ZTE Unveils Its FTTx Business Model for Asia-Pacific

June 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Ranked Second in Worldwide Broadband Revenues by Ovum, ZTE Looks to Expand Into
Asia with New Broadband Acceleration Solution
SINGAPORE–(Business Wire)–
ZTE Corporation (“ZTE”) (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code:
000063.SZ), a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and
network solutions, unveiled at CommunicAsia2010 today its “Asia-Pacific FTTx
Business Model,” developed specifically to accelerate broadband deployment in
Asia Pacific.

According to a recent Point Topic report, countries in Asia-Pacific are seeing
the fastest broadband growth, including China, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam
and Pakistan. In addition, most countries in the region, including Indonesia,
Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand, have a broadband penetration of less than
10%。 A 2009 Ovum report presented a huge need for broadband infrastructure
development in these countries.

ZTE`s Asia-Pacific FTTx Business Mode leverages the company`s extensive
knowledge and experience in constructing and deploying broadband networks, both
in Asia and worldwide. The plan, aimed at driving Asia-Pacific broadband
development and deployment into an “accelerated fast lane,” focuses on three
aspects: planning, operation, and environmental protection:

* Planning: the model strengthens the terminal-pipe-cloud network architecture,
promotes the coordinated development of fixed-line broadband and 3G networks,
and extends the value of a broadband network to the two sides of service clouds
and intelligent home networks.
* Operation: the primary operation model involves service cloud and management
mechanisms; methods of terminating and marketing home network services;
high-bandwidth, fast, flexible end-to-end configuration, offline diagnostics,
end-to-end management, fast fault location, a three-dimensional terminal
network, and many more.
* Green networks: The new model accommodates IPv6 evolution, next-generation
PON, energy saving measures and emissions reduction.

ZTE developed its Asia-Pacific broadband acceleration plan based in part on its
work with Telecom Malaysia and China Telecom and other operators in the region.
Top-of-mind concerns for all operators are the development and deployment of
efficient and cost-effective networks that are designed with upgradeable paths.

“An efficient broadband infrastructure is critical for any country that wants to
effectively compete in today`s global economy,” said Mr. Xu Ming, ZTE Vice
President. “We have been working diligently to devise a broadband deployment
model that will help Asia countries to rapidly develop and deploy
state-of-the-art broadband networks, and look forward to helping more operators
move with their expansion plans.”

According to Ovum`s latest research, ZTE Corporation ranked second in the world
in terms of market access with a 16.5% share in global revenues of 2009. The
research agency also placed ZTE second for overall sales of broadband access
(DSL, MSAN in the broadband part, FTTx, as well as CMTS) in 2009.

About ZTE

ZTE is a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network
solutions with the most comprehensive product range covering virtually every
sector of the wireline, wireless, service and terminals markets. The company
delivers innovative, custom-made products and services to over 500 operators in
more than 140 countries, helping them to meet the changing needs of their
customers while achieving continued revenue growth. ZTE`s 2009 revenue led the
industry with a 36% increase to USD 8,820.7 million. ZTE commits 10 percent of
its revenue to research and development and takes a leading role in a wide range
of international bodies developing emerging telecoms standards. A company with
sound corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, ZTE is a member of the
UN Global Compact. ZTE is China`s only listed telecom manufacturer, publicly
traded on both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges (H share stock code:
0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ). For more information, please visit
www.zte.com.cn.

ZTE Corporation
Margrete Ma
+86 755 26775207
ma.gaili@zte.com.cn
or
Edelman PR
Ada Ho / Andres Vejarano
+852 2837 4747 / 2837 4735
ada.ho@edelman.com / andres.vejarano@edelman.com

Copyright Business Wire 2010

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Research and Markets: Algeria Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Forecasts 2010 Report – Algeria is One of the Most Penetrated Mobile & Fixed-Line Markets in Africa

June 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

DUBLIN–(Business Wire)–
Research and Markets
(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/1ee327/algeria_telecoms) has
announced the addition of the “Algeria – Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and
Forecasts” report to their offering.

Algeria is one of the most penetrated mobile and fixed-line markets in Africa.
This annual report provides a comprehensive overview and analysis of trends and
developments in Algeria’s telecommunications market, including forecasts.
Subjects covered include:

* Key statistics;
* Market and industry overviews;
* The impact of the global economic crisis;
* Regulatory environment and structural reform;
* Major players (fixed, mobile and broadband);
* Infrastructure development;
* Mobile voice and data markets;
* Average Revenue per User (ARPU) trends;
* Fixed-line, Internet and broadband market, development and forecasts;
* Convergence (voice/data, fixed/wireless/mobile).

With a mobile penetration of close to 90% and fixed-line penetration of around
10% in early 2010, Algeria has one of the highest teledensities in Africa. It’s
relatively well developed infrastructure includes a national fibre backbone and
one of Africa’s first fibre-to-the-home (FttH) deployments. The country’s oil
and gas reserves have made it one of the wealthiest nations in Africa. However,
the market has been affected by the global economic crisis, and its recovery
will depend on a combination of regulatory and economic factors, as well as
choice of business models.

As the mobile voice market approaches saturation, subscriber growth has begun to
flatten and the attention is shifting to maintaining or improving average
revenue per user (ARPU) which has continued to decline under intensifying price
competition between the three networks: Algerie Telecoms Mobilis, Orascoms
Djezzy, and Wataniyas Nedjma. The operators have entered the underdeveloped
Internet market by launching basic mobile data services, but the licensing of
third generation (3G) spectrum is being delayed, which makes it difficult for
them to fully compete in the broadband sector.

In the meantime, fixed-line incumbent Algerie Telecom (AT) is rapidly expanding
its ADSL and WiMAX networks and upgrading its CDMA wireless local loop network
with broadband capabilities. ADSL prices are among the lowest in Africa. Several
of the country’s ISPs are rolling out their own WiMAX wireless broadband
infrastructure. The full liberalisation of VoIP Internet telephony is enabling
them to become players in the fixed voice market as well, and converged
triple-play services (voice, data and video) have been introduced.

Competition in the fixed-line sector received a setback when the second
operator, Lacom (a joint venture between Egypt’s Orascom Telecom and Telecom
Egypt) exited the market in 2008 after three years of operations, citing
regulatory barriers that made it impossible to compete with AT. The government
then announced that the national telco will not be privatised, and plans to
invest US$6 billion into its mobile, fixed and fibre networks over the five
years to 2014 as part of a US$150 billion program to upgrade the country’s
infrastructure.

This report contains an overview of Algeria’s telecommunications sector,
analysis and key statistics, profiles of the major players, and scenario
forecasts for the fixed-line, Internet and mobile market to 2012 and 2015.

Market highlights:

* One of the highest levels of mobile and fixed-line penetration in Africa;
* GDP per capita fell by more than 15% as a result of the global economic
crisis, set to recover in 2010;
* Intense price competition is driving down ARPU;
* Forecasts for mobile, fixed-line and Internet markets to 2012 and 2015;
* Profiles of major players in all market sectors;
* 3G licensing delayed further;
* Major investments in national fibre infrastructure.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Key Statistics

2. Country Overview

3. Telecommunications Market

4. Regulatory Environment

5. Fixed Network Operators

6. Telecommunications Infrastructure

7. Internet Market

8. Broadband Market

9. Convergence

10. Mobile Communications

11. Forecasts

12. Glossary of Abbreviations

For more information visit

http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/1ee327/algeria_telecoms

Research and Markets
Laura Wood, Senior Manager,
press@researchandmarkets.com
U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907
Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Copyright Business Wire 2010

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Research and Markets: Algeria Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Forecasts 2010 Report – Algeria is One of the Most Penetrated Mobile & Fixed-Line Markets in Africa

June 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

DUBLIN–(Business Wire)–
Research and Markets
(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/1ee327/algeria_telecoms) has
announced the addition of the “Algeria – Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and
Forecasts” report to their offering.

Algeria is one of the most penetrated mobile and fixed-line markets in Africa.
This annual report provides a comprehensive overview and analysis of trends and
developments in Algeria’s telecommunications market, including forecasts.
Subjects covered include:

* Key statistics;
* Market and industry overviews;
* The impact of the global economic crisis;
* Regulatory environment and structural reform;
* Major players (fixed, mobile and broadband);
* Infrastructure development;
* Mobile voice and data markets;
* Average Revenue per User (ARPU) trends;
* Fixed-line, Internet and broadband market, development and forecasts;
* Convergence (voice/data, fixed/wireless/mobile).

With a mobile penetration of close to 90% and fixed-line penetration of around
10% in early 2010, Algeria has one of the highest teledensities in Africa. It’s
relatively well developed infrastructure includes a national fibre backbone and
one of Africa’s first fibre-to-the-home (FttH) deployments. The country’s oil
and gas reserves have made it one of the wealthiest nations in Africa. However,
the market has been affected by the global economic crisis, and its recovery
will depend on a combination of regulatory and economic factors, as well as
choice of business models.

As the mobile voice market approaches saturation, subscriber growth has begun to
flatten and the attention is shifting to maintaining or improving average
revenue per user (ARPU) which has continued to decline under intensifying price
competition between the three networks: Algerie Telecoms Mobilis, Orascoms
Djezzy, and Wataniyas Nedjma. The operators have entered the underdeveloped
Internet market by launching basic mobile data services, but the licensing of
third generation (3G) spectrum is being delayed, which makes it difficult for
them to fully compete in the broadband sector.

In the meantime, fixed-line incumbent Algerie Telecom (AT) is rapidly expanding
its ADSL and WiMAX networks and upgrading its CDMA wireless local loop network
with broadband capabilities. ADSL prices are among the lowest in Africa. Several
of the country’s ISPs are rolling out their own WiMAX wireless broadband
infrastructure. The full liberalisation of VoIP Internet telephony is enabling
them to become players in the fixed voice market as well, and converged
triple-play services (voice, data and video) have been introduced.

Competition in the fixed-line sector received a setback when the second
operator, Lacom (a joint venture between Egypt’s Orascom Telecom and Telecom
Egypt) exited the market in 2008 after three years of operations, citing
regulatory barriers that made it impossible to compete with AT. The government
then announced that the national telco will not be privatised, and plans to
invest US$6 billion into its mobile, fixed and fibre networks over the five
years to 2014 as part of a US$150 billion program to upgrade the country’s
infrastructure.

This report contains an overview of Algeria’s telecommunications sector,
analysis and key statistics, profiles of the major players, and scenario
forecasts for the fixed-line, Internet and mobile market to 2012 and 2015.

Market highlights:

* One of the highest levels of mobile and fixed-line penetration in Africa;
* GDP per capita fell by more than 15% as a result of the global economic
crisis, set to recover in 2010;
* Intense price competition is driving down ARPU;
* Forecasts for mobile, fixed-line and Internet markets to 2012 and 2015;
* Profiles of major players in all market sectors;
* 3G licensing delayed further;
* Major investments in national fibre infrastructure.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Key Statistics

2. Country Overview

3. Telecommunications Market

4. Regulatory Environment

5. Fixed Network Operators

6. Telecommunications Infrastructure

7. Internet Market

8. Broadband Market

9. Convergence

10. Mobile Communications

11. Forecasts

12. Glossary of Abbreviations

For more information visit

http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/1ee327/algeria_telecoms

Research and Markets
Laura Wood, Senior Manager,
press@researchandmarkets.com
U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907
Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Copyright Business Wire 2010

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Blueprints for 28 Tibetan dams: Researcher

May 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Beijing, May 26 — A Tibetan researcher estimates that China’s projects to dam the upper Brahmaputra include a total of 28 dams. “Ten dams completed, three under construction, seven under active consideration and eight more proposed.

” Latest unconfirmed estimates posted online by Tashi Tsering, an environmental studies scholar at the University of British Columbia, suggest that Chinese planners envisage a sustained series of dams on the upper Brahmaputra in Tibet. The proposed dams are not yet approved.

On the record, Beijing denies that its current projects on the Brahmaputra will adversely impact neighbouring India. Tsering has uploaded a map of potential and existing dam sites that he says was sourced from a government website.

The posting on the Tibetan Plateau blog is inaccessible in Beijing. “The current push to provide Tibetans with electrical power seems primarily motivated by Beijing’s desire to develop larger hydropower projects to power resource extraction, infrastructure development, and ultimately for the supply to coastal Chinese cities where demands are the highest,” posted Tsering on Monday.

The biggest proposal he discusses is a 38,000 MW project on the Brahmaputra at Motuo. He also lists a proposed ‘cascade’ of six smaller dams on the middle reaches.

“Hydropower construction in Tibet follows a trend in which smaller and medium-sized projects are built first to support the construction of larger projects later,” Tsering told HT. “So a major project like Motuo is likely to happen only after other projects and ultra-high voltage transmission lines are completed.” He estimated that the Motuo project would involve 15-25 km long tunnels attached to downstream pipes.

“China is making a unilateral plan to dam the Yarlung Tsangpo on the Tibetan plateau at numerous places before the tributary crosses into Indian territory and becomes a much larger river,” said Kelly Alley, anthropology professor at Auburn University, Alabama, in a paper she presented at a Mexico seminar in March.

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Hospitals unhappy with budget snub

May 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

North-west Victorian hospitals say they are disappointed what they say were modest requests for upgrading work were ignored in the state budget.

The focus of the regional health budget was on Bendigo, which is getting a new $450 million hospital.

But there was none of the new money requested for improvement work at Mildura, Swan Hill, Edenhope and Warracknabeal.

The Mildura Base Hospital chief executive, Dane Huxley, says he asked for less than $5 million.

“There’s been no infrastructure development at this hospital since it opened in 2000, so that’s really 10 years with nothing happening at all and we felt that we had a very good case for modest enhancements to the building in the emergency department, the maternity unit and the mental health unit,” he said.

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If asked, ready to take up infrastructure development in Naxal areas: BRO chief

May 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 5 (ANI): Border Road Organization (BRO) chief Lt. General M S Badhani on Wednesday said his organization is ready to take up infrastructural development in Naxal areas, if assigned.

Addressing media persons here, Lt. Gen Badhani said: “That (infrastructural development) is mainly the duty of state governments. If they provide better security to even civilian organizations and other government agencies, they too can work.”

“Right now our task is to concentrate in difficult areas and which are strategically more important. I feel Naxal affected areas are easy to access compared to border areas. If given a task we will handle it,” he added.

Lt General Badhani’s comment comes days after, lawmakers from the 33 most Naxal affected districts, urged Union Home Minister P Chidambaram to consider engaging the BRO in road construction work in Naxal-affected areas.

Commenting on the BRO decision to pull out from Operation HIRAK, Lt Gen Badhani said: “The project is almost complete, and we are re deploying the force, where there is an immediate requirement. The decision was taken at the highest level.”

Under operation HIRAK, the BRO had constructed National Highway 16, which passes through Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

He also said the BRO is seriously considering hiring helicopters of MI-17 class for the transportation of men and material to the most difficult areas.

“The BRO is in need of helicopters of MI-17 class, right now the Indian Air Force (IAF) is very busy, so it is difficult to get its support. Now we are considering to hire copters, from private bodies,” Lt General Badhani said.

He said discussions are on with many companies, including Pawan Hans.

Commenting on the massive infrastructure building by China on their side of the border, Lt Gen Badhani said the BRO was not a reactionary organization.

“ We are not a reactionary organization. For China, its very easy terrain, so they working on a massive scale, our side we have very difficult area,” he said.

We cannot react to China and build. The BRO works as per the requirements of the forces, if they require

He informed that, the BRO is upgrading and maintaining 26 National Highways totaling 5,873 kilometers spread across the North, North East and Central parts of India.

Under the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme (SARDP) the BRO is working to provide connectivity to all district headquarters in the northeast from state capitals.

Of the 2,812 kilometer long project, the BRO is set to complete 725 kilometers.

Till now, the BRO has constructed approximately 48,300 kilometers of roads, 400 major permanent bridges of 36,000 m length and19 air fields in difficult and remote areas of the country.

The BRO is presently working on 699 roads approximately 28, 000 kilometers in length.

The BRO is maintaining 22,000 kilometers road and seven airfields. (ANI)

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India, Afghanistan reiterate commitment to maintain strategic partnership

April 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Apr 26 (ANI): Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai met Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and President Pratibha Devisingh Patil on Monday on his official visit to India, and the two sides reiterated their commitment to the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed satisfaction at the progress in their relations.

This was President Karzai”s first visit to India after his re-election as the President of Afghanistan in 2009.

His visit marked the continuation of high-level exchanges between the two countries, and was a manifestation of the tradition of regular consultations between India and Afghanistan.

The two countries noted that these relations were rooted in historical and civilisation links, and served not only the interests and welfare of the two countries, but also contributed to peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Dr Singh stated that India desired to see a strong, stable and prosperous Afghanistan, at peace.

India remained committed to assisting Afghanistan in its development efforts in accordance with the wishes and priorities of the people of Afghanistan. India”s development partnership is focused on areas of infrastructure development, human resource development and capacity building, food assistance and small development projects that bring immediate benefit to the people at the grass-roots level.

The two leaders, in particular, took note of the Zaranj-Delaram road project, the Pul-e-Kumri to Kabul transmission line project and scholarship programmes, which had brought direct benefit to the Afghan people.

They welcomed the progress being made in the construction of the building for the Afghan Parliament. President Karzai expressed appreciation for India”s assistance to the reconstruction and development efforts of the Government and people of Afghanistan.

President Karzai outlined the recent developments to Dr Singh with regard to Afghanistan.

Dr Singh lauded the progress that had been made in national reconstruction efforts under President Karzai and the sacrifices made by the people of Afghanistan in their quest for building a democratic and peaceful society.

The two leaders reiterated their conviction that the national rebuilding process in Afghanistan should be led by the people of Afghanistan in keeping with the principles of national sovereignty, independence and non-interference in internal affairs.

They expressed their grave concern over the threat posed by terrorism to Afghanistan”s national development efforts. They expressed their determination to work with the international community to combat the forces of terrorism, which pose a particular threat to the region.

President Karzai conveyed his outrage and deep condolences over the terrorist attacks on Indian nationals in Afghanistan, and assured the Indian side that the Government of Afghanistan is committed to providing full security to them. The Indian side welcomed these assurances.

The two leaders expressed their intention to continue to consult each other with a view to consolidating their partnership and contributing to peace and stability in the region. (ANI)

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Likely yuan rise to stoke commodities prices, demand

April 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

(Reuters) – The likelihood of a rise in the value of China’s yuan currency is growing daily, sharpening expectations for commodity markets to see price gains as Chinese consumers exploit their increased buying power.

China

Beijing faces international pressure to scrap the yuan’s peg, especially from Washington, which says the currency is seriously undervalued, sparking reports China may be about to revalue the yuan.

Raising the value of the yuan versus other currencies would cut the cost of China’s imports of dollar-denominated commodities such as oil, copper and iron ore, while making Chinese exports more expensive, but analysts said the net impact would be positive for commodity demand and prices.

The greatest impact will probably be seen in bulk commodities such as iron ore, metals such as copper and in soy, where China is a big importer and consumes most of the products made from those imports at home.

“The currency rise will hurt exports but will make imports cheaper. But that won’t matter to China and the net impact will be positive for commodities,” Jonathan Barrat, managing director of Commodity Broking Services in Sydney said.

“Long-term infrastructure development plans become cheaper and this will help focus on domestic markets and domestic growth. I think the yuan will continue to appreciate in the long term and will only serve to boost primary imports and that means a bull trend for these commodities.”

Even a rise of 3 percent in the value of the yuan, the range of increase discussed by a number of analysts, to around 6.60 to the dollar from last year’s average, would have a profound effect on China’s $244 billion commodity bill.

Last year the country spent around 607 billion yuan ($88.97 billion) on importing oil, 343 billion yuan ($50.28 billion) on iron ore and 206 billion yuan ($30.20 billion) on copper.

An increase of 3 percent in the yuan would have saved the nation some 56 billion yuan ($8.21 billion) on its commodity purchases, or enough to buy more than 1 million tonnes of copper.

China uses its centrally-planned economic power to control prices of certain products such as fuel but when international prices climb substantially the government has no option but to raise domestic prices, as it did this week for diesel and gasoline.

But analysts said it might be hard to reflect further rises in crude oil, unless the yuan strengthened.

“With the government suppressing domestic fuel prices, Chinese consumers will have little motivation to conserve, thus demand growth could accelerate,” said Gordon Kwan, Head of Regional Energy Research of Mirae Asset in Hong Kong.

“I don’t think this is yet priced in as global crude prices are still down 40 percent from their peak, and China’s prior mergers and acquisition deals are beginning to look like genius moves amidst rebounding crude prices. This could also translate into lesser oil product exports on a percentage basis.”

GONE FOR GOOD?

While viewed as a positive for most commodities, analysts said the effect on demand would vary depending on the product.

“When you are looking at consumption of food items, it is not such a huge impact as compared to something like manufacturing goods,” said Toby Hassall, an analyst at CWA Global Markets in Sydney.

But the longer-term implications of a stronger yuan may eventually be negative for commodities demand, said Nick Moore, global head of metals strategy at RBS.

The last time China raised exchange rates back in 2005, commodities saw a steady rally for more than a year after the revaluation.

In that time copper prices doubled to a then record high of $8,800 a tonne in 2006, chipping around half a million tonnes off copper consumption annually, analysts estimated.

“A revaluation could be a sell signal rather than a buy. Higher prices in the West won’t help people trying to boost their businesses and there should be no excuse for producers not to turn on the taps or face the wrath of consumers,” Moore said.

A second weight could land on commodity markets in the form of price-induced demand destruction, he added.

China has the luxury of lifting rates to curb imported inflation, which other nations cannot do, so higher prices could mean demand destruction.

“Already before any further recovery we face the specter of demand destruction. Consumers already view current prices with some concern, and as we saw in nickel and copper in the last run up … once it’s gone it’s gone forever.”

($1=6.822 Yuan)

(Additional reporting by Naveen Thukral and Judy Hua; Editing by Michael Urquhart and Clarence Fernandez)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Green review underway for $1b coal mine

March 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The proponents of a $1 billion coal mine planned near Dunedoo say an environmental assessment of the project should be finished within five months.

Macquarie Generation, Delta Electricity and Eraring Energy have formed a joint venture to build the open-cut mine and will use the coal to operate their state-owned power stations.

The Cobbora coal project has received the Department of Planning and Infrastructure’s requirements for the development.

Macquarie Generation’s Rob Cooper says the preliminary assessment is now online and work to finalise the plan will begin immediately.

“Essentially what this means now is we’ve got the guidelines which we’ll use to move forward in developing the full environmental assessment,” he said

“It addresses some of the issues [of] that environmental assessment we’ll need to study in more depth.”

Mr Cooper says work on the assessment should be done by August.

“We’ll start working on that almost straight away and the timetable for when that will be complete will evolve over time once we get into the work that’s required,” he said.

“We would certainly hope to have a lot of that work done within the next four to five months.”

If the project is approved mining is scheduled to begin in 2013 and will continue for 21 years.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Union Budget a shot in arm for Northeast development

March 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Mar 10 (ANI): The Union Budget addressed the importance of infrastructure for sustained economic development and allotted money to boost the growth potential would be realized only if infrastructure does not become a severe and critical handicap.

The Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in February aims at developing infrastructure in the northeast.

Rs 1,114 crores have been earmarked for development of infrastructure under the Pradhanmantri Gram Sadak Yojna.

Appropriate infrastructure will ensure a smoother farm to market connectivity indirectly enhancing the trade and commerce.

The Rail budget too focused on connecting remote areas of northeast with the rest of the country.

Connectivity with South Asian nations like Bangladesh and Nepal has been given a high priority.

Proposal of a direct rail link between Tripura and Bangladesh will indirectly promote India’s “Look East Policy.”

“Timing problem will be solved by this problem. Usually we take a long time to get cargo from any other states. After this train will begin, we will take less time and save money, which will be profit to us and good for our business,” said Habul Biswas an exporter.

“In the present rail budget the proposed Agartala-Akhuara rail connectivity on materializing shall help in industrial development of Tripura, better relation between the people of both nations as people to people contact shall increase, trade and business shall also boost up and thus Tripura shall develop and also northeast. Hence we are very happy with the rail budget, as there is proposal for Agartala-Akhuara rail connectivity,” said Jhantu Debnath, an employee.

Keeping in mind the welfare of people, the apex agency for development in northeast, DONER, has been allocated an additional Rs 285 crores, raising its funds to Rs 1760 from Rs 1475 crore.

To promote better air connectivity and facilities, Rs 121 crore has been set aside for the development of airports.

In addition Rs 80 crore has been added to the funds allocated to the Northeast council.

The council will now be given Rs 623 crore instead of Rs 543 crore for the development projects it has undertaken.

Though the subsidy for the Assam gas project has been reduced but regular funding will be maintained.

Mukherjee has also committed liberal funding towards the ongoing projects.

“There has been a tax relief to the common man. A relief of Rs 26000 crore has been diverted towards it. It is good for middle class as it is rising,” said R C Joshi, Chairman, Final Institute of North East Region.

“The budget actually puts back in track the agenda of reform that is very important. It shows the indication that government is thinking differently of how to give subsidy in future,” Madhujya Bezbaruah, Economist, Guwahati University.

Development of the Northeast region is a thrust area for the government

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NREGA transforming lives in rural Mizoram

September 8, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Aizwal, Sep.8 (ANI): By generating employment opportunities through infrastructure development projects, the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) has helped people in rural areas of Mizoram.

In Vairengte, located about 130 km from Aizawl, the state capital, many villagers are being employed in road construction projects.

They earn rupees 103 per day.

The roads help the farmers to sell their agricultural products.

The project is being implemented in three phases to cover all the eight districts of Mizoram.

Over 100,000 job cards have been sanctioned for the current financial year (2009-10) at a cost of around rupees 1.67 billion rupees.

“This scheme is beneficial for rural people because most of the people, about 70-80 per cent doesn’t have job in Industrial or Private or Government sectors. So, this kind of scheme is very helpful for them,” said Zomingthang, Superintendent under NREGA in Mizoram.

“After the coming of NREGA, we are getting jobs. We can earn our own day-to-day livings now. The project is also aiding in the development of our village. We are very happy,” said Joeph, a local resident.

Mizoram Government has sent proposals to the Centre for other developmental schemes related to agriculture, forest, water resources, land resources and rural roads that will help in increasing the productivity of assets and resources under NREGA.

Such developmental projects are hoped to improve the living conditions of people in Mizoram. By Pinaki Das (ANI)

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Growth to slow in coming quarters, says Ahluwalia

September 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep 1(ANI): Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said on Tuesday that country’s economic growth in the coming two quarters will be lower than April-June.

The economy grew 6.1 percent in the June quarter, roughly in line with forecasts, but a poor monsoon threatens to erode growth later in the year even as it drives prices higher.

“I think the growth rate will be worst in the second quarter and may be even in the third quarter because that’s when the impact of drought will be more evident, but we expect that in the fourth quarter, which is January to March 2010, there will be stronger recovery leaving an average growth rate of around 6.3 percent,” Ahluwalia said.

Ahluwalia added that if the monsoon revives in September it will help the rabi crop.

“A lot depends on September rains still, in the sense that good rains in September may not be able to save the kharif crop in areas where there has been a lot damage but can make a big difference to rabi,” he added.

The Planning Commission’s meeting comes a day after the country’s top economic minds agreed that India’s economy is looking up after the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) showed a 6.1 per cent growth.

India witnessed a 7.8 percent economic expansion during the corresponding period of the last fiscal.

According to sources, mining and electricity in industrial sector, and financing among services sector posted higher growth of 7.9, 6.2 and 8.1 percent, respectively, in the first quarter of this fiscal, against 4.6, 2.7 and 6.9 percent a year ago.

Infrastructure development and community services also managed to register a growth of 7.1 and 6.8 percent against 8.4 and 8.2 percent, in the last fiscal.

However, agriculture and manufacturing industry expanded at a slower rate of 2.4 and 3.4 percent respectively. (ANI)

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Planning Commission meets today

September 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep 1 (ANI): The full Planning Commission will meet here on Tuesday to take stock of the economic situation in the country.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will chair the meeting to be attended by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and other Cabinet ministers, besides Commission’s Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

The meeting will primarily discuss issues relating to drought, food prices and energy.

It will be a mid-term appraisal of the 11th Five-Year Plan where the growth targets will be announced. The meet is also expected to review the Integrated Energy Policy (IEP), which was approved by the Cabinet last December.

The Commission is also expected to discuss allocations under various government welfare schemes.

The Planning Commission’s meeting comes a day after the country’s top economic minds agreed that India’s economy is looking up after the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) showed a 6.1 per cent growth.

India witnessed a 7.8 percent economic expansion during the corresponding period of the last fiscal.

According to sources, mining and electricity in industrial sector, and financing among services sector posted higher growth of 7.9, 6.2 and 8.1 percent, respectively, in the first quarter of this fiscal, against 4.6, 2.7 and 6.9 percent a year ago.

Infrastructure development and community services also managed to register a growth of 7.1 and 6.8 percent against 8.4 and 8.2 percent, in the last fiscal.

However, agriculture and manufacturing industry expanded at a slower rate of 2.4 and 3.4 percent respectively. (ANI)

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India’s GDP records 6.1 percent growth in first quarter

September 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug 31 (ANI): India managed a reasonable economic growth of 6.1 percent during the first quarter of the current fiscal despite the global financial crisis impacting manufacturing and services sectors.

Country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate during April-June 2009 at 6.1 percent was higher than 5.8 percent in the previous quarter.

India witnessed a 7.8 percent economic expansion during the corresponding period of the last fiscal.

According to sources, mining and electricity in industrial sector, and financing among services sector posted higher growth of 7.9, 6.2 and 8.1 percent, respectively, in the first quarter of this fiscal, against 4.6, 2.7 and 6.9 percent a year ago.

Infrastructure development and community services also managed to register a growth of 7.1 and 6.8 percent against 8.4 and 8.2 percent, in the last fiscal.

However, agriculture and manufacturing industry expanded at a slower rate of 2.4 and 3.4 percent respectively.

The growth of hotels, trade, transport and communication was significantly lower at 8.1 percent against 13 percent in the last fiscal, sources said.

Earlier, on Saturday speaking in a function of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in Bangalore, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman, Montek Singh Ahluwalia said drought situation prevailing in the country might prevent from achieving seven percent growth this year.

“Seven percent growth rate this year is unlikely. People are talking about six and six-and-a-half percent growth, which we agree and I think is reasonable,”Ahluwalia said.

Ahluwalia expressed confidence that “The economy should be able to rebounce by 2010. It would be normal in the 12th Plan.”(ANI)

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Ensure public interest and safety while regulating N-power : Hamid Ansari

August 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Mumbai, Aug 26 (ANI): Vice President Mohd Hamid Ansari has on Wednesday called on scientists to exercise utmost caution in the regulation of nuclear power in the ensuring public interest and safety.

Addressing the graduation ceremony of the Baba Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Training School in Trombay, “our experience in regulation of a hitherto closed sector thrown open to private corporate and foreign investment has been a mixed one.”

Ansari said in various areas such as telecom, petroleum and gas, electricity and infrastructure development, the public perception of regulatory oversight has been dented as a result of allegations of regulatory bias and conflict of interest in corporate conflicts.

” We must exercise utmost caution in the regulation of the nuclear power sector so that the public interest and safety is ensured,” Ansari said.

Raising concern over the non-availability of human resource for the research sector, Ansari said : “A time when the government and public sector have been losing human resources to the private sector and are unable to attract the best talent available, what is that sets apart the atomic energy and space establishments.”

Ansari appreciated BARC’s initiation to train human resource internally.

“The experience of the Department of Atomic Energy seems to confirm the view that within large organizations, there is an intricate synergy between personal fulfilment and individual accomplishment and research-education linkage,”Ansari said

“Internal human resource development and retention is greatly facilitated by this focus on linking day-to-day work with academia and research,” he added.

Underlining the importance human resource in the nuclear research, Ansari said human resources occupy a critical role in the nuclear industry, as the life cycle of the nuclear energy sector requires extended time horizon, technological complexity and need for excellence.

“The nuclear human resource dilemmas of the developed countries are of a totally different dimension. They are facing problems in retaining skilled personnel for facilities that are at the end of the life cycle with no new capacity deployment in the near future. They also have to attract young talent in an ageing population if they wish to revive nuclear power as a green energy option in a world facing climate change scenarios,”Ansari said.

Ansari expressed confidence that the training and work would see all researchers emerge as multi-disciplinary specialists, spanning multiple technologies and sciences and represent India on the world stage where new opportunities are emerging in nuclear research. (ANI)

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Malaysia tourism unaffected by swine flu

August 18, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug 18 (ANI): Malaysian Tourism Minister Ng Yen Yen has denied that the swine flu or global recession have affected the flow of tourists into Malaysia.

Talking to reporters after launching a rock bottom fare package of Malaysia Airlines and Tourism Malaysia here on Monday, Yen said, “We have not seen a decline in arrivals yet. So I am keeping my fingers crossed that this is the trend. However, I have to be very cautious because tourism industry is a very fragile, sensitive industry.”

Welcoming investments, Yen said that Malaysia would await Indian film star Shahrukh Khan’s investment proposals.

“We welcome investment into Malaysia either on creativity investment or in infrastructure development. So we see especially for such well known famous personalities like Shahrukh Khan to come to Malaysia is our pride and we are very privileged that he will consider coming to Malaysia and we will give him all the necessary official support whenever needed,” Yen said.

Malaysia conferred Shahrukh Khan the title of Datuk, akin to a British knighthood, in December last year.

Shahrukh Khan plans to launch a film ‘Happy New Year’ in Malaysia this year and offered to develop the film industry in Malaysia. (ANI)

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Bhuvan – Bhuvan Earth Mapping Service – ISRO – ISRO to unveil mapping application ‘Bhuvan’ tomorrow

August 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Bhuvan | Bhuvan Earth Mapping Service | ISRO | ISRO to unveil mapping application ‘Bhuvan’ tomorrow

After creating history by launching India’s first moon mission Chandrayaan I, Indian space agency ISRO is all set to challenge Google Earth with it’s own satellite mapping service dubbed “Bhuvan”

While announcing the service ISRO Chairman, G Madhavan Nair, said:

“With Bhuvan we will be able to produce very local information which will be specific to only to our own country. This information available from this mapping system will be useful in addressing very local problems like floods, famines, infrastructure development, education and much more”

“The information on Bhuvan will be layer wise and the options of viewing filtered information will be available. Inputs from a lot of local players, like farmers, fishermen and likes who know the local area in and out, will also being integrated in Bhuvan. This is for the primary reason to make it of more use to the general public,”

ISRO expects the service to be launched in next six months by March 2009, all the infrastructure and softwares required for the service is already in place and a prototype of Bhuvan should be ready by end of November.

Bhuvan will use images taken by ISRO’s seven remote sensing satellites at least a year ago. These eyes in the sky can capture images of objects as small as a car on the road to build three-dimensional map of the world.

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Government set to spend more to boost economic growth: Mukherjee

July 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, July 11 (ANI): Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday said that the government would resort to more borrowings to increase ‘public expenditure’ for a higher economic growth.

The minister said this while addressing the Central Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India here in the national capital on Saturday.

“Obviously I choose to come back to the path of our growth trajectory. And as the private investment cannot be expected to meet the full requirement in immediate time, that’s why it was decided to step up the public expenditure and it had to be depended heavily on larger borrowing, but we will manage it with the cooperation and support and competence of RBI,” Pranab Mukherjee said.

“There should not be any apprehension that private sector would be crowded out. We will meet requirements of the private sector from the market and government borrowing will be managed in such a manner that there is no deception in the market in favour of government’s borrowings,” he added.

Earlier on July 2, the finance ministry had said that growth could rise to 7 percent this year-towards the high end of the range of private forecasts-and subsequently increase to 8.5 to 9 percent if the government adopted sweeping reforms and accelerated infrastructure development.

The government had slashed factory duties and stepped up public spending to pump the economy as the growth rate tripped to 6.7 percent in 2008-09 from 9 percent or more seen in the previous three years. (ANI)

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‘India can sustain 8 to 9 per cent growth rate’

July 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment

On Board special flight, July 11 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has said India should be able to sustain with little bit difficulty growth rate of 8 to 9 per cent notwithstanding difficulties on the international front.

Addressing a press conference onboard after attending the G8-G5 summit at L’Aquila in Italy, Dr. Singh said, “India’s saving is 35 per cent with normal capital output 4:1. I am confident that India will come out of this crisis stronger, but it will be a difficult road to travel.”

“Our exports have suffered, capital flows from abroad have declined, and international bank lending to the developing countries have declined. Therefore, challenge for us is to sustain and revive the growth which we have built up in last five years notwithstanding the deterioration,” he added.

The Prime Minister further said: “All available indicators of 2009 points to weakening of US and European economies and therefore one can say that the global environment for development of the countries of third world has undergone on sharp deterioration.”

Earlier, Dr. Singh expressed confidence that the country can achieve eight to nine per cent growth rate in the coming two to three years and the government will be working to achieve it.

The Prime Minister emphasized that though the fiscal deficit is high, there is a need to rapidly expand economy, create jobs and resources for spending on flagship programmes on education, health, rural development and scope for expansion in infrastructure development. By Naveen Kapoor (ANI)

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Budget helps Indian economy to return to path of growth says Chidambaram

July 6, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi July 6 (ANI): Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram has hailed the union budget, saying it has been prepared with great skill and wisdom and with the objective of stimulating the economy and returning to the high growth path.

Chidambarm expressed hope that the economy will be boosted with the stimulus packages and measures announced to save the Indian economy from global melt down.

Chidambaram appreciated the steps taken by Pranab Mukherjee to stimulate infrastructure development by creating India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL). He also expressed happiness over the creation of Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) that is expected to help farmers.

More allocation of funds to the project like National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) Indira Awas Yojana (IAY), would help in promoting inclusive growth and creation of jobs, he said.

Home Minister Chidambaram thanked Pranab Mukherjee for allocating 100,000 houses for Central Para-Military Force personnel, and allowances on par with the army.

Chidambaram also thanked Pranab Mukherjee for his proposal to interest subsidy for educational loans taken by students belonging to economically weaker sections, and introducing the National Food Security Act. (ANI)

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