The Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Smt. Sushma Swaraj releasing a book "Best of the Week" published by the Malyalam Monorma Group in New Delhi on December 16, 2002.(Monday)

Procast appointed regional authorized dealer for EVS Broadcast Equipment

EVS' state-of-the-art outdoor broadcast solutions now within easy reach of TV networks in Middle East and AfricaDecember 16, 2002 Procast FZ LLC, the biggest broadcast solution provider and distributor of reputed broadcast equipment in the Middle East, has been appointed the authorized dealer for products of EVS Broadcast Equipment, the Belgium-based company that is best known for its Live Slow Motion (LSM) replay system that has revolutionized sports coverage worldwide.

The agreement that was signed recently between Procast and EVS Broadcast Equipment, signals the easy availability of reputed EVS products, such as Outside Broadcast (OB) Van equipment, mobile studios, broadcast servers for LSM, production and playout video servers, MPEG-2 Servers, offline editing for news production, mosaic display devices, Internet streaming/Webcasting and Digital Cinema Servers in the Middle East region.

"As a company that has powered the broadcast revolution in the region for the
past 15 years, Procast is pleased to welcome EVS Broadcast on board," said Dr.
Saleh Lashter, Chairman & CEO, Procast FZ LLC. "EVS has acquired a worldwide reputation for developing cutting edge solutions for the broadcasting industry, with its digital video disk recording technology and advanced servers that are setting new standards. The EVS portfolio of broadcast equipment consolidates
our position as the leading solution provider to the region's broadcasters and
television networks. We are extremely delighted to partner with EVS and serve
this region which is witnessing a broadcasting boom."

"Procast is now poised to make further inroads into the broadcasting arena with
its diversified portfolio of products," added Dr. Lashter. "Our strategic alliance
with EVS is significant, because O.B. Van Coach Building and system integration
are our core strengths and now we will be able to use EVS' state-of-the-art equipment for these mobile studios. We are going to make extensive use of EVS equipment to execute various television, radio and satellite projects in the region."

Bruno Schmetz, Area Sales Manager, Middle East, EVS Broadcast Equipment, said: "This tie-up with Procast is part of EVS strategy to forge new business alliances in this region. Procast will be our distributor for O.B Van products and sports coverage equipment as well as new solutions for non-linear editing, production and digital cinemas. We foresee a huge demand for our products in the region and are pleased to appoint such a reputed company as Procast to distribute our products."

"This region promises vertical growth and a mindset that is geared towards high
technology," added Schmetz. "We are confident that this alliance with Procast
will serve as a foundation for a strong growth for both the companies in the
long run." EVS Broadcast Equipment operates in 60 countries with offices in Liege (Belgium), Paris, London, Milan, Hong Kong, New York, Buenos Aires and Rio Janeiro. In 2001, it had a turnover of 35.7 million Euros, with a net profit of 12 per cent. The projections for 2002 are 42 million Euros, with a net profit of 12 to 14 per cent. Procast FZ LLC has been active in installing and commissioning FM transmitters, television studios ranging from production studios, news studios and transmission continuity booths. Recently it has completed the system integration for 16 Digital Camera OB Trailer in Dubai. The company represents several major names in the field of broadcasting equipment including Vistek, BDL Autoscript, Vinten, Technosystem, Media Consult International, Egripment, Optex and ND Satcom for all their broadcast products in Middle East and Africa.

Procast is the region's foremost provider of cutting-edge and technologically
advanced broadcasting solutions. It provides turnkey system solutions to the
global broadcast, communications and production industries. The company has extensive experience in the region and has a long-lasting reputation for providing high quality, cost-effective solutions that meet even the most demanding needs. Procast provides a range of solutions for all aspects of broadcasting from newsgathering to production and transmission. .(keralamonitor.com)

Terrorism and Crisis Management under Aviation Fire and Security International Exhibition

GLOBAL EXPERTS DUE IN DUBAI FOR GROUNDBREAKING EVENT

Sunday, December 15th, 2002

The airline industry's security perspective on crisis management and combating terrorism are to come under the spotlight at a conference running alongside the Aviation Fire and Security International (AFSI) exhibition being held in Dubai next year.

Global security experts from the world's leading airlines will address the conference on a variety of real world security issues pertinent to the post-September 11 world. The conference, which will run in half-day sessions from April 27-29 2003, will take place at the Airport Expo Dubai.

"A number of incidents, which have taken place this year, have only highlighted the importance of airline security," said Kennie Meikle, AFSI consultant. "Such issues as effective threat assessments, personnel training and crisis management planning and execution are just a few pieces of the puzzle airlines need to have covered to ensure they can meet various security challenges.

"On a regional level, the number of airport expansion programmes will also spur various civil aviation authorities to revaluate their current security apparatus to ensure they can effectively meet the requirements of new facilities," said Meikle.
Dubai International Airport recently announced its intention to beef up security to meet the demands of increasing passenger numbers. According to Major General Ismail Al Gergawi, Director of Ports and Airports, passenger numbers are increasing by 12% per annum.

The conference, which will tackle this issue and many more, will be addressed by American Airlines' Regional Security Manager, Ian Barden and the Vice President of Group Safety and Security for Air New Zealand, Jeff Brown on an airline's perspective in combating terrorism.

"An airline's overwhelming concern is for the safety and comfort of its passengers. As such this will drive any airlines approach to terrorism. Successful resolution of any terrorist situation for an airline will be governed by its speed of action and its ability to interface with various government organisations and interest groups," said Meikle.

Another important topic to be covered at the conference is the need for strong effective policing at airports to combat terrorism. Jim Douglas, Airport Commander, Metropolitan Police, Heathrow; Kim Bentham, Airport Commander, Sussex Police, Gatwick and Abdulla Al Hashim, Chief of Group Security, Emirates airline will all present on this topic.

Speakers from the Americas, Europe, Australasia and the Middle East are to address the conference, which will also feature operational case studies.

Additional speakers include: Alexander Kerr, Managing Director - Security, FEDEX, who will be joined by Shawn Gerber, Assistant Director, IATA Security Services, when he presents on the importance of liaison with freight agents and government regulations to provide cost effective security to meet industry needs.

John Donnelly, UK Government Advisor, will highlight the importance of aviation security and intelligence, while Mike Smith, IATA consultant on training, motivation and standards, will cover security training.

Kennie Meikle, the conference consultant is one of the world's leading aviation security (AVSEC) experts. Currently AVSEC consultant to a private security company as well as Cyprus Airways, Meikle, having seen service in the armed forces and police service, joined the aviation industry and has held senior security positions for British Airways, British Caledonian and Gulf Air where he was Head of Security Europe/USA. In 1970 he was part of the Nicosia debriefing team for the hostages from Dawson's Field, Jordan. Meikle is also a former secretary to the Heathrow Security Officers Association and a former security committee member of Northern Ireland Airports, Heathrow, the IATA Security Advisory Committee, the Association of European Airlines and IATA's AVSEC group.The Aviation Security Conference is part of a dual-congress at AFSI. The second conference will deal with aviation fire and security issues.(keralamonitor.com)

Oman Gulf Enterprises bags Super A Award

16 December 2002

Caption: All the service award recipients.

Oman Gulf Enterprises (OGE), distributors for LG Electronics in Oman, received a top award at the recent LG 'Super A' competition held in Jakarta. "In recognition of his outstanding contribution to customer service, OGE's Mahendra Cheema received the 'Best Service Manager' award," said Mr. P.C. Choi, Managing Director, LG Electronics Gulf FZE. Cheema received his trophy and a round trip ticket to Korea with accommodation from Mr. Y. R. Roh, Managing Director, LG Electronics Middle East.

"OGE has done a terrific job in making service a priority for 2002," said Roh. "In this region where the best of service is now a core competency of LG, we have average brand awareness of 50%, individual product market share of between 25-30% and we believe that heightened customer service will help bring more customers into the LG fold."

More than 150 senior LG managers from around the region, its dealer and distribution partners as well as advertising and public relations consultants attended the meeting, which determined an accelerated marketing approach for 2003.

"We have set ourselves ambitious sales targets for next year, most particularly in the mobile phone arena where we aim to sell a million phones throughout the Middle East and Africa," explained Mr M.B. Shin, President, LG Electronics' Middle East & Africa Operations. "Ambitious targets require an aggressive and highly creative marketing approach which will be strongly customer-focussed and impact all of our business segments from marketing to distribution and after-sales. "To meet and even exceed these targets, we have to recognise the successes from this year and motivate our teams on to even greater results next year.".(keralamonitor.com)