- GASOHOL PRODUCTION TO COVER ENTIRE COUNTRY
- QUIT SMOKING CAMPAIGN ACROSS THE GULF REGION LAUNCHED FROM DUBAI
- Cars sales expected to be less than 1 million units in 2005-06
- GASOHOL PRODUCTION TO COVER ENTIRE COUNTRY
- Ericsson and Batelco sign contracts to expand GSM, add GPRS in Bahrain
- Ericsson and Bahrain Telecommunication Company (Batelco) have signed
contracts for the further expansion of Batelco's existing GSM network
and its upgrade to GPRS. An agreement is also in place to begin EDGE
trials in the second half of 2002.
Under the contracts, Ericsson will provide the equipment, software and
services for the expansion and upgrade. The contracts are together
valued at more than USD 26 million. Upon completion of the expansion project, Batelco's network will accommodate more than 400,000 subscribers. GPRS capability will enable Batelco to offer their customers a range of advanced Mobile Internet
services. "With these projects, Batelco will be able to further expand the high
level of service they offer their customers," said Kjell Engelbrektsson,
General Manager of Ericsson in Bahrain. "With GPRS, they will be
empowering their customers with the latest services." Ericsson is the sole supplier of GSM/GPRS mobile system infrastructure to Batelco, as well as primary supplier of the island nation's fixed- line networkNEW MARKET FOR DISTRICT COOLING IN AL AIN
keralamonitor.com
Tabreed - the National Central Cooling Co. (PJSC) has signed a 20 year contract with Al Ain Municipality to supply chilled water to the Al Ain New Vegetable and Fish Market. Tabreed will supply cooling from their existing scheme in Al Ain to the new market, making Al Ain a showcase for the latest district cooling technology.
"We are delighted to win this important contract to provide chilled water service for the new market project in Al Ain," said Dany Safi, Managing Director and Founder of Tabreed. "We are seeing a keen interest across the UAE in using a single facility to supply cooling to an entire district and with this, and other proposed projects in the area, the concept of district cooling is now a fully working reality in Al Ain."
The Municipality scheme in Al Ain was opened in April 2001 and currently has contracts for around 2,500 refrigerating tons. The facility covers an area of 1125 square metres with a total production capacity of over 5,000 refrigerating tons on completion of a number of planned projects. With this scheme, the plant will supply 500 refrigerating tons 1.9km from the plant room to the 24,500 square metres Municipality market in its first year of operation, planned for 2003. A total of 699 refrigerating tons a year will be supplied to the market from 2004, with a capacity for an extension if required. Additional proposals for the supply of cooling in Al Ain are currently under discussion and once the existing facility reaches full capacity, further facilities will be built to serve new projects as they come.
"Tabreed was the clear choice to supply our cooling requirements," said HE Ahmed Shareef Undersecretary Assistant, Al Ain Town Planning. "District cooling is an economic and environmentally sound alternative to air-conditioning, which also offers
PAGE 2 - A MARKET FOR DISTRICT COOLING IN AL AINflexibility if we choose to extend our operations. By engaging Tabreed to provide our chilled water requirements, we ensure that our cooling is consistently of the high standard for the site."
The Al Ain New Vegetable and Fish Market project joins a number of governmental and commercial projects undertaken by Tabreed. Current schemes include RAK, Dubai (1), Zayed Military City (3), Abu Dhabi (2), Al Ain and other industry sites."More than 40,000 refrigerating tons are currently under contract, with plans ahead of target to generate 30,000 refrigerating tons by the end of 2001," added Safi. "With many schemes in hand, and more under proposal, we are pleased to see that many companies in the UAE and the Middle East are understanding the benefits and value of using Tabreed for their chilled water requirements."
Established in 1998 through the efforts of the U.A.E. Offsets Group, Tabreed is the No.1 district cooling service provider in the Middle East region, offering customers the highest quality services through an integrated energy system devised to help them optimise their energy usage and reduce power costs.
Tabreed is a member of the International District Energy Association (IDEA), Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE), American Gas Cooling Center, Inc. (AGCC) and Dubai Quality Group.
QUIT SMOKING CAMPAIGN ACROSS THE GULF REGION LAUNCHED FROM DUBAI
keralamonitor.com
Dubai; It is never too soon for smokers in the UAE to quit the habit according to Novartis Consumer Health, which is launching the Nicotinell Quit Together smoking cessation programme across the Gulf region. People in the UAE can find out more about how smoking can affect the health of both the smoker and their family, and register for the Nicotinell Quit Together programme to stop smoking, at a stand in Deira City Centre on 14 and 15 November and in Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi from 14 to 16 November.
"Smokers understand the dangers associated with smoking, such as their increased risk of at least 50 different illnesses and conditions including heart disease and cancer," said Dr Ahmed M. Abdallah, Smoking Cessation Unit, Dept. of Preventive Medicine Ministry of Health in Abu Dhabi. "However, nicotine is a highly addictive drug and many people find they cannot quit the habit by willpower alone. The Nicotinell Quit Together programme can help people to overcome the withdrawal symptoms and psychological habits which make giving up cigarettes a very difficult process."
The smoking cessation programme, which will be running for a period of six months, provides professional medical support from a number of participating clinics in the UAE. The programme is supported by the use of Nicotinell patches, a proven medical aid to quitting smoking permanently, and is open to any smoker in the UAE who is looking to kick the habit.
"We have a limited number of free patient support kits to give away to people who register for the programme," said Dr Lina Al Kouatly, General Manager, Novartis Consumer Health. "The kits contain literature such as a record diary to help people make it through the crucial 12 week programme, information on how to use Nicotinell patches, advice on stopping smoking, a relaxation tape from the American Lung Association and advice for family and friends." Nicotinell patches will also be made available at a special discounted rate from selected Pharmacy outlets (TBC).
"We are also encouraging the public to pledge their determination to quit smoking by signing a Nicotinell patch and sticking it on our display board at the stand," added Dr Al Kouatly. "We hope that the board will be covered in patches by the end of the exhibition, and would like to encourage smokers who want to quit to visit the stand and make their mark!
"Another element to the programme is a free 'smokerlyzer' test, which can be taken throughout the day at the exhibit," added Dr. Al Kouatly. "If you want to find how you are being affected by smoking, this simple test which measures carbon monoxide levels in your blood, will serve as a stark reminder as to the impact smoking has on your body!" There will also be a further incentive for people to enroll in the programme to quit smoking, as everyone who successfully abstains for the period of six months, as reported by the participating clinics, will have their names placed into a draw to win a holiday package for two.
The launch of the Nicotinell Quit Together programme in the UAE, coincides with the launch of the campaign across the region, and hopes to repeat the triumph of the campaign last year, which resulted in nearly 60% of participants successfully quitting smoking permanently. Anyone interested in trying to give up smoking can register for the Quit Together programme at the Nicotinell stands at Deira City Centre, Dubai and Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi. A number of leading clinics in the UAE, including the Smoking Cessation Unit of the Ministry of Health in Abu Dhabi, Al Baraha Hospital, Dubai Municipality Clinic, Manchester Clinic, Al Diyafah Medical Centre, Jebel Ali Medical Centre, and the Ajman Smoking Cessation Centre are supporting the programme and will provide all the necessary advice and support using a patch programme in order for the participant to effectively stop smoking after six months.
Cars sales expected to be less than 1 million units in 2005-06
keralamonitor.com According to a report prepared by CRIS INFAC, the demand for passenger cars is expected to grow at a rate of 9.3 per cent per annum, to 894,000 units in 2005-06. The annual sales of cars would thus be much lower than the initial expectations of the new car manufacturers. During the 1995-97 period, several new car manufacturers set up large capacities, based on an estimated demand of 1 million units by 2000-01.
According to an earlier report of CRIS INFAC dated December 1995, the demand for cars in 2000-01 was forecasted to be at 580,000 units, much lower than some other industry and analyst estimates. The actual sales of cars in 2000-01 were 572,000 units.
The combined sales of cars and utility vehicles are expected to be just above 1 million units in 2005-06. According to CRIS INFAC estimates, the utility vehicles segment is likely to grow by 9.0 per cent, resulting in a demand for 167,000 units in 2005-06, as compared with 108,556 units in 2000-01.
CRIS INFAC has projected the demand after considering various factors that affect the demand for vehicles, such as price of the vehicle, income levels, availability of finance options, wider choice of models, replacement and scrappage rates, and government policies.
According to the report, the annual income needed to buy an entry-level new car in India is likely to increase from around Rs 320,000 in 2000-01, to around Rs 400,000 in 2005-06. A comparison between the economies of a petrol and a diesel car shows that the annual cost of ownership of both is almost the same.
The report also compares automobile companies in terms of strategies, cost structure, profitability, volume sales, and market position. With the increasing presence of several multinational players, the cars and utility vehicles sector in India is expected to become increasingly competitive. Profitability is likely to be under stress in the short term. Players would increasingly focus on cost reduction through strategic vendor development and manpower rationalisation, in order to improve profitability. In the medium term, consolidation could be expected in the domestic industry, by way of capacity sharing, hive-offs, and take-overs.
The technology used in a passenger car has advanced significantly in the recent years. The improvement is largely on account of increasing customer expectations and the need to comply with the various environmental regulations. The key drivers of product technology would be safety, comfort, convenience and connectivity, and fuel economy. Car manufacturers and fuel companies are exploring various alternative fuels.The report highlights the production and sales trends in the developed and the emerging markets. Car makers are increasingly likely to focus on emerging markets due to a slowdown in the developed markets.
Vajpayee Viewing the debris of World Trade Center, New York
November 12, 2001 OPENING REMARKS BY PRIME MINISTER SHRI ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE AT JOINT PRESS INTERACTION WITH UK PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR
The text of the opening remarks made by the Prime Minsiter Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the joint press interaction with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair at London ,on November 12, 2001 Click
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayeewith the UK Prime Minister Tony Blair at 10, Downing Street in London on November 12, 2001.
"Thank You, Mr Prime Minister. I was happy to be able to continue our discussions from last month in Delhi. Relations between our two countries have a strength and vitality of their own. Therefore the more often we meet, the better it is.
As always, our discussions today have been cordial and useful. We have similar or identical views on a number of international issues. Our trade turn over of about 5 billion pounds supports our political relations. The 1.5 million people of Indian origin in this country are also an asset to our bilateral relationship.
Recent events have reinforced some areas of our cooperation. We have a continuing dialogue on counter-terrorism. In February this year, UK became the first country to ban six terrorist groups, which have caused much death and destruction in India. I also welcome the additional measures, which have been taken, and those that are being contemplated. They will strengthen the regime against international terrorism. I will be meeting the Home Secretary later this afternoon.
The ongoing fight against terrorism provided an important context for our discussion today. Both our countries have been familiar with the ugly face of terrorism for long before September 11. We have to go beyond Al-Qaeda in our global war against terrorism and target all its sponsors, who finance, train, equip and harbour terrorists.
In Afghanistan, we talked about the urgency of putting a post-conflict political structure in place before the military campaign ends. A political vacuum can only worsen matters in that country. We should work quickly, together with other interested parties, on arrangements for a post-Taliban administration and reconstruction of the country.
Mr Prime Minister, I thank you for the warm and gracious welcome which you and your government have extended to my delegation and me. I look forward to receiving you and Mrs Blair in Delhi for a full-fledged official visit. Though we have met twice in two months, we still have considerable ground to cover. The range and depth of our bilateral relations deserves this. We look forward to receiving you in India.
November 12, 2001
GASOHOL PRODUCTION TO COVER ENTIRE COUNTRY keralamonitor.com The Central overnment has decided to expand the production and distribution of gasohol (a product obtained from 5% blending of ethanol with petrol) to cover the entire country in two phases. This decision was taken at a meeting held today under the chairmanship of Shri Ram Naik, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas to review the ethanol – petrol ( gasohol) pilot projects. Speaking at the meeting, the Minister said that in the first phase, 8 states which are the major producer of the sugarcane in the country, would be covered. These states are UP, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana. The remaining states would be covered in the second phase.
Shri Ram Naik also announced that three pilot projects launched by Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas ( 2 in Maharashtra and 1 in UP ) have proved successful and it was, therefore, logical to extend it to the whole of India in phases. In the pilot projects, 12,000 KLs petrol blended with ethanol was sold through 329 petrol pumps in ten districts. The three pilot projects would now undertake projects/field trials to examine the blending of ethanol in petrol to a extent of 10% within six months after taking necessary clearances.
In his concluding remarks, the Minister also announced that research & development in respect of blending ethanol with diesel at IOC’s R&D Centre have indicated encouraging results. As more studies and trials are required, government would sanction Rs. 4 crore for accelerating R&D efforts. This would be completed within six months.
The Minister observed that the administrative bottlenecks at State level have been reduced but not quite completely. He asked the representatives of State governments of Maharashtra and UP to expedite removing such bottlenecks and directed oil companies to report progress to him within next 15 days. The Minister would also convene a Minister level meeting of the Union Ministries of Agriculture, Chemicals & Fertilizers, Food & Consumer Affair, Revenue and Road & Highways and the Ministers of Cooperation, Excise and Sugar form the States of Maharashtra and UP to sort out all other issues concerning them.
The Minister expressed satisfaction that there was surplus of ethanol available in the country which can be further increased to meet needs of the oil sector by utilizing the idle capacity of distilleries. It was also pointed that the sugarcane production can be increased both by increasing sugarcane acreage and the productivity. He said with these steps the sugarcane growing farmers can get benefit of better returns and the oil sector additional source to supplement the availability of hydrocarbon in the country.
