MUMBAI: The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) will be jointly participating in a series of exhibitions abroad in the coming one year. The council will provide all the necessary help to Indian participants in terms of display arrangements and pre-exhibition publicity. The exhibitions in which GJEPC is participating are Mid-East Watch & Jewellery Show'99, Sharjah, Jewellery Arabia'99, Bahrain Basel 2000-Watch, Clock & Jewellery Show, Switzerland, JA International Jewellery show'2000, New York, Hong Kong Jewellery & Watch Fair'2000, HK, Arab jewellery & Watch Show, Abu Dhabi and Jewellery Arabia 2000, Bahrain.

CKP Co-op Bank opens new branch

MUMBAI: The CKP Co-operative Bank Ltd, a leading city based co-operative bank, has recently opened its branch at Dombivli (E). Former chief minister of Maharashtra Manohar Joshi inaugurated the branch. Noted industrialist and chairman of Vicco Laboratories G K Pendharkar presided over the function.

Webbyawards entries from India

MUMBAI: The international Webby Awards for internet will for the first time accept Indian entries for the annual event to be held in March 2000. The winners for the fourth awards will be decided by the members of International Academy of Digital Arts comprising 220 new media experts and authorities in their respective fields. They include director Francis Ford Coppola, cyber guru Esther Dyson and Talk Media chairwoman Tina Brown. The awards are in 22 categories and range from the arts to the weird, according to a press release by LA Promotions which is bringing the event to Indians. More information can be obtained at e-mail: lapromotions@vsnl.com.

Three branches merge with HSBC

MUMBAI: In a bid to bring about cost efficiencies in customer service, the three Indian branches of HSBC Bank Middle East (formerly the British Bank of the Middle East) have been merged with the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. The merger has been approved by the boards of directorsof both banks.