Technology enables mobile payments using the mobile phone
AMSTERDAM - Thursday, November 28th 2013 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:
Vivo has selected Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO), the world leader in digital security, to provide the TSM (Trusted Service Manager) platform. With the Gemalto platform, the operator can offer mobile payment products and services using Near Field Communications (NFC) technology, which makes it possible to carry out financial transactions by simply tapping a mobile phone near a specific terminal.
The initiative reinforces the positioning of the company, a “Telco Digital”, and represents a further step towards the democratization of electronic payments - adding mobility, security and convenience for its users.
With the solution in place and together with Gemalto’s UpTeq multi-tenant NFC SIM cards, Vivo will be able to expand its product portfolio for m-payments, offering services to mobile customers including contactless payments, transit ticketing and financial transactions between users of the solution.
The growth model of the Telefónica Group companies is based on their ability to innovate. Brazil, the largest Telefónica operation in regards to number of customers, is one of the focal points of Telefónica Digital, which is the innovation arm of Telefónica Group worldwide. The development and delivery of financial products and services represents the company's firm commitment to grow and strengthen its operations beyond connectivity, adding a new option for customers as well as for those who want to start or intensify contact with connectivity technologies.
About Gemalto
Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO) is the world leader in digital security with 2012 annual revenues of €2.2 billion and more than 10,000 employees operating out of 83 offices and 13 Research & Development centers, located in 43 countries.
We are at the heart of the rapidly evolving digital society. Billions of people worldwide increasingly want the freedom to communicate, travel, shop, bank, entertain and work – anytime, everywhere – in ways that are enjoyable and safe. Gemalto delivers on their expanding needs for personal mobile services, payment security, authenticated cloud access, identity and privacy protection, eHealthcare and eGovernment efficiency, convenient ticketing and dependable machine-to-machine (M2M) applications. We develop secure embedded software and secure products which we design and personalize. Our platforms and services manage these products, the confidential data they contain and the trusted end-user services made possible.
Our innovations enable our clients to offer trusted and convenient digital services to billions of individuals. Gemalto thrives with the growing number of people using its solutions to interact with the digital and wireless world.
For more information visit www.gemalto.com, www.justaskgemalto.com, blog.gemalto.com, or follow @gemalto on Twitter.
Contacts
Gemalto:
Peggy Edoire, +33 4 42 36 45 40
Europe, Middle East & Africa
peggy.edoire@gemalto.com
Pierre Lelievre, +65 6317 3802
Asia Pacific
pierre.lelievre@gemalto.com
Nicole Smith, +1 512- 758-8921
North America
nicole.smith@gemalto.com
Ernesto Haikewitsch, +55 11 5105 9220
Latin America
ernesto.haikewitsch@gemalto.com
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/9328/en
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Rolex and Palm Beach International Equestrian Center Sign Unprecedented 10-Year Partnership to Transform Show Jumping for the Americas
WELLINGTON, Fla. - Thursday, November 28th 2013 [ME NewsWire]
2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival to Have Five CSI 5* Events and a Record 51 FEI Ranking Classes Over the Circuit
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) and Rolex SA signed an unprecedented 10-year sponsorship agreement to make Rolex the “Official Timepiece” of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) and of the world-renowned FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). The FTI WEF serves almost 6,000 horses and 2,000 riders from 50 states and over 30 countries.
The long-term partnership will facilitate a record US $1.63 million dollar increase in prize money bringing the grand total to over US $8 million dollars at the FTI WEF, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. Three new FEI-rated CSI 5* events will be added to the schedule, which will make five of the 12 weeks during the circuit at the highest level in Show Jumping. There will also be a new US $1 million Palm Beach Challenge presented by Rolex bonus opportunity.
Another highlight of the association is that two of the CSI 5* Grand Prix events will be televised and many others will be distributed by Rolex through their media partnerships in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, stated, “We are honored to be partnered with one of the most respected brands in the world. Through this partnership, we will provide the resources to elevate the level of Show Jumping for the Americas and expose PBIEC to a broader international audience.”
Arnaud Boetsch, Director of Communications with Rolex, said, “We are very pleased to extend and expand the scope of our long-lasting and successful partnership with this prestigious venue and the world-class, world-renowned events it hosts. Rolex and Palm Beach International Equestrian Center certainly share a common passion for excellence and perfection.”
The dates of the 2014 CSI 5* shows are: FTI WEF 3 from January 22-26, FTI WEF 5 from February 5-9, FTI WEF 7 from February 19-23, FTI WEF 10 from March 12-16, and FTI WEF 12 from March 26-30. In addition to the five CSI 5* shows, there are three CSI 4* events, a CSI 3*, and two CSI 2* shows during the circuit.
FTI WEF weeks 3, 5, 7, and 10 will feature a US $300,000 Saturday Night Grand Prix. FTI WEF 12 will feature the US $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix.
The "Palm Beach Challenge presented by Rolex" applies to four of the five 5* events and awards a US $1 million bonus to any horse and rider combination that wins the four consecutive CSI 5* Grand Prix events at FTI WEF 3, 5, 10, and 12. The winner of two consecutive Grand Prix will receive US $50,000 and the winner of three of four will receive a US $100,000 bonus.
Finally, Rolex offered a substantial contribution to the FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge (GCC), presented by Fidelity Investments, an equestrian Show Jumping competition founded by Mark Bellissimo and his daughter Paige. The event, which occurs on February 1, 2014, is a competition where the world's top riders team up with equestrian sport's most prominent families in a unique competition that awards a sliding scale of prize money to each of the 34 randomly selected charities in Palm Beach County.
ABOUT ROLEX
Rolex enjoys an unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise the world over. Its Oyster watches are symbols of excellence, performance, and prestige. Pioneer in the development of the wristwatch since 1905, the brand is at the origin of several landmark innovations in watchmaking, including the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism. Rolex is also actively involved in supporting the arts, exploration, sports, and the environment through sponsoring and philanthropic programmes. Rolex has been present in equestrian sports since 1957.
For more information, visit www.rolex.com.
About the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center
The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) is considered the most recognizable equestrian sporting venue in America today. It is a 160-acre “Equestrian Lifestyle Destination” nestled in the heart of an 8,000-acre equestrian paradise in Wellington, Florida, located only 20 miles west of Palm Beach.
There are 16 competition rings throughout the equestrian show complex suited for the world's finest Show Jumping, Hunter, and Dressage events. The PBIEC show grounds offer spectators a picturesque environment in which to enjoy equestrian competitions. There are a number of hospitality and vendor pavilions dedicated to dining, shopping, and VIP areas.
For more information on Equestrian Sport Productions and the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, please visit www.equestriansport.com.
Contacts
For Equestrian Sport Productions
Jennifer Wood, 803-240-7488
jennifer@jenniferwoodmedia.com
Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/9322/en
2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival to Have Five CSI 5* Events and a Record 51 FEI Ranking Classes Over the Circuit
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) and Rolex SA signed an unprecedented 10-year sponsorship agreement to make Rolex the “Official Timepiece” of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) and of the world-renowned FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). The FTI WEF serves almost 6,000 horses and 2,000 riders from 50 states and over 30 countries.
The long-term partnership will facilitate a record US $1.63 million dollar increase in prize money bringing the grand total to over US $8 million dollars at the FTI WEF, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. Three new FEI-rated CSI 5* events will be added to the schedule, which will make five of the 12 weeks during the circuit at the highest level in Show Jumping. There will also be a new US $1 million Palm Beach Challenge presented by Rolex bonus opportunity.
Another highlight of the association is that two of the CSI 5* Grand Prix events will be televised and many others will be distributed by Rolex through their media partnerships in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, stated, “We are honored to be partnered with one of the most respected brands in the world. Through this partnership, we will provide the resources to elevate the level of Show Jumping for the Americas and expose PBIEC to a broader international audience.”
Arnaud Boetsch, Director of Communications with Rolex, said, “We are very pleased to extend and expand the scope of our long-lasting and successful partnership with this prestigious venue and the world-class, world-renowned events it hosts. Rolex and Palm Beach International Equestrian Center certainly share a common passion for excellence and perfection.”
The dates of the 2014 CSI 5* shows are: FTI WEF 3 from January 22-26, FTI WEF 5 from February 5-9, FTI WEF 7 from February 19-23, FTI WEF 10 from March 12-16, and FTI WEF 12 from March 26-30. In addition to the five CSI 5* shows, there are three CSI 4* events, a CSI 3*, and two CSI 2* shows during the circuit.
FTI WEF weeks 3, 5, 7, and 10 will feature a US $300,000 Saturday Night Grand Prix. FTI WEF 12 will feature the US $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix.
The "Palm Beach Challenge presented by Rolex" applies to four of the five 5* events and awards a US $1 million bonus to any horse and rider combination that wins the four consecutive CSI 5* Grand Prix events at FTI WEF 3, 5, 10, and 12. The winner of two consecutive Grand Prix will receive US $50,000 and the winner of three of four will receive a US $100,000 bonus.
Finally, Rolex offered a substantial contribution to the FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge (GCC), presented by Fidelity Investments, an equestrian Show Jumping competition founded by Mark Bellissimo and his daughter Paige. The event, which occurs on February 1, 2014, is a competition where the world's top riders team up with equestrian sport's most prominent families in a unique competition that awards a sliding scale of prize money to each of the 34 randomly selected charities in Palm Beach County.
ABOUT ROLEX
Rolex enjoys an unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise the world over. Its Oyster watches are symbols of excellence, performance, and prestige. Pioneer in the development of the wristwatch since 1905, the brand is at the origin of several landmark innovations in watchmaking, including the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism. Rolex is also actively involved in supporting the arts, exploration, sports, and the environment through sponsoring and philanthropic programmes. Rolex has been present in equestrian sports since 1957.
For more information, visit www.rolex.com.
About the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center
The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) is considered the most recognizable equestrian sporting venue in America today. It is a 160-acre “Equestrian Lifestyle Destination” nestled in the heart of an 8,000-acre equestrian paradise in Wellington, Florida, located only 20 miles west of Palm Beach.
There are 16 competition rings throughout the equestrian show complex suited for the world's finest Show Jumping, Hunter, and Dressage events. The PBIEC show grounds offer spectators a picturesque environment in which to enjoy equestrian competitions. There are a number of hospitality and vendor pavilions dedicated to dining, shopping, and VIP areas.
For more information on Equestrian Sport Productions and the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, please visit www.equestriansport.com.
Contacts
For Equestrian Sport Productions
Jennifer Wood, 803-240-7488
jennifer@jenniferwoodmedia.com
Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/9322/en
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Seasoned Global Telecom Executive Joins Angel Americas To Drive Company's Expansion
ME Newswire / Businesswire
BAAR, Switzerland - Wednesday, November 27th 2013
Angel Telecom Holding AG located in Baar, Switzerland and traded on the Third Market of the Vienna Stock Exchange under the symbol AGLT announced today that Roland Josef Bopp joined Angel Americas LLC, New York as the new Chief Executive Officer, effective August 5, 2013. Mr. Bopp’s appointment by the Board of Director’s is a strategic response to the expected dynamic growth and expansion in the Americas. Angel Americas LLC acquired the assets of several companies during the first half of 2013. The Company markets prepaid calling cards, and other prepaid voice and mobile products and is a dominant player in the U.S. retail voice product market targeting immigrant communities in the United States.
Prior to joining Angel Americas LLC, Mr. Bopp served in leadership roles of major established, early stage and emerging telecom service organizations in the Americas and Europe.
Mr. Bopp brings more than 20 years of executive leadership in telecom service organizations in North America, Central and South America, as well as in Western and Eastern Europe. His most recent position was Chairman, President & CEO of the Americas for Deutsche Telekom Inc., a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom of Germany, which was based in New York. Over a period of three years, he led the successful expansion of that business via both organic growth and through acquisitions in the Americas. Prior to that, he was managing director of Mannesmann, a $20 billion telecom and engineering company which was acquired by Vodafone in 2000. While at Mannesmann, Mr. Bopp was one of the key members of the executive management team which led Mannesmann to become one of the most successful cellphone operators in Europe. He also managed the marketing/sales organization of the geostationary satellite operator based in the United States and a number of telecom sector private equity funds with wireless properties located in Eastern Europe.
“Roland brings tremendous business acumen and global contacts to this position,” said Mr. Peter Waneck, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Angel Americas LLC. “His understanding of the industry and customer requirements and his experience in building and expanding companies in the Americas and Europe is invaluable as we continue to build Angel Americas into a strong telecom contender in the Americas.”
“I am very pleased to join Angel Americas at this strategic moment,” said Roland Bopp. “The Company’s market position and recent acquisitions have established the right structure for the next phase of growth.”
About Angel Telecom
Angel Telecom owns and operates ATTrade©, an online professional trading platform for Voice over IP (“VOIP”) traffic. The platform runs on the Company’s proprietary software, custom designed to address the needs of the wholesale VOIP market. The platform has operated continuously since September, 2006 and is utilized by nearly 500 carriers and traders. The Company principals have over 20 years experience in the international wholesale telecom business, and maintain long-term personal relationships with carriers and PTTs.
For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.angel-telecom.com
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to certain factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, events and performances to differ materially from those referred to in such statements. Factors which could cause actual results to differ from expectations include, among others, end user customer acceptance and actual demand, which may differ significantly from expectations, the need for the company to manage its growth, unknown competitive factors, the need to raise funds for operations and other risks within the regulation of the industry.
Contacts
Angel Telecom
Marcel Schuster
+41.41.7674.134
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/9306/en
BAAR, Switzerland - Wednesday, November 27th 2013
Angel Telecom Holding AG located in Baar, Switzerland and traded on the Third Market of the Vienna Stock Exchange under the symbol AGLT announced today that Roland Josef Bopp joined Angel Americas LLC, New York as the new Chief Executive Officer, effective August 5, 2013. Mr. Bopp’s appointment by the Board of Director’s is a strategic response to the expected dynamic growth and expansion in the Americas. Angel Americas LLC acquired the assets of several companies during the first half of 2013. The Company markets prepaid calling cards, and other prepaid voice and mobile products and is a dominant player in the U.S. retail voice product market targeting immigrant communities in the United States.
Prior to joining Angel Americas LLC, Mr. Bopp served in leadership roles of major established, early stage and emerging telecom service organizations in the Americas and Europe.
Mr. Bopp brings more than 20 years of executive leadership in telecom service organizations in North America, Central and South America, as well as in Western and Eastern Europe. His most recent position was Chairman, President & CEO of the Americas for Deutsche Telekom Inc., a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom of Germany, which was based in New York. Over a period of three years, he led the successful expansion of that business via both organic growth and through acquisitions in the Americas. Prior to that, he was managing director of Mannesmann, a $20 billion telecom and engineering company which was acquired by Vodafone in 2000. While at Mannesmann, Mr. Bopp was one of the key members of the executive management team which led Mannesmann to become one of the most successful cellphone operators in Europe. He also managed the marketing/sales organization of the geostationary satellite operator based in the United States and a number of telecom sector private equity funds with wireless properties located in Eastern Europe.
“Roland brings tremendous business acumen and global contacts to this position,” said Mr. Peter Waneck, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Angel Americas LLC. “His understanding of the industry and customer requirements and his experience in building and expanding companies in the Americas and Europe is invaluable as we continue to build Angel Americas into a strong telecom contender in the Americas.”
“I am very pleased to join Angel Americas at this strategic moment,” said Roland Bopp. “The Company’s market position and recent acquisitions have established the right structure for the next phase of growth.”
About Angel Telecom
Angel Telecom owns and operates ATTrade©, an online professional trading platform for Voice over IP (“VOIP”) traffic. The platform runs on the Company’s proprietary software, custom designed to address the needs of the wholesale VOIP market. The platform has operated continuously since September, 2006 and is utilized by nearly 500 carriers and traders. The Company principals have over 20 years experience in the international wholesale telecom business, and maintain long-term personal relationships with carriers and PTTs.
For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.angel-telecom.com
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to certain factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, events and performances to differ materially from those referred to in such statements. Factors which could cause actual results to differ from expectations include, among others, end user customer acceptance and actual demand, which may differ significantly from expectations, the need for the company to manage its growth, unknown competitive factors, the need to raise funds for operations and other risks within the regulation of the industry.
Contacts
Angel Telecom
Marcel Schuster
+41.41.7674.134
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/9306/en
G-STAR 2013: Closing with the Best Attendance of All Time
G-STAR 2013
SEOUL, South Korea - Wednesday, November 27th 2013 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE) ‘G-STAR 2013’, which was attended by 512 game-related enterprises from 32 countries in the world, ended in great success after 4 days of ‘dreamful game culture festival’ with 188,707 visitors, a record number of actual people viewing the exhibition.
This year is the second year the K-IDEA(hereinafter referred to as ‘the Association’) sponsored the G-STAR event since it was transferred to a private organization, and it is considered that the Association has developed G-Star 2013 into the game business market of the largest scale in Asia and laid the foundation for the leap toward the globally leading exhibition event. It has also provided many diverse exhibition contents in addition to B2B and B2C Halls by starting the G-STAR Conference and through the expansion of G-STAR investment market.
This year, B2B Hall used the entire exhibition area of the new BEXCO building, and the number of overseas buyers paying for attendance showed an increase of more than 66.3% compared to last year (1,397 persons). Many of those who were involved in the domestic and foreign game industry and visiting the exhibition responded in unison by saying that ‘It is amazing to see the expansion of B2B Hall and increased participation by foreign companies’.
“G-STAR 2013”, which 512 domestic and overseas game companies and other affiliated companies from 32 countries all over the world have participated in, has set the all-time high record of export contract in the amount of 185,530,000 dollars, an increase of 25.4% over the previous year’s amount of 147,990,000 dollars.
It also expanded and operated the G-STAR Investment Market for those small-to-medium sized game companies that could not operate the booths in the B2B Hall. A total of 28 domestic and overseas investment companies and distributors, representing more than the number of companies who had applied initially, conducted business consultations on the 24 domestic game projects as well as game investment and distribution for the developers.
G-STAR Conference which was held this year for the first time has produced the outcome of drawing the audience of 577 visitors at the 3 keynote addresses and 36 lectures on game business and game technology.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50755633&lang=en
Contacts
[G-STAR2013 Organizing Office]
JEONGHUN KIM, +82-2-6000-6694
b2b@gstar.or.kr
Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/9310/en
SEOUL, South Korea - Wednesday, November 27th 2013 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE) ‘G-STAR 2013’, which was attended by 512 game-related enterprises from 32 countries in the world, ended in great success after 4 days of ‘dreamful game culture festival’ with 188,707 visitors, a record number of actual people viewing the exhibition.
This year is the second year the K-IDEA(hereinafter referred to as ‘the Association’) sponsored the G-STAR event since it was transferred to a private organization, and it is considered that the Association has developed G-Star 2013 into the game business market of the largest scale in Asia and laid the foundation for the leap toward the globally leading exhibition event. It has also provided many diverse exhibition contents in addition to B2B and B2C Halls by starting the G-STAR Conference and through the expansion of G-STAR investment market.
This year, B2B Hall used the entire exhibition area of the new BEXCO building, and the number of overseas buyers paying for attendance showed an increase of more than 66.3% compared to last year (1,397 persons). Many of those who were involved in the domestic and foreign game industry and visiting the exhibition responded in unison by saying that ‘It is amazing to see the expansion of B2B Hall and increased participation by foreign companies’.
“G-STAR 2013”, which 512 domestic and overseas game companies and other affiliated companies from 32 countries all over the world have participated in, has set the all-time high record of export contract in the amount of 185,530,000 dollars, an increase of 25.4% over the previous year’s amount of 147,990,000 dollars.
It also expanded and operated the G-STAR Investment Market for those small-to-medium sized game companies that could not operate the booths in the B2B Hall. A total of 28 domestic and overseas investment companies and distributors, representing more than the number of companies who had applied initially, conducted business consultations on the 24 domestic game projects as well as game investment and distribution for the developers.
G-STAR Conference which was held this year for the first time has produced the outcome of drawing the audience of 577 visitors at the 3 keynote addresses and 36 lectures on game business and game technology.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50755633&lang=en
Contacts
[G-STAR2013 Organizing Office]
JEONGHUN KIM, +82-2-6000-6694
b2b@gstar.or.kr
Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/9310/en
Saudi Arabia Hosts International Forum on Brain Research and Personalized Healthcare
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - Wednesday, November 27th 2013 [ME NewsWire]
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host a leading international forum, on brain research and personalized healthcare: The Brain Forum- Challenging the Future. The forum is the first-of-its-kind in the Middle East; KSA will welcome some of the world’s most progressive thought leaders in the field of brain research and the technology associated with this field of neuroscience. The event, which will cover Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, and epilepsy among others, will take place from the 3rd – 4th of December at the Laylati Hall in Jeddah. Created by founder of W Science Dr. Walid Juffali, this forum will bring together 16 speakers discussing the topic of brain technology, diseases, and personalized healthcare.
Commenting on the event, Dr. Walid Juffali stated: “This event convenes some of neuroscience’s greatest minds under one roof. It creates the opportunity for intellectual dialogue and insights that can invigorate efforts to combat some of the world’s most pressing health-related issues referring to neurological illnesses.
With over one billion people affected by some type of neurological disorder worldwide, The Brain Forum is a highly anticipated event; the two-day forum will discuss topics ranging from the progress of brain research to the latest advances, challenges and opportunities in neuroscience and personalized medicine.
The Forum was set up in conjunction with a Scientific Committee which included Professor Dr. Hilal A. Lashuel, Associate Professor of Neuroscience, Director of the Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Neurodgeneration, Brain Mind Institute, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, Switzerland; Professor Christopher Toumazou from Imperial College, and Dr. Jamil El-Imad, Managing Director and Chief Scientist of NeuroPro, a Swiss-based medical technology research, design and commercialization company focused on bringing to the healthcare community innovative, safe and low-cost solutions to applied neural signal analysis. Professor Saeed Bohlega, professor and senior neurology consultant at the Department of Neurology at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, and the President of Saudi Neurology Society, Dr. Mohammed Jan, Professor & Consultant of Pediatric Neurology & Clinical Neurophysiology Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine (KAU).
The Brain Forum will be broadcast live on YouTube on 3 December 7:00am GMT extending free coverage of the event for global audiences.
Audiences can interact with the panelists via:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/thebrainforum
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thebrainforum
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thebrainforum
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/thebrainforum
Contacts
Headline Communication
Alshaimaa Almaddah +966-56-300-3080
aalmaddah@headlineme.com
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/9308/en
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host a leading international forum, on brain research and personalized healthcare: The Brain Forum- Challenging the Future. The forum is the first-of-its-kind in the Middle East; KSA will welcome some of the world’s most progressive thought leaders in the field of brain research and the technology associated with this field of neuroscience. The event, which will cover Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, and epilepsy among others, will take place from the 3rd – 4th of December at the Laylati Hall in Jeddah. Created by founder of W Science Dr. Walid Juffali, this forum will bring together 16 speakers discussing the topic of brain technology, diseases, and personalized healthcare.
Commenting on the event, Dr. Walid Juffali stated: “This event convenes some of neuroscience’s greatest minds under one roof. It creates the opportunity for intellectual dialogue and insights that can invigorate efforts to combat some of the world’s most pressing health-related issues referring to neurological illnesses.
With over one billion people affected by some type of neurological disorder worldwide, The Brain Forum is a highly anticipated event; the two-day forum will discuss topics ranging from the progress of brain research to the latest advances, challenges and opportunities in neuroscience and personalized medicine.
The Forum was set up in conjunction with a Scientific Committee which included Professor Dr. Hilal A. Lashuel, Associate Professor of Neuroscience, Director of the Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Neurodgeneration, Brain Mind Institute, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, Switzerland; Professor Christopher Toumazou from Imperial College, and Dr. Jamil El-Imad, Managing Director and Chief Scientist of NeuroPro, a Swiss-based medical technology research, design and commercialization company focused on bringing to the healthcare community innovative, safe and low-cost solutions to applied neural signal analysis. Professor Saeed Bohlega, professor and senior neurology consultant at the Department of Neurology at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, and the President of Saudi Neurology Society, Dr. Mohammed Jan, Professor & Consultant of Pediatric Neurology & Clinical Neurophysiology Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine (KAU).
The Brain Forum will be broadcast live on YouTube on 3 December 7:00am GMT extending free coverage of the event for global audiences.
Audiences can interact with the panelists via:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/thebrainforum
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thebrainforum
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thebrainforum
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/thebrainforum
Contacts
Headline Communication
Alshaimaa Almaddah +966-56-300-3080
aalmaddah@headlineme.com
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/9308/en
Toshiba Launches Stepping Motor Driver IC with Serial Interface
Reduction in Number of Signals Contributing to Simplification of Systems
TOKYO - Wednesday, November 27th 2013 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO:6502) today announced the launch of the latest addition to its lineup of high voltage and high current stepping motor driver “TB67S10xA” series, the “TB67S103A” which can drive motors by signals through a serial interface. Mass production shipments of devices in QFN48 packages will start today, followed by shipments in HTSSOP48 packages scheduled to start in February 2014.
The reduction of power consumption for applications, such as office automation equipment, banking terminals, amusement equipment and home appliances, needs optimized control of motor drives. This requires independent control signals for torque, rotation speed and rotation direction, for each individual motors, which increases the number of signals for applications with multiple motors and makes the system complicated.
The product adopts a serial interface that allows users to set motor control items and four ID numbers, and integrates an independent motor drive control function based on identification of each ID number. This enables connection of multiple TB67S103A driver ICs to signal lines for one external controller and control of up to four motors. The reduction of external controllers and number of signals this achieves will contribute to the simplification and downsizing of systems, plus reduction of power consumption.
Key Features of New Product
Controls multiple motors though serial interface Four IDs can be assigned to the serial interface of the IC, allowing independent control of torque, rotational speed, and rotation direction of up to four motors with one set of serial interface signals.
Reduces heat generation Low on-resistance 1 (0.5Ω or less, sum of upper and lower) reduces heat generation
Realizes low vibration and low noise The IC adopts Toshiba original ADMD2 and the high-resolution motor driving technology of 1/32 steps (max.), reducing motor vibration and noise.
Applications Printers, office automation equipment, banking terminals (ATM), bank note identification machines, amusement equipment, and home appliances
Main Specifications of “TB67S10x” Series
Product Name
TB67S101A
TB67S102A
TB67S109A
TB67S103A
Control I/F
PHASE-IN
CLK-IN
CLK-IN
Serial-IN
Absolute Maximum Ratings
50V, 4A
Package
QFN48, HTSSOP48
Excitation Mode
2 phases, 1-2 phases, and W1-2 phases
2 phases, 1-2 phases, W1-2 phases, 2W1-2 phases, 4W1-2 phases, and 8W1-2 phases
Other Features
Low-heat-generation and high efficient drive by ADMD2 technology Built-in abnormality detection functions (thermal shutdown circuit, over current shutdown circuit, and undervoltage lockout circuit). Built-in output function of abnormality detection flag (only the TB67S109A) Sequence-free of power supply by single power drive
Mass Production Schedule
QFN48: Available
HTSSOP48: January, 2014
QFN48: Available
HTSSOP48:
February, 2014
Notes 1: Resistance in applying current. When the resistance is small, the power loss is small in motor driving and the heat-generation can be reduced. 2: ADMD: ADvanced Mixed Decay. Toshiba's newly developed motor control technology; offers high efficient motor operation by automated optimization of drive current.
Customer Inquiries: Mixed Signal IC Sales and Marketing Department Tel: +81-44-548-2821
Information in this document, including product prices and specifications, content of services and contact information, is current on the date of the announcement but is subject to change without prior notice.
About Toshiba Toshiba is a world-leading diversified manufacturer, solutions provider and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products and systems. Toshiba Group brings innovation and imagination to a wide range of businesses: digital products, including LCD TVs, notebook PCs, retail solutions and MFPs; electronic devices, including semiconductors, storage products and materials; industrial and social infrastructure systems, including power generation systems, smart community solutions, medical systems and escalators & elevators; and home appliances.
Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 590 consolidated companies, with 206,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 5.8 trillion yen (US$61 billion). Visit Toshiba's web site at www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50758877&lang=en
Contacts
Media Inquiries:
Toshiba Corporation
Semiconductor & Storage Products Company
Takashi Mochizuki, +81-3-3457-4963
semicon-NR-mailbox@ml.toshiba.co.jp
TOKYO - Wednesday, November 27th 2013 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO:6502) today announced the launch of the latest addition to its lineup of high voltage and high current stepping motor driver “TB67S10xA” series, the “TB67S103A” which can drive motors by signals through a serial interface. Mass production shipments of devices in QFN48 packages will start today, followed by shipments in HTSSOP48 packages scheduled to start in February 2014.
The reduction of power consumption for applications, such as office automation equipment, banking terminals, amusement equipment and home appliances, needs optimized control of motor drives. This requires independent control signals for torque, rotation speed and rotation direction, for each individual motors, which increases the number of signals for applications with multiple motors and makes the system complicated.
The product adopts a serial interface that allows users to set motor control items and four ID numbers, and integrates an independent motor drive control function based on identification of each ID number. This enables connection of multiple TB67S103A driver ICs to signal lines for one external controller and control of up to four motors. The reduction of external controllers and number of signals this achieves will contribute to the simplification and downsizing of systems, plus reduction of power consumption.
Key Features of New Product
Controls multiple motors though serial interface Four IDs can be assigned to the serial interface of the IC, allowing independent control of torque, rotational speed, and rotation direction of up to four motors with one set of serial interface signals.
Reduces heat generation Low on-resistance 1 (0.5Ω or less, sum of upper and lower) reduces heat generation
Realizes low vibration and low noise The IC adopts Toshiba original ADMD2 and the high-resolution motor driving technology of 1/32 steps (max.), reducing motor vibration and noise.
Applications Printers, office automation equipment, banking terminals (ATM), bank note identification machines, amusement equipment, and home appliances
Main Specifications of “TB67S10x” Series
Product Name
TB67S101A
TB67S102A
TB67S109A
TB67S103A
Control I/F
PHASE-IN
CLK-IN
CLK-IN
Serial-IN
Absolute Maximum Ratings
50V, 4A
Package
QFN48, HTSSOP48
Excitation Mode
2 phases, 1-2 phases, and W1-2 phases
2 phases, 1-2 phases, W1-2 phases, 2W1-2 phases, 4W1-2 phases, and 8W1-2 phases
Other Features
Low-heat-generation and high efficient drive by ADMD2 technology Built-in abnormality detection functions (thermal shutdown circuit, over current shutdown circuit, and undervoltage lockout circuit). Built-in output function of abnormality detection flag (only the TB67S109A) Sequence-free of power supply by single power drive
Mass Production Schedule
QFN48: Available
HTSSOP48: January, 2014
QFN48: Available
HTSSOP48:
February, 2014
Notes 1: Resistance in applying current. When the resistance is small, the power loss is small in motor driving and the heat-generation can be reduced. 2: ADMD: ADvanced Mixed Decay. Toshiba's newly developed motor control technology; offers high efficient motor operation by automated optimization of drive current.
Customer Inquiries: Mixed Signal IC Sales and Marketing Department Tel: +81-44-548-2821
Information in this document, including product prices and specifications, content of services and contact information, is current on the date of the announcement but is subject to change without prior notice.
About Toshiba Toshiba is a world-leading diversified manufacturer, solutions provider and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products and systems. Toshiba Group brings innovation and imagination to a wide range of businesses: digital products, including LCD TVs, notebook PCs, retail solutions and MFPs; electronic devices, including semiconductors, storage products and materials; industrial and social infrastructure systems, including power generation systems, smart community solutions, medical systems and escalators & elevators; and home appliances.
Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 590 consolidated companies, with 206,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 5.8 trillion yen (US$61 billion). Visit Toshiba's web site at www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50758877&lang=en
Contacts
Media Inquiries:
Toshiba Corporation
Semiconductor & Storage Products Company
Takashi Mochizuki, +81-3-3457-4963
semicon-NR-mailbox@ml.toshiba.co.jp
Aurora Fashions Choose BOARD for Business Analytics and Enterprise Reporting
LONDON - Tuesday, November 26th 2013 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Oasis, Coast and Warehouse – all owned by holding company Aurora Fashions plus Karen Millen – have chosen BOARD as their strategic Business Intelligence solution to provide real time improved visability across the business and provide the business with self-service analytical information and next generation Reporting, Analysis, Dashboard, KPI and Visualisation. BOARD have already enabled over 2,500 companies improve their business performance by making better decisions.
The Brands were looking for a flexible, easy to use, integrated solution which would ensure improved visibility across the business. This implemetation forms part of a wider systems replacement and upgrade programme including the implemenetation of Merret, a Retail Assist supply chain product. Anne Sinclair, Strategy Director with Aurora, said “With BOARD, Aurora will be able to quickly create interactive and customised corporate reports, without the need for any programming, enabling more intuative data visualisation and interaction.” Furthermore, BOARD’s ability to integrate data from disprate sources creates a self-service analysis environment which promotes ease of use and allows all users to easily drill down, drill through, slice and dice, rank, sort, and forecast to gain greater insight into trends, causes, and effects.
Anne Sinclair also added that the environment offers Aurora future scope to also manage other areas of the business within one single product.
About BOARD
BOARD International is a leading global provider of software for improving business results through better decision making. By unifying Business Intelligence and Corporate Performance Management in a single product, the BOARD Management Intelligence solution enables companies to achieve a shared vision of their performance across the entire organisation, and thus a single version of the truth. Since 1994, BOARD has helped over 2,500 organisations improve their business performance by making better decisions. BOARD has a worldwide reseller network with local partners across the globe.
About Aurora
Aurora Fashions owns, develops and manages the performance of some of the UK’s most respected women’s fashion brands- Coast, Oasis and Warehouse- which are all aimed at the higher end of the market. Aurora Fashions’ brands are among the most recognised in the UK and internationally with 1,999 stores in 39 countries.
Contacts
BOARD
Cathy Starr
Head of Marketing
Phone +44 190 825 5611
cstarr@board.com
Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/9301/en
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Oasis, Coast and Warehouse – all owned by holding company Aurora Fashions plus Karen Millen – have chosen BOARD as their strategic Business Intelligence solution to provide real time improved visability across the business and provide the business with self-service analytical information and next generation Reporting, Analysis, Dashboard, KPI and Visualisation. BOARD have already enabled over 2,500 companies improve their business performance by making better decisions.
The Brands were looking for a flexible, easy to use, integrated solution which would ensure improved visibility across the business. This implemetation forms part of a wider systems replacement and upgrade programme including the implemenetation of Merret, a Retail Assist supply chain product. Anne Sinclair, Strategy Director with Aurora, said “With BOARD, Aurora will be able to quickly create interactive and customised corporate reports, without the need for any programming, enabling more intuative data visualisation and interaction.” Furthermore, BOARD’s ability to integrate data from disprate sources creates a self-service analysis environment which promotes ease of use and allows all users to easily drill down, drill through, slice and dice, rank, sort, and forecast to gain greater insight into trends, causes, and effects.
Anne Sinclair also added that the environment offers Aurora future scope to also manage other areas of the business within one single product.
About BOARD
BOARD International is a leading global provider of software for improving business results through better decision making. By unifying Business Intelligence and Corporate Performance Management in a single product, the BOARD Management Intelligence solution enables companies to achieve a shared vision of their performance across the entire organisation, and thus a single version of the truth. Since 1994, BOARD has helped over 2,500 organisations improve their business performance by making better decisions. BOARD has a worldwide reseller network with local partners across the globe.
About Aurora
Aurora Fashions owns, develops and manages the performance of some of the UK’s most respected women’s fashion brands- Coast, Oasis and Warehouse- which are all aimed at the higher end of the market. Aurora Fashions’ brands are among the most recognised in the UK and internationally with 1,999 stores in 39 countries.
Contacts
BOARD
Cathy Starr
Head of Marketing
Phone +44 190 825 5611
cstarr@board.com
Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/9301/en
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Swiss oilfield co to pay $253 m to settle US bribery case
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/international/article5396614.ece
Washington, Nov 26:
The oilfield services company Weatherford International
has agreed to pay more than $250 million to settle federal charges that
it bribed officials in West Asia and Africa to win business.
The
Securities and Exchange Commission said today it charged the
Swiss-based company with violating US law by offering foreign officials
bribes, improper travel and entertainment to win contracts under the
United Nations’ Oil-for-Food programme. Regulators say Weatherford
falsified its records to hide these payments as well as other
transactions in Cuba, Iran, Syria and countries subject to US sanctions.
Weatherford
says it agreed to pay $253 million to settle the charges and other
claims against it by the US Department of Justice, the Department of
Commerce and other federal agencies.
The pact is subject to court approval.
“This
matter is now behind us. We move forward fully committed to a
sustainable culture of compliance,” said Weatherford CEO Bernard
Duroc-Danner, in a statement.
SEC officials said in a
release that Weatherford’s lack of internal controls led to an
environment where employees engaged in bribery and failed to maintain
accurate records.
Weatherford staffers used code
names like “Dubai across the water” to hide business dealings in Iran,
according to the SEC investigation. In other cases the company created
bogus accounting and inventory records to hide illegal transactions.
Among
other improper payments, the SEC said Weatherford paid for a trip to
the 2006 World Cup for two officials from a state—owned Algerian
company, a honeymoon for an official’s daughter and a religious trip to
Saudi Arabia for an official and his family.
Regulators
documented the misconduct from at least 2002 to 2011, according to the
SEC’s complaint filed in federal court in Houston.
“This
case demonstrates how loose controls and an anaemic compliance
environment can foster foreign bribery and fraud by a company’s
subsidiaries around the globe,” said Mythili Raman, acting assistant
attorney general of the Justice Department’s criminal division.
US shares of Weatherford International Ltd have risen more than 42 per cent so far this year.
Chime Advises BPE on Coal Blocks’ Operators
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/chime-advises-bpe-on-coal-blocks-operators/165214/
The Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sullivan Chime, has urged the Bureau
of Public Enterprises (BPE) to ensure that the investors that acquire
the remaining four coal blocks of the Nigerian Coal Corporation (NCC),
when advertised, are investors with the requisite technical and
financial wherewithal to operate the blocks.
He gave the advice at the official handover of the Headquarters of the
NCC and the Colliery Hospital to the purchasers, the Enugu State
Government.
Chime noted that the acquisition of the headquarters of the NCC by the state government was significant given the role of coal in the development of the State. He said coal is dear to the state; hence the state capital derived its nickname (Coal City) from coal.
Chime noted that the acquisition of the headquarters of the NCC by the state government was significant given the role of coal in the development of the State. He said coal is dear to the state; hence the state capital derived its nickname (Coal City) from coal.
Chime further noted that the acquisition of the hospital by the state
government became necessary due to paucity of medical facilities in the
state, adding that the acquisition will go a long way in improving
healthcare delivery in the state. He announced that the hospital, when
refurbished would be dedicated solely to the care for mothers and
children.
Earlier in his speech, the Director General of the BPE, Mr. Benjamin
Dikki, announced that the Bureau was finalising arrangements with the
Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and other stakeholders to
commence the privatisation of the remaining four coal blocks.
He added: “We hope to soon grant concessions of these coal blocks to
credible investors.”He assured that “the privatisation programme seeks
to handover these coal blocks to credible investors that will invest
money and expertise to mine these coal blocks to create employment and
bolster the economic fortunes of Enugu state in particular and Nigeria
in general.”
According to him, the sale of the two properties to the state
government was part of the privatisation of non-core assets of NCC, many
of which are located in Enugu State.
The DG thanked the Governor for the support and encouragement he had given to the Bureau in the course of carrying out the reform and privatisation programme of the federal government.
The DG thanked the Governor for the support and encouragement he had given to the Bureau in the course of carrying out the reform and privatisation programme of the federal government.
South Africa welcomes Iran's n-deal
http://newindianexpress.com/world/South-Africa-welcomes-Irans-n-deal/2013/11/27/article1913912.ece
INSIGHT-After lost decades, hopes rise for Congo dam to power Africa
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/27/congo-democratic-dam-idUSL5N0J635X20131127?rpc=401&feedType=RSS&feedName=rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews&rpc=401
* South African deal revives hopes of giant hydro dam on Congo
* Conflict, misrule have prevented project for decades
* Africa's fast-growing economy faces power crunch
* Inga dam is one of a spate of hydro projects across Africa
By Pete Jones
INGA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Deep in the bowels of the giant Inga hydroelectric dam that straddles the mighty Congo river stands a fading map named "The motorways of electric power from Inga".
From a dot in western Democratic Republic of Congo, lines extend across the African continent. They run southwards through Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, and northwards via Sudan and Libya, reaching as far as Morocco.
For decades, governments dreamed of harnessing the Congo river's enormous energy at the Inga rapids with an expansion of the dam large enough to power half of Africa. Years of conflict and misrule in Congo meant the project was never realised.
Instead, in the cavernous halls of Inga's two dams, water drips from the ceiling and rusted pipes sit above puddles. Five of the 14 turbines no longer spin at all, a sign of the decay.
Now a deal with South Africa to buy electricity from Inga has revived talk of the giant hydro project that could illuminate a continent whose economies are rapidly expanding but lack the power supply to sustain it.
"We had to find a buyer for this energy. Otherwise we cannot build Inga," Bruno Kapandji, Congo's minister of energy and hydro power, told Reuters. "South Africa is a solvent and credible buyer."
Following a year of talks, South Africa has promised to buy at least half the electricity from Inga III, a $12 billion dam that, once built, will produce 4,800 MW of energy. Much of the rest may go to Congo's power-starved mining industry.
This is nearly three times the amount produced from Inga's two existing dams, which are decades old and have been crippled by neglect, government debt and risk-averse investors.
Success for Inga III would help to raise investors' confidence in the remaining five stages of the Grand Inga project. At an estimated cost of $50-80 billion, Grand Inga would produce 44,000 MW, dwarfing all other hydro-electric projects in the world, including China's Three Gorges Dam.
"This incredible feat of human ingenuity, when completed, will have the capacity to power Africa and indeed to export electricity beyond the continent," South African President Jacob Zuma said at a signing ceremony in Kinshasa.
Talk of progress at Inga comes at a time of fresh optimism in Congo. Its army, backed by South African troops in a U.N. peackeeping mission, has defeated the most serious rebellion to plague the mineral-rich east in a decade.
It also comes amid a drive
to ensure Africa's era of growth isn't brought to a halt by lack of
power. According to the World Bank, sub-Saharan Africa, with its 800
million people, produces the same amount of power as Spain, home to 45 million.
Uganda has recently completed the 250 MW Bujagali dam near the source of the Nile. Ethiopia is building the 6,000 MW Grand Renaissance dam, which will be Africa's largest once completed. To the west in Sierra Leone, hydro-electric power is central to a $3.5 billion plan to increase power production tenfold by 2017.
None come close the scale of Grand Inga. But experts urge caution, even for just the first stage of the process.
In February 2012, the previous plan for Inga III fell through when the dam's main source of cash, an aluminium refinery planned by BHP Billiton, was shelved. This led to talks with South Africa to secure a market for Inga's power.
"The major issue is whether the financing for the project will come through. The cost of Inga III is twice the official voted state budget, and is actually four times the executed budget," said a Congo-based diplomat who follows the issue.
"The other real question mark is over the business climate and the kinds of guarantees that investors have," he added. Congo ranks among the world's 10 most difficult places to do business, according to the World Bank.
STATE OF DISREPAIR
Not far from where the Congo River completes its 4,700 km (2,900 mile) journey to the Atlantic Ocean, the water splits in two. Some races over rocks, kicking up white water and creating a deafening roar. The rest, slow-moving and brown, builds up against concrete walls and shoot down tubes, spinning turbines.
A close look highlights how much stands between today's Inga and the 40-year-old grand pan-African power dream.
Both Inga I and Inga II, completed in 1972 and 1982, are in disrepair. Power lines to the capital, 450 km (280 miles) away, have not been upgraded since and struggle to meet the load.
Mobutu Sese Seko, who ruled Congo for 20 years, used Inga to curb secessionist plans by the distant eastern Katanga province by making its mining sector reliant on power supplies from the dam. Today, mining firms ploughing billions of dollars into copper and cobalt operations there complain of a 300 MW deficit.
Despite Congo's massive power potential, only nine per cent of its 72 million inhabitants have access to electricity and the nearby capital suffers frequent blackouts.
An official at SNEL, the state power company, says just 40 percent of the power produced is paid for, driving up debts.
State agencies, including ministries and the army, are among the
worst offenders.
BILLIONS NEEDED
The three consortiums in the running for the Inga III contract include China Three Gorges and Sinohydro ; Spain's Eurofinsa and ACS ; and a partnership between Canada's SNC-Lavalin and South Korean duo Posco and Daewoo.
"It's true we have dragged our feet a lot," said Désiré Baleka Njemoti, SNEL's top technician at Inga. "But now we have made serious contact with partners, with the World Bank, and other countries are very interested in this energy."
An advisor to Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo said the government hopes to choose a consortium to build by dam by April. Construction would then start in October 2015 and take five to six years to complete, he added.
Kapandji said the tender process was not closed so other companies could join and the selection could be delayed.
Whoever wins will need to invest about $8.5 billion, with the World Bank, African Development Bank and the South African Development Bank plugging the gap for the total bill, estimated at $12-13 billion.
According to plans, investments will be recovered in sales of energy South Africa and to the mining companies in Katanga.
South Africa's commitment reflects Pretoria's deepening ties with Congo, a decade after it hosted peace talks to end a 1998-2003 war that sucked in many regional armies. South African soldiers were key members of U.N. peacekeeping units that went on the offensive against rebels this year in Congo's east. (Writing by David Lewis; Editing by Daniel Flynn and Peter Graff)
* South African deal revives hopes of giant hydro dam on Congo
* Conflict, misrule have prevented project for decades
* Africa's fast-growing economy faces power crunch
* Inga dam is one of a spate of hydro projects across Africa
By Pete Jones
INGA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Deep in the bowels of the giant Inga hydroelectric dam that straddles the mighty Congo river stands a fading map named "The motorways of electric power from Inga".
From a dot in western Democratic Republic of Congo, lines extend across the African continent. They run southwards through Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, and northwards via Sudan and Libya, reaching as far as Morocco.
For decades, governments dreamed of harnessing the Congo river's enormous energy at the Inga rapids with an expansion of the dam large enough to power half of Africa. Years of conflict and misrule in Congo meant the project was never realised.
Instead, in the cavernous halls of Inga's two dams, water drips from the ceiling and rusted pipes sit above puddles. Five of the 14 turbines no longer spin at all, a sign of the decay.
Now a deal with South Africa to buy electricity from Inga has revived talk of the giant hydro project that could illuminate a continent whose economies are rapidly expanding but lack the power supply to sustain it.
"We had to find a buyer for this energy. Otherwise we cannot build Inga," Bruno Kapandji, Congo's minister of energy and hydro power, told Reuters. "South Africa is a solvent and credible buyer."
Following a year of talks, South Africa has promised to buy at least half the electricity from Inga III, a $12 billion dam that, once built, will produce 4,800 MW of energy. Much of the rest may go to Congo's power-starved mining industry.
This is nearly three times the amount produced from Inga's two existing dams, which are decades old and have been crippled by neglect, government debt and risk-averse investors.
Success for Inga III would help to raise investors' confidence in the remaining five stages of the Grand Inga project. At an estimated cost of $50-80 billion, Grand Inga would produce 44,000 MW, dwarfing all other hydro-electric projects in the world, including China's Three Gorges Dam.
"This incredible feat of human ingenuity, when completed, will have the capacity to power Africa and indeed to export electricity beyond the continent," South African President Jacob Zuma said at a signing ceremony in Kinshasa.
Talk of progress at Inga comes at a time of fresh optimism in Congo. Its army, backed by South African troops in a U.N. peackeeping mission, has defeated the most serious rebellion to plague the mineral-rich east in a decade.
It also comes amid a drive
to ensure Africa's era of growth isn't brought to a halt by lack of
power. According to the World Bank, sub-Saharan Africa, with its 800
million people, produces the same amount of power as Spain, home to 45 million.Uganda has recently completed the 250 MW Bujagali dam near the source of the Nile. Ethiopia is building the 6,000 MW Grand Renaissance dam, which will be Africa's largest once completed. To the west in Sierra Leone, hydro-electric power is central to a $3.5 billion plan to increase power production tenfold by 2017.
None come close the scale of Grand Inga. But experts urge caution, even for just the first stage of the process.
In February 2012, the previous plan for Inga III fell through when the dam's main source of cash, an aluminium refinery planned by BHP Billiton, was shelved. This led to talks with South Africa to secure a market for Inga's power.
"The major issue is whether the financing for the project will come through. The cost of Inga III is twice the official voted state budget, and is actually four times the executed budget," said a Congo-based diplomat who follows the issue.
"The other real question mark is over the business climate and the kinds of guarantees that investors have," he added. Congo ranks among the world's 10 most difficult places to do business, according to the World Bank.
STATE OF DISREPAIR
Not far from where the Congo River completes its 4,700 km (2,900 mile) journey to the Atlantic Ocean, the water splits in two. Some races over rocks, kicking up white water and creating a deafening roar. The rest, slow-moving and brown, builds up against concrete walls and shoot down tubes, spinning turbines.
A close look highlights how much stands between today's Inga and the 40-year-old grand pan-African power dream.
Both Inga I and Inga II, completed in 1972 and 1982, are in disrepair. Power lines to the capital, 450 km (280 miles) away, have not been upgraded since and struggle to meet the load.
Mobutu Sese Seko, who ruled Congo for 20 years, used Inga to curb secessionist plans by the distant eastern Katanga province by making its mining sector reliant on power supplies from the dam. Today, mining firms ploughing billions of dollars into copper and cobalt operations there complain of a 300 MW deficit.
Despite Congo's massive power potential, only nine per cent of its 72 million inhabitants have access to electricity and the nearby capital suffers frequent blackouts.
An official at SNEL, the state power company, says just 40 percent of the power produced is paid for, driving
up debts.
State agencies, including ministries and the army, are among the
worst offenders.BILLIONS NEEDED
The three consortiums in the running for the Inga III contract include China Three Gorges and Sinohydro ; Spain's Eurofinsa and ACS ; and a partnership between Canada's SNC-Lavalin and South Korean duo Posco and Daewoo.
"It's true we have dragged our feet a lot," said Désiré Baleka Njemoti, SNEL's top technician at Inga. "But now we have made serious contact with partners, with the World Bank, and other countries are very interested in this energy."
An advisor to Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo said the government hopes to choose a consortium to build by dam by April. Construction would then start in October 2015 and take five to six years to complete, he added.
Kapandji said the tender process was not closed so other companies could join and the selection could be delayed.
Whoever wins will need to invest about $8.5 billion, with the World Bank, African Development Bank and the South African Development Bank plugging the gap for the total bill, estimated at $12-13 billion.
According to plans, investments will be recovered in sales of energy South Africa and to the mining companies in Katanga.
South Africa's commitment reflects Pretoria's deepening ties with Congo, a decade after it hosted peace talks to end a 1998-2003 war that sucked in many regional armies. South African soldiers were key members of U.N. peacekeeping units that went on the offensive against rebels this year in Congo's east. (Writing by David Lewis; Editing by Daniel Flynn and Peter Graff)
Pakistan vs South Africa 2nd ODI 'live' cricket score: Toss delayed by rain
http://www.emirates247.com/sports/cricket/pakistan-vs-south-africa-2nd-odi-live-cricket-score-toss-delayed-by-rain-2013-11-27-1.529433
Pakistan lead the one-day series 1-0
The toss has been delayed by rain and a wet outfield at Port Elizabeth.
Buoyant Pakistan are eyeing a maiden series win over in South Africa's landmark 500th one-day international at Port Elizabeth on Wednesday.
Pakistan have bounced with vengeance winning the first ODI at Cape Town by 23 runs.
After being humbled in their 'home' series in the UAE, Pakistan are a rejuvenated outfit squaring the T20 series.
Debutants Bilawal Bhatti and Anwar Ali have been a revelation being the star performers in their win on Sunday.
Buoyant Pakistan are eyeing a maiden series win over in South Africa's landmark 500th one-day international at Port Elizabeth on Wednesday.
Pakistan have bounced with vengeance winning the first ODI at Cape Town by 23 runs.
After being humbled in their 'home' series in the UAE, Pakistan are a rejuvenated outfit squaring the T20 series.
Debutants Bilawal Bhatti and Anwar Ali have been a revelation being the star performers in their win on Sunday.
Toshiba Starts Mass Production Shipments of 1080p, 1.12µm, CMOS Image Sensor with Color Noise Reduction
TOKYO - Tuesday, November 26th 2013 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO:6502) today announced that it will start mass production shipments of “T4K71”, a 1.12µm, 1080p BSI[1] CMOS image sensor with color noise reduction (CNR), on December 2, 2013.
The product’s high frame rate of 60fps at 1080p full resolution of enables smooth and seamless capture of full high-definition video image, allowing use in front cameras of mobile devices for video applications, such as video chat and video mail. The sensor integrates a CNR circuit and realizes a signal-to-noise ratio equal to Toshiba’s equivalent products fabricated with 1.4µm pixel process.
Note: [1] BSI: Back Side Illumination.
Applications
Cameras for cell phones, smartphones, tablet PCs and PCs.
Key Features of New Product
1.12µm pixel
High speed frame rate: 60fps @ full resolution (1080p)
Adoption of Color Noise Reduction (CNR) improves signal-to-noise ratio equal to Toshiba’s equivalent products fabricated with 1.4µm pixel process.
Main Specifications
Part Number
T4K71
Resolution
1080p
Optical Format
1/7.3 inch
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Pixel Size
1.12µm BSI
Frame Rate (full)
60 fps
For further information about these products, please visit: http://www.semicon.toshiba.co.jp/info/lookup.jsp?pid=T4K71&lang=en
Customer Inquiries: Image Sensor Sales & Marketing Department Tel: +81-3-3457-3370
Information in this document, including product prices and specifications, content of services and contact information, is current on the date of the announcement but is subject to change without prior notice.
About Toshiba
Toshiba is a world-leading diversified manufacturer, solutions provider and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products and systems. Toshiba Group brings innovation and imagination to a wide range of businesses: digital products, including LCD TVs, notebook PCs, retail solutions and MFPs; electronic devices, including semiconductors, storage products and materials; industrial and social infrastructure systems, including power generation systems, smart community solutions, medical systems and escalators & elevators; and home appliances.
Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 590 consolidated companies, with 206,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 5.8 trillion yen (US$61 billion). Visit Toshiba's web site at www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20131125006335/en/
Contacts
Media Inquiries:
Toshiba Corporation
Semiconductor & Storage Products Company
Takashi Mochizuki, +81-3-3457-4963
semicon-NR-mailbox@ml.toshiba.co.jp
Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/9297/en
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO:6502) today announced that it will start mass production shipments of “T4K71”, a 1.12µm, 1080p BSI[1] CMOS image sensor with color noise reduction (CNR), on December 2, 2013.
The product’s high frame rate of 60fps at 1080p full resolution of enables smooth and seamless capture of full high-definition video image, allowing use in front cameras of mobile devices for video applications, such as video chat and video mail. The sensor integrates a CNR circuit and realizes a signal-to-noise ratio equal to Toshiba’s equivalent products fabricated with 1.4µm pixel process.
Note: [1] BSI: Back Side Illumination.
Applications
Cameras for cell phones, smartphones, tablet PCs and PCs.
Key Features of New Product
1.12µm pixel
High speed frame rate: 60fps @ full resolution (1080p)
Adoption of Color Noise Reduction (CNR) improves signal-to-noise ratio equal to Toshiba’s equivalent products fabricated with 1.4µm pixel process.
Main Specifications
Part Number
T4K71
Resolution
1080p
Optical Format
1/7.3 inch
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Pixel Size
1.12µm BSI
Frame Rate (full)
60 fps
For further information about these products, please visit: http://www.semicon.toshiba.co.jp/info/lookup.jsp?pid=T4K71&lang=en
Customer Inquiries: Image Sensor Sales & Marketing Department Tel: +81-3-3457-3370
Information in this document, including product prices and specifications, content of services and contact information, is current on the date of the announcement but is subject to change without prior notice.
About Toshiba
Toshiba is a world-leading diversified manufacturer, solutions provider and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products and systems. Toshiba Group brings innovation and imagination to a wide range of businesses: digital products, including LCD TVs, notebook PCs, retail solutions and MFPs; electronic devices, including semiconductors, storage products and materials; industrial and social infrastructure systems, including power generation systems, smart community solutions, medical systems and escalators & elevators; and home appliances.
Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 590 consolidated companies, with 206,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 5.8 trillion yen (US$61 billion). Visit Toshiba's web site at www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20131125006335/en/
Contacts
Media Inquiries:
Toshiba Corporation
Semiconductor & Storage Products Company
Takashi Mochizuki, +81-3-3457-4963
semicon-NR-mailbox@ml.toshiba.co.jp
Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/9297/en
Hepatitis C: Boehringer Ingelheim's faldaprevir granted accelerated assessment from European Medicines Agency
ME Newswire / Business Wire
INGELHEIM, Germany - Tuesday, November 26th 2013
Accelerated assessment reserved for medicinal products of major interest from the viewpoint of public health and therapeutic innovation1
Submission based on comprehensive development programme including the Phase III STARTVerso™ data aiming to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of faldaprevir* + PegIFN/RBV in a broad range of genotype-1 infected hepatitis C patients2,3,4
For media outside of the U.S.A., UK and Canada only
The application for European marketing authorisation of faldaprevir*, a potent second generation oral protease inhibitor, has been fully validated and granted accelerated assessment by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).5,6 Boehringer Ingelheim is seeking marketing approval of faldaprevir* in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin (PegIFN/RBV) for the treatment of a broad range of patients with genotype-1 (GT-1) hepatitis C, including difficult-to-cure populations such as those with HIV co-infection or advanced liver disease.
“Faldaprevir* has been studied with pegylated interferon and ribavirin in a broad range of more than 3,300 patients typical of those that doctors see in every day clinical practice. Faldaprevir* has demonstrated strong efficacy and a robust safety profile while also offering the convenience of once-daily dosing and no food restrictions,” said Professor Klaus Dugi, Corporate Senior Vice President Medicine at Boehringer Ingelheim. “The acceptance for accelerated assessment by the EMA supports our position that if approved, faldaprevir* will provide an important alternative to currently available hepatitis C treatments.”
Accelerated assessment status does not automatically lead to a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) or the granting of a marketing authorization by the European Commission.1 If approved by the European Commission, faldaprevir* could be available for marketing in the EU in the second half of 2014.
The EMA Marketing Authorisation Application is based on a comprehensive clinical development programme for faldaprevir* with a particular focus on the Phase III STARTVerso™ trial data, recently presented at the 64th Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD). These studies include data for faldaprevir* in:
Treatment naïve patients with the majority having benefited from shorter treatment duration and achieved viral cure2
Difficult-to-cure patient populations such as those with HIV co-infection4 or advanced liver disease2,3
Patients with the Q80K polymorphism (this mutation is considered to affect the efficacy of other second generation protease inhibitors)2
Treatment experienced patients who have relapsed, partially responded or failed to respond to previous therapy3
For full results see the STARTVerso™ press release here.
Faldaprevir* is the foundation of Boehringer Ingelheim’s hepatitis C treatment pipeline and is being developed in combinations both with and without interferon. In addition to the interferon-based faldaprevir* regimen that has been submitted for marketing approval, Boehringer Ingelheim aims to deliver one of the first interferon-free regimens for the treatment of hepatitis C infection. The goal is to make an interferon-free future a reality for a broad range of hepatitis C patients. Pivotal Phase III HCVerso® data for the interferon-free regimen of faldaprevir*, deleobuvir* and ribavirin will be available in 2014.
* Faldaprevir and deleobuvir are investigational compounds and not yet approved. Their safety and efficacy have not yet been fully established.
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Boehringer Ingelheim NewsHome: An innovative resource for journalists
The Boehringer Ingelheim hepatitis C www.newshome.com is the one-stop-shop for clear, concise and easy to understand information about hepatitis C for media.
For the full ‘Notes to Editors’ and ‘References’ please visit: http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/news/news_releases/press_releases/2013/26_november_2013hcv.html
Contacts
Contact: Reinhard Malin
Boehringer Ingelheim
Corporate Communications
Media + PR
Reinhard Malin
55216 Ingelheim/Germany
Tel: +49 (6132) 77-90815
Fax: +49 (6132) 77-6601
Email: press@boehringer-ingelheim.com
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/9298/en
INGELHEIM, Germany - Tuesday, November 26th 2013
Accelerated assessment reserved for medicinal products of major interest from the viewpoint of public health and therapeutic innovation1
Submission based on comprehensive development programme including the Phase III STARTVerso™ data aiming to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of faldaprevir* + PegIFN/RBV in a broad range of genotype-1 infected hepatitis C patients2,3,4
For media outside of the U.S.A., UK and Canada only
The application for European marketing authorisation of faldaprevir*, a potent second generation oral protease inhibitor, has been fully validated and granted accelerated assessment by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).5,6 Boehringer Ingelheim is seeking marketing approval of faldaprevir* in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin (PegIFN/RBV) for the treatment of a broad range of patients with genotype-1 (GT-1) hepatitis C, including difficult-to-cure populations such as those with HIV co-infection or advanced liver disease.
“Faldaprevir* has been studied with pegylated interferon and ribavirin in a broad range of more than 3,300 patients typical of those that doctors see in every day clinical practice. Faldaprevir* has demonstrated strong efficacy and a robust safety profile while also offering the convenience of once-daily dosing and no food restrictions,” said Professor Klaus Dugi, Corporate Senior Vice President Medicine at Boehringer Ingelheim. “The acceptance for accelerated assessment by the EMA supports our position that if approved, faldaprevir* will provide an important alternative to currently available hepatitis C treatments.”
Accelerated assessment status does not automatically lead to a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) or the granting of a marketing authorization by the European Commission.1 If approved by the European Commission, faldaprevir* could be available for marketing in the EU in the second half of 2014.
The EMA Marketing Authorisation Application is based on a comprehensive clinical development programme for faldaprevir* with a particular focus on the Phase III STARTVerso™ trial data, recently presented at the 64th Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD). These studies include data for faldaprevir* in:
Treatment naïve patients with the majority having benefited from shorter treatment duration and achieved viral cure2
Difficult-to-cure patient populations such as those with HIV co-infection4 or advanced liver disease2,3
Patients with the Q80K polymorphism (this mutation is considered to affect the efficacy of other second generation protease inhibitors)2
Treatment experienced patients who have relapsed, partially responded or failed to respond to previous therapy3
For full results see the STARTVerso™ press release here.
Faldaprevir* is the foundation of Boehringer Ingelheim’s hepatitis C treatment pipeline and is being developed in combinations both with and without interferon. In addition to the interferon-based faldaprevir* regimen that has been submitted for marketing approval, Boehringer Ingelheim aims to deliver one of the first interferon-free regimens for the treatment of hepatitis C infection. The goal is to make an interferon-free future a reality for a broad range of hepatitis C patients. Pivotal Phase III HCVerso® data for the interferon-free regimen of faldaprevir*, deleobuvir* and ribavirin will be available in 2014.
* Faldaprevir and deleobuvir are investigational compounds and not yet approved. Their safety and efficacy have not yet been fully established.
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Boehringer Ingelheim NewsHome: An innovative resource for journalists
The Boehringer Ingelheim hepatitis C www.newshome.com is the one-stop-shop for clear, concise and easy to understand information about hepatitis C for media.
For the full ‘Notes to Editors’ and ‘References’ please visit: http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/news/news_releases/press_releases/2013/26_november_2013hcv.html
Contacts
Contact: Reinhard Malin
Boehringer Ingelheim
Corporate Communications
Media + PR
Reinhard Malin
55216 Ingelheim/Germany
Tel: +49 (6132) 77-90815
Fax: +49 (6132) 77-6601
Email: press@boehringer-ingelheim.com
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/9298/en
Potential to increase Turkey-S.Africa trade without a FTA
http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=123668
World Bulletin / News Desk
There is a lot of opportunity to cooperate and increase trade and investment between South Africa and Turkey “without necessarily going into a free trade agreement,” South African Ambassador to Turkey Vika Mazwi Khumalo stated Monday.
“We feel that the free trade agreement will be disadvantageous most specially for South Africa […] However, we need to work with each other for now to reach a very good connected level in our textile sector as well as in the automotive sector,” Khumalo said while speaking at the Turkey-South Africa Business Forum at the Conrad Hotel in Istanbul.
Meanwhile, South African Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Elizabeth Thabethe explained that the FTA had not yet concluded while officials commented on accelerating talks on a free trade agreement after 2016. “But we do not sit and wait. We are trying to increase cooperation between companies by these business forums,” she added.
When asked in which sectors Turkish companies could invest in South Africa, Thabethe told press members that infrastructure was the main area to which they attached special importance “since without roads, companies can not move their products.” She also suggested the textile, clothing, environment and engineering sectors.
Chairman of the Turkish-South African Business Council Tamer Taskin called on companies from both countries to meet and gain knowledge of one another for the increase of trade volume between the countries. "Trade volume is too low. We are trying to increase this volume by forums and visits,” he said.
The trade volume between the two countries is recorded at around $1.5 billion.
Meanwhile, relationships reached a new high with the founding of a bi-national commission when South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe visited Turkey in June last year. The commission was co-chaired by Motlanthe and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and was scheduled to convene in 2014.
The Turkey-South Africa Business Forum was organized by the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK) and Turkish-South African Business Councils in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Ankara.
World Bulletin / News Desk
There is a lot of opportunity to cooperate and increase trade and investment between South Africa and Turkey “without necessarily going into a free trade agreement,” South African Ambassador to Turkey Vika Mazwi Khumalo stated Monday.
“We feel that the free trade agreement will be disadvantageous most specially for South Africa […] However, we need to work with each other for now to reach a very good connected level in our textile sector as well as in the automotive sector,” Khumalo said while speaking at the Turkey-South Africa Business Forum at the Conrad Hotel in Istanbul.
Meanwhile, South African Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Elizabeth Thabethe explained that the FTA had not yet concluded while officials commented on accelerating talks on a free trade agreement after 2016. “But we do not sit and wait. We are trying to increase cooperation between companies by these business forums,” she added.
When asked in which sectors Turkish companies could invest in South Africa, Thabethe told press members that infrastructure was the main area to which they attached special importance “since without roads, companies can not move their products.” She also suggested the textile, clothing, environment and engineering sectors.
Chairman of the Turkish-South African Business Council Tamer Taskin called on companies from both countries to meet and gain knowledge of one another for the increase of trade volume between the countries. "Trade volume is too low. We are trying to increase this volume by forums and visits,” he said.
The trade volume between the two countries is recorded at around $1.5 billion.
Meanwhile, relationships reached a new high with the founding of a bi-national commission when South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe visited Turkey in June last year. The commission was co-chaired by Motlanthe and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and was scheduled to convene in 2014.
The Turkey-South Africa Business Forum was organized by the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK) and Turkish-South African Business Councils in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Ankara.
Deep roots foster new Mideast-Africa trade ties
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9afe7326-37d8-11e3-8668-00144feab7de.html#axzz2lkkKma00
Trade between Africa and the Middle East has deep historical roots. The Egyptian pharaoh Necho first commissioned Phoenician mariners to circumnavigate the continent in 600BC, while centuries later Muslim traders from the Middle East brought Islam to Africa.
And the highly prized camels of Sudan and Somalia, first brought west from Arabia to carry loads across the African deserts, have for centuries been traded back to the Gulf to be raced, milked or eaten at banquets.
The historical relationship remains strong. Go to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s port on the Red Sea and before long you will encounter traders from the Horn of Africa. Go shopping in Dubai and you will inevitably find yourself alongside Nigerian entrepreneurs. Venture into Africa’s hinterlands and there are strong odds you will run into a Lebanese trader whose family has done business for generations.
Yet, as Africa’s economy surges, the nature of commerce between the two is changing. If Africa is at a crossroads, then so, too, is its relationship with its oldest trading partner.
The traders of the Middle East have history – and capital – on their side. But in recent decades they have been supplanted: China, Europe and the US now dominate the trade in goods with Africa. And new entrants such as Turkey are making bold forays into the continent: last year, Turkish Airlines launched a twice-weekly service from Istanbul to Mogadishu, the first for more than 20 years.
But although agricultural commodities and raw materials still dominate Africa’s exports to the Middle East and oil the return journey, the traders from the Gulf, north Africa and the Levant who have for centuries built links with their African partners, are focusing on new investments and opportunities.
Gulf private equity groups are buying up African companies with an eye on the future. Banks are seeing opportunities in the rising economies of Africa. Dubai’s DP World has been investing in African ports while Middle Eastern airlines are staking claims on the continent: Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways have all increased the frequency of their flights to Africa in recent years.
They are also positioning Gulf hubs, including Dubai and Doha, as the natural linking points on the flights from Asia to Africa. And Flydubai, a low-cost start-up, is offering direct services to secondary destinations such as Djibouti and South Sudan.
To leave Africa out of the mix now would be unthinkable.
One of the key features of the changing relationship between the Middle East and Africa is the way African business people are using bases in the Gulf such as Dubai, or Middle Eastern banks, to finance their operations, especially as those banks increase their presence in Africa to serve a growing list of clients from China, Europe and beyond.
However, anyone arriving at an airport in Africa will be painfully aware that the continent still faces challenges and has a long way to go before it catches up with the rising economies of Asia. The ride in from the airport in Lagos is still a more tortured affair than the one investors experience in Jakarta, let alone in Beijing.
But the attraction is strong. Africa is now home to a rising middle class that is beginning to consume with gusto.
For other Middle Eastern investors the appeal goes beyond the increasingly empowered consumer: they are looking to Africa’s infrastructure.
DP World, one of the world’s leading groups, now operates eight marine terminals in five countries, including Djibouti, Senegal and Mozambique. Such port facilities are transit points for the growing volume of agricultural goods exported from Africa to the Middle East, reflecting the growth in Arab investment in African land.
Somalia and its breakaway territory of Somaliland exceeded records last year when they jointly exported about 3m sheep to the Middle East. With goats, cattle and camels added to that, total livestock exports from those territories, which have been recovering from a shattering civil war, rose to 4.8m in 2012.
Africa remains a challenging environment and the barriers to trade are often daunting, even though the mood is one of optimism. Paul Brenton, trade practice leader for the World Bank in Africa and co-editor of the recent book De-fragmenting Africa, says: “People are perceiving a much wider range of opportunities in Africa. A much more diverse set of interests is now thinking of trading with Africa.”
Efforts are being made to address the problems that for so long have made trading with Africa difficult. Governments are reducing waiting times at borders and cracking down on corruption. Yet those efforts are often faltering at best and one of the biggest challenges is to break down barriers within the continent that limit intra-regional trade.
For Africa, even as new partners join long-time players, the real promise lies in trading within the continent, Mr Brenton points out. “Increasing regional trade is still the best way into diversification and away from a dependence on resources,” he says.
More than two millennia after the Middle East and Africa began to trade, the signs are that there is scope for deepening those historical links to make the most of the new conditions.
Trade between Africa and the Middle East has deep historical roots. The Egyptian pharaoh Necho first commissioned Phoenician mariners to circumnavigate the continent in 600BC, while centuries later Muslim traders from the Middle East brought Islam to Africa.
And the highly prized camels of Sudan and Somalia, first brought west from Arabia to carry loads across the African deserts, have for centuries been traded back to the Gulf to be raced, milked or eaten at banquets.
The historical relationship remains strong. Go to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s port on the Red Sea and before long you will encounter traders from the Horn of Africa. Go shopping in Dubai and you will inevitably find yourself alongside Nigerian entrepreneurs. Venture into Africa’s hinterlands and there are strong odds you will run into a Lebanese trader whose family has done business for generations.
Yet, as Africa’s economy surges, the nature of commerce between the two is changing. If Africa is at a crossroads, then so, too, is its relationship with its oldest trading partner.
The traders of the Middle East have history – and capital – on their side. But in recent decades they have been supplanted: China, Europe and the US now dominate the trade in goods with Africa. And new entrants such as Turkey are making bold forays into the continent: last year, Turkish Airlines launched a twice-weekly service from Istanbul to Mogadishu, the first for more than 20 years.
But although agricultural commodities and raw materials still dominate Africa’s exports to the Middle East and oil the return journey, the traders from the Gulf, north Africa and the Levant who have for centuries built links with their African partners, are focusing on new investments and opportunities.
Gulf private equity groups are buying up African companies with an eye on the future. Banks are seeing opportunities in the rising economies of Africa. Dubai’s DP World has been investing in African ports while Middle Eastern airlines are staking claims on the continent: Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways have all increased the frequency of their flights to Africa in recent years.
They are also positioning Gulf hubs, including Dubai and Doha, as the natural linking points on the flights from Asia to Africa. And Flydubai, a low-cost start-up, is offering direct services to secondary destinations such as Djibouti and South Sudan.
At the heart of the new relationship are the
changing fortunes of Africa. The IMF now predicts the region will be the
fastest growing in the world in 2014, behind only Asia. Some of its
more dynamic economies – such as Ghana and Nigeria – are growing at rates comparable to the big emerging economies of the world.
When Jim O’Neill, the former Goldman Sachs economist who coined the
acronym Brics to characterise the economies of Brazil, Russia, India and
China, addresses audiences these days he often uses another acronym:
the Mint economies – those of Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey. To leave Africa out of the mix now would be unthinkable.
One of the key features of the changing relationship between the Middle East and Africa is the way African business people are using bases in the Gulf such as Dubai, or Middle Eastern banks, to finance their operations, especially as those banks increase their presence in Africa to serve a growing list of clients from China, Europe and beyond.
However, anyone arriving at an airport in Africa will be painfully aware that the continent still faces challenges and has a long way to go before it catches up with the rising economies of Asia. The ride in from the airport in Lagos is still a more tortured affair than the one investors experience in Jakarta, let alone in Beijing.
But the attraction is strong. Africa is now home to a rising middle class that is beginning to consume with gusto.
When the Dubai-based Abraaj Group
in June paid a reported $350m for Fan Milk, which operates in seven
west African countries, Arif Naqvi, Abraaj’s founder and group chief
executive, was clear on the lure. Africa is “witnessing the rise of a
burgeoning middle and consumer class”, Mr Naqvi said, making it “an
extremely exciting and compelling investment opportunity”.
Leading the Gulf private equity push into the region, Abraaj has
already sunk more than $2.2bn into 70 companies across Africa. And it
sees further opportunities, says partner Jacob Kholi, a Ghanaian who is a
former KPMG accountant based in Accra. “The African market is still
underpenetrated and valuations are good,” says Mr Kholi, who sees the
food sector as particularly attractive, but also “fantastic potential”
across various other sectors and countries. For other Middle Eastern investors the appeal goes beyond the increasingly empowered consumer: they are looking to Africa’s infrastructure.
DP World, one of the world’s leading groups, now operates eight marine terminals in five countries, including Djibouti, Senegal and Mozambique. Such port facilities are transit points for the growing volume of agricultural goods exported from Africa to the Middle East, reflecting the growth in Arab investment in African land.
Somalia and its breakaway territory of Somaliland exceeded records last year when they jointly exported about 3m sheep to the Middle East. With goats, cattle and camels added to that, total livestock exports from those territories, which have been recovering from a shattering civil war, rose to 4.8m in 2012.
Africa remains a challenging environment and the barriers to trade are often daunting, even though the mood is one of optimism. Paul Brenton, trade practice leader for the World Bank in Africa and co-editor of the recent book De-fragmenting Africa, says: “People are perceiving a much wider range of opportunities in Africa. A much more diverse set of interests is now thinking of trading with Africa.”
Efforts are being made to address the problems that for so long have made trading with Africa difficult. Governments are reducing waiting times at borders and cracking down on corruption. Yet those efforts are often faltering at best and one of the biggest challenges is to break down barriers within the continent that limit intra-regional trade.
For Africa, even as new partners join long-time players, the real promise lies in trading within the continent, Mr Brenton points out. “Increasing regional trade is still the best way into diversification and away from a dependence on resources,” he says.
More than two millennia after the Middle East and Africa began to trade, the signs are that there is scope for deepening those historical links to make the most of the new conditions.
Red tape and corruption hamper Africa trade
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b5c8f7f2-37d4-11e3-8668-00144feab7de.html
For
many years economists have pointed to Africa’s patterns of trade to
explain why its share of the global total remains so small.
Look at almost any country on the continent and the chances are that it trades more with distant lands than it does with its neighbours. It is this factor that has dragged on the continent’s development for decades.
The oft-cited reasons for this state of affairs – beyond the economic legacies of colonialism – are poor infrastructure, and the daunting bureaucracy, corruption and other barriers that business people find at borders on the continent.
Africa remains in desperate need of better road and rail connections. But there are signs that addressing the difficulties of crossing borders is at last coming into new focus.
If it lives up to even part of the hype, the benefits could be huge for trade in Africa.
Those sorts of gains would be very large for Africa, according to Raed Safadi, the former Dubai government chief economist who is now one of the OECD’s leading trade experts. A pro-trade industrial policy might reduce costs by 3-5 per cent, Mr Safadi says.
Cutting the costs of business by “14-15 per cent will define the difference between those who participate in global supply chains and those who don’t,” he says.
Also important is reducing the delays that both exporters and importers face at many borders in Africa.
“Time is money,” says Mr Safadi. “We live in a ‘just in time’ world ... Time is what determines if the contract goes to Romania or to a supplier in Africa.”
Moreover, “in most African countries, there are two complete sets of controls to be completed – one on each side of the border post”.
In 2012, for example, drivers taking goods from the port of Abidjan in Ivory Coast to Bamako, the capital of Mali, could expect to pay $66 in bribes along the road and a further $25 in bribes at the border, according to Borderless Alliance reports.
But Justin Bayili, Borderless Alliance’s managing director, says that the main obstacle to reform in west Africa remains one of implementation. Over the years, leaders and ministers have committed to many ambitious goals at summits, he says, and delivered few results on the ground.
“We are all convinced that trade can benefit our region provided some of the barriers are eliminated,” he says.
“It’s easy for our ministers of trade to sign documents about facilitation. But concrete measures are needed.”
Look at almost any country on the continent and the chances are that it trades more with distant lands than it does with its neighbours. It is this factor that has dragged on the continent’s development for decades.
The oft-cited reasons for this state of affairs – beyond the economic legacies of colonialism – are poor infrastructure, and the daunting bureaucracy, corruption and other barriers that business people find at borders on the continent.
Africa remains in desperate need of better road and rail connections. But there are signs that addressing the difficulties of crossing borders is at last coming into new focus.
When the world’s trade ministers gather in Bali in December for the biennial ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organisation, they hope to sign off on a “trade facilitation” deal aimed at cutting red tape at state frontiers.
The goal is to standardise fees and paperwork, set clear, transparent
and enforceable time-limits on how long goods can be delayed at
borders, and put emphasis on such things as automation.If it lives up to even part of the hype, the benefits could be huge for trade in Africa.
Dissecting the proposed package in May, analysts at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development estimated that the deal would reduce the cost of trade by up to 14.5 per cent in low-income countries worldwide.
Each 1 percentage point reduction in costs globally would increase
income worldwide by $40bn, with 65 per cent of that benefit going to
developing countries, they found.Those sorts of gains would be very large for Africa, according to Raed Safadi, the former Dubai government chief economist who is now one of the OECD’s leading trade experts. A pro-trade industrial policy might reduce costs by 3-5 per cent, Mr Safadi says.
Cutting the costs of business by “14-15 per cent will define the difference between those who participate in global supply chains and those who don’t,” he says.
Also important is reducing the delays that both exporters and importers face at many borders in Africa.
“Time is money,” says Mr Safadi. “We live in a ‘just in time’ world ... Time is what determines if the contract goes to Romania or to a supplier in Africa.”
In a report last year, the African Development Bank (AfDB) offered a daunting view of the challenges to intra-regional trade on the continent.
In Africa, the average customs transaction involved 20-30 parties, 40
documents, 200 data points, and the re-keying of 60-70 per cent of all
data at least once, the AfDB report’s authors wrote. Moreover, “in most African countries, there are two complete sets of controls to be completed – one on each side of the border post”.
African leaders have certainly latched on to the need for better regional integration. The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States
(Ecowas), a bloc of some 300m people, agreed in October to implement a
single customs tariff regime from 2015 to speed integration.
So too has the private sector. Created in 2011, the Borderless Alliance
in west Africa is a private sector advocacy and education group that
also monitors the practical costs of trade along the region’s roads and
at its ports.
Its quarterly reports, which detail the cost of bribes per 100km
travelled and stops and delays faced by truckers along important
corridors, make for daunting reading. In 2012, for example, drivers taking goods from the port of Abidjan in Ivory Coast to Bamako, the capital of Mali, could expect to pay $66 in bribes along the road and a further $25 in bribes at the border, according to Borderless Alliance reports.
But Justin Bayili, Borderless Alliance’s managing director, says that the main obstacle to reform in west Africa remains one of implementation. Over the years, leaders and ministers have committed to many ambitious goals at summits, he says, and delivered few results on the ground.
“We are all convinced that trade can benefit our region provided some of the barriers are eliminated,” he says.
“It’s easy for our ministers of trade to sign documents about facilitation. But concrete measures are needed.”
Google launched Project Link to connect Africa to the Internet
http://www.cbronline.com/blogs/cbr-rolling-blog/google-launched-project-link-to-connect-africa-to-the-internet
by Kate Heslop| 25 November 2013
The super fast fibre network in Kampala, Uganda, is just one of the steps Google is taking to link the continent to the online world. Google has its heart set on linking the whole of Africa with the worldwide web.Only 16% of people in the continent are connected to the internet. Google wants to change this, one country at a time, and it is carrying on its mission with Uganda.
The city of Kampala in Uganda is home to nearly 3 million people, and although it is the country's bustling capital, it does not have a strong, fast internet connection.
Google has announced Project Link, an initiative to build a super fast fibre network in Kampala, which will hope to help local mobile operators and internet service providers to better connect people in the city to a more reliable internet.
This new technology in the region will aim to enable local companies to offer faster and more reliable internet connections and mobile data plans for offices and universities, boosting productivity and enhancing opportunities.
In a blog post, Google said it wants to see "a new crop of entrepreneurs and innovators: the media-rich projects of a successful musician, fast connections for local hospitals, or new digital learning tools for students".
This is just one of many steps Google is making to connect Africa to the web, which it hopes will create a stronger internet and give the continent a more prominent, global online voice and presence.
Bharti Airtel: Better times ahead
http://www.business-standard.com/article/markets/bharti-airtel-better-times-ahead-113112500835_1.html
The sale would result in a value unlock of Rs 12-18 a share (Kotak
analysts) and will help reduce debt. Some others, though, expect gains
to be Rs 7-8. Naveen Kulkarni and Vivekanand Subbaraman of PhilipCapital
India Research say, “The lowering of the dollar-denominated debt will
translate to lower earnings volatility and possible re-rating of
domestic business, trading at seven times FY14 enterprise value/earnings
before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (Ebitda)
compared to Idea Cellular’s 7.8 times. The deal will add five-six per
cent to estimated earnings for FY15.”
Africa biz to stabilise, India’s to grow
The situation in Africa business has been a reason why the Street has been giving lower valuations to Bharti as compared to peers like Idea. Revenue growth has been coming down continuously over the eight-nine quarters in the business from a high of 23 per cent in Q2FY12 to two per cent in the September 2013 quarter, with Ebitda margins of 25-28 per cent. Capex is coming down, bringing down the negative free cash flow. The African operations are now close to turning free cash flow positive, say Deutsche Bank analysts. While operators dropped rates to grab market share in some countries in FY12 and FY13, those are expected to stabilise, with regulators prescribing a base. Espirito Santo analysts estimate margins for the Africa business (26.9 per cent in September quarter) to rise to 28.9 per cent at FY15-end. The margin gains are expected on an increase in revenue a minute, cost cuts and higher capacity use. On the India business, given Bharti's voice revenue per minute (RPM) at 36.7 paise is two per cent lower than Idea's 37.5 paise, there is room for improvement. With Bharti aggressively cutting on promotional rates and free minutes, analysts say RPM is likely to improve.
The Bharti Airtel
stock has lost nine per cent since the start of November on concerns of
dollar-denominated debt and slow growth in Africa business. The only
exception to the downtrend came last week (the stock was up two per cent
on November 19) on news Bharti was looking at selling the tower
business in Africa for $1.8 billion.
While the Africa business has seen continuous decline in revenue growth and negative free cash flows, analysts at Sharekhan say concerns are overdone and operations are likely to stabilise and grow, though at a slower pace against the double-digit growth envisaged earlier.
The second issue is the consolidated net debt of $9.5 billion, given the rupee depreciation. While financing costs will go up, Deutsche Bank analysts Srinivas Rao and Amyn Pirani say the increase in interest cost of $47 million is immaterial and the mark-to-market impact on the principal, $950 million, while high, is not significant enough to alter their investment view. The key monitorables are the spectrum auctions in January and the threat of new competition from Reliance Jio Infocomm, when it launches services. However, the reserve price levels for various bands, while higher than Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) suggestions, are lower than March’s.
While Africa business is expected to stabilise and higher margins for the India business could come through as the company cuts discounted/free minutes, most analysts have a buy, with an average target of Rs 400 (an upside of 18 per cent from Rs 337).
Tower sale positive
Airtel is reportedly in talks (the company says it will not comment on market speculation) to sell its Africa tower infrastructure of 15,000 towers for an estimated $1.8 billion, $120,000 a tower, lower than the historical average of $128,000. Goldman Sachs analysts say with African markets having four-five telecom operators, the room for incremental tenancy is low. With other telecom companies planning to sell assets, an increased supply is dampening valuations.
While the Africa business has seen continuous decline in revenue growth and negative free cash flows, analysts at Sharekhan say concerns are overdone and operations are likely to stabilise and grow, though at a slower pace against the double-digit growth envisaged earlier.
The second issue is the consolidated net debt of $9.5 billion, given the rupee depreciation. While financing costs will go up, Deutsche Bank analysts Srinivas Rao and Amyn Pirani say the increase in interest cost of $47 million is immaterial and the mark-to-market impact on the principal, $950 million, while high, is not significant enough to alter their investment view. The key monitorables are the spectrum auctions in January and the threat of new competition from Reliance Jio Infocomm, when it launches services. However, the reserve price levels for various bands, while higher than Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) suggestions, are lower than March’s.
While Africa business is expected to stabilise and higher margins for the India business could come through as the company cuts discounted/free minutes, most analysts have a buy, with an average target of Rs 400 (an upside of 18 per cent from Rs 337).
Tower sale positive
Airtel is reportedly in talks (the company says it will not comment on market speculation) to sell its Africa tower infrastructure of 15,000 towers for an estimated $1.8 billion, $120,000 a tower, lower than the historical average of $128,000. Goldman Sachs analysts say with African markets having four-five telecom operators, the room for incremental tenancy is low. With other telecom companies planning to sell assets, an increased supply is dampening valuations.
Africa biz to stabilise, India’s to grow
The situation in Africa business has been a reason why the Street has been giving lower valuations to Bharti as compared to peers like Idea. Revenue growth has been coming down continuously over the eight-nine quarters in the business from a high of 23 per cent in Q2FY12 to two per cent in the September 2013 quarter, with Ebitda margins of 25-28 per cent. Capex is coming down, bringing down the negative free cash flow. The African operations are now close to turning free cash flow positive, say Deutsche Bank analysts. While operators dropped rates to grab market share in some countries in FY12 and FY13, those are expected to stabilise, with regulators prescribing a base. Espirito Santo analysts estimate margins for the Africa business (26.9 per cent in September quarter) to rise to 28.9 per cent at FY15-end. The margin gains are expected on an increase in revenue a minute, cost cuts and higher capacity use. On the India business, given Bharti's voice revenue per minute (RPM) at 36.7 paise is two per cent lower than Idea's 37.5 paise, there is room for improvement. With Bharti aggressively cutting on promotional rates and free minutes, analysts say RPM is likely to improve.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate) 150mg bid continues to be the only oral anticoagulant which showed superior ischaemic stroke reduction vs. warfarin in its pivotal study RE-LY®
Results of the ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 trial published for edoxaban vs. warfarin do not change the position of Pradaxa®
INGELHEIM, Germany - Monday, November 25th 2013 [ME NewsWire]
Presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2013, results from the large-scale phase III trial ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 demonstrate non-inferiority of edoxaban compared with warfarin for prevention of stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF)1,2
With data now available from all four trials of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation,1-6 Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate) 150mg bid continues to be the only NOAC, study of which showed a significant reduction of both ischaemic and haemorrhagic strokes compared to warfarin in its pivotal trial RE-LY®3,4
RE-LY® was a global, phase III, PROBE (prospective, randomized, open-label with blinded endpoint evaluation) design trial comparing two fixed doses of the oral direct thrombin inhibitor Pradaxa® (110mg and 150mg bid) each administered in a blinded manner, with open label warfarin.3,4,7 Pradaxa® 110mg bid, which is indicated for certain patients,8 showed non-inferior efficacy versus warfarin for reducing risk of stroke3,4
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- For media outside of the US, the UK & Canada only
Prevention of ischaemic stroke (a stroke caused by a blood clot)9 is the reason to treat patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) with an anticoagulant treatment.10 Examining all phase III trial analyses now available (RE-LY®3,4 [Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate)], ROCKET-AF5 [rivaroxaban], ARISTOTLE6 [apixaban]) as well as ENGAGE-AF-TIMI 481,2 [edoxaban], for which new data were presented on 19 November at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions), Pradaxa® 150mg bid continues to be the only NOAC to offer a statistically significant superior reduction in the risk of ischaemic stroke versus well controlled warfarin.3,4 In all of the trials, ischaemic stroke was included as part of the composite of stroke (ischaemic and haemorrhagic or systemic embolism), the primary study outcome.1-6
In the RE-LY® (Randomized Evaluation of Long term anticoagulant therapY) trial, Pradaxa® 150mg bid demonstrated a 25% reduction in the risk of ischaemic strokes and a 74% reduction in the risk of haemorrhagic strokes versus warfarin. Furthermore, rates of total bleeds and life threatening bleeds were significantly reduced versus warfarin.3,4 Pradaxa® 110mg bid, which is indicated for certain AF patients,8 showed non-inferior efficacy versus warfarin for reducing risk of stroke with significantly reduced rates of total and major bleeds.3,4
“With its positive efficacy and safety profile which is well established worldwide, Pradaxa® offers substantial advantages over warfarin for AF patients requiring anticoagulant treatment,” stated Professor Klaus Dugi, Corporate Senior Vice President Medicine, Boehringer Ingelheim. “The breakthrough results of the RE-LY® trial as well as numerous additional data support the breadth of benefit that Pradaxa® offers to AF patients, including superior protection against ischaemic stroke compared to warfarin.”
With over 9 out of 10 strokes suffered by patients with AF being of ischaemic type,11 protection against ischaemic stroke is the key clinical benefit that should be achieved by anticoagulant treatment.12 Ischaemic strokes associated with AF are often fatal, and those patients who survive are on average left more disabled by their stroke and have a higher likelihood of stroke recurrence than patients with other causes of stroke.12
“Trying to prevent ischaemic stroke, so the stroke caused by the blood clot that can form in the hearts of patients with atrial fibrillation, is the reason why we treat these patients with oral anticoagulants,” commented Professor Hans-Christoph Diener, Professor of Neurology and Chairman of the Department of Neurology, University of Essen, Germany.
A draft guideline from the European Medicines Agency, which is currently undergoing public consultation, further highlights the importance of ischaemic stroke prevention. The draft guideline recommends that Phase III trials of anticoagulant treatments for patients with AF should be designed to include a primary composite efficacy endpoint that shows a treatment’s ability to reduce the number of thromboembolic events, including ischaemic strokes, undefined strokes and systemic embolic events (SEE).12
The efficacy and safety profile of Pradaxa® in its licensed indications is well documented in the extensive RE-VOLUTION® clinical trial programme which will include over 55,000 patients worldwide3,4,13-23 and has led to regulatory approvals in over 100 countries to date.22 The favourable benefit-risk profile of Pradaxa® is supported by assessments from regulatory authorities including the European Medicines Agency and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).24,25 Clinical experience with Pradaxa® continues to grow and equates to over 2 million patient-years in all licensed indications to date supporting Pradaxa® as the leading novel oral anticoagulant.22
Please click on the link for ‘Notes to Editors’ and ‘References’: http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/news/news_releases/press_releases/2013/25_november_2013_dabigatranetexilate.html
Contacts
Boehringer Ingelheim Corporate Communications Media + PR
Sara McClelland
Phone: +49 6132 – 77 8271
Fax: +49 6132 – 77 6601
Email: press@boehringer-ingelheim.com
www.boehringer-ingelheim.com
Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/9296/en
INGELHEIM, Germany - Monday, November 25th 2013 [ME NewsWire]
Presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2013, results from the large-scale phase III trial ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 demonstrate non-inferiority of edoxaban compared with warfarin for prevention of stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF)1,2
With data now available from all four trials of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation,1-6 Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate) 150mg bid continues to be the only NOAC, study of which showed a significant reduction of both ischaemic and haemorrhagic strokes compared to warfarin in its pivotal trial RE-LY®3,4
RE-LY® was a global, phase III, PROBE (prospective, randomized, open-label with blinded endpoint evaluation) design trial comparing two fixed doses of the oral direct thrombin inhibitor Pradaxa® (110mg and 150mg bid) each administered in a blinded manner, with open label warfarin.3,4,7 Pradaxa® 110mg bid, which is indicated for certain patients,8 showed non-inferior efficacy versus warfarin for reducing risk of stroke3,4
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- For media outside of the US, the UK & Canada only
Prevention of ischaemic stroke (a stroke caused by a blood clot)9 is the reason to treat patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) with an anticoagulant treatment.10 Examining all phase III trial analyses now available (RE-LY®3,4 [Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate)], ROCKET-AF5 [rivaroxaban], ARISTOTLE6 [apixaban]) as well as ENGAGE-AF-TIMI 481,2 [edoxaban], for which new data were presented on 19 November at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions), Pradaxa® 150mg bid continues to be the only NOAC to offer a statistically significant superior reduction in the risk of ischaemic stroke versus well controlled warfarin.3,4 In all of the trials, ischaemic stroke was included as part of the composite of stroke (ischaemic and haemorrhagic or systemic embolism), the primary study outcome.1-6
In the RE-LY® (Randomized Evaluation of Long term anticoagulant therapY) trial, Pradaxa® 150mg bid demonstrated a 25% reduction in the risk of ischaemic strokes and a 74% reduction in the risk of haemorrhagic strokes versus warfarin. Furthermore, rates of total bleeds and life threatening bleeds were significantly reduced versus warfarin.3,4 Pradaxa® 110mg bid, which is indicated for certain AF patients,8 showed non-inferior efficacy versus warfarin for reducing risk of stroke with significantly reduced rates of total and major bleeds.3,4
“With its positive efficacy and safety profile which is well established worldwide, Pradaxa® offers substantial advantages over warfarin for AF patients requiring anticoagulant treatment,” stated Professor Klaus Dugi, Corporate Senior Vice President Medicine, Boehringer Ingelheim. “The breakthrough results of the RE-LY® trial as well as numerous additional data support the breadth of benefit that Pradaxa® offers to AF patients, including superior protection against ischaemic stroke compared to warfarin.”
With over 9 out of 10 strokes suffered by patients with AF being of ischaemic type,11 protection against ischaemic stroke is the key clinical benefit that should be achieved by anticoagulant treatment.12 Ischaemic strokes associated with AF are often fatal, and those patients who survive are on average left more disabled by their stroke and have a higher likelihood of stroke recurrence than patients with other causes of stroke.12
“Trying to prevent ischaemic stroke, so the stroke caused by the blood clot that can form in the hearts of patients with atrial fibrillation, is the reason why we treat these patients with oral anticoagulants,” commented Professor Hans-Christoph Diener, Professor of Neurology and Chairman of the Department of Neurology, University of Essen, Germany.
A draft guideline from the European Medicines Agency, which is currently undergoing public consultation, further highlights the importance of ischaemic stroke prevention. The draft guideline recommends that Phase III trials of anticoagulant treatments for patients with AF should be designed to include a primary composite efficacy endpoint that shows a treatment’s ability to reduce the number of thromboembolic events, including ischaemic strokes, undefined strokes and systemic embolic events (SEE).12
The efficacy and safety profile of Pradaxa® in its licensed indications is well documented in the extensive RE-VOLUTION® clinical trial programme which will include over 55,000 patients worldwide3,4,13-23 and has led to regulatory approvals in over 100 countries to date.22 The favourable benefit-risk profile of Pradaxa® is supported by assessments from regulatory authorities including the European Medicines Agency and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).24,25 Clinical experience with Pradaxa® continues to grow and equates to over 2 million patient-years in all licensed indications to date supporting Pradaxa® as the leading novel oral anticoagulant.22
Please click on the link for ‘Notes to Editors’ and ‘References’: http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/news/news_releases/press_releases/2013/25_november_2013_dabigatranetexilate.html
Contacts
Boehringer Ingelheim Corporate Communications Media + PR
Sara McClelland
Phone: +49 6132 – 77 8271
Fax: +49 6132 – 77 6601
Email: press@boehringer-ingelheim.com
www.boehringer-ingelheim.com
Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/9296/en
Edwards’ GXS Dry Vacuum Pumps Bring Performance, Environmental and Economic Benefits to Coffee Production
One of the largest freeze dried coffee production facilities in the world installs robust GXS dry pumps on their harsh industrial application
CRAWLEY, England - Monday, November 25th 2013 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Edwards Group Limited (NASDAQ: EVAC), a leading manufacturer of sophisticated vacuum products and abatement systems and a global provider of related value-added services, has brought many benefits to a large coffee producer by supplying GXS dry screw pumps for its freeze dried coffee production.
One of the major Latin American coffee producers operates one of the largest and most sophisticated processors of freeze dried coffee in the world. The facility exports freeze dried coffee to dozens of countries worldwide. Edwards has supplied the producer with new GXS450/4200 dry screw vacuum pumps for use in their freeze drying process, with the potential for many more to be replaced during the next few years.
The coffee producer has years of experience operating Edwards’ Microvac oil sealed rotary piston pumps, and so was an ideal candidate for Edwards’ GXS dry screw pumps. GXS pumps are resistant to the acids released during coffee freeze drying processes, and with the optional solvent flush accessory do not require periodic oil changes or pump rebuilds for up to five years. This has resulted in savings to the producer of approximately 22,000 USD in maintenance costs each year. Low maintenance together with reduced gas and power consumption make GXS one of the most economical vacuum pumps for industrial applications. In addition, the coffee producer was excited by the speed control ability of the GXS pump, which allows them to control the pressure conditions inside their freeze drying tunnel.
Key factors in the decision to choose Edwards’ pumps over the competition were the ease with which the GXS dry screw pumps can be cleaned, the many environmental benefits of the pumps and the excellent service provided by our local distributor. Other factors were the compact footprint, low noise levels, good performance of the pump and suitability for the freeze drying process.
Rod Hughes, Market Sector Manager for Edwards commented, ““Edwards is excited to be able to further our relationship with this important customer by providing tangible and significant cost of ownership savings to their operation.”
For further information, visit www.edwardsvacuum.com.
Contacts
Edwards Group Limited
Rebecca Walder
+44 (0) 1293 603103
Rebecca.Walder@edwardsvacuum.com
CRAWLEY, England - Monday, November 25th 2013 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Edwards Group Limited (NASDAQ: EVAC), a leading manufacturer of sophisticated vacuum products and abatement systems and a global provider of related value-added services, has brought many benefits to a large coffee producer by supplying GXS dry screw pumps for its freeze dried coffee production.
One of the major Latin American coffee producers operates one of the largest and most sophisticated processors of freeze dried coffee in the world. The facility exports freeze dried coffee to dozens of countries worldwide. Edwards has supplied the producer with new GXS450/4200 dry screw vacuum pumps for use in their freeze drying process, with the potential for many more to be replaced during the next few years.
The coffee producer has years of experience operating Edwards’ Microvac oil sealed rotary piston pumps, and so was an ideal candidate for Edwards’ GXS dry screw pumps. GXS pumps are resistant to the acids released during coffee freeze drying processes, and with the optional solvent flush accessory do not require periodic oil changes or pump rebuilds for up to five years. This has resulted in savings to the producer of approximately 22,000 USD in maintenance costs each year. Low maintenance together with reduced gas and power consumption make GXS one of the most economical vacuum pumps for industrial applications. In addition, the coffee producer was excited by the speed control ability of the GXS pump, which allows them to control the pressure conditions inside their freeze drying tunnel.
Key factors in the decision to choose Edwards’ pumps over the competition were the ease with which the GXS dry screw pumps can be cleaned, the many environmental benefits of the pumps and the excellent service provided by our local distributor. Other factors were the compact footprint, low noise levels, good performance of the pump and suitability for the freeze drying process.
Rod Hughes, Market Sector Manager for Edwards commented, ““Edwards is excited to be able to further our relationship with this important customer by providing tangible and significant cost of ownership savings to their operation.”
For further information, visit www.edwardsvacuum.com.
Contacts
Edwards Group Limited
Rebecca Walder
+44 (0) 1293 603103
Rebecca.Walder@edwardsvacuum.com
NIKE Unveils 2014 Brasil National Team Kit
New Kit for the Seleção features performance technology and innovation for football's biggest stage.
RIO DE JANEIRO - Monday, November 25th 2013 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NIKE (NYSE:NKE) today unveiled the new Brasil National Team home kit at an event in Rio de Janeiro. The kit, which will be worn by the hosts next summer, combines performance innovation, cultural design cues and environmentally sustainable materials.
“Creating this kit is one of the greatest honors we have at NIKE,” said Trevor Edwards, President of the NIKE Brand. “It’s more than just a player’s uniform, it represents the history of Brasilian football, the five stars, the romance of the game, and the hopes of a nation.”
The kit aids performance by regulating player body temperature and keeping players cool. NIKE Dri-FIT technology pulls moisture away from the skin to the outside of the garment where it evaporates more quickly, and laser-cut holes and engineered mesh in key areas where heat is generated allow for increased breathability and airflow.
In line with NIKE’s commitment to superior performance with lower environmental impact, the shirt, shorts and - for the first time in a national team kit - the socks, all feature fabric made from recycled plastic bottles. Each kit is made using an average of 18 recycled plastic bottles. Since 2010, NIKE has diverted almost 2 billion bottles from landfills, enough to cover over 2800 full-sized football pitches.
“Incorporating environmental sustainability is a key part of the design and development process for us,” said Martin Lotti, Creative Director of NIKE Football. “Our aim is to create a kit that performs for players and is good to the planet.”
Designers utilized three-dimensional body scans of the entire Brasilian National Team to create an updated fit, improving comfort and allowing the body to move naturally within the kit.
Exploring the unique creativity of Brasil, NIKE’s design team sought to replicate the unique and distinct cultures of the nation in the new National Team Kit design, while staying true to the culture and tradition of the classic yellow jersey.
“The Brasilian home kit is like a national flag; it symbolizes the country and its people,” said Lotti. “We wanted to create a fusion of the high speed brilliance of football and the culture of Brasil while staying true to what the home kit represents.”
The jersey features a new Y-neck design that provides both a relaxed fit and comfortable look. The shorts are a classic Brasilian Varsity Royal with a white stripe. Simple and iconic, the fit is slimmer and more tailored to the body based on fit research with a cut specifically designed to aid movement and comfort.
The Brasilian crest has been updated and made slightly larger, with a gold colored metallic weave added to the crest for a shimmering effect. Behind the crest, on the inside of the jersey, is the slogan “Nascido para jogar futebol”- Brasilian Portuguese for “Born to Play Football”.
NIKE also worked with Brasilian Designer Bruno Big to deliver a mark of pride at the inner back neck of each jersey - a small yellow canary motif representing “Canarinho”, the nickname given to the team when they wear the yellow home jersey.
“To wear the 'amarelinha' is an honor for me and my teammates,” says Brazil star Neymar. “Brasil is a very special place to play football, and we want to play hard and win for our country. This kit helps us to do that with both the technology and the inspiration it provides.”
Even the name and numbers on each kit have also been carefully designed with a micro fine pinhole for moisture management and cooling. The style of the name and number is inspired by the classic fonts widely used on Brasilian hand printed street posters. All jerseys worn by players and sold in Brasil are made in Brasil.
The Brasil kit will be available in NIKE stores and on nike.com for pre-order from November 24th and on-sale worldwide from December 5th.
For more information, visit www.nikeinc.com.
About NIKE, Inc.
NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly-owned NIKE subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes surf and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, NIKE’s earnings releases and other financial information are available on the Internet at http://investors.nikeinc.com and individuals can follow @NIKE.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50757311&lang=en
Contacts
NIKE, Inc.
New York Media Relations
212-367-4447
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/9289/en
RIO DE JANEIRO - Monday, November 25th 2013 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NIKE (NYSE:NKE) today unveiled the new Brasil National Team home kit at an event in Rio de Janeiro. The kit, which will be worn by the hosts next summer, combines performance innovation, cultural design cues and environmentally sustainable materials.
“Creating this kit is one of the greatest honors we have at NIKE,” said Trevor Edwards, President of the NIKE Brand. “It’s more than just a player’s uniform, it represents the history of Brasilian football, the five stars, the romance of the game, and the hopes of a nation.”
The kit aids performance by regulating player body temperature and keeping players cool. NIKE Dri-FIT technology pulls moisture away from the skin to the outside of the garment where it evaporates more quickly, and laser-cut holes and engineered mesh in key areas where heat is generated allow for increased breathability and airflow.
In line with NIKE’s commitment to superior performance with lower environmental impact, the shirt, shorts and - for the first time in a national team kit - the socks, all feature fabric made from recycled plastic bottles. Each kit is made using an average of 18 recycled plastic bottles. Since 2010, NIKE has diverted almost 2 billion bottles from landfills, enough to cover over 2800 full-sized football pitches.
“Incorporating environmental sustainability is a key part of the design and development process for us,” said Martin Lotti, Creative Director of NIKE Football. “Our aim is to create a kit that performs for players and is good to the planet.”
Designers utilized three-dimensional body scans of the entire Brasilian National Team to create an updated fit, improving comfort and allowing the body to move naturally within the kit.
Exploring the unique creativity of Brasil, NIKE’s design team sought to replicate the unique and distinct cultures of the nation in the new National Team Kit design, while staying true to the culture and tradition of the classic yellow jersey.
“The Brasilian home kit is like a national flag; it symbolizes the country and its people,” said Lotti. “We wanted to create a fusion of the high speed brilliance of football and the culture of Brasil while staying true to what the home kit represents.”
The jersey features a new Y-neck design that provides both a relaxed fit and comfortable look. The shorts are a classic Brasilian Varsity Royal with a white stripe. Simple and iconic, the fit is slimmer and more tailored to the body based on fit research with a cut specifically designed to aid movement and comfort.
The Brasilian crest has been updated and made slightly larger, with a gold colored metallic weave added to the crest for a shimmering effect. Behind the crest, on the inside of the jersey, is the slogan “Nascido para jogar futebol”- Brasilian Portuguese for “Born to Play Football”.
NIKE also worked with Brasilian Designer Bruno Big to deliver a mark of pride at the inner back neck of each jersey - a small yellow canary motif representing “Canarinho”, the nickname given to the team when they wear the yellow home jersey.
“To wear the 'amarelinha' is an honor for me and my teammates,” says Brazil star Neymar. “Brasil is a very special place to play football, and we want to play hard and win for our country. This kit helps us to do that with both the technology and the inspiration it provides.”
Even the name and numbers on each kit have also been carefully designed with a micro fine pinhole for moisture management and cooling. The style of the name and number is inspired by the classic fonts widely used on Brasilian hand printed street posters. All jerseys worn by players and sold in Brasil are made in Brasil.
The Brasil kit will be available in NIKE stores and on nike.com for pre-order from November 24th and on-sale worldwide from December 5th.
For more information, visit www.nikeinc.com.
About NIKE, Inc.
NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly-owned NIKE subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes surf and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, NIKE’s earnings releases and other financial information are available on the Internet at http://investors.nikeinc.com and individuals can follow @NIKE.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50757311&lang=en
Contacts
NIKE, Inc.
New York Media Relations
212-367-4447
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/9289/en
Analogix Ships Over 500 Million DisplayPort Devices
Milestone Reflects Company’s Leadership and Continued Growth in High-Bandwidth, Low-Power Video Connectivity
SANTA CLARA, Calif - Monday, November 25th 2013 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Analogix Semiconductor, Inc., today announced that it has now shipped more than 500 million DisplayPort™ devices into the consumer electronics market. This important milestone underscores Analogix’s leadership in DisplayPort technology, which enables PCs, tablets and smart phones to connect with the latest high-resolution TVs, projectors and monitors.
Analogix supplies a wide variety of DisplayPort digital media chips and IP cores, as well as full custom application-specific chips, to many of the world’s leading electronics brands, which use them primarily in internal display controllers and external connector ports. Analogix is the leading supplier of DisplayPort semiconductors for phones, tablets and PCs.
Kewei Yang, Analogix Semiconductor’s chairman and CEO said the industry’s growing acceptance of DisplayPort technology has been a major reason for his company’s sustained sales and profit growth in recent years. “The adoption of DisplayPort for both internal and external screen connectivity, in particular, is exceeding our expectations,” he said. Increasing demand for SlimPort®-enabled smartphones, tablets, notebooks and other mobile devices is also fueling the company’s growth, Yang noted.
Analogix’s high-speed, ultra-low power SlimPort interface solution based on the DisplayPort standard, allows users to share content from their mobile devices on external displays with theater-quality Full-HD resolution, 3D graphics and audio. In recent months numerous manufacturers – including Google, LG, ASUS, HP and ZTE – have introduced SlimPort-enabled products in a variety of form factors, using multiple system processors and operating systems. Adding further momentum to the expanding SlimPort ecosystem are accessory manufacturers, including Accell, who are rolling out an assortment of cables and adaptors to connect SlimPort-enabled devices to HDTVs, projectors and monitors.
“We are delighted with the traction SlimPort is gaining among leading OEMs, who’ve chosen to include our technology in all types of devices, ranging from Android smartphones and tablets to Windows-based tables and Chrome notebooks,” said Matt Ready, vice president of Sales for Analogix.
A third significant growth driver for Analogix, he said, are the company’s low-power, high-speed LCD timing controllers (TCONs). Analogix TCONs are driving the screens of the highest resolution, Intel-enabled, ultrabooks and tablets. The company expects to ship twice as many TCON units this year as in 2012.
About Analogix Semiconductor
Analogix Semiconductor, Inc. designs and manufactures semiconductors for the digital multimedia market, from portable devices such as smartphones to high-end graphics cards and large, high-definition displays. Analogix is the market leader in providing end-to-end interface connectivity semiconductor solutions for DisplayPort, including the SlimPort family of products. For more information visit www.analogix.com or follow us on Twitter @Analogix.
Analogix and SlimPort are trademarks or registered trademarks of Analogix Semiconductor, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
Contacts
Analogix
Jonelle Birney Sullivan, 415-819-0847
sullivanj@fullandby.co
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/9286/en
SANTA CLARA, Calif - Monday, November 25th 2013 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Analogix Semiconductor, Inc., today announced that it has now shipped more than 500 million DisplayPort™ devices into the consumer electronics market. This important milestone underscores Analogix’s leadership in DisplayPort technology, which enables PCs, tablets and smart phones to connect with the latest high-resolution TVs, projectors and monitors.
Analogix supplies a wide variety of DisplayPort digital media chips and IP cores, as well as full custom application-specific chips, to many of the world’s leading electronics brands, which use them primarily in internal display controllers and external connector ports. Analogix is the leading supplier of DisplayPort semiconductors for phones, tablets and PCs.
Kewei Yang, Analogix Semiconductor’s chairman and CEO said the industry’s growing acceptance of DisplayPort technology has been a major reason for his company’s sustained sales and profit growth in recent years. “The adoption of DisplayPort for both internal and external screen connectivity, in particular, is exceeding our expectations,” he said. Increasing demand for SlimPort®-enabled smartphones, tablets, notebooks and other mobile devices is also fueling the company’s growth, Yang noted.
Analogix’s high-speed, ultra-low power SlimPort interface solution based on the DisplayPort standard, allows users to share content from their mobile devices on external displays with theater-quality Full-HD resolution, 3D graphics and audio. In recent months numerous manufacturers – including Google, LG, ASUS, HP and ZTE – have introduced SlimPort-enabled products in a variety of form factors, using multiple system processors and operating systems. Adding further momentum to the expanding SlimPort ecosystem are accessory manufacturers, including Accell, who are rolling out an assortment of cables and adaptors to connect SlimPort-enabled devices to HDTVs, projectors and monitors.
“We are delighted with the traction SlimPort is gaining among leading OEMs, who’ve chosen to include our technology in all types of devices, ranging from Android smartphones and tablets to Windows-based tables and Chrome notebooks,” said Matt Ready, vice president of Sales for Analogix.
A third significant growth driver for Analogix, he said, are the company’s low-power, high-speed LCD timing controllers (TCONs). Analogix TCONs are driving the screens of the highest resolution, Intel-enabled, ultrabooks and tablets. The company expects to ship twice as many TCON units this year as in 2012.
About Analogix Semiconductor
Analogix Semiconductor, Inc. designs and manufactures semiconductors for the digital multimedia market, from portable devices such as smartphones to high-end graphics cards and large, high-definition displays. Analogix is the market leader in providing end-to-end interface connectivity semiconductor solutions for DisplayPort, including the SlimPort family of products. For more information visit www.analogix.com or follow us on Twitter @Analogix.
Analogix and SlimPort are trademarks or registered trademarks of Analogix Semiconductor, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
Contacts
Analogix
Jonelle Birney Sullivan, 415-819-0847
sullivanj@fullandby.co
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/9286/en
Metaps: Announcing "DirectTAP", a New Freemium Ad Network with Zero Commissions
TOKYO - Monday, November 25th 2013 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Metaps Inc. (Headquarters: Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. CEO: Katsuaki Sato, hereafter “Metaps”) has officially released DirectTAP, an ad network that connects advertisers and app developers with zero commission.
With recent ad technology advancements, anyone can put ads in apps or websites to earn revenue. However, the number of connecting services that take a cut of the advertising revenue has grown as well. Each of these middlemen is taking commissions to the point where the remaining ad revenue is reduced to razor thin margins. DirectTAP introduces a new way for app developers to directly earn the maximum advertisement revenue.
Service Highlights
1. 100% Revenue Share
DirectTAP is a new pay-per-click advertising network, which charges no commissions between advertiser and app developer. For example, if an advertiser pays 10 cents per click, the application that displays the ad will earn 10 cents per conversion.
2. 100% Fill Rate
Along with the pay-per-click ads that are shown in DirectTAP, performance-based advertisements are used to fill remaining inventory, which in turn achieves 100% fill rate.
3. Use 100% House Ads
For developers wishing to promote their own apps, house ads can be used at no cost. It's up to the user to choose the ratio of house ads and sponsored ads. With DirectTAP, it is possible to display up to 100% house ads.
A “freemium” Ad Network
When it comes to building an individual network, the initial costs of building the infrastructure (servers, hosting) is very expensive. However, matching buyer and seller on the web has become very inexpensive, with costs becoming near to free. As such, this has opened the doors to freemium web services, which provide basic services at no cost.
Using the freemium model, DirectTAP matches advertisers and app developers with no fees or commissions. For advertisers who want more: DirectTAP provides additional premium services such as consulting and ad optimization at an additional cost.
Up until today, DirectTAP has been a closed beta that has grown to publishers with over 200 Million downloads worldwide. To increase the revenue opportunities for more app developers, DirectTAP is officially opening for public use today. DirectTAP only supports Android apps, but support will be extended to iPhone applications in the near future. Patents are being filed in accordance.
Metaps provides a specialized platform for app developers to monetize their apps, and supports the needs of developers through a one stop solution that attracts customers, increases engagement, generates revenue, and even exchange user traffic through its network.
About DirectTAP
Homepage: http://www.direct-tap.com/
About Metaps
Home Page: http://www.metaps.com/ Twitter: http://twitter.com/Metaps_PR Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/metaps SlideShare: http://www.slideshare.net/metaps
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50755620&lang=en
Contacts
Metaps Inc.
Hiroaki Kato, +81-3-5366-3790
info@metaps.com
Fax: +81-3-5366-3791
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/9288/en
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Metaps Inc. (Headquarters: Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. CEO: Katsuaki Sato, hereafter “Metaps”) has officially released DirectTAP, an ad network that connects advertisers and app developers with zero commission.
With recent ad technology advancements, anyone can put ads in apps or websites to earn revenue. However, the number of connecting services that take a cut of the advertising revenue has grown as well. Each of these middlemen is taking commissions to the point where the remaining ad revenue is reduced to razor thin margins. DirectTAP introduces a new way for app developers to directly earn the maximum advertisement revenue.
Service Highlights
1. 100% Revenue Share
DirectTAP is a new pay-per-click advertising network, which charges no commissions between advertiser and app developer. For example, if an advertiser pays 10 cents per click, the application that displays the ad will earn 10 cents per conversion.
2. 100% Fill Rate
Along with the pay-per-click ads that are shown in DirectTAP, performance-based advertisements are used to fill remaining inventory, which in turn achieves 100% fill rate.
3. Use 100% House Ads
For developers wishing to promote their own apps, house ads can be used at no cost. It's up to the user to choose the ratio of house ads and sponsored ads. With DirectTAP, it is possible to display up to 100% house ads.
A “freemium” Ad Network
When it comes to building an individual network, the initial costs of building the infrastructure (servers, hosting) is very expensive. However, matching buyer and seller on the web has become very inexpensive, with costs becoming near to free. As such, this has opened the doors to freemium web services, which provide basic services at no cost.
Using the freemium model, DirectTAP matches advertisers and app developers with no fees or commissions. For advertisers who want more: DirectTAP provides additional premium services such as consulting and ad optimization at an additional cost.
Up until today, DirectTAP has been a closed beta that has grown to publishers with over 200 Million downloads worldwide. To increase the revenue opportunities for more app developers, DirectTAP is officially opening for public use today. DirectTAP only supports Android apps, but support will be extended to iPhone applications in the near future. Patents are being filed in accordance.
Metaps provides a specialized platform for app developers to monetize their apps, and supports the needs of developers through a one stop solution that attracts customers, increases engagement, generates revenue, and even exchange user traffic through its network.
About DirectTAP
Homepage: http://www.direct-tap.com/
About Metaps
Home Page: http://www.metaps.com/ Twitter: http://twitter.com/Metaps_PR Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/metaps SlideShare: http://www.slideshare.net/metaps
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50755620&lang=en
Contacts
Metaps Inc.
Hiroaki Kato, +81-3-5366-3790
info@metaps.com
Fax: +81-3-5366-3791
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/9288/en
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