European aircraft maker Airbus Industries recently opened two centres to train engineers and pilots in Bangalore. The company’s CEO Thomas Enders told reporters that the two centres, in a tie-up with CAE, would train more than 1,000 engineers and pilots every year. The centres would provide training in simulators, flight management systems, aerodynamics and critical management systems, he said.
“We will screen, evaluate candidates selected by India’s major airlines and also provide simulators, offices, instructors, pilots and software to train pilots and engineers for the aviation industry,” Airbus CEO said.
CII signs MoU with BSI
CII and the British Standards Institution, on Friday, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for working together in areas of standards and best practices, at the second day of the 15th CII Quality Summit going on in the City. The areas of cooperation include food safety standardisation, sustainability and information security management. New work areas between the two organisations will include exchange of best practice in the standards development arena aimed benefiting Indian business.
SBI to sell gold coins and ingots
State Bank of India (SBI), Bangalore Circle, on Friday, announced its scheme of retail sale of gold coins and ingots to the public at selected branches (Bangalore, SPB Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore and Hubli). The Scheme was formally launched by cine artist Ramya in the presence of SBI Karnataka Circle GM Partha Bhattacharyya.
Releasing the gold coins to the public, the bank observed that the trust associated with SBI is now available for the ‘purity’ of the gold too and called upon the general public to make use of this channel to buy genuine gold. To begin with, coins of 2 gms and 5 gms and ingots of 10 gms will be sold at these branches. SBI has plans to roll out the scheme of retail sale to majority of its branches including rural and semi-urban branches.
Airtel’s Super Lifetime offer
Bharti Airtel, on Friday introduced 'Super Lifetime Prepaid' with Re 1 outgoing local tariff for life. Existing customers too can avail of this offer free-of-charge or by paying a minimal amount, depending on the plan that they are using.
The Super Lifetime Prepaid offers an Airtel user local outgoing tariff of Rs 1 for life. Under this plan the customer can stay mobile by paying just Rs. 999. They have to use a minimum of Rs 200 every 180 days to continue enjoying lifetime validity benefits. This scheme is available to all existing as well as new Airtel mobile users.
HTMT Global Q2 net up 23.5 pc
HTMT Global Solutions (HGSL) recently announced that it has posted a 23.5 per cent growth in net profit at Rs 22.08 crore for the second quarter ended September 30, 2007 from Rs 17.87 crore on a q-o-q basis. Total income of the company grew by seven percent to Rs 163.86 crore from Rs 151.96 crore. The company is also expanding its operations by opening additional centres in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Philippines and these centres would be operational by Q4 of this fiscal, HGSL said in Mumbai.
HSBC rallies for a social cause
HSBC, on Friday, announced that it is organising a “Helping Hands Mela” at the banking hall of HSBC’s office on M G Road, in City. “This mela is a forum for HSBC to interact closely with NGOs and understand the issues facing the communities around them” said HSBC Senior VP and Regional Head Surajit Thakur. The participating NGOs are Spastics Society of Karnataka, Greenpeace, A Rocha India, Sri Rakum School for Blind and Dream a Dream. The theme of the entire Mela is “Folklores of Karnataka” and local artists will perform at the Mela. The mela will be opened from 10 am to 4 pm on weekdays and 10 am to 1.30 pm on Saturday.
Puravankara Q2 profit up 114 pc
Puravankara Projects, on Thursday, announced in Bangalore that it has posted a 114 per cent increase in net profit for Q2 ended September 30, 2007 at Rs 60.21 crore compared to Rs 28.19 crore for Q2 last year. Revenues for the reported quarter grew by 45 per cent to Rs 141.01 crore from Rs 97.34 crore. Net profit for H1 ended September 30, 2007 stood at Rs 104.22 crore compared to Rs 54.18 crore for the first half of last fiscal, registering a growth rate of 92 per cent.
Acer files charges against HP in US
Acer Inc, on Friday, announced in Bangalore that it has filed patent infringement complaints with the US District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin and International Trade Commission against Hewlett-Packard Development Co. The complaints filed on October 30, 2007 involve innovations related to personal computers, servers and peripheral devices. With or without a legal proceeding, Acer persists to take all necessary steps to protect and enforce its patented technologies.
CanBank revises FCNR (B) rates
Canara Bank, on Friday, announced that it has revised the rate of interest on FCNR(B) deposits with effect from November 1, 2007 varying maturities from 1 year to 5 years as follow: The revised rate of interest for US dollar for one year to less than two years is 3.89 per cent (earlier 4.15 pc), for two years to less than three years is 3.71 per cent (3.84 pc), for three years to less than four years is 3.78 per cent (3.89 pc), for four years to less than five years is 3.88 per cent (3.99 pc).
The rate of interest for pound sterling for one year to less than two years is 5.40 per cent (5.44 pc), for two years to less than three years is 5.02 per cent (5.02 pc), for three years to less than four years is 4.96 per cent (4.94 pc), for four to less than five years.
HUL to form JV with SA firm
Hindustan Unilever (HUL), on Friday, announced to set up a joint venture (JV) company with Smollan Holdings of South Africa to build long-term capabilities and bring ‘in-store’ execution focus in servicing its modern trade customers. The new company has been named Hindustan Unilever Field Services (HUFS), and will be operational from January 1, 2008, reports DHNS from Mumbai.
L&T’s pact with Gulf Interstate
L&T, on Friday, announced in Mumbai that it has entered into an agreement with US-based Gulf Interstate Engineering Company to form a JV firm - ’L&T-Gulf Pipeline Engineering’ to augment its offering in pipelines and provide end-to-end engineering and project management services to the hydrocarbon pipeline industry. L&T said the JV will be housed at its campus in Faridabad.
