IN BRIEF (Page 5)

9 firms set to raise $1.63b on tech board

The Shanghai Stock Exchange revealed on Friday the first batch of nine companies to be listed on the new science and technology innovation board. The nine companies plan to raise about 11 billion yuan ($1.63 billion), according to the website of the Shanghai Stock Exchange. China designed the science and technology innovation board in a bid to leverage financial reforms to boost the development of high-tech sectors and advance economic transition.

Japan core consumer prices rise 0.7% in Feb