We continue to see evidence that Asia is the place to be at the turnaround of the global economy.

Most of Asia is somewhat better positioned to spring out of the stalls like a Chinese black horse, than North America and Europe, with a healthy innoculation received as part of the Asian crisis circa 1997. Though the West had a field day criticising corrupt practices, nepotism, and inertia in East and South East Asia at the time, Enron, Anderson, Global Crossing and Allied Irish Bank scandals, that it may not have been just an Asian problem but a Global problem.

Often behind the scenes, while refusing to acknowledge the depth of the problem publically, leadership of Asian countries were surely, though slowly reforming practices that were clearly affecting their competitiveness.

Many investment consultants are suggesting that recovery will be slower in the West rather than Asia. The boost to Asian exports is a plus, and in many countries, the Asian crisis helped by bringing to a stunning halt rising business costs as a result of the bubble years.

Ericsson is the latest to suggest that Asia is the best place to be right now, and maybe next year as well. According to Reuters.. Telecoms equipment maker Ericsson said yesterday it expected a 10 percent improvement in mobile network sales in 2003 as Asian growth counterbalanced weak European markets.

Loss-making Ericsson, the world's leader in the infrastructure used to support wireless communications, has spooked investors with a bleak first quarter prognosis for network equipment.