The Ministry of Trade and Industry said gross domestic product (GDP) climbed 0.2 percent year-on-year in the three months to March, much slower than the preceding quarter's 1.5 percent year-on-year growth.

Compared with the previous quarter, the economy rose 1.8 percent, the ministry said, revising advance estimates released last month which showed GDP had shrunk 1.4 percent.

However, this was still slower than the 3.3 percent quarter-on-quarter jump in the previous three months.

"The pullback in the quarter-on-quarter growth momentum was mainly due to the decline in externally-oriented sectors such as manufacturing and wholesale trade," the ministry said.

Manufacturing, which accounts for about a quarter of the economy, slumped 6.8 percent year-on-year and 12.3 percent when compared with the previous quarter.

Growth should "improve gradually" for the rest of the year in tandem with an expected rise in global demand for exports, supported by domestic drivers such as the construction and services sectors, the ministry said.

It kept its growth forecast at 1.0-3.0 percent this year, barring downside risks.

"Fiscal uncertainties in the US remain with the failure of Congress to raise the debt ceiling, while the eurozone is prone to a potential flare-up of the sovereign debt crisis," the ministry said in a statement.

"Other uncertainties include the risk of an escalation in regional geopolitical tensions and a possible outbreak of respiratory viruses."

In a separate statement, the city-state's trade promotion body International Enterprise Singapore said total trade fell 9.0 percent year-on-year to Sg$230 billion ($181 billion) in the first quarter.

Key non-oil domestic exports tumbled 12.5 percent year-on-year, accelerating from the 4.2 percent decline in the preceding three months, on lower shipments of electronic and non-electronic items.

"Global macroeconomic conditions have stabilised and global economic growth is expected to improve gradually. Singapore's trade is expected to pick up in tandem with the projected gradual recovery in global demand," IE Singapore said.

The FCCS Privilege Card gives you access to benefits granted by our listed partners.

Joël Robuchon Restaurant has launched a new offer, take advantage of it!

Please click here to see the list of all your privileges!

The change in the name of the Company has no impact on the existing contracts between CGGVeritas Services (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. and our clients and/or suppliers and is without prejudice to all rights, interest and obligations therein. In the premises, we would like to assure our clients and suppliers that:

CGG Services (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. is committed to providing our clients with professional services that our clients have enjoyed with CGGVeritas Services (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. and we look forward to your continued support of our operations.

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"We believe our simplified new logo and website domain strengthen our global brand," said Don Murray, executive chairman and chief executive officer of RGP. "As the Company evolves, our new brand identity makes it easier to appreciate our initiative-based capabilities and expertise worldwide. What remains consistent for the Company is the quality of our people and the value we provide to our clients."

Additionally, RGP will launch its first-ever, branded television commercials, which illustrate how the Company serves as an on-demand, efficient and cost-effective partner to today's resource-challenged businesses. RGP's television commercials can be

About RGP

RGP, the operating subsidiary of Resources Connection, Inc. (NASDAQ: RECN), is a multinational professional services firm that helps businesses execute internal initiatives. Partnering with business leaders, we drive internal change across all parts of a global enterprise - accounting, finance, risk management and internal audit, corporate advisory, strategic communications and restructuring, information management, human capital, supply chain management, healthcare solutions, and legal and regulatory services.

RGP was founded in 1996 within a Big Four accounting firm. Today, we are a publicly traded company with over 2,900 professionals, annually serving approximately 1,900 clients around the world from 75 practice offices.

Headquartered in Irvine, California, RGP has served 86 of the Fortune 100 companies.

The Company is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, the exchange's highest tier by listing standards. More information about RGP is available at RGP.com.

The FCCS is pleased to announce that the French Pavilions will host 34 French companies.

Join us from 18 June to 21 June 2013 and meet our exhibitors at BroadcastAsia, Marina Bay Sands, Level 4 and CommunicAsia, Marina Bay Sands, Level B2.

Please click here to see the list of exhibitors.

Mr BLANQUER will assume his plenary duties on July 1, 2013, after the departure of current Dean Pierre Tapie, whom all of the ESSEC community thanks for his outstanding contribution to the development of the school during his twelve years in office.

Mr BLANQUER is a professor of public law. He taught successively at the Universities of Paris II, Tours, Lille and Paris III-Sorbonne Nouvelle. He was also Director of the Institute for Advanced Studies of Latin America and chaired the Americas Institute, in France.

He was Rector of Schools for French Guyana as well as for Creteil and was Director General for Schools from 2009 to 2012.

He is the author of articles and books on constitutional law, European law, as well as Latin American educational institutions and policies. The trajectory of Mr BLANQUER is characterised by a strong sense of innovation, international openness and a passion for education-related issues.

On his appointment, Jean Michel BLANQUER said: "I would first like to thank ESSEC’s administration for its vote of confidence. I will dedicate all my energy to supporting the values of the school, its success, and its long tradition of innovation".

The appointment of Mr BLANQUER underwent a rigorous search and selection process. A recruitment firm specialising in higher education was mandated; a call for applications was circulated internally beforehand, as well as within the ESSEC Community; and an announcement was published in "The Economist" in order to attract the best international candidates. Mr BLANQUER has unanimously been chosen by all members of the search committee which consisted of:

• Hilaire de Chergé, Secretary General of the Catholic Institute of Paris; representative for the Catholic Institute of Paris
• Lorraine Kron-du Luart, Partner, Eric Salmon & Partners; representative for ESSEC Alumni
• Xavier Cornu, Deputy General Director of the Paris-Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI); education, training and research manager; representative for the Paris-Region CCI
• Vincenzo Esposito-Vinzi, ESSEC Dean for faculty and faculty affairs; representative for the ESSEC faculty
• Patrice Poncet, eminent Professor of finance; representative for the ESSEC faculty; secretary to this committee
• Boris Walbaum, President of firms Dual Conseil and Frateli; representative for ESSEC Alumni
• Rémi de Badts, Chairman of the ESSEC Board of Trustees; representative for the Paris-Region CCI

Holcim Technology (Singapore) Pte Ltd

Independent market analyst Ovum has identified Orange Business Services as the leading player in network services in Asia Pacific in the firm's report, "Ovum Decision Matrix: Telco Network Services for MNCs in Asia Pacific."

The report aims to help multinational companies (MNCs) in Asia Pacific select a network service provider and provides Ovum's analysis of vendors' service capabilities, reputation among customers, vision, long-term commitment and experience in the market.

The Ovum study evaluated the region's leading network service providers on a range of current capability assessment criteria including network reach and SLAs as well as strategy assessment criteria such as market impact and innovation. The study also looked into providers' ability to offer network IT-related services, such as unified communications, video solutions, and data center and cloud services.

Orange scored highly for its service capabilities and strategies as well as its market footprint in the Asia Pacific region.

Claudio Castelli, Ovum senior analyst for enterprise telecoms, said: "Orange Business Services is the market leader. It scores highly on both current capability and strategy and has a significant market footprint in network services for MNCs in the region. Ovum recommends that it appears on any shortlist."

According to the Ovum analysis, Orange offers an attractive proposition to MNCs looking for a one-stop-shop for global network IT-related services, including cloud computing, unified communications, contact center, video, data center, and IT services

Yee-May Leong, senior vice president, Orange Business Services Asia Pacific, said:  "Orange is proud to receive Ovum's recognition for our market leadership in Asia Pacific service capability and commitment. Multinational companies depend on a reliable service provider to support their business expansion, enhance their operations and enable them to be nimble in the face of today's rapidly changing business environment. Orange strives to deliver real value to multinationals as an ICT partner that they can trust."

Orange employs more than 3,000 professionals in Asia Pacific comprising IT specialists, professional services consultants and consulting practice experts. Sustained business growth in Asia Pacific will contribute to Orange achieving its global objective of €1 billion in high growth and emerging markets in 2015.

To access a complimentary copy of the Ovum Decision Matrix: Telco Network Services for MNCs in Asia Pacific report, please visit:  http://www.orange-business.com/en/library/brochure/ovum-decision-matrix-telco-network-services-for-mncs-in-asia-pacific

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