Apple introduced the Apple Store in China (apple.com.cn), an online shop for Apple products including the iPhone 4 and iPad. Apple's online store in China features free shipping, free personalized engraving on any iPod or iPad, and the ability to custom configure any Mac with just a few clicks. The online Apple Store also offers a wide selection of third-party products and is the only place online to buy the iPod nano RED. The online Apple Store also lets eligible students and faculty members take advantage of special education pricing on Apple products. Also starting today, customers in China can access Apple's App Store in Simplified Chinese, with localized featured apps and charts of the most popular paid and free apps in China. The App Store offers iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users access to a catalog of apps with over 300,000 apps in 20 categories including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
India to start MNP testing in Haryana
India's Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will begin mobile number portability (MNP) testing for the Haryana circle on 8 November and will go live on 25 November, reports the Business Standard. For the rest of the circles, it will be implemented in phases. DoT had given licences to Syniverse Technologies and MNP Interconnection Telecom Solutions to implement MNP. In March 2009, the Ministry of Home Affairs revoked the FIPB approval to Telcordia, citing security concerns. DoT has now asked Syniverse to be ready for implementation of MNP across the country, as it may have to withdraw the licence to Telcordia.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Bharti Airtel to launch 3G services this year
Indian communications firm Bharti Airtel will launch its 3G services this year.The company successfully bid for 3G spectrum in thirteen telecom circles across India and is rolling out networks in these geographies. Bharti is also in advanced discussions with other operators to be able to offer roaming and 3G broadband to its entire customer base in India. Bharti will be deploying high speed HSPA networks provided by Ericsson, Nokia Siemens Networks and Huawei.
Bharti Airtel outsources African customer service
Indian operator Bharti Airtel has inked contracts with IBM, Tech Mahindra and Spanco to outsource its customer service operations across 16 African countries. Bharti Airtel, which has over 40 million customers under the Zain brand in Africa, will outsource core customer service functions like call centres and back office. The mobile operator said the widespread adoption of the BPO model across its operations will also have tangible benefits for the development of the sector in each country, create additional job opportunities and develop local talent. This is the second major partnership announcement from Bharti Airtel on the African subcontinent. In September this year Bharti selected IBM to build and manage IT systems to power the mobile network across Africa. Currently over 4,000 people are employed in Africa supporting Bharti Airtel's customer service operations. Going forward the number of people employed in managing Bharti Airtel's customer service functions will increase as Bharti Airtel expands its network and customer base.
Cabinet Decisions taken recently
1) Military Footwear Manufacturing Facility
The Cabinet approval was given to establish a Joint Venture for manufacturing military footwear through Lanka Logistics and Technologies Limited. This joint venture will be established between the government and a reputed private sector footwear manufacturer, and it will manufacture footwear required by the Armed forces, Police and other law enforcement agencies and will produce about one million pairs of footwear per year.. The Joint Venture will reduce foreign exchange outflow on footwear imports. Cabinet approval was granted for the appointment of a Negotiating Committee to negotiate with the prospective private sector investors.
The Cabinet approval was given to establish a Joint Venture for manufacturing military footwear through Lanka Logistics and Technologies Limited. This joint venture will be established between the government and a reputed private sector footwear manufacturer, and it will manufacture footwear required by the Armed forces, Police and other law enforcement agencies and will produce about one million pairs of footwear per year.. The Joint Venture will reduce foreign exchange outflow on footwear imports. Cabinet approval was granted for the appointment of a Negotiating Committee to negotiate with the prospective private sector investors.
2) National Police Academy.. In view of the need to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of maintenance of law and order, and enhance the capacity of the Police Department, Cabinet approval was granted to establish a permanent National Police Academy by an Act of Parliament. This academy will be equipped with necessary expertise from various fields such as low, criminology, investigation, public relations, forensics, information technology and management. Cabinet approval was granted to instruct the Legal Draftsman to draft legislation for the purpose.
3) Reactivation of Atchuvely Industrial Estate – Jaffna. This industrial estate covers an extent of 65 acres of land belonging to the Industrial Development Board, and was established in 1971 in the Jaffna district to provide infrastructure facilities for small and medium industries. The 36 factories which were operating in the Estate were severely damaged by the terrorist conflict. Approval was granted to reactivate this Industrial Estate with the assistance of IDB and BOI. The Government of India has agreed to grant Rs. 174 Million and the government will provide Rs. 25 Million for reactivating this Industrial Estate.
4) UNIDO Country Programme for Sri Lanka – Phase III
This country programme proposes a total of 7 projects and this has been approved by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) Project Approval Committee. It has estimated that a budget of U.S.$ 7.7 Million would be required for the following two main components of the country programme.
1. Component 1 – North and East – Support sustainable livelihood and productive activities through Private Sector development. This would promote micro industries in the North and East Region, increase agricultural productivity and promote rural income generating activities, fisheries, industries in the North and East regions etc.
2. Component 2 – increase the competitiveness of industries and reduce poverty through the introduction of environment friendly technologies etc.
Cabinet approval was given to sign the relevant agreement by the Ministry of Finance and Planning.
5) Embilipitiya Paper Mill Cabinet Approval was granted to call for expression of interest from domestic as well as foreign investors to revamp the Enbilitiya Paper Mill. Presently government spends about Rs. 4 – 5 Billon for import of paper and paper products. It is expected that a large part of this expenditure can be saved by revamping this paper mill on public private partnership basis.
6) Revamp Ceylon Ceramic Corporation Factors. Cabinet Approval was also granted to call for expression of interest from domestic as well as foreign investors to revamp the Eragama, Uswewa, Mahinyangana, and Elayapattuwa factories of the Ceylon Ceramic Corporation.
7) Kantale Sugar Factory Cabinet Approval was also granted to call for expression of interest from domestic as well as foreign investors to revamp the Kantale Sugar Industries Limited on public private partnership basis.
8) School Dental ClinicsAt present there are 473 Dental Clinics in schools of which 170 are in National Schools, and 330 in Provincial Schools. Over 65,000 students get benefited from these Dental Clinics. Cabinet Approval was granted to renovate these clinics at an estimated cost of Rs. 118 Million. The project will be implemented in 2011 and 2012.
9) Construction of School and Sports Buildings Approval was granted to award the contracts for consultancy and constructions of buildings at Homagama, Pitipana Maha Vidyalaya and a Sports Building at Lumbini Maha Vidyalaya at Colombo 05, to the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau.
10) Biodiversity Garden Cabinet Approval has already been granted for the project proposal for the establishment of a Biodiversity Garden of Tropical Fruits at the Fruit Crops Research and Development Centre at Horana. This covers an extent of around 250 acres. Cabinet Approval was granted for the allocation of funds amounting to a total of Rs 108 Million for the years 2011, 2012, and 2013.
11) Re-building of Rural Livelihoods and Community Organizations in Kilinochchi District.A sum of U.S.$ 5.0 Million is to be provided by the Korean International Cooperation Agency for this purpose. This project will strengthen the community based organizations and Develop Infrastructure facilities for agriculture, irrigation and livestock sector and provide the required inputs for farmers. The donor will provide financial resources and the government of Sri Lanka will provide staff, services and other facilities needed for the purposes. Cabinet approval was granted for this proposal.
12) Improvement and Rehabilitation of Priority RoadsLoan Facility of U.S.$ 500 Million from China Development Bank Co. Ltd., to finance improvement and rehabilitation of priority roads. Of this amount U.S.$ 200 Million will be allocated in 2010 and the balance of U.S.$ 300 Million in 2011 to finance roads projects. In order to accelerate the government road construction programme to provide necessary connectivity and linkages to the road network currently being constructed, it was decided to identify priority road sections covering the entire island connecting all electorates to finance under the credit facility extended by the China Development Bank. The total length of the roads that will be rehabilitated/constructed will be 1,174 km. throughout the country, using the proceeds of this loan.
13) North Central Province electrification to 100%.
This project will provide 550 new Rural Electrification Schemes in the North Central province. A total number of 110,000 domestic connections and 10,000 connections for small business / industries will be provided under this project. Cabinet approval was granted to enter into a Credit Facility Agreement with Norda Bank AB of Sweden for U.S.$ 53.49 million being 85% of the ost of the project. Proceeds of this loan will be utilized by the Ceylon Electricity Board for the above Electricity project. The balance 15% will be borne by the Government.
This project will provide 550 new Rural Electrification Schemes in the North Central province. A total number of 110,000 domestic connections and 10,000 connections for small business / industries will be provided under this project. Cabinet approval was granted to enter into a Credit Facility Agreement with Norda Bank AB of Sweden for U.S.$ 53.49 million being 85% of the ost of the project. Proceeds of this loan will be utilized by the Ceylon Electricity Board for the above Electricity project. The balance 15% will be borne by the Government.
14) Consultancy Services for Conflict Affected Region Emergency ProjectThe government has entered into an agreement with the Asian Development Bank to implement the above project to address the emergency needs of the Northern, Eastern and North Central Provinces. The total project cost is estimated to be U.S.$ 168.24 million, which includes ADB Credit Facilities of U.S$ 150 million and government financing of U.S.$ 18.24 million. The loan agreement is effective from September 2010 up to September 2013. This includes the following:
1. Rehabilitation of National (65 km), Provincial (100 km), and Local (100 km) roads under the Northern Provincial and North Central Provincial Council
2. Restoring power and improving water supply schemes in these provinces
3. Improving the basic social services in these provinces, and
4. Reconstruction of Court Houses in the Northern Province.Cabinet approval was granted to entrust the Consultancy Services of this project to the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau.(niz).
New hydropower project in N' Eliya
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) will soon commence construction on the Broadland hydropower complex in the Nuwara Eliya district with a total investment of US$ 82 million. The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited (ICBC) funds 90 percent of the total investment while 10 percent will be funded by the People's Bank.
The total capacity of the project is estimated 35 MW and it will also contribute 126 GWH millions annually to the national grid. The Broadland hydro power plant is expected to complete by 2014 as a foreign and local partnership, a CEB spokesman told Daily News Business.
The complex will be built in an environmental friendly manner. This project will be the fourth underground power plant.
The project dam is margined to the Central Province while the underground plant will be in the Sabaragamuwa province. This is also the last power project in the Lakshapana power complex.
There are around 20 families in the area of the project and the CEB has already started a re-settlement program for these families.
Due to the rapid growth in several industries and the accelerated efforts in electrification the growth in a particular year may increase. The demand and supply gap needs to be filled accordingly. The CEB said the growth of electricity demand would increase by 10 percent annually.
Through the Broadland hydropower plant the Government expects to enhance economic growth, poverty reduction and ensure balanced regional development.
With the completion of the project there will be a steady supply and low cost electricity to cater to the increasing demand for electricity.
Read more ...
The total capacity of the project is estimated 35 MW and it will also contribute 126 GWH millions annually to the national grid. The Broadland hydro power plant is expected to complete by 2014 as a foreign and local partnership, a CEB spokesman told Daily News Business.
The complex will be built in an environmental friendly manner. This project will be the fourth underground power plant.
The project dam is margined to the Central Province while the underground plant will be in the Sabaragamuwa province. This is also the last power project in the Lakshapana power complex.
There are around 20 families in the area of the project and the CEB has already started a re-settlement program for these families.
Due to the rapid growth in several industries and the accelerated efforts in electrification the growth in a particular year may increase. The demand and supply gap needs to be filled accordingly. The CEB said the growth of electricity demand would increase by 10 percent annually.
Through the Broadland hydropower plant the Government expects to enhance economic growth, poverty reduction and ensure balanced regional development.
With the completion of the project there will be a steady supply and low cost electricity to cater to the increasing demand for electricity.
TVS unit enters Sri Lanka´s solid tyre industry
Sun Tyre & Wheel Systems, part of India´s TVS Group, has acquired Watts Lanka Pvt. Ltd., a solid industrial tyre maker in Colombo.
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Watts Lanka Pvt. Ltd. was a joint venture between Watts Tyres Ltd. of England and KVK Invest JSC of Bulgaria, principal shareholder in Balkancar Zarya P.L.C.
The acquisition of the Sri Lankan company will not only add much-needed capacity and considerably ease delivery pressures, but also provide strategic location advantages by establishing a base in the world’s center for solid tires. Work already has begun on adding more manufacturing equipment to increase the base capacity in Colombo. Production and shipment from Sri Lanka will commence within the next four weeks, Sun Tyre said.
Sun Tyre generates more than 95 percent of its sales overseas, with distribution across all continents, and despite expanding its manufacturing facilities in India substantially over the past three years, still finds itself seriously short of capacity. Even during the global recession, the company clocked a healthy growth rate of 40 percent, which it said is continuing unabated.
TVS Group describes itself as one of the 10 largest industrial groups in India, with annual sales of more than $6 billion. Among its holdings is TVS Srichraka, an automotive tire maker.
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