KM October 14, 2003

Dhalia Real Estate signs exclusive agreement with Asteco
Malta properties to be marketed to UAE residents

Dubai 13 October, 2003: Asteco, the UAE's largest property management company, now adds a wide range of properties in Malta to their portfolio, by teaming up with Dhalia Real Estate, the leading agency in Malta, with a network of over 80 experienced property consultants and the largest property database on the Islands.

"As part of its ongoing commitment to providing a wide range of international properties, Asteco will continue to source opportunities to own a holiday home or investment property in global locations. We are proud to be associated with Dhalia, who reflect the same level of commitment to their customers as Asteco," said Jane Woods, International Sales and Marketing Manager, Asteco.

"Asteco recently revamped their website featuring a simple navigation system to vital information about international properties from the comfort of their home or office. This offers peace of mind to investors who can view photos of properties, floor plans, prices, facilities, 360 degree views, location map and more," adds Jane.

Chris Grech, Business Development Director, Dhalia Real Estate, said, "Asteco, with their extensive experience in the real estate industry were naturally our first choice to market our properties, ensuring that the quality of service offered to our UAE customers complemented our standards in Malta."

Malta is currently a favourite among holiday home seekers because of its strong leisure destination, the Mediterranean type climate and excellent transportation links with the Emirates. The official language of Malta is of Semitic origin with a strong Arabic content, however English is also an official language and Italian is widely spoken.

The UAE's largest property management company, Asteco, was formed in Dubai in 1985, with Sultan Bin Sulayem as its Chairman and Elaine Jones as Managing Partner, both of whom are International Property Managers from the International Real Estate Institute (USA).

Over the years, Asteco has become synonymous with quality real estate development, through their involvement in many of the projects that have defined the landscape and physical infrastructure of the UAE. Today Asteco is renowned throughout the region for its outstanding professionalism, service and an essential combination of local and international expertise.

Asteco is therefore the undisputed expert used by many of the region's top property owners and businesses to fulfil their property requirements through the use of the latest on-line technologies to ensure that owners and tenants alike can access the information they want whenever they want it.

The Sales division of Asteco plays a key role in the implementation and execution of business strategies and developments, joint marketing with strategic partners and clients as well as identifying potential investors in the Middle East, Far East and Europe.

They also provide professional financial advice, especially on the structure of prices on upcoming real estate projects and counselling of individual and institutional investors, whilst continuing to focus on client needs and long-term relationship building.

Asteco's outstanding growth and diversification over the last two decades has come about through a reputation for excellent customer service and local industry knowledge and experience.

To summarise, Asteco has taken a leading role in the Dubai & Abu Dhabi property scenes, from complete agency services for both leasing and sales, development advice, building management, valuations, and feasibility studies for residential, commercial and retail developments.

For further information visit www.astecoproperty.com

India - Austria sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for co-operation in Sky Bus Technology

New Delhi Head of M/s ELIN EBG TRACTION of Austria, Mr. Christian Serjannis and Managing Director, Konkan Railway Corporation, B. Rajaram signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) here today under which, the Austrian company will provide technological collaboration with Konkan Railway in Sky Bus Metro, in the field of design, development, manufacture, supply, testing and commissioning of electrical propulsion and traction automation and control systems. The Austrian company is the original manufacturer of traction packages and vehicle control systems.

Sky Bus Metro is an innovative and cutting edge technology alternative transportation solution, which completely eliminates probability of vandalism, accidents and is virtually maintenance free. It is a highly cost effective, rail based urban mass transportation systems costing almost half to one fourth of other existing systems. It uses well-proven rail guided bogie systems and the state-of-the art three phase AC Drives with ICBT based Variable Voltage Variable frequency control for the propulsion. Light weight coaches called 'Sky Bus' which are suspended from bogies thus making the system inherently more stable, provide eco-friendly, noiseless air conditioned travel. Moving on the existing roads, it decongests the road traffic and thus redefines the urban transportation and city life.

TUV Inter Traffic GmbH, who are accredited safety certifiers, are issuing the safety certificate for the Sky Bus Metro. Later, the Austrian delegation led by the Vice President of Austrian National Council HE Dr. Heinz Fischer called on the Union Minister of Railways, Nitish Kumar and discussed with him measures for cooperation between the railways of Austria and India. They exchanged pleasantries and agreed to cooperate in the field of modernisation of rail services. - keralamonitor.com

India to host high-level meeting on education for all in November

The third high-level group meeting on the global campaign for Education For All is taking place in New Delhi on 10-12 November 2003. Presidents of Finland, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan and Sri Lanka, besides Education Ministers of a number of countries are likely to participate. The meeting will be co-chaired by the Director-General UNESCO and the Union Minister for HRD, Science & Technology and Ocean Development Dr Murli Manohar Joshi.

The agenda of the meeting will depend on the findings of the Global Monitoring Report on Education For All [EFA]. The Monitoring Report of 2003, likely to come out a few days before the meeting, will have the theme of gender and EFA. The high-level group will discuss appropriate policy responses and strategies to accelerate progress on education of girls and women to eliminate gender disparities in primary and secondary education by 2005.

The high-level group has the responsibility of driving the EFA process forward, strengthen partnerships, identify priorities, gaps and needs, and highlight the resources to be mobilized.
The high-level group brings together some thirty participants from four constituencies - Ministers of Education from developing countries, Ministers of International Development Co-operation/Foreign Affairs from developed countries, heads of multilateral/bilateral agencies and civil society representatives. Participants are invited on a rotating basis while ensuring continuity as well as regional and gender balance. The Director General of UNESCO calls high-level group meetings every year, as provided in the Dakar framework of action for achieving the Education For All goals. The first meeting was held at Paris in 2001, and the second in 2002 at Abuja, Nigeria. -keralamonitor.com

British Girl rescued after she attempted to save her dog

At 7:12 p.m. on October 12th evening Brixham Coastguard received a call from West Country Ambulance Control requesting assistance to recover a woman who had been dragged into the sea at Dawlish.

Teignmouth Coastguard rescue team proceeded to the location where they found a young lady and her male rescuer on the seawall. They were both hypothermic; she was lapsing in and out of consciousness and had lacerations to her body and a suspected broken ankle.

The Coastguard Rescue helicopter from Portland, 'Whiskey Bravo' was scrambled immediately and an on arrival landed on the railway lines (the railway lines run along the shore, protected by a sea wall). The tide was high and 20 foot waves were breaking on the wall covering the helicopter and rescuers in spray.

In near gale force onshore winds the casualties were transferred aboard and airlifted to Torbay Hospital to be met by Torbay Coastguard Rescue team and an ambulance. It later transpired that the 16 year old girl had gone into the sea to recover her dog. The girl was then swept off her feet and had been dashed against the rocks. Her 24 year old rescuer went into the sea, pulled her out and called the emergency services.Roger Brimacombe, Brixham Coastguard Watch Manager, said:

"This young lady was extremely lucky. Were it not for the bravery of her rescuer it would be a sad day. The dog managed to find his way ashore and has been reunited with the family. We do warn the public
not to enter the sea in these conditions, but call '999' and ask for the Coastguard." keralamonitor.com

UK Police Stations Upgraded wotj £20 million Investment!

A £20 million boost to improve police facilities was announced today by Home Office Minister Hazel Blears. Video suites for vulnerable witnesses, information technology upgrades, forensic science support and general improvements to the police officers' working environment are to be funded by grants from the Premises Improvement Fund (PIF.)

All 43 police forces in England and Wales successfully applied for PIF grants, now in their second year, to finance schemes which will help police officers work more effectively with upgrades to the work place and facilities. Modernised working conditions are essential for an effective police service which cuts crime and makes our society safer. Ms. Blears said:

"Investment in modernised work places will see improvements in police effectiveness. Technology upgrades, dedicated video suites to help vulnerable witnesses, enhanced forensic facilities as well as general refurbishment of police stations are all being funded by the Premises Improvement Fund, and will all benefit police officers, staff and the public.

"For the second year, we are making a substantial financial investment to support material improvements to the working environment of police officers and colleagues. Every force in England
and Wales will benefit from the £20million fund.

"We have record numbers of police officers, and overall police funding has risen by 25% in the last four years. The Premises Improvement Fund is a further demonstration of the Government's
support for the police, and the difficult work they do. It's about making sure people have the tools necessary to do the job."

Police authorities were invited to make up to two bids, with a maximum capital grant of £500,000 per bid. Of the 50 successful bids, 22 were for the maximum amount. keralamonitor.com