BANGKOK, Nov, 28 (Agencies)-- Asian stock markets rose Friday as investors bought beaten-down shares on hopes that economy-boosting steps by governments around the world would help ward off a deep global recession. European shares opened lower.

Indian stocks gained after trading was suspended Thursday because of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the country's financial center, that left at least 143 people dead. The benchmark Sensex index opened lower but was up 0.8 percent in afternoon trading at 9,101.06.

Across the region, Mumbai attacks - as well as the shutdown of Bangkok's airports by anti-government protesters, which entered its fourth day - did little to dampen improving investor sentiment.

Instead, investors were hopeful that a raft of policy measures around the world, such as Washington's rescue of Citigroup Inc. and China's rate cut and multibillion dollar stimulus plan, would limit the scale of the global downturn next year.

"The market is reacting very calmly to the terrorist attack," said Francis Lun, general manager of Fulbright Securities Ltd. in Hong Kong. "

Traders will be closely watching indications of sales on Friday across the United States. The day after the Thanksgiving holiday is traditionally one of the biggest shopping days of the year. With the US economic slump, the upcoming Christmas sales period is not expected to be particularly good for retailers.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 336.18 points, or 2.5 percent, to 13,888.24 - a gain of 9.7 percent for the week. Japan's Nikkei 225 index climbed 1.7 percent to 8,512.27 - an advance of 7.6 percent for the week.

Sentiment in Hong Kong was lifted by hopes that Wall Street would extend its four-day gain Friday after Thursday's holiday.

"Investors are having some wishful thinking that the US stocks will continue to rise as market sentiments are improving," said Conita Hung, head of research at Delta Asia Securities in Hong Kong
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