11.   Financial Ministry officials said they would tighten up regulations on the establishment of new banks and encourage bank mergers.

12.   Instead of bankruptcies, Zhu said, the state preferred to encourage mergers, which result in fewer losses.

13.   Mustapa said the Government will encourage mergers between public transportation conglomerates.

14.   The Central Bank encourages mergers to improve performance and the ability of banks in the emirate to compete internationally.

15.   The central bank last week announced fast-track measures to encourage mergers in the financial sector.

16.   The authorities even orchestrated mergers in the finance sector and are now encouraging the mergers of banks, insurance companies and stockbroking firms.

17.   The government will encourage bank mergers, the injection of additional capital and seek improvement in managerial skills in order to reach this goal.

18.   The package would also contain legal reforms to encourage mergers and make it easier for companies to sell off parts of their operations.

19.   They also encourage bank mergers, provide deposit insurance to boost confidence in banks and grant the central bank full autonomy.

20.   Finance Minister Amnuay Virawan said on Thursday that more than two new commercial banking licences could be issued to encourage more mergers.