Archive for March, 2010
Sunday, March 28th, 2010
 New Delhi, 23rd March 2010: The nation’s capital is the centre of ICT innovation as the 18th Convergence India 2010 opens today at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Hailed as South Asia’s largest event on information and communications technology, the Convergence India series is organized by the Exhibitions India Group.
Over 450 participants representing the Telecom, IT, Broadcast, Media & Entertainment, Green IT, Security & Surveillance, Cable, Satellite, IP Surveillance and Information Security sectors of 20 countries have gathered on this international platform to showcase cutting edge technologies, products & services.
The event is supported by the union ministries of Communications & IT and Information & Broadcasting along with a host of other national and international associations ensuring a continuous flow of high-profile visitors at the event.
The Indian telecom industry has achieved tremendous growth consolidating a subscriber base of 560 million by end 2009 By end 2010 we are hopeful of crossing our 11th Five Year Plan target of 600 million connections – two years ahead of schedule, declared Shri Gurudas Kamat, Honorable Minister of State for Communications & IT, presiding over the event’s Opening Ceremony as Chief Guest. “Telecommunications have emerged as a springboard of ICT applications with economy-wide impact. A whole range of information based industry applications have come up creating new sources of employment and earning he added.
Endorsing these views, Shri R. Chandrashekhar, Secretary, Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Communications & IT, said “There has been a huge surge of innovation in services riding on the wave of convergence and the mobile revolution.� Shri Chandrashekhar was present as Guest of Honor at the event.
Indeed, the ICT industry has been moving towards a whole new phase of growth with the focus on customized Value Added Services to serve the 1 billion plus Indian population. It is the acceleration of providing services like e-health, mobile commerce, mobile gaming, e-education etc. to the country’s rural hinterland that is telecom’s next big challenge.
Positive trends are being noticed in this direction. Handsets are becoming more affordable, there are different capabilities and services bundled at every price point. Shri Kamat emphasized the need of the hour as enabling the mobile device to empower the masses through customized value added services for rural applications.
Positing ICT as a tool to bridge the urban rural divide and create the spread of equitable economic development was the inaugural conference session – a round table discussion based on the theme ‘Digital Convergence.. Empowering a billion lives’. Communications companies are exploring the rural markets like never before in a bid to access 2/3rdof the country’s population and maximize on the opportunities in this underpenetrated market.
Animated panel discussions deliberated the issues of tariff wars and declining ARPUs in a multi operator environment and the timing for the emergence of a National Media Policy. Other conference sessions of the day focused on the future of the wireless business for GSM and CDMA operators and the digitization of broadcast technologies in India.
Leading companies such as Ericsson, NDS India, Advance Digital Broadcast participated in an animated panel discussion exploring the emerging issues in a multi-operator environment such as the consequent tariff wars and declining ARPU in the competitive scenario. A successive conference session on “GSM & CDMA “The future of wireless business brings spokespersons from Bharti Airtel, Telcordia Technologies, Centre for Development of Telematics (C-Dot) and the Cellular Operators” Association of India together to discuss issues of network transformation and emerging applications against the spread of wireless networks.
Fulfilling its long-standing mandate as a premier knowledge sharing forum, the 18thConvergence India 2010 was also a launching pad for the event’s Knowledge Partner OVUM to release an industry white paper entitled Telecoms 2020.
The Exhibitions India Group, established in 1987, is a trade promotion group focused on organizing international exhibitions and seminars and attracting investments in India, as well as, promoting participation of Indian companies at leading tradeshows worldwide.
Exhibitions India is the only trade fair and conference organizer in India with ISO 9001:2000 & ISO 14001:2004 Certification. The Group is a member of UFI (The Global Association of Exhibitions Industry); IAEE-USA (International Association of Exhibitions and Events) and IEIA (Indian Exhibition Industry Association). The expos organized by the Group conform to the Trade Fair Certification Program of the International Administration of the US commercial Service.
With its headquarters in New Delhi, the Group has branches in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and, Mumbai and an international office in California, USA
For more information, please contact Corporate Communications Department :
Ms. Hena Ahmad
T: 91 11 42795168
M: +91 9999 600622
Email: henaa@eigroup.in
Mr. Sachin Nagpal
T: 91 11 42795071
M: + 91 99108 59933
Email:sachinn@eigroup.in
Posted in Communication, ICT, India, Technology, Telecommunication, Telephony | No Comments »
Thursday, March 25th, 2010
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Jean Brunel, a speaker at the marcus evans Elite Summit 2010 considers the most profitable investment opportunities for family offices in Europe.
Interview with: Jean Brunel, Managing Partner, Brunel Associates; Editor, Journal of Wealth Management; Author of Integrated Wealth Management |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Creating lasting wealth continues to dominate the agendas offamily office investment officers and directors, but evaluating risks and ensuring investments prove profitable require cautious planning and long-terms strategies. Breaking the portfolio into different components and designing each to meet a goal set by the wealthy client is one strategy that Jean Brunel, Managing Partner at Brunel Associates recommends for safeguarding the family against possible economic nightmares. A speaker at themarcus evans Elite Summit 2010 taking place in Switzerland 26 – 28 May 2010, Brunel shares his thoughts on goal-based based allocation and investing in emerging markets.
What are some of the challenges facing family offices in Europe and what solutions would you recommend?
Jean Brunel: This is the single most challenging investmentenvironment that I have ever seen, and I am not entirely sure that investors today fully appreciate what they are facing. This is not a forecast that markets are about to crash, but an observation that the range of possible outcomes are exceptionally wide. There appears to be a significant gap between perception and reality. Governments are loaded with debt, but it is not obvious to me why countries such as Spain and Portugal are considered to be in a worse shape than the US. How are we going to address the challenges if we are not willing to acknowledge that we are facing any?
Some of our wealthy clients have a more negative investment outlook; I try to make them realise how silly it would be to have their entire wealth in cash, considering the opportunities they could miss and the risk of losing purchasing power. Other families have a more rosy perception; there, I try to give them a more balanced view focusing on the risk.
There have been times in the past several decades when investors were able to have a reasonably clear view of how investments could perform, but we are not in such a situation now. Humility and identifying between when you know something and when you do not, is one of the most important attributes to have. Sir John Templeton once said that he had never seen an investment manager who was right more than 65 per cent of the time; that means that even good investors can be wrong 35 per cent of the time.
What investment strategies would you recommend?
Jean Brunel: We have developed the concept of goal-based allocation whereby the portfolio is broken down into different components so that each piece can be designed to meet one of the family’s goals. This is against the argument that families have only one goal. With this concept, it is easier to put some of the family’s assets into a series of strategies meant to protect the family against economic nightmares, some of it in strategies to provide for lifestyle expenses and some of it focused on long term growth. Having a clear goal for each sub-portfolio makes it easier for families to understand why their portfolio looks the way it does.
I would recommend investors to divide their portfolio into various components and goals. Thus, they recognise that they cannot afford to invest into long-terms strategies in the index managed or actively managed private equities, fund of hedge funds, commodities, bonds, and so on for the sub-portfolios geared to income generation. Though a portion of the portfolio would be for the shorter term, some might well have a longer term orientation. It is important to divide the wealth to help identify where liquidity is needed and where they can afford a long-term strategy.
What are some of the attractive opportunities to invest in?
Jean Brunel: I do not have confidence in any individual investment opportunity, but if I think on a ten to 15 year time frame, there are areas likely to see significant gains. Asia (excluding Japan), parts of Latin America, such as Brazil have learnt that they need to create domestic wealth for their people. Given a longer time frame where any volatility in that period would not be an issue and I could go to an island for ten years without anyone asking me how the portfolio is performing, I think investing in those countries would probably be as good an idea as any.
As these countries develop, we may well also experience a super commodity cycle. The increase in demand and consumption of commodities could well cause prices to go up. If in ten years half of the world goes from poverty to an average standard of living, the demand for commodities will be enormous. The combination of investing in commodities and investing in those countries looks to me as a winning combination.
Contact:
Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian
Press Manager
marcus evans, Summits Division
Tel: + 357 22 849 313
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com
About the Elite Summit 2010
This unique forum will take place at the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, Montreux, Switzerland, 26 – 28 May 2010. Offering much more than any conference, seminar or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed wealth management industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The summit includes presentations on establishing an effective governance framework, tax optimisation strategies, managing risks and maximising investment returns.
For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website at www.elitesummit.com
Please note that the summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.
About marcus evans Summits
marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-to-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com
All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced “ kindly inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com |
Posted in Europe, Family, Finance, Investments, Switzerland | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 24th, 2010
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Fransis Griesmar, a speaker at the marcus evans IP Law European Summit 2010 offers his insight into the critical issues facing IP Counsels in Europe today.
Interview with: Fransis Griesmar, IP Lawyer, Bacardi |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
With budget cuts across the board, Intellectual Property (IP) protection departments have not necessarily been spared. Leaving trademarks vulnerable to competitors, however, could prove harmful to the business in the long run therefore IP Counsels need to identify their company’s core assets and ensure they are not left exposed to infringers, says François Griesmar, IP Lawyer at Bacardi. A speaker at marcus evans IP Law European Summit 2010 taking place in Switzerland, 11 – 13 April 2010, Griesmar highlights some cost efficient tools for protecting IP in Europe.
What are the most prominent IP issues challenging IP Counsels in Europe at the moment and what solutions would you recommend?
François Griesmar: There is a growing imbalance due to an overdevelopment of the Community Trade Mark (CTM). The CTM is a fantastic tool but increasingly being used by trademark applicants inappropriately – not only in view of their current or long-term needs, but because of CTM’s low-cost profile and privileged status due to its use requirements.
The European Commission’s trademark system study conducted by the Max Planck Institute is a unique opportunity to lay aside all habits and tinkered solutions to make an unrestricted and unbiased audit of trademark systems in Europe. We must determine whether all national trademark systems should be merged into the EU system or if the current coexistence should be maintained. I believe it should be reconsidered, and more demanding use requirements for CTMs set up. The existence of hundreds of thousands of CTMs (which are used only in one or a few Member States) unjustifiably block other applicants in other countries, clog the registers and in the long run, represent a serious threat to the sustainability of the overall trademark protection system in the EU.
What strategies to safeguard IP, copyrights and trademarks from the competition would you suggest?
François Griesmar: IP Counsels need to think about their global protection strategy and identify their company’s core assets – the assets that differ from competing products or services, that ensure success to their business, as those will be the first targets for imitation. In our case, the BACARDI Superior (Rum) is our most important brand, therefore we pay much more attention to the IP rightsrelated to that brand than any other. IP Counsels should also simultaneously integrate all available legal tools, and combine them in a pragmatic way. They need to have all tools in mind, but decide which combination to use depending on the importance of the matter and their budget.
If an IP Counsel knows what is of most and least importance to the business, then they can focus their efforts, time and money accordingly. With global trademarks, we have to be broad as regards their geographical protection therefore we make use of tools provided by the WIPO international trademarks, as they are a good way of protecting trademarks in many countries for a reasonable price.
What long-term strategies would you recommend to IP Counsels?
François Griesmar: A close and in-depth cooperation with the operational officers (in particular marketing) is needed, to be certain core IP assets are well-identified and periodically reviewed, for an optimal allocation of resources. That enables a consistent protection and defence policy. Last but not least, do not allow short-term financial constraints to ruin your long-term IP strategy – the time unit for IP strategies should be a decade rather than a quarter.
What are some of the trends that you see playing out in the future?
François Griesmar: The computerisation of all national trademark databases within the EU should soon enable a complete online trademark search in the EU. As regards design protection, if this is confirmed by the accession of new parties in the EU after 2008, the long-awaited rebirth of the international Design Patent system could make design protection strategies much easier and cheaper.
I am hoping that within the coming few years we will see efficient trademark search software for design trademarks that enable a fairly reliable online risk assessment.
The current business context is an incentive to implement extreme short-term cost-cutting measures – IP Counsels are being selected purely on a financial basis, ignoring long-term relationships and what IP management really is all about. This will incur serious problems; immediate difficulties must not lead to such short-term practices which will prove detrimental to the business. It is difficult to restart a trademark protection strategy once it has been stopped. IP lawyers must explain their long-term strategy to management, and make sure they are allocated the budget they require. When a company starts a successful product in Europe and does not protect it in the main markets, their competitors might do so. When the time comes for expanding in the market, they will face a big problem. Sometimes it is necessary to anticipate and protect IP accordingly. Always think long-term. Â
Contact:Â
Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian
Press Manager
marcus evans, Summits Division
Tel: + 357 22 849 313
Email:Â press@marcusevanscy.com
About the IP Law European Summit 2010
This unique forum will take place at the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, Montreux, Switzerland, 11 – 13 April, 2010. Offering much more than any conference, seminar or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The summit includes presentations on IP litigation, anti-counterfeit activities and IP management best practices.
For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website at www.iplawsummiteurope.com
Please note that the summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.
About marcus evans Summits
marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-to-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com
All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced – kindly inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com |
Posted in Corporate Counsel, Intellectual Property (IP), Law, Press Release, Switzerland | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010
The ENERGY INDABA 2010 has proved to be a resounding success amongst conference delegates and exhibition visitors who were able to leave the event with a renewed vision of energy solutions for Africa and inspiration on how they can make a difference towards powering the continent.
A diverse range of individuals – from business executives to government officials and individuals attempting to find ways to improve energy efficiency in communities “who attended this year’s conference and exhibition, reflect the ENERGY INDABA 2010 as the place where concrete discussions and decisions can be made for the future of energy on our continent,” says Liz Hart, Managing Director of Siyenza Management, the event organisers of the ENERGY INDABA. “I believe that many of our delegates were able to leave the conference with confidence in Africa’s self-sufficiency and ability to produce energy for business and households.”
Of our host of exhibitors at the ENERGY INDABA 2010, the majority were from a range of Chinese companies in the energy sector, says Hart. “With China proving to be a major energy trading partner, we believe the ENERGY INDABA has provided the platform for greater China- African business trade.”
The Business Matchmaking Programme received 426 meeting requests with delegates, sponsors, exhibitors and speakers during the ENERGY INDABA. Offered for the first time at the ENERGY INDABA, this saw a total sum of 250 meetings take place in the Business Matchmaking Lounge,� says Hart. Although being our first year to host this, there have been a number of success stories that have emerged.
Bringing an end to the final day of the two-day conference, Brian Statham, Chairman of the South African National Energy Association challenged delegates to apply the knowledge, ideas and new business contacts gained from the ENERGY INDABA to make a difference. He also requested that delegates prepare for the next ENERGY INDABA in 2011.
Some of the findings to emerge from the second-day of the conference were:
- As Africa’s largest trading partner, the pace of investment by China in Africa has reached unprecedented levels and is set to continue with basic resources and infrastructure deals in the power and gas industry. Yet despite interest across the African continent, South Africa remains the only country where no major transactions within the country have occurred.
- Only one of the 20 registered Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects is in Africa. However, the Copenhagen Green Climate Fund, which is currently under discussion, could help to provide financial opportunities for African countries to develop CDM projects.
- In order to catalyse renewable energy investment, there needs to be incentives to develop smaller generation systems. There should also be jurisdiction for import tariff reductions for renewable projects, tax breaks and other manufacturing incentives.
- A framework for private-public partnerships in energy on the continent is required to access capital markets and to attract greater private sector investment
ENDS
02 March 2010
Prepared by: Leigh-Anne Sa Joe
Siyenza Management
011 463 9184
leighanne@siyenza.za.com
On behalf of: ENERGY INDABA
Contact: Liz Hart
liz@siyenza.za.com
Posted in Energy, Renewable Energy, Solar, Solar Cell, South Africa, energy-harvesting, energy-security, energy-storage | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010
After the striking start at Expo Summit’ 09, the premier Indian Exhibition Industry event is all set to conquer with its 2nd edition! Expo Summit, 2010, 2nd International Conference on Exhibition Industry in India is scheduled on 4-5 June at Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi.
The second edition will carry the legacy of grand success that was set by Expo Summit’ 09, which attracted over 200 delegates from India and abroad. The flagship event set a tradition of bringing all the stake holders of exhibition Industry including national and international exhibition organizers, venue owners, service providers, autonomous and government bodies under one roof. Expo Summit, 2010 is eyeing upon brining larger volume of industry insiders at the event to discuss challenges and means to overcome them.
Expo Summit, 2010 has received strong support from Indian Exhibition Industry Association IEIA. Other international associations like UFI and AUMA are also showing keen interest to join their Indian counterparts at the event.
The Event comes with the theme of Applying effective strategies to build sustainable and profitable exhibition business. The Conference will thrive for the best practices trends and futuristic solutions for consistent growth of entire sector. It will focus upon the potential of the Indian exhibition sector to go international in true sense and will also discuss the growth inhibitors of the sector. The forum will see the opportunities if India could become the exhibition hub of South Asia! Topics like significance of direct marketing in the digital marketing era, pricing strategies in the sector and developing exhibitions as the most potent experiential marketing tool and some other contemporary topics will be discussed at length by the experienced speakers from all across the globe, bringing the international advantage to the industry.
“We are looking forward to have more than 300 delegates from national and international arena at the Summit. As entire industry was enthralled with the first Expo Summit, we are confident of the greater support from the sector this time!” said Anuj Mathur, Director, Manch Communications Pvt Ltd, the organizer.
Posted in Exhibition, India, Marketing | No Comments »
Monday, March 22nd, 2010
marcus evans is pleased to announce the Elite Summit taking place 26-28 June 2010 at the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, Montreux, Switzerland.
Preserving wealth even in the most turbulent of financial markets continues to top the priority list of family offices and their investment arms. Mastering the principal drivers of returns, fund selection and asset allocation, holds the key to ultimate portfolio performance. The exclusive Elite Summit brings together investment strategists from prominent family offices, trusts, foundations and endowments with leading asset managers and wealth management professionals to explore lucrative investment potential.
The Elite Summit 2010 offers attendees the perfect opportunity to network with the key decision makers from the most prominent family offices, trusts, foundations and endowments in Europe. A series of insightful keynote presentations and case studies will be delivered by the gate keepers of family wealth. The luxurious settings and conference facilities of the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace in conjunction with an abundance of networking opportunities throughout this exclusive event will provide a unique forum to exchange knowledge and ideas and develop meaningful business relations.
At the Elite Summit, attendees will follow a personalised agenda designed to maximize their limited time and to effectively meet their business needs and interests. The speakers include: Jeffrey R Lewis, President,Heinz Family Philanthropies; William Drake, Director & Co-Founder, Lord North Street;Daniel de Fernando, Founding & Managing Partner, MdF Achievers and Juan Jesus Gomez Cubillo, Family Office Director, Tressis.
For More Information Please Contact:
Kirsten Helders
+357 22 849 378
summits@marcusevanscy.com
http://www.elitesummit.com/GTMpr
www.marcusevans.com
Posted in Finance, Funding, Investments, Management, Switzerland | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010
The Caspian Business Events is delighted to invite oil and gas industry peers to our prestigious event in Almaty, the KazStimOil 2010: The 6th Annual International Symposium and Exhibition on Oil and Gas Production Stimulation, to be held on 3 – 4 June, 2010 in Almaty at Rixos Almaty Hotel.
Today’s economy demands the highest level of knowledge. As the economy stumbles, you can still achieve your goals. Given the challenges of today and new environment experienced by the oil and gas industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan during the financial crunch, the 5th International Kazakhstan International Conference on New Techniques and Technologies for Oil and Gas Production Stimulation in Kazakhstan will be an important stride towards further development of the oil and gas industry in Kazakhstan under the world financial crunch conditions.
Value of this event consists in possibility of direct dialogue of specialists about advantages and perspectives of offered technologies. In situation of financial crisis it is very important to discuss possibilities of risk minimization and maximum use of available possibilities, to develop exploration and production of oil and gas in the Kazakhstan.
I am sure that the KazStimOil Event on New Equipment and Technologies for Enhanced Oil Recovery in the Republic of Kazakhstan will make a noteworthy contribution into further development of the oil sector; that it will demonstrate the innovative petroleum science and technology; that it will give opportunities for researchers and specialists to exchange their experiences and discuss issues of productivity enhancement and security of the fuel and energy sector, as well as the issues of this sector attractiveness for investors – Karim Massimov Prime-Minister Republic of Kazakhstan
KazStimOil 2010fully supported by:
- Fund of National Welfare Samruk-Kazyna
- Ministry of energy and mineral resources of RK
- Committee of Geology and Resource Exploitation of MEMR RK
- KAZENERGY Association
- Kazakhstan Petroleum Association
- Akimat of Almaty city
- Akimat of Mangistau Region
- Akimat of Westen-Kazakhstan Region
- Akimat of Aktobe Region
Partners of the KazStimOil
- KazMunayGas Exploration & Production
- Maersk Oil Kazakhstan GmbH
- Karachaganak Petroleum Operating B.V.
- Tengizchevroil, LLP
- Kazgermunay GU
- Kazakhturkmunay, LLP
- LUKOIL Overseas Holding Ltd.
- BG Kazakhstan
- Buzachi Operating Limited
- NOVOMET Group of the Companies
- SPE Burintech
- PetroKazakhstan Kumkol Resources
- KAZGIPRONEFTETRANS
This year 82% of Kazakhstan oil community include the KazStimOil 2010 in their networking strategy and industry suppliers and players can promote solution and brand profile in the presence of the oil and gas industry’s premier decision-makers and influencers. The KazStimOil 2010 provides with the opportunity for increased market exposure by affiliating with one of the world’s foremost oil and gas events. Take a leadership position within the global oil and gas industry. The KazStimOil 2010 delivers cost-effective marketing exposure and branding of your company to your target audience.
KazStimOil aren’t specific to oil and gas industry. With a wide range of industry sectors represented at the symposium and exhibition this year in Almaty, we believe this opens many doors and provides the ultimate in networking opportunities for professionals and industry peers to success and continually strive to provide the perfect setting for delegates, sponsors and partners to come together in a productive and informative setting.
We look forward to welcome you to KazStimOil 2010, in addition to fantastic networking opportunities you can keep up-to-date with the latest developments. If you are interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at the KazStimOil 2010, please contact by email enquiry@caspian-events.com or call by Phone:+4207 617 7532.
View details of the event here.
Posted in Energy, environment | No Comments »
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