MUMBAI: Silver prices crashed by Rs 240 per kg on the bullion market here today after the white metal fell steeply to $4.65/4.68 per ounce in the global markets. Gold also eased due to poor local demand. Ready silver (.999 fineness) resumed sharply lower at Rs 7145, but recovered towards the fag-end on hopes of fresh rise in prices in the asian markets and closed at Rs 7160, still showing a sharp setback of Rs 240 over the last close of Rs 7400. Raw silver (.999 fineness) nosedived by Rs 255 to end at Rs 7040 from yesterday's close of rs 7295. Tenderable silver declined to Rs 7165 from Rs 7405.

Stanchart ties up with Equifax

MUMBAI: Standard Chartered Bank has announced a tie-up with Equifax Venture Infotek Payment Services in India to offer credit card management services to local banks and institutions. Local credit card issuing banks will benefit through this co-branding arrangement from Stanchart's experience in credit appraisal, customer service, marketing andbranding. The card issuer would also have the advantage of Equifax Venture Infotek Payment Services -- a joint venture between Equifax Inc of the US and Venture Infotek of India -- expertise in technology in credit card databases and operations.

AIPMA meet

MUMBAI: The All India Plastic Manufacturers Association (AIPMA) has organised the 4th national exhibition `Plastivision India '98' at the NSE complex, Goregaon, Mumbai from December 4-8. Union minister of state for chemicals and fertilisers A K Patel will inaugurate the exhibition.

Over 300 exhibitors -- from petrochmicals, polymers, speciality chemicals, moulds and dies, ancillary equipment, processing machinery, consultancy services and printing -- and over two lakh visitors from all over the country are expected to visit the expo.

The association had earlier conducted three exhibitions -- two in Mumbai and one in Chennai. The last expo was held in Mumbai in 1995.