India, Iraq business

NEW DELHI: With a new government in Baghdad ready to roll out the red carpet for Indian businessmen, India’s once thriving economic ties with Iraq, which took a hit after the US-led invasion, are poised to bounce back. More Iraqi businessmen have visited India recently and the Indian mission in Baghdad is also getting inquiries from Indian businessmen. — HNS

Credit card debt row

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s central bank sees no cause for concern despite a rise in the number of credit card-related bankruptcies. The 1,397 bankruptcies last year due to credit card debt constituted only 8.6 per cent of the total bankruptcy cases. Similar bankruptcies for 2003 totalled 1,152, which accounted for 9.3 per cent of total bankruptcies. — AP

US Airways merger

VIRGINIA: Bankrupt US Airways may have saved itself by agreeing to merge with America West Airlines, but it does little to address what many in the industry believe is a fundamental problem. — AP