Briefs, November 30, 2012

EU begins talks for free trade deal with Japan

EU trade ministers agreed to start negotiations towards a free-trade agreement with Japan, officials said, overcoming resistance from European carmakers who fear a deal might damage their industry. Reuters

Ex-CBRC chief sees lower bad debt risk

Mainland tax and fiscal reform will soon reduce local government debt and lower the risk of bad debt banks face, said China Banking Regulatory Commission ex-chairman Liu Mingkang. Toh Han Shih

Director's grandma, 87, executive director, too

Lai Sun Garment has redesignated non-executive director U Po-chu, 87, an executive director of the company at an annual salary of HK$3.6 million. U is the mother of the firm's deputy chairman and controlling shareholder, Peter Lam Kin-ngok, and the grandmother of executive director Lester Lam Hau-yin. Enoch Yiu