Asia Africa Intelligence Wire articles from March 2003, page 4

Asia Africa Intelligence Wire archives from March 2003

DIRT-CHEAP STOCKS: HANIL ERA TEXTILES (is a profitable unit manufacturing acrylic and cotton yarns and exporting them to more than 20 countries).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Hanil Era Textiles (HET) is a profitable textile unit manufacturing acrylic, cotton, viscose and blended yarns and exporting them to over 20 countries. Its operating profits went up to 35 percent in 2002-2003...

DIRT-CHEAP STOCKS: HINDUSTAN MOTORS (is a car manufacturing company incurring losses for the last 4 years).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Hindustan Motors (HM) is a car manufacturing company, known for its flagship brand Ambassador, is incurring losses for the last 4 years. The restructuring of the company is happening for the last 2 years,...

DIRT-CHEAP STOCKS: IFCI (incurred a loss of Rs900 crore in 2002-2003 due to its high exposure to the steel and textile sectors).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) The company incurred a loss of Rs900 crore in 2002-2003 due to its high exposure to the steel and textile sectors, legacy of bad assets, mismanagement due to lack of professionalism. Its non- performing...

DIRT CHEAP STOCKS: TIMEX WATCHES (incurred a loss of Rs4.3 crore in the 3 months ended 31 Dec 2002).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Timex Watches is the subsidiary of the leading watchmaker of the US, Timex Corporation. The company has been suffering losses for some time. It incurred a loss of Rs4.3 crore in the quarter ended 31 Dec 2002...

WHO NEEDS A BANK? (chit fund is an alternate medium of finance for small businessmen, housewives and salaried employees).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) The genesis of chit funds in India is 100 years old started by small farmer communities in South India monitored by community based social pressure. It is an alternate medium of finance for small...

WHO NEEDS A BANK?-`LONGER YOU WAIT, HIGHER THE RETURNS' (if the subscriber waits for a longer period to draw the chit amount, the return will be higher).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Initially the subscriber to a chit fund will be an investor and subsequently becomes a borrower depending on his needs. Hence, if the subscriber waits for a longer period to draw the chit amount, the...

FROM MOPEDS TO MOTORCYCLES (Kinetic Engineering Company feels that motorcycles are more profitable than mopeds).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Kinetic Engineering Company feels that motorcycles are more profitable than mopeds. Preference of the people has changed from mopeds to geared vehicles and cheaper motorcycles, as mopeds cannot carry load,...

TEMPLETON INDIA PENSION PLAN (is a private sector pension scheme approved by the Government of India).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Templeton India Pension Plan is a Rs31.6-crore private sector pension scheme approved by the Government of India, earlier managed by Pioneer ITI. To protect the interest of existing investors, the fund...

TO FLOAT OR DROP ANCHOR? (banks offer loans on fixed or floating interest).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Now banks offer loans on fixed or floating interest, and 90 percent of the customers prefer floating rate of interest. The option of fixed rate is good if one is opting for a long-term loan, is concerned...

Reed Exhibitions Japan to hold Bio Partnering forum in May.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business NewsBase - Pharma Japan) A meeting to promote joint venture operations between pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology companies is being held in Tokyo in mid-May 2003. The aim is to introduce pharmaceutical and...

Generic houses to be required to conduct the same PMS as original makers.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business NewsBase - Pharma Japan) Safety measures are in focus as the PFSB asks the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Centre to ensure that generic manufacturers have the same safety measures in place as original...

Korosho orders Kyorin to issue Dear-Dr letter on Gatifloxacin.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business NewsBase - Pharma Japan) Serious hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia have been encountered as adverse drug reactions in the use of gatifloxacin. Kyorin has been instructed to include diabetes in the contraindications...

SSP: Japan's 1st OTC drug for sleep disorder, Drewel.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business NewsBase - Pharma Japan) SSP, after more than 12 years development, will launch an over-the-counter drug called Drewel that contains diphenhydramine HCI, a drug for the control of sleep disorder. Although insomnia...

Bayer to move China headquarters from Hong Kong to Shanghai.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business NewsBase - European Paint and Resin News) Bayer is scheduled to transfer its greater China headquarters from Hong Kong to Shanghai by Feb 2003. The move will be undertaken to boost investment management and market...

Imerys restructures.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business NewsBase - European Paint and Resin News) Imerys, an industrial minerals producer in France, has formed a new Specialty Minerals Group and a Pigment for Paper Group in a restructuring strategy. The Pigments &...

Stinnes sells F&S to LKAB.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business NewsBase - European Paint and Resin News) Swedish iron ore company LKAB has purchased the industrial mineral divisions of Stinnes AG through its Minelco AB subsidiary. The purchase includes the Essen, Germany-based...

Akzo Nobel opens new Powder Coatings facility in Vietnam.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business NewsBase - European Paint and Resin News) Akzo Nobel has opened its new powder coatings production facility in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. The firm is said to be the first investor in powder production in the...

Spencer Coatings acquires Pearl Paints.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business NewsBase - European Paint and Resin News) Aberdeen, UK based Spencer Coatings Ltd has purchased from receivership Pearl Paints, a paint firm in Wales. The purchase deal includes the Wailes Dove Bitumastic brand,...

Bain purchase of SigmaKalon cleared but US division excluded.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business NewsBase - European Paint and Resin News) Bain Capital has purchased the SigmaKalon group from TotalFinaElf on 1 Mar 2003 after obtaining clearance from the European Commission. The $1 bn purchase deal does not...

Kemira to expand calcium sulphate capacity.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business NewsBase - European Paint and Resin News) The growing demand for advanced paper grades has prompted Kemira to enhance the capacity of its calcium sulfate pigment facility in Siilan Jarvi, Central, to 100,000 tonnes...

Scratchproof coating protects sensitive surfaces of CDs and DVDs.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business NewsBase - European Paint and Resin News) GE Bayer Silicones of Germany has formulated EVHC8558, which is a tough, scratchproof transparent coating product. The formulation protects storage media like CD-ROMs, DVDs...

PLASTICS INDUSTRY POISED TO TAKE A GIANT LEAP IN CONSUMPTION (presently, the per-capita consumption of plastics in india is 3.4 kg).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) The global plastics industry has been growing significantly along with sharp increase in the consumption. It has been reported that the first million tonnes of plastics were consumed in a period of 30 years,...

ALEMBIC LTD: LEADING NAME IN PHARMACEUTICALS (the company manufacturers active pharmaceutical ingredients).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Alembic Ltd, based in Baroda City, is a leading Indian pharmaceutical company, with branches in 75 countries globally. The company's WHO-GMP accredited production facility is well-equipped with a 1920 klt...

BROKERS FEAR GOING BROKE (Maharashtra to remove discount on stamp duty rates on share transactions that do not end in delivery of shares).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) The Government of Maharashtra proposes to remove the discount on stamp duty rate on share transactions that do not end in delivery of shares. But stockbrokers and day traders in Mumbai have expressed concern...

SWEET TOOTH TECHNOLOGY (Cadbury ties up with BPL Mobile to set up SMS vending machines to sell chocolates).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Cadbury India has tied up with BPL Mobile to set up Short Messaging Service (SMS) vending machines in BPL's cellular circles to sell its chocolates. Hundred vending machines will be set up at offices,...

GRAND DESIGN. WILL IT WORK? (the Government has allocated Rs60,000 crore for the infrastructure sector in the Budget 2003-2004).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Mr Jaswant Singh, Minister for Finance, Government of India, has allocated Rs60,000 crore for the infrastructure sector in the Budget 2003-2004. Of this, the Government will invest Rs2,000- 10,000 crore...

TOSHIBA: COMMITTED TO TECHNOLOGY (launches its e-Studio range of multifunction systems).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Toshiba is committed to offer utmost satisfaction to customers globally by providing advanced products and services. It has launched its e-Studio range of multifunction systems. Customers can purchase...

NEW INDIA ASSURANCE: NETWORKING SKILLS (the company has three associate companies, 12 agencies, 18 branches and a 100% subsidiary abroad).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) New India Assurance Company Ltd emerged as a leader in the Indian general insurance market within 10 years of its nationalisation. The Tata group had set up New India in 1919. The company is training its...

NPC: PROMOTING PRODUCTIVITY (National Productivity Council promotes productivity in the Indian agricultural, industrial and other sectors).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) National Productivity Council (NPV) was set up in 1958 to promote productivity in the Indian agricultural, industrial, service and infrastructure sectors. It is aimed at helping the country to achieve...

GREATER BANK: COOPERATING TO SUCCEED (Greater Bombay Co-operative Bank had recorded a net profit of Rs3.53 crore during 2001-2002).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Greater Bombay Co-operative Bank (GBCB) offers banking services, facilities and products that are on par with the best international banking. GBCB, also popularly known as Greater Bank, has been ranked...

NICHOLAS PIRAMAL INDIA: LEADING INDIAN PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY (a Pirmal Group company).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Nicholas Piramal India Ltd is a leading pharmaceutical company that came into being after the Piramal Group had taken over Nicholas Laboratories in 1988. Nicholas Piramal India had undergone several...

SHRI RAM RUBTECH PVT LTD: LEADERS IN THE FIELD OF RUBBER LINING (its rubber line product equipments include design, engineering, fabrication and rubber lining of storage).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Shri Ram Rubtech Pvt Ltd is a leading provider of wide range of rubber lining for different industry requirements at a competitive price. It started engineering and fabrication unit M/s Ishan Equipments Pvt...

PARAS PHARMA LOOKS FOR STRATEGIC TALLY (has appointed Mehta Partners as consultants).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) The promoters of the Paras Pharmaceuticals (Paras Pharma) are seeking a strategic investor into the company for assessing interest in a stake in the healthcare and FMCG Company. However, Paras Pharma is not...

CLARIANT TO PAY INTEREST TO COLOUR CHEM INVESTORS (as directed by Securities Apellate Tribunal).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) The Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) has directed Clariant International (Clariant) to pay the investors of Colour Chem an interest of 15%/y for delaying the open offer. SAT has directed that the interest...

CHEMICAL PRICES TO GO UP BY 60% IN INDIA (due to the sharp hike in the crude oil prices).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) The Indian chemical industries have been experiencing an intense increase in the prices, mainly due to the sharp hike in the crude oil prices and the US led-war in Iraq. Companies including Reliance...

THE INDIAN BUDGET 2003-2004 FOR METALS (Budget 2003-2004 proposes a reduction in the peak import duty on metals to 25% from 30%).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) The Government of India in its Budget for 2003-2004 has forecasted an 8% growth in GDP in the next few years. To achieve this, the Finance Minister has identified textiles, pharmaceuticals, information...

NEW SHUTTLE SERVICE PLANNED BETWEEN CHENNAI AND SINGAPORE (Samudera Shipping and Regional Container Lines plan weekly feeder service between Chennai and Port Klang, West Port and Singapore).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) A new feeder service has been planned between Chennai and Port Klang, West Port, Singapore on a weekly basis. The service, planned by Samudera Shipping and Regional Container Lines (RCL) contributing a...

MAERSK'S NEW SERVICE ASAIL (new India-US West Coast service to cut transit time between India, the Far East and the US East coast).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Maersk has launched the new India-US West Coast service, which is on its first voyage. This service would cut transit time between India, the Far East and the US East coast. Maersk is using nine vessels of...

WHEN BREAKING GETS TOUGH (Alang would have richly benefited had it heeded environmental and safety regulations).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) With the recovery of a couple of more bodies and the death toll from the recent fire on the tanker Amina going up to seven, Alang could well meet a watery grave. Tragedies are not new in the world's...

PROFILE OF ALANG SHIP-BREAKING YARD (President of Indian Ship-breakers' Association observes that delay in implementing environmental standards would lead to Alang's closure).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Pravin S Nagarsheth, President of Indian Ship-breakers' Association has warned that delay in implementing environmental standards in the world's largest ship-breaking yard, could bring about its closure....

LOADED WITH POWER (leading marine engine producers are coming out with new innovations and new products).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Today's market for the ship engine manufacturers has been affected by the slowdown in the global economy, with leading engine producers such as Wartsila India, Rolls Royce, Yanmar, Caterpillar and Cummins...

PROFILE OF CUMMINS INDIA (Cummins India annually earns about Rs150 million on marine engines).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Cummins India annually earns about Rs150 million on marine engines, which are used mostly for main propulsion and auxiliary applications. The products offered by Cummins include fully marine-compliant engines...

RICH PAST PROMISING FUTURE-COCHIN PORT (port exceeds throughput level of previous year by handling 1,20,78,009 tonnes on 9 Mar 2003).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) The Cochin Port Trust (CPT) is continuing its commendable performance and has reached new levels in 2002-2003. The port has exceeded the throughput level of previous year by handling 1,20,78,009 tonnes on 9...

BUDGET BYTES (Budget 2003-2004 proposes to invest Rs7,500 crore to upgrade Nhava Sheva port and Kochi port).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) The 2003-2004 Budget proposals to invest Rs7,500 crore to upgrade two ports in Nhava Sheva and Kochi will enhance India's global trade. The Jawaharlal Nehru Port at Nhava Sheva is already the country's fast...

"WE GREW 70 PER CENT IN INDIA OVER LAST YEAR. THIS YEAR WE EXPECT ANOTHER 100 CUSTOMERS" (Citrix Systems currently has 500 customers in India).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Citrix Systems (CS), developer of server management tools and access products, has registered a growth of 70 percent in India in 2002. CS registered a growth of 30 percent in Asia in 2002. CS has over 500...

MAHE AND WIPRO TIE UP (Wipro to handle infrastructure management services for MAHE).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Wipro Infotech (WI) has been appointed by Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) to handle infrastructure management services. WI will manage MAHE's network of 2,500 desktop computers at 28 institutes in...

IS HLL'S SUPPLY CHAIN FLAWED? (distributors not satisfied with HLL's supply chain management software).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Hindustan Lever Ltd (HLL) launched Project Leap in 2001 to implement an advanced Web-enabled supply chain management front- end software named RSNet. HLL plans to make it compulsory for its distributors...

"IT IS LIKE OXYGEN FOR US" (Hindustan Lever uses IT for supply chain management and decision making).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Hindustan Lever Ltd (HLL) is using information technology (IT) for its supply chain management and for all its decision making activities. HLL has automated its daily activities including inventory...

PROCTER and GAMBLE (targeting high income consumers in urban India).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) P and G (Procter and Gamble) is targeting its products at high-income consumers in urban India. Having lowered its focus on rural areas, P and G has cut down its distributors from 400 to 20 over three years....

DABUR INDIA (has upgraded its enterprise resource planning software).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Dabur India (DI), a leading manufacturer of health care, personal care, and food products, has upgraded its enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. DI's QAD MFG/Pro ERP system manages outbound...

OPEN MAIL (Microsoft Exchange is facing competition from Linux-based e- mail solutions).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) The study conducted by IDC India rates Microsoft Exchange as the leader among e-mail applications in India. However, Microsoft Exchange is facing competition from Linux-based e-mail solutions. In terms...

THE CDSL STORY (has replaced its Linux-based e-mail solution with Microsoft Exchange).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Central Depositories Services (India) Ltd (CDSL), involved in dematerialization of securities, has migrated from a Linux-based e-mail solution to Microsoft Exchange 2000. The Linux-based e- mail solution was...

Ludvika Mining results 2002.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business NewsBase - Dagens Industri) In 2002 Ludvika Mining AB, Sweden, reported an operating income of SKR 86 M but a net loss of SKR 1599 M. The company's liquid assets totalled SKR 20 M and its capital SKR 1259 M. The...

Strong criticism of Swedish authority medicines policy.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business NewsBase - Dagens Industri) The Vastra Gotaland regional authority in Sweden wants to be paid by pharmaceutical companies for their products to be included on drug recommendation lists. This proposal has been...

Zim Opposition Victims of Torture.
March 31, 2003... (From Mail & Guardian (South Africa) - AAGM) Byline: Nawaal Deane Zimbabwean MP Job Sikhala says he 'cracked' after being subjected to police torture Job Sikhala, a Zimbabwean MP, had wire wrapped around his genitals, toes and...

SSI EDUCATION-APTECH (SSI Ltd has acquired 27 percent promoters' stake in Aptech Ltd for Rs24.54 crore).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) SSI Ltd has acquired 27 percent of promoters' stake in Aptech Ltd for Rs24.54 crore. SSI also plans to acquire another 20 percent from the public at a total acquisition price of under Rs50 crore. The...

TCS-CMC (TCS' CMC acquisition to help it improve its government business).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) acquired 51 percent of the Government of India's 76 percent stake in CMC Ltd at Rs157 per share. It also made an open offer for 20 percent additional stake in the company at...

POLARIS SOFTWARE LABS-ORBITECH SOLUTIONS (Polaris is in BFSI).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Polaris Software Labs of Chennai acquired Orbitech Solutions Ltd from Citibank. Polaris mainly operates in banking, finance and insurance services (BFSI) and the acquisition followed the perception that...

MPHASIS: AGAINST THE CURRENT (has announced improved results for the quarter to Dec 2002).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) MphasiS Ltd of Bangalore (www.MphasiS.com) is a provider of software services and solutions in the areas of application management, legacy systems transformation, enterprise application integration and...

UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS (TCS has tied up with GlobalSoft Innovations to develop new versions of the latter's iTeleFusion solution).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has entered into an equal investment partnership with GlobalSoft Innovations to develop new versions of the latter's iTeleFusion solution. iTeleFusion is a convergence...

CMC BAGS Rs100-CRORE PROJECTS IN ONE QUARTER (includes an international project from The National Bank of Bahrain).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) CMC has bagged projects worth Rs100 crore during the quarter to Mar 2003. This includes an international project from The National Bank of Bahrain for the installation and implementation of the core...

WEST BENGAL GEARS UP TO BE NEXT IT DESTINATION (has been able to attract some significant business projects including IBM's 200-seat development centre).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) West Bengal has begun aggressively marketing itself as a viable destination for overseas and domestic information technology companies. The State has been able to attract some significant business projects...

Alembic Ltd: Leading name in pharmaceuticals.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business NewsBase - Chemicals Purchase (India)) Alembic Ltd, based in Baroda City, is a leading Indian pharmaceutical company, with branches in 75 countries globally. The company's WHO-GMP accredited production facility is...

Plastics industry poised to take a giant leap in consumption.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business NewsBase - Chemicals Purchase (India)) The global plastics industry has been growing significantly along with sharp increase in the consumption. It has been reported that the first million tonnes of plastics were...

Paras Pharma looks for strategic ally.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business NewsBase - Chemicals Purchase (India)) The promoters of the Paras Pharmaceuticals (Paras Pharma) are seeking a strategic investor into the company for assessing interest in a stake in the healthcare and FMCG...

Nicholas Piramal India: Leading Indian pharmaceutical company.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business NewsBase - Chemicals Purchase (India)) Nicholas Piramal India Ltd is a leading pharmaceutical company that came into being after the Piramal Group had taken over Nicholas Laboratories in 1988. Nicholas Piramal...

Chemical prices to go up by 60% in India.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business NewsBase - Chemicals Purchase (India)) The Indian chemical industries have been experiencing an intense increase in the prices, mainly due to the sharp hike in the crude oil prices and the US led-war in Iraq....

Shri Ram Rubtech Pvt Ltd: Leaders in the field of rubber lining.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business NewsBase - Chemicals Purchase (India)) Shri Ram Rubtech Pvt Ltd is a leading provider of wide range of rubber lining for different industry requirements at a competitive price. It started engineering and...

Clariant to pay interest to Colour Chem investors.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business NewsBase - Chemicals Purchase (India)) The Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) has directed Clariant International (Clariant) to pay the investors of Colour Chem an interest of 15%/y for delaying the open offer....

Statoil: performed well in 2002.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business NewsBase - Statoil Magazine) Good results reported by Statoil for 2002 reflect more efficient production operations and the group's highest ever annual oil and gas output. This averaged 1.074 M barrels oil...

Iranian assignment secured.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business NewsBase - Statoil Magazine) Statoil and Petropars of Iran signed a participation agreement in Oct 2002 which gives Statoil a 40% share in and the operatorship of the offshore part of phases 6, 7 and 8 of the South...

Snohvit recruitment starts.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business NewsBase - Statoil Magazine) A process to fill the first 40 permanent jobs in the operations organisation for Statoil's Snohvit field in the Barents Sea began in Jan 2003, with the full workforce due to be in...

Deal done on UK gas storage.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business NewsBase - Statoil Magazine) Statoil acquired the development rights for an underground gas storage facility in Aldeburgh, UK in Dec 2002. The company has agreed to buy all the shares in Aldeburgh Gas Storage Co...

Getter sweeter: sulfur-free petroleum. [1 table].
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business NewsBase - Statoil Magazine) Sulfur is an unwanted pollutant in oil products because it causes environmental and health problems, and regulations on the sulfur level in petroleum have got progressively tighter...

Situation in the Finnish chemical industry deteriorated after autumn 2002. [2 tables, 7 figures].
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business Newsbase - Economic Outlook of the Finnish Chemical Industry) There was strong growth in the Finnish chemical industry in 3Q 2002, but the last quarter was a disappointment. In Jan, the outlook for the Finnish...

The Finnish chemical industry: no clear trend in basic chemicals.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business Newsbase - Economic Outlook of the Finnish Chemical Industry) Finnish production of basic chemicals increased 1% in 2002. Fluctuations in the production volume were wide during 2H 2002 but there was no clear trend...

Finnish chemical industry: signs of stronger growth faded in plastic products industry. [1 figure].
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business Newsbase - Economic Outlook of the Finnish Chemical Industry) The decline in the production of the Finnish plastic products industry ended at the end of 2001 and since then there has been a modest growth trend in...

Finnish chemical industry: slower growth in paint industry.
March 31, 2003... (From Chemical Business Newsbase - Economic Outlook of the Finnish Chemical Industry) The growth rate of the Finnish production of paints and colouring materials has declined during winter 2002. Demand growth was mostly sustained by...

OF FENCE-SITTERS AND FORERUNNERS (online advertisement segment to record 10% growth in global revenues at $6.2 billion during 2003).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Online advertising is re-emerging as a medium to reach the target audience. It offers advantages of cost, target audience and measurability. Online advertisements are cheaper than those in other...

NEW TOOL ON THE BLOCK (MFDs have evolved as a more versatile means that can send e- mails over Internet besides printing, among others).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Multi-functional devices (MFDs) have evolved as a more versatile means. They can send e-mails and fax over the Internet besides printing, copying and scanning. They feature virtual mailboxes. Most MFDs...

MEGA SPENDERS (PNB emerges as the top IT spender during 2002-2003, as per a Megaspenders survey by Dataquest).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Actually information technology (IT) fell by 17 percent against the estimate of 56 percent for 2002-2003. Spending in the hardware decreased to 42 percent during 2002-2003 from 50 percent in 2001-2002, as per...

POWERING UP THE NETWORK (the Indian industry loses Rs20,000 crore annually, says a survey on the impact of downtime).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Indian businesses should pre-fit a network uptime solution into at the time of inception itself to overcome unscheduled power cuts. In 1990s, companies networked their operations to provide major...

FROM POWER PACKS TO NETWORK UPTIME ... (ENPIL brings world-famous brands under it to align itself with the Emerson group).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) Emerson Network Power (India) Ltd (ENPIL), a unit of Emerson group, has brought world-famous brands under it to align itself with the group. It has re-positioned itself as a network availability solutions...

IT SERVICES: GOING STRONG, OR DOWN? (Indian software industry's revenues likely to be $80 billion by 2008).
March 31, 2003... (From India Business Insight) The Indian information technology (IT) industry recorded growth despite the global economic slowdown for the last 2 years and fall in expenditure on technology worldwide. The domestic software industry...