Encouragingly, companies in Asia are starting to focus on HIV/AIDS prevention activities, according to a survey published at the ongoing China Business Summit 2005 here Friday.

The survey was conducted in 15 Asian countries by the World Economic Forum's Global Health Initiative (WEFGHI), Harvard University and UNAIDS.

It showed that in Asia, 24 percent of the companies surveyed have a written or informal policy in place against AIDS and 46 percent of these feel strongly confident about their preparedness.

This result is expected to encourage more firms in China and elsewhere to take up policies such as measures in fighting HIV stigmatization, said Francesca Boldrini, WEFGHI director.

To date, the effect of AIDS on Asian businesses appears limited with approximately two-thirds of Asian companies reporting just a minimal impact on their company revenue, the survey found.

But the survey warned that although the infection rates in most Asian countries remain below one percent, given the huge population in some countries, the absolute number is high.

It urged Asian firms to implement more prevention and treatment measures, such as providing free condoms for employees.

Source: Xinhua