Grameen Cybernet lunch low cost IP phone in december in Bangladesh

Internet service provider Grameen Cybernet Limited will introduce 'GCL IP Telephony' service all over the country in December with an aim to provide clients with low-cost telephone facility. People will be able to talk at a lower cost through using GCL Internet Protocol Telephone once the modern technology is installed across the country. The call rates from IP Phone to IP phone will be free of costs, but it will cost a caller 10 paisa per minute from IP phone to mobile phone and PSTN operators and Tk 2 to Tk 10 for ISD calls. The service will also provide various internet services including voicemail, caller ID, call forwarding, call waiting and conference calls. 'We are expected to launch IP telephone service in Bangladesh market from December this year. The GCL has developed the consumer friendly IP phone by its own experts using open source technology,' Mohammad Masum Billah Riton, GCL admin and HR deputy manager, told reporters at a news conference at Dhaka Reporters' Unity on Sunday. He said the modern service (IP telephony), based on open sources technologies, had been designed and implemented by GCL without any foreign technical assistance. The GCL, which was awarded the BTRC licence on August 18, has been providing internet service and other services like software development, corporate network and web solution since 1996.

Nestle open a new production unit in Bangladesh for Maggi

The government will soon develop special economic zones (SEZs) to lure both foreign and domestic investments, said Industries Minister Dilip Barua yesterday. "Bangladesh is a unique place for investment. Foreign investors can invest in the special economic zones with modern technology and help accelerate economic activity and generate employment," he said. "Foreign investors can come and invest in the various thrust sectors, such as ceramics, light engineering and shipbuilding." Barua made the call to foreign investors at the inauguration of a new production unit of 'Maggi' noodles by Nestle Bangladesh Ltd. The new unit has been set up at Nestles' factory in Sreepur, Gazipur. Deputy Head of Mission of Switzerland Gabriele Gerighetti and Nestle Bangladesh Chairman Latifur Rahman and Managing Director Laurent Therond were also present. Nestle Bangladesh officials said the company invested about Tk 13 crore to set up the new production unit to meet growing local demand for noodles. Officials said the new unit would raise the noodles production capacity almost threefold -- from about 3 ,500 tonnes to over 10 ,500 tonnes a year. "Nestle's expansion is an important initiative. Such investment will allow us to realise our dream of making Bangladesh an industrially developed nation," said Barua. "In the new Industrial Policy, we will focus on facilitating foreign and non-resident Bangladeshi investors." The minister said the government would take steps to safeguard foreigner's investments and facilitate easy transfer of their profits and remittance. "We want foreign investors to be our development partners," he said. Barua also said the government will protect worker interests, encourage companies to carry out their social responsibilities and develop the green industry. Gerighetti said Bangladesh is truly a unique place for investment and tourism. "The potential of Bangladesh is huge," he said, adding that Swiss investors are investing here. " Some of them are also waiting to invest." Nestle Bangladesh Ltd, a subsidiary of health, nutrition and wellness company Nestle SA, began operations in Bangladesh in 1994. The company manufactures and markets various brands, including Maggi Noodles, Maggi soup, Nescafe, Nido power milk and various infant cereals. Therond said the expansion would help Nestle fulfil rising demand for noodles among consumers. "Thanks to the Bangladeshi consumers, our new production unit will certainly be able to meet demand. We will also bring some new products for Bangladeshi consumers."

Reliance offer US chemical company for buyout

LyondellBasell Industries said Saturday Reliance Industries offered to acquire a controlling interest in the beleaguered chemical company, which is under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. LyondellBasell declined to disclose the value of the cash offer. India-based Reliance did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Reliance's offer "represents a potential alternative to the initial plan of reorganization," LyondellBasell said, and it "will continue to work with all parties to design an approach that maximizes value for the company's creditors." The offer is non-binding and is in addition to other non-binding equity financing proposals LyondellBasell has received. LyondellBasell is the world's third-largest independent chemical company and is controlled by billionaire investor Len Blavatnik. Its products are used in gasoline, plastics, electronics, autos, paints and many other products.

South korean will get Apple iPhone this week

Apple Inc's iPhone is coming to South Korea this week, a local carrier announced Sunday, bringing the iconic communications device to one of the world's most sophisticated mobile phone markets. KT Corp. began accepting orders for the iPhone both online and in stores Sunday and service will start Nov. 28 as part of an official launch, said Alice Park, a spokeswoman for the country's second-largest mobile carrier.

A German rail company construction rail department in Qatar and Ba hrain

German rail operator Deutsche Bahn has signed a 17 bn euro ($25 bn; £15 bn) contract to build rail and underground lines in Qatar and Bahrain. For Qatar's capital Doha, Deutsche Bahn will design and build a four line metro system with 98 stations. A high speed train line to neighbouring Bahrain is also planned, with trains reaching speeds of 350 km/h (220 mph). The contract will create a new company called the Qatar Railways Development Company. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani and German transport minister Peter Ramsauer were present when the deal was signed in Doha. Qatar Railways Development Company will be 49 % owned by Deutsche Bahn and 51 % by Qatari Diar, Qatar's state-owned infrastructure and property development firm. Deutsche Bahn said that it hoped to win more contracts in the Middle East following what it hoped would be a fruitful partnership with Qatar.