German VDMA sees 20,000 new jobs: At least 20,000 jobs will be added this year in Germany's plant and engineering sector, the head of the VDMA industry association predicted on Saturday. VDMA president Michael Rogowski told German radio that his confidence was built on the signs of economic recovery in Germany and his branch's competitive strength. Germany, he said, benefited from excellent infrastructure and education.Egypt signs mobile phone deal: Egypt has signed a licensing agreement on Saturday with a consortium including France Telecom, Motorola and Egyptian partners to operate and develop the mobile telephone network in Egypt, a spokesman said. The 15-year license will cost 1.75 billion pounds ($514million), said France Telecom spokesman Osman Sultan. "Payment of the license will be in one month," he said. The deal was signed by communications minister Soleiman Metwalli for Egypt's telecommunications authority and the consortium called MobiNil. MobiNil includes France Telecom,Motorola, and Egyptian partners Orascom, Al-Ahram, Alcatel agent Raouf Abdel Messih and Motorola agent Systel.
Nippon Airways strike: A strike by pilots at All Nippon Airways Co Ltd (ANA) appeared on Sunday to be dragging into its second week with no signs of a settlement in sight. Japanese media quoted company officials as saying that the strike had led to the cancellation of 88 flights, including those on Sunday, bringing to 18,000 the number of passengers affected and making it the longest and largest strike ever to involve the airline's international service.
Semiconductor group nod for China: The World Semiconductor Council has decided to allow Taiwan and arch rival China to become members next year, a move that will benefit the island's semiconductor makers, local media reported on Sunday. The state-run Central News Agency said the WSC would require Taiwan and China to eliminate their tariffs on semiconductors before they join. The WSC was founded in August 1996 to seek internationalcooperation in the semiconductor industry. The Economic Daily News quoted the economics ministry assaying that inside the WSC, Taiwan could more easily communicate with advanced semiconductor makers in Europe, the United States and Japan in technology and market development.
De Beers purchases another diamond mining rights: De Beers, the world's largest diamond mining corporation, has purchased another diamond mining rights in South Africa to increase its diamond output on the world market. In a statement on Friday, De Beers said, it has entered into an agreement to purchase mineral rights situated on a farm known as Marspontein, in the northern province of the country.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
