Asia Africa Intelligence Wire articles from May 2004, page 3

Asia Africa Intelligence Wire archives from May 2004

Better Youth Policy Coming.
May 31, 2004... (From Times of Zambia - AAGM) Government says it wants a policy that will provide a framework to encourage active participation of the youth in national affairs. Deputy Minister of Sport, Youth and Child Development Gunston Chola...

Chiefs Demand Maps.
May 31, 2004... (From Times of Zambia - AAGM) Chiefs have asked Government to give them maps showing current chiefdoms, district and provincial boundaries to avoid land disputes. This is according to the House of Chiefs' recommendations to the...

Back Mining Industry, Stakeholders Urged.
May 31, 2004... (From Times of Zambia - AAGM) Government and stakeholders have been urged to continue supporting the mining industry while metal prices on the international market remain favourable. Copperbelt Mining, Agriculture and Commercial Show...

NGO Calls for Effective ICT Utilisation.
May 31, 2004... (From Times of Zambia - AAGM) Northern Province Permanent Secretary Joel Ngo has urged the people of the province to effectively utilise Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to enhance development in the area. When he...

Union's De-Campaign Talk Irks Government.
May 31, 2004... (From Times of Zambia - AAGM) Byline: Times Reporter GOVERNMENT has condemned statements by the labour movement that it will de-campaign members of Parliament that did not support the workers during the quest to reduce Pay As You...

Federal Court to Hear Pan Ocean Oil on Appointment of Chairman and Other Directors.
May 31, 2004... (From Vanguard (Nigeria) - AAGM) Byline: Innocent Anaba Justice Rebecca Olomojobi of Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ruled that the court will first hear and determine the preliminary objection brought by some Directors of...

The Nigeria Money Market in Five Years of Democratic Rule: Operators perspective.
May 31, 2004... (From Vanguard (Nigeria) - AAGM) Byline: Babajide Komolafe, Assistant Business Editor The money market occupies a key position in the banking system. Its role is like that of the central nervous system in the human body. It serves as...

FG Created 30,000 Jobs in 4 Years.
May 31, 2004... (From Vanguard (Nigeria) - AAGM) Byline: Omoh Gabriel & Emmanuel Ujah THE Federal Government generated a total of 30,781 jobs through Direct Foreign Investment inflow since the inception of civilian rule in 1999. The jobs created...

Labour Meets Wednesday on Fuel Price Hike.
May 31, 2004... (From Vanguard (Nigeria) - AAGM) Byline: Funmi Komolafe, Kolade Larewaju, Victor Ahiuma-Young & Innocent Anaba AD, Afenifere blame increase on Obasanjo THE National Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is...

LEDAP Chronicles Obasanjo's Govt Human Rights Record.
May 31, 2004... (From Vanguard (Nigeria) - AAGM) Byline: Innocent Anaba THE Human rights record of the present administration has again come under criticism, following a report released at the weekend in Lagos, cataloging over 177 reported cases of...

2007: PDP Yet to Decide On Zoning of Presidency, Says Agagu.
May 31, 2004... (From Vanguard (Nigeria) - AAGM) Byline: Dayo Johnson AS the controversy over which geo-political zone will produce the president come 2007 rages, Governor Olusegun Agagu of Ondo State has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party...

Nigeria's Growth Lies in True Fiscal Federalism --Oshiomhole.
May 31, 2004... (From Vanguard (Nigeria) - AAGM) Byline: Samuel Oyadongha President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has said that the future growth and stability of Nigeria and its economy lies in the practice of...

Kano Riots: Shekarau Promises Victims Assistance.
May 31, 2004... (From Vanguard (Nigeria) - AAGM) Byline: Tina Anthony KANO state governor Ibrahim Shekarau has reiterated that his government will do everything possible to assist the victims of the recent riot in the state and urged those affected...

2007: Ibori Backs Power Shift to North.
May 31, 2004... (From Vanguard (Nigeria) - AAGM) Byline: Austin Ogwuda GOVERNOR James Ibori of Delta state has asked politicians and all those clamouring that power should not shift to the North to forget the issue of retaining the presidential slot...

Civil Servants Issue Ultimatum to Ministry.
May 31, 2004... (From Vanguard (Nigeria) - AAGM) Byline: Victor Ahiuma-Young NIGERIA Civil Service Union (NCSU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Ministry of Employment, Labour and Productivity to withdraw an alleged circular No...

How the Senate Handled Borishade's Clearance.
May 31, 2004... (From Vanguard (Nigeria) - AAGM) Byline: Sufuyan Ojeifo UNTIL last Wednesday, Ekiti was the only state without a representative in President Olusegun Obasanjo's cabinet. That was because the President's nominee, Professor Babalola...

Anambra PDP Sets Up 10-Man Body to Reconcile Ngige, Uba's Groups.
May 31, 2004... (From Vanguard (Nigeria) - AAGM) Byline: Anayo Okoli IN a bid to resolve the lingering crisis rocking the PDP in Anambra State which has pitched Governor Chris Ngige against his estranged political godfather, Chief Chris Uba, the...

Appeal Hearings Begins Tomorrow in Anosike, Emodi's Election Case.
May 31, 2004... (From Vanguard (Nigeria) - AAGM) Byline: Anayo Okoli THE Enugu division of the court of appeal will tomorrow begin hearings in the appeal filed before it by Senator Emma Anosike against the judgement of the first Anambra State...

PPPRA Backs Fuel Price Hike.
May 31, 2004... (From Vanguard (Nigeria) - AAGM) Byline: Hector Igbikiowubo MAJOR marketers of petroleum products in the country have claimed that the landing cost of petrol in the country is currently N50 per litre, while giving a cost breakdown of...

Unity Cup: Okocha Confronts Team-Mate.
May 31, 2004... (From Vanguard (Nigeria) - AAGM) JAY Okocha and Ricardo Gardner will have the World Cup in their sights when they go head-to-head in the Unity Cup internationals being hosted by Charlton Athletic over the Bank Holiday weekend. The...

Construction of 4th Mainland Bridge Begins Soon --Tinubu.
May 31, 2004... (From Vanguard (Nigeria) - AAGM) Byline: Olasunkanmi Akoni And Arisekola Adekanbi GOVERNOR Bola Tinubu of Lagos State weekend said plans have been concluded to commence work on the multi-billion naira fourth Mainland Bridge which...

Ibori Orders Special Security Operation in Warri.
May 31, 2004... (From Vanguard (Nigeria) - AAGM) Byline: Adekunle Adekoya, Chief Sub-Editor THE Delta State Government has ordered "a special security operation" in the troubled areas of the state in a renewed effort to achieve lasting peace in the...

Why Fuel Price is Rising - Obasanjo.
May 31, 2004... (From Vanguard (Nigeria) - AAGM) Byline: Bolade Ominjo, Paul Odili & Nduka Uzuakpundu PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, in a special media chat to mark five years of democracy justified the latest hike in the prices of...

GSM : As Interconnect Problem Goes Home At Last.
May 31, 2004... (From Vanguard (Nigeria) - AAGM) Byline: Okoh Aihe The GSM industry may at last be moving towards solving one of its most intractable problems as a Federal High Court last week in Abuja told MTN pointedly that it couldn't be treated...

AD Kicks Against Hike in Fuel Price.
May 31, 2004... (From Vanguard (Nigeria) - AAGM) Byline: Dayo Johnson THE Alliance for Democracy (AD) over the weekend kicked against the hike in the prices of petroleum products by the government describing it as a way to impoverish Nigerian masses...

Vanguard Comment: Chris Alli Must Watch It.
May 31, 2004... (From Vanguard (Nigeria) - AAGM) NOW that Plateau State is under a state of emergency, we are particularly concerned about the mode and style of governance applicable therein. With an administrator at the helm of affairs now, the...

Mutual Benefits Assurance to Raise Paid Up Capital to N500m.
May 31, 2004... (From Vanguard (Nigeria) - AAGM) Byline: Peter Egwuatu Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, a company quoted on the Nigeria Stock Exchange(NSE), is to raise its paid up share capital to N500 million as the shareholders of the company...

Ocheger Registers Action Party.
May 31, 2004... (From New Vision (Uganda) - AAGM) Byline: Apollo Mubiru Nelson Ocheger, the president of the Action Party, on Friday presented applications to the office of the Registrar general to register his party. Ocheger was accompanied by...

Give Prisoners Condoms - Madraa.
May 31, 2004... (From The Monitor (Uganda) - AAGM) Byline: Ali Ssenkabirwa Dr Eizabeth Madraa has suggested that prisoners be given condoms in the cells, despite being of the same sex. Madraa in charge of STDs and the HIV/AIDS control programme,...

ANCHOR DAEWOO PLANS TO ENTER CTV MARKET (to start production of conventional CTVs by Jun 2004).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) Anchor Daewoo Industries Ltd is planning to launch colour televisions, washing machines, DVDs and air conditioners. It has decided to take the competitive pricing route and rebuild its credibility. The...

DIVIDENDS LAG BEHIND EARNINGS; PAY-OUT FLAT (dividend distribution has risen by 38 percent).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) A study on 108 constituent companies of the BSE 200, and which have announced dividends for 2003-2004, shows that the dividend growth of 23 percent (excluding one-time dividends) has fallen behind the...

STCI TO ENTER PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT (an initial investment of Rs25-30 crore in equity trading).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) The Securities Trading Corporation of India (STCI) has decided to enter into portfolio management and equity trading to enhance its income streams. It has received clearance from the Securities and...

OPUS SOFT BAGS $1.8-M DEAL FROM WALL STREET CO (F-Ten to deploy TradeNow from Opus).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) Opus Software Solutions Pvt Ltd of Pune has won a contract worth $1.8 million from F-Ten Inc, the largest stock broking company on Wall Street, for supply of its financial software. The TradeNow software of...

BEEDI, GUTKA MAKERS SAY CHANGING DESIGN DIFFICULT (cigarette companies say that they would not have any problems).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) Beedi and gutka companies have expressed difficulty in accommodating large warning signs on their packs. Cigarette companies say that they would not have any problems in accommodating the tobacco Kills line...

ESOP PLANS TO BE MADE EASIER FOR FOREIGN COS (policy liberalisation on the issue of shares).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) The Government of India is in the process of making amendments to the Foreign Exchange Management (Transfer of any foreign security) Regulations, 2000, in order to make it easier for foreign companies to...

TEXTILE PLAYERS KEEN ON EXIT POLICY FOR LABOUR (closing down a sick unit in India is difficult).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) Industries in the Indian textile sector say that the new Government of India must finalise an exit policy for labour. Several organised Indian companies are expanding capacities significantly to take...

EXPORTERS ADVISED TO APPROACH STATE GOVTS FOR EXEMPTION (a few state governments are levying sales tax on DEPB).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) The Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, has advised exporters to approach State Governments individually to ensure that sales tax is not levied on sale of Duty Entitlement Pass Book (DEPB) credit. A...

DROP IN READYMADE GARMENTS EXPORTS TO US (exports to the European Union up 1.48 percent in volume).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) The Apparel Export Promotion Council says that exports of readymade garments to the US declined by 2.39 percent in volume to 155.4 million pieces and by 6 percent in value to $755 million during Jan-Apr 2004....

CII STUDY SHOWS INCREASE IN POSITIVE CONFIDENCE (the Business Confidence Index stands at 66.05 points).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) The Business Confidence Index (BCI) of the Confederation of Indian Industry for Apr-Sep 2004 shows that there has been an improvement in the positive confidence among the domestic industrial community. The...

FICCI SUBMITS ACTION PLAN TO SPUR ECONOMIC GROWTH (an urgent need to deregulate the farm sector).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry has submitted an action plan to the Government of India to boost economic growth in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, disinvestments,...

GUARANTEE FUND: BSE TO SHUT TERMINALS OF DEFAULTERS (brokers have to furnish a fresh guarantee of Rs10 lakh).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) The Bombay Stock Exchange has announced that it would shut down the BSE Online Trading terminals of those brokers who fail to provide a fresh bank guarantee for Rs10 lakh before expiry of the guarantees...

HIND LEVER TO RE-ENTER COOKING AIDS SEGMENT (it has launched Aromax flavour enhancer).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) Hindustan Lever Ltd has plans to re-enter the cooking aids segment in India. The company had intended to foray into the cooking pastes market under the Kissan brand name in 2003, but the plan was...

SAHARA MUTUAL ROLLS OUT MAJOR EXPANSION DRIVE (to set up offices in 24 new locations).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) Sahara Mutual Fund has initiated a major expansion programme that would result in additional recruitment of personnel, and introduction of new schemes, including a few niche products. It plans to soon...

HAIER EXPANDING INDIAN OPERATIONS (to launch both CDMA and GSM mobile handsets).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) White goods major Haier of China has decided to expand its Indian operations to the western and southern regions in Jun 2004 after consolidating its presence in the north. The company intends to launch...

CESC WILL GET ADDITIONAL Rs69 CR IN ARREARS (revenue requirement pegged at Rs2,429.8 crore).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) CESC Ltd of the RPG group is to get additional revenues amounting to Rs69.1 crore on account of collection of arrears on power bills for 2002-2003 and 2003-2004. The power utility's revenue requirement has...

KREBS PLANS BIO-FUELS, FOOD PRODUCTS FORAY (it has set up a stackable potato chips unit).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) Krebs Biochemicals and Industries Ltd of Hyderabad, which is engaged in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients, has decided to enter into the bio-fuels segment and food products to boost growth....

COIR BOARD AIMS AT Rs1,000-CR EXPORTS (fibre utilisation targeted to increase to 50-60 percent levels).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) The Coir Board has set a target of increasing exports of coir and coir products to Rs1,000 crore by 2008-2009. The board has come out with a Millennium Development Mission Document that provides a blueprint...

COTTON ACREAGE SEEN UP 10 PC THIS SEASON (total output estimated at over 165 lakh bales).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) The area under cotton cultivation in India is likely to increase by 10 percent during kharif sowing. This growth is due farmers' expectations that demand and prices would be similar to that witnessed in...

STATES FOR CONTINUITY IN PENSION REFORMS (pension accounts for 15 percent of net revenue expenditure).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) State Governments have requested the Government of India to provide continuity in pension reforms. Most of the states have welcomed the setting up of the pension fund regulatory authority. The states...

CENTRAL GRANT FOR TOURISM PROJECTS IN MALABAR AREA (to construct houseboat terminals in Kasargod district).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) The Government of India has sanctioned a grant of Rs7.79 crore for development of a tourist circuit in the Malabar region. This grant will boost efforts made by Kerala Tourism to develop Malabar as a tourist...

CONFIDENCE UP, EXPECTATIONS DOWN (CII finds business confidence index up 1.15 points; expectation index down 0.7 point between Apr-Sep 2004).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) conducted its 61st Business Confidence Survey covering 101 respondent companies, prior to the general elections in 2004. The survey showed that business expectation...

IRAN OFFERS 20% EQUITY IN KUSHK-HUSSEINIEH OIL FIELD (20% equity corresponds to 60,000 barrels of oil per day for India; ONGC Videsh to evaluate offer).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) Iran has offered India 20 percent equity stake in its Kushik-Husseinieh oilfield. Estimated production of the oilfield is 3,00,000 barrels per day. The offer corresponds to 60,000 barrels of oil per...

INDIA INC'S INTEREST BURDEN DOWN 18.2% IN 2003-04 (350 companies' interest expenses down from Rs8,409 crore in 2002-2003 to Rs6,875 crore in 2003-2004).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) The Financial Express Research Bureau conducted a study on interest expenses of 350 private sector companies with annual sales exceeding Rs8 crore each in 2002-2003 and 2003-2004. Aggregate interest expenses...

EXPORTS TO US DOWN 1.48% (value of exports lower at $8,931.53 million during Apr 2003-Jan 2004 as compared to Apr 2002-Jan 2003).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, released comparative trade data for Apr 2002-Jan 2003 and Apr 2003-Jan 2004. Exports to USA declined 1.48 percent in value to $8,931.53 million....

INSURANCE SECTOR MAY ASK FOR HIKING FDI LIMIT TO 49% (to seek upward revision of foreign direct investment limit in insurance from 26% to 49%).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) Insurance industry may seek from the Government of India upward revision of foreign direct investment (FDI) limit from 26 percent to 49 percent. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry...

WBERC'S ORDER HITS DOMESTIC CONSUMERS (increase of Rs14-34 per month in power consumption bills of 18 lakh domestic consumers in West Bengal).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) The West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission (WBERC) issued a tariff order for 2004-2005 to CESC Ltd, in May 2004. About 18,00,000 domestic consumers using up to 300 units of electricity per month now...

TOUR CLUB TO PROMOTE INDIA IN EAST AFRICA (using e-mail, flyers and ad hoc responses).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) Tour Club (TC), part of the Kuoni Travel (I), is planning to focus on markets such as Middle East, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and South Africa to draw on current surge in both outbound and inbound traffic to...

ADTOI PLANS TO INTEGRATE INDIA THROUGH TOURISM (to focus on Sikkim, Darjeeling and north-eastern states).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) The Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI) has launched a campaign, Kashmir Calling: A Destination for all seasons, in partnership with the Government of Kashmir. Tourists have started coming...

INDUSTRY HEAVYWEIGHTS READYING OUTBOUND CHARTER PLANS (new policy to benefit TCI, Thomas Cook, Kuoni for now).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) The Ministry of Aviation, Government of India, is in the process of introducing various reforms. It has revised the earlier conservative policy with regard to outbound charter operations by removing...

`WE INTEND TO GROW OUR MARKET SHARE BY OVER 50 PER CENT BY THE END OF 2006' (says Werner Heesen, General Manager, Lufthansa).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) Lufthansa has 14 percent market share in India. According to Werner Heesen, General Manager, passenger sales and director South Asia, Lufthansa, the airline is planning to grow by over 50 percent in the...

A-I TO INTRODUCE FLIGHTS TO LOS ANGELES (on Mumbai-Frankfurt-Los Angeles route from Jun 2004).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) Air-India (A-I) will introduce flights to Los Angeles on a thrice-weekly basis on Mumbai-Frankfurt-Los Angeles route from 11 Jun 2004. It will operate the flights with Boeing 747-400 aircraft taken on dry...

LUFTHANSA'S SOUTH INDIAN AGENDA (initiates market survey for Hyderabad to start with).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) Lufthansa is planning to operate flights to more cities in south India. It has initiated a market survey to introduce flights to Hyderabad to start with. The new flight to an additional south Indian...

`OUR PRIMARY FOCUS WILL BE TO EXPLORE NEW OPPORTUNITIES' (says Abdulla Nasser Abdulla Hussain, Vice-President, India and Nepal, Emirates).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) Abdulla Nasser Abdulla Hussain assumed office as Vice-President, India and Nepal, Emirates recently. He will initially focus on exploring new opportunities in India. According to Hussain, the task will...

AUSTRIAN AIRLINES, ANTO OFFERS `FREE' PACKAGES TO WOO INDIANS (offer valid only for Delhi-Vienna-Delhi sector).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) Austrian Airlines (AA) and Austrian National Tourist Office (ANTO) have jointly introduced two promotional packages named `city package' and `city/resort package' to cash in on Indian outbound traffic. The...

HYDERABAD WOOS (Vision 2020 document props up tourism sector).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) Hyderabad has recorded the second highest hotel room occupancy rate of 71 percent behind Bangalore in 2002-2003. The number of hotel rooms in the city has jumped to 2,594 across all segments from just around...

COLOMBO RACE ON WITHOUT PRICE WAR (prices to stabilise once inaugural offers settle down).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) Jet Airways (JA) and Air Sahara (AS) have turned international by launching daily flights to Colombo. Their entry into the Colombo market is unlikely to result in a fare war. The Rs31,000 per couple package...

KSTDC INVITES PROPOSALS FOR HERITAGE RESORT IN HAMPI (through a joint venture on its land measuring around 14 acres to transfer its land to successful bidder).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation Limited (KSTDC) is planning to develop a heritage resort near Hampi through a joint venture on its land measuring around 14 acres. It has invited proposals from...

UTTARACHAL . . . ZOOMING AHEAD (State considers tourism as one of the main channels of economic growth and development).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) Uttaranchal became a separate State on 9 Nov 2000. The State considers tourism as one of the main channels of its economic growth and development. To this end, an action plan has been prepared for promoting...

`WE NEED TO DEVELOP NCR TOWNS TO MAKE NEW DELHI A LONG HAULDESTINATION' (says Ramesh Negi, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, DTTDC).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) Ramesh Negi has recently taken over as Managing Director and Chief Operating Oofficer of Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC). According to him, there is a need to develop...

CAR RENTALS CITE WATERSHED IN BLOOMING INBOUND (car rental industry has grown by 40 percent in terms of demand since Sep 2003).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) The car rental industry has grown by 40 percent in terms of demand since Sep 2003 following surge in inbound tourism. In Mumbai, demand for car rentals has increased additionally from the corporate sector and...

`HYDERABAD HAS THE POTENTIAL OF BECOMING THE FIFTH METRO OF INDIA' (says T Srinivas Yadav, Minister for Tourism designate, Government of Andhra Pradesh).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) Hyderabad has the potential to grow into the fifth metro of India, observes T Srinivas Yadav, Minister for Tourism designate, Government of Andhra Pradesh. In 2002, Hyderabad had a hotel occupancy rate...

MAS ENTERPRISES DIVERSIFIES INTO VANILLA PLANTATION (to supplement core operation).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) Mas Enterprises Ltd (MAS) is engaged in manufacturing, marketing and trading of various agro-based food products such as curry powders, tea, and coffee powder. The company distributes a range of agri...

STB SETS NEW TARGETS FOR INDIA (to showcase Singapore as attractive destination).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has set new targets for the Indian market. Its strategic marketing plans include establishing stronger links with India and optimising the growing potential of the Indian...

COOPER HOLIDAYS OFFERS TOURISTS A FEEL OF KERALA (focusing on tourists from Europe and USA).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) Cooper Holidays Ltd (CHL) of Kochi will be offering an innovative package for tourists chiefly from Europe and USA. Under the package, tourists will be taken directly to villages in Kerala for a feel of...

RAIN COUNTRY RESORTS-A HAVEN OF SOLITUDE and PEACE (located on Lakkidi hills in Wayanad).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) Rain Country Resorts is located on the hills of Lakkidi in Wayanad, a hill station in Malabar, Kerala. Its natural green surroundings, dark woods and immaculate mountains make a peaceful setting for a perfect...

TAAI CONTEMPLATES THE LAUNCH OF AN INSURANCE SCHEME IN MAY (industry sceptical, prefers to wait and watch).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) is planning to introduce an insurance scheme by 15 May 2004 as an alternative to the existing joint bank guarantee scheme. It has roped in Bajaj Allianz for...

NIGERIAN TELCO TO RAISE $150 MILLION FROM INDIA; SCOUTS FOR STRATEGIC PARTNER (to raise funds for network expansion; to approach Reliance or Tatas for strategic partnership).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) RelTel, the Nigerian wireless service provider, proposes to raise $150 million from India to finance its network expansion. The company will raise the funds through debt and equity. RelTel has 80,000...

BEYOND BACKLASH: ASTRON TO RAMP UP INDIA OPERATIONS (plans a second unit in Chennai).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) The business process outsourcing (BPO) company Astron of UK has decided to increase its Indian operations despite the backlash in the US and the UK against outsourcing of jobs to India. Astron is planning to...

I and B MINISTRY FOR TAX EXEMPTION TO PRASAR BHARATI (ministry seeks restoration of Section 22 of Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act 1990 for tax exemption).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoIB) is likely to seek restoration of the Section 22 of the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act 1990, as part of its Budget wishlist to be...

MSOs REGISTER STEEP RISE IN PAY CHANNEL COSTS IN 2003-2004 (INCablenet and Hathway Cable and Datacom refuse to pay higher rates as payout to broadcasters moves up by 28% and 34.44% respectively).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) INCablenet (INC) and Hathway Cable and Datacom (HCD), the two multi-system operators (MSOs), have witnessed a steep increase in the pay channel costs in 2003-2004. HCD reported 33.44 percent increase in...

NPK FERTILISERS DECONTOL SHOULD BE REAL: INDUSTRY (present system of pseudo-decontrol regime should be done away with).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) The Indian Chemical Manufacturers Association has said that the present system of pseudo-decontrol regime prevailing in the fertilisers sector from 1994, particularly for nitrogenic, phosphatic and potassium...

INDIA TO GAIN FROM TEXTILES QUOTA PHASEOUT: ICMF (by the end of 2004).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) Indian Cotton Mills' Federation (ICMF) is of the view that the domestic textile industry will benefit from the phasing out of the quota restriction by the end of 2004, because the textile industry will be...

IFPRI MOOTS FIVE-PRONGED STRATEGY TO BREAK WTO TALKS DEADLOCK (suggests that rich nations must reduce their farm subsidies and tariffs).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) of the US has suggested a 5-pronged strategy to break the current stalemate on the World Trade Organisation negotiations in the field of agriculture. As...

FLORICULTURE UNITS EYE GOVT'S REVIVAL PACKAGE (industry has more than 45-odd units, of which only 30- odd are active exporters).
May 31, 2004... (From India Business Insight) The domestic floriculture industry, estimated at Rs300 crore, has urged the Government of India for the speedy implementation of the rehabilitation package suggested by Tata Economic Consultancy Services...