"Mergers will hasten technological revolution": Big mergers, taking place in the corporate sector all over the world, will accelerate the pace of technological revolution, SAARC chamber of commerce and industry president Kantikumar R Podar said. Addressing a convocation ceremony organised by the Sydenham institute of management studies here on Saturday, he said the world is increasingly becoming smaller in so far our sense of distance is concerned. Ideas and fashion move withincredible speed. The country requires productivity and not protection-induced efficiency, he said.

Gabriel to pay 25 per cent dividend: Gabriel India Ltd of Anand group on Saturday announced 25 per cent dividend for the year ended March 31, 1998. The company's exports during the year recorded 36 per cent growth over the previous year. Exports in value terms gone up from Rs 14.46 crore during 1996-97 to Rs 19.70 crore during 1997-98. Total sales has marginally declined from Rs 207.50 crore last year to Rs 205.91 crore this year, a company release said here. The net profit, which also declined, is mainly due to overall static sales as a result of recessionary conditions in automotive industry, the release said.

Hyundai Motor launches ad campaign: Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) has launched an advertising campaign for the October launch of the Santro. The three phased multi-media campaign aims at building brand awareness and establishing Hyundai's image as a world class car maker. The companyhas signed Shahrukh Khan for the ad-campaign.

Blue Star bags contracts: Blue Star has been awarded projects to construct refrigerated cargo handling facilities at Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Pune airports, according to a press release issued by the company on Wednesday. The first three projects are for the Agriculture & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and the Pune project is for the Maharashtra State Marketing and Agriculture Board.

BIFR issues notice: The Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR) has proposed to wind up private sector company Sri Laxmi Saraswati Papers Ltd As the unit cannot be revived on a long term basis. he board has formed a prima-facie opinion that the sick company cannot be revived and should be wound up in public interest.

Uttara Foods sets up pellet feed mill: Uttara Foods and Feeds, part of the Venkateshwara Hatcheries (VHL) group, has set up its first pellet feed mill at Ketkawle, near Pune. This is partof the group's policy to set up feed mills at various places in the country for which it has promoted the new company. The plant, in taluka Purnadar, has an installed capacity to manufacture 100 tonnes feed per day.