Jan. 17 (Bloomberg) -- Asian stocks outside Japan fell, led by raw- materials companies and food suppliers, on concern China's economic growth will slow at the same time as the U.S. slides into a recession. China ordered banks late yesterday to increase their reserves for the 11th time in 13 months to curb inflation in the world's fastest- growing major economy. Lenders must put aside 15 percent of deposits, the most in at least 20 years. The government also ordered suppliers of grain, oil, meat and other staples to seek approval for price increases. Inflation soared to 6.9 percent in November. Great Wall, Wilmar Uni-President, which supplies instant noodles and drinks in China, declined 7 percent to NT$42.80 in Taipei. Great Wall Enterprise Co., the second-largest Taiwanese food company, plunged 7 percent to NT$36.15. Wilmar, the world's biggest palm-oil trader, plunged 14 percent to S$4.17 in Singapore. China has singled out Wilmar's subsidiaries and mandated that they apply to local regulators 10 working days before raising prices of their edible oil retail packs, Merrill Lynch & Co. said in a report today.
