising though shadowy importers. Tobacco Asia, in Asia through the good times and the challenging times. Close to home here in Thailand, the baht has strengthened against the U.S. dollar; the Korea and Thai stock markets were the among the world抯 best performers in the fourth quarter of 1998; and the tobacco industry regionally remains one of the least effected by economic crises. However, we at Tobacco Asia know these times are difficult for many. Having said that, Tobacco Asia's commitment to the region continues unabated, and today we are a 100% Asia based operation, sourcing 100% of our writers, translators, editors, and services such as printing, paper, and accounting here. Instead of taking a "wait and see" approach, we know Asia is a valued market to serve, and that is why we are here today We wish all our friends, readers, and supporters a Happy and Prosperous 1999, or 2542 in Thailand or Year of the Rabbit in China.

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© Copyright 1999 By Lockwood Trade Journal Co., Inc.