Ahmedabad becomes the first WiMax city in the country

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has finally launched WiMax technology in Ahmedabad, which enables users a much faster downloading on internet. With launch of this advanced technology, the city has become the first WiMax city in the country. The telco targets around 50,000 WiMax connection in a year.

After the economic downturn set off speculation in the ad fraternity about the possibility of this year's Goafest being quashed, news comes that India's biggest advertising carnival is very much on.

On Wednesday, the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and the Ad Club Bombay announced the annual advertising and media industry jamboree — which attracts close to 3,000 attendees — will be held between 2-4 April at Cavelossim Beach, Goa.

Doubts over the participation of O&M and McCann Erickson have been quelled, with both creative powerhouses deciding to send in entries. How many delegates will participate is still undecided due to financial pressures.

Depreciating rupee to help Indian drug industry to achieve exponential growth in overseas sales

At last union government has announced some relief measures for the gems and jewellery industry. As a part of the trade facilitation measures, minister of commerce and industry, Kamal Nath announced that the employment oriented sectors like Gems and Jewellery, diamonds and precious metals have been given a special boost. However, players in the industry believe that it is a welcome move, but the sector still requires some more relief.

CII's annual day meet will be held at Yashada today

The National Council of Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) is conducting an online survey among its member industries for the past six months to get an idea on the present state and performance of the units during the challenging times of recession.

The survey, which the CII officials' term as more of a general survey rather than an industry wise analysis, is likely to be released soon.

"We are looking forward to release some parts of the reports on the present state of its member industries during the annual day conclave in Pune on Friday," said director and head of CII Pune zonal council Vishal Gakhar.

State Bank of India (SBI) plans to restructure about 15,000 small and medium enterprise (SME) loan accounts before the end of the financial year. This is in addition to the 26,000 accounts the country's largest bank has restructured since December.

B S Bhasin, chief general manager, banking operations, said a majority of the restructured accounts were in the auto component & garment sectors.

The Reserve Bank of India in December issued a directive asking banks to restructure loans of SMEs owing to the difficulties they were facing in the light of the slowdown. Restructuring of loans would mean an extension of the repayment period and reduction in the equated monthly installments.