Growing need for secure travel documents creates demand for e-Pa

Singapore (BUSINESS WIRE) - The need for a reliable solution to counter fraud, illegal immigration, and cross-border terrorism has created a case for e-Passports in the Asia Pacific region. The United States' Visa Waiver Program that necessitates e-Passports for select ountries further enhances this demand.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.smartcards.frost.com), Strategic Assessment of Asia Pacific e-Passport Markets- e-Passport, a machine-readable travel document containing smart card technology, comes in the form of a standard passport with the integrated circuit (IC) chip embedded in it. This technology is more secure and sophisticated than conventional passports.

e-Passports, require global cooperation and standard setting. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has issued protocols in this regard and tried to ensure a public key infrastructure (PKI) that can be shared by various countries.

"The PKI is significant in ensuring that the electronic data in the e-Passport can be trusted," notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Michelle Foong.

However, it will be many years before countries install readers that are interoperable at most borders and agree on the distribution of digital certificates issued by the various member countries.

The infrastructure needed to use e-Passport effectively to police borders involves manufacturing and binding of the books, issuance and personalization systems, software for enrolment, capturing, and digitizing data and border control systems such as autogate. Some major manufacturers of smart cards offer turnkey solutions for e-Passport systems.

As more countries move toward ICAO compliance, the use of smart cards in this application is only bound to grow. International mandates such as those by the United States and the European Union, which waive visas for travelers from specified countries that issue e-Passports, will also help increase the use of e-Passports.

Market participants will have to find a way to deal with the possible political concerns regarding the costs of migrating the current infrastructure ? especially the proportion borne by the traveler.

"In creating a secure document such as the e-Passport, it is not only the travel document itself that needs to be scrutinized, but rather, the entire system and processes at issuance, immigration points, and back-end systems need to be considered from a security and efficiency perspective," says Foong.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overview of the strategic assessment of Asia Pacific e-passport markets, then send an e-mail to Sarah Lourdes, Corporate Communications, at sarah.lourdes@frost.com, your full name, company name, title, telephone number, company e-mail address, company website, city, state and country. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you by e-mail.

Strategic Assessment of Asia Pacific e-Passport Markets is part of the Smart Cards Growth Partnership Service program, which also includes research in the following markets: World Smart Card Markets, World Smart Card IC Market, and World Contactless Smart Card Market. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Interviews with the press are available.

Frost & Sullivan, the Global Growth Consulting Company, partners with clients to accelerate their growth. The company's Growth Partnership Services, Growth Consulting and Career Best Practices empower clients to create a growth focused culture that generates, evaluates and implements effective growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan employs over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 30 offices on six continents. For more information about Frost & Sullivan's Growth Partnerships, visit http://www.frost.com.

Strategic Assessment of Asia Pacific e-Passport Markets
P160
Frost &?SullivanCorporate Communications ? Southeast AsiaSarah Lourdes, +603 6204 5878 fax: +603 6201 7402 sarah.lourdes@frost.com or
Corporate Communications ? North AmericaMireya Castilla, 210-247-3830 fax: 210.348.1003 mireya.castilla@frost.com or
Corporate Communications ? EuropeJoanna Lewandowska, +48 22 390 41 46joanna.lewandowska@frost.com or
Corporate Communications ? South AsiaCaroline Lewis, +91.22.4001 3438 fax: +91.22.2832 4713 caroline.lewis@frost.com or
Corporate Communications ? Middle EastNimisha Iyer, +91 22 4001 3404 fax: +91 22 2832 4713 niyer@frost.com or
Corporate Communications ? ChinaAmelia Wong, +86 21 5407 5783, ext. 8669 mobile: +86 13621724823 amelia.wong@frost.com or
Corporate Communications ? AfricaPatrick Cairns, +27 18 468 2315 patrick.cairns@frost.com or
Corporate Communications ? Latin AmericaJos? Mar?a Jantus, +54-11-4777-9951 fax: +54-11-4777-0071 jose.jantus@frost.com
http://www.frost.com

Industries' demand for clean and stable process heat energy fuel

Industries' demand for clean and stable process heat energy fuels adoption of industrial boilers

Singapore (BUSINESS WIRE) - Commercial establishments and industries across verticals have been increasingly demanding captive power to improve their production process and expand their facilities. This demand for process heat and electricity could encourage industries to invest in industrial boilers instead of depending on utility grids, which could be unstable in some Southeast Asian countries.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.energy.frost.com), Southeast Asian Industrial Boilers Markets, finds that the market earned revenues of $252.2 million in 2006 and estimates this to reach $382.6 million in 2013.

Market growth in each country in Southeast Asia may vary depending on the country's industrial policy, existing tariff structure, maturity of technology, power availability, and fuel resources. However, the keen focus of industries such as food and beverages, manufacturing, plastics, rubber, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, and petrochemicals on improving energy efficiency strategies has significantly benefited the industrial boilers market.

The market is highly competitive because of the presence of numerous multinational and local equipment suppliers. Most local manufacturers enjoy immense popularity, especially among the price-sensitive small- and medium-sized companies.

Although some local companies also import low-cost equipment from China, end users prefer companies with local manufacturingbases, since it eliminates red tape. The strong presence of local suppliers even curtails the expansion plans of multinationals, which are preferred only by companies with critical applications.

"Most local manufacturers partner with or license the technology of industrial boilers from well-known European and U.S.-based multinational equipment suppliers," says Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Suchitra Sriram.
"Market participants will also gain from strong support for cogeneration power plants and by selling the surplus power generated to the local utility grid at attractive prices."

Meanwhile, rising concerns about the environment have created a demand for environment-friendly power generation technologies in the industrial boiler market. This trend is expected to trigger wider adoption of diverse, clean fuels such as biomass and biogas.

The increasing prices of oil and gas are also causing a shift in focus from conventional fuels to greener ones. The abundance of biomass in agro-based countries such as the Philippines only enhances the demand for biomass boilers.

"Industries' move to retrofit coal and oil-fired boilers with biomass boilers and replace old packaged boilers with new ones have given a huge boost to the market," notes Sriram. "These changes are in line with the governments' visions of environmental awareness and promotion of green energy technology."

The governments' favorable import laws have also gone a long way in driving uptake of industrial boilers, despite the slowdown in industrial development in Southeast Asia. For instance, the import laws for industrial equipment in Malaysia are simple, and this facilitates the expansion of the market, while in Thailand, the import tariff on boilers and boiler parts is only 5.0 percent.

These laws also enable local manufacturers to import technologically advanced machinery from suppliers in Japan, Germany, and Belgium. They can also collaborate with multinational companies to gain technical expertise, thereby offer boilers with higher efficiencies and better output.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overview of the Southeast Asian industrial boilers markets, then send an e-mail to Donna Jeremiah, Corporate Communications, at djeremiah@frost.com, your full name, company name, title, telephone number, company e-mail address, company website, city, state and country. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you by e-mail.

Southeast Asian Industrial Boilers Markets is part of the Energy & Power Growth Partnership Service program, which also includes research in the following markets: Malaysia industrial boilers market, Thailand industrial boilers market, and the Philippines industrial boilers market. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

Interviews with the press are available.

Frost & Sullivan, the Global Growth Consulting Company, partners with clients to accelerate their growth. The company's Growth Partnership Services, Growth Consulting and Career Best Practices empower clients to create a growth focused culture that generates, evaluates and implements effective growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan employs over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 30 offices on six continents. For more information about Frost & Sullivan's Growth Partnerships, visit http://www.frost.com.

Southeast Asian Industrial Boilers Markets P0CC Frost & SullivanCorporate Communications ? North AmericaJohanna Haynes,
210-247-3870 fax: 210-348-1003 johanna.haynes@frost.com or
Corporate Communications ? Southeast AsiaDonna Jeremiah, +603 6304 5832 fax: +603 6201 7402 djeremiah@frost.com or
Corporate Communications ? EuropeChiara Carella, +44 (0) 20 7343 8314 chiara.carella@frost.com or
Corporate Communications ? South AsiaRavinder Kaur, +91 44 42044760 fax: +91 44 24314264 ravinder.kaur@frost.com or
Corporate Communications ? Middle EastNimisha Iyer, +91 22 4001 3404 fax: +91 22 2832 4713 niyer@frost.com or
Corporate Communications ? Latin AmericaJos? Mar?a Jantus, + 54-11-4777-9951 fax: + 54-11-4777-0071 jose.jantus@frost.com or Corporate Communications ? ChinaAmelia Wong, +86 21 5407 5783, ext. 8669 cell: +86 13621724823 amelia.wong@frost.com or Corporate Communications ? AfricaPatrick Cairns, +27 18 468 2315 patrick.cairns@frost.com http://www.frost.com

Business in Asia Today - March 28, 2008

IDEMITSU, MITSUI CHEM, OTHERS PLAN VIETNAM PETROCHEMICAL COMPLEX
TOKYO (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - Japan's Idemitsu Kosan Co. (TSE:5019) and Mitsui Chemicals Inc. (TSE:4183) said Thursday they will construct a petrochemical complex in Vietnam with Kuwait Petroleum International Ltd. and PetroVietnam.
The firms have agreed to set up a joint venture, Nghi Son Refinery & Petrochemical LLC, in June at a capitalization of US$200 million. The joint venture will build a refinery and a petrochemical plant at a total cost of US$5.8 billion. The complex is to begin operating in late 2013 with a daily refining capacity of 200,000 barrels.
It is expected to produce petroleum products, such as gasoline, kerosene and diesel oil, as well as polypropylene, paraxylene and other basic petrochemical materials. Output will be sold in Vietnam and neighboring countries.

INDIAN M&A VALUE NEARS US$6 BLN IN FIRST 2 MONTHS
NEW DELHI (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - Indian corporates have announced 92 merger and acquisition deals, valued at nearly US$6 billion, in the first two months of the new calender year, global consultancy firm Grant Thonrton has said.
Banking and financial services, and shipping and ports attracted the maximum deals during the period. Outbound deals have outnumbered domestic ones in terms of value breakup. Domestic deals accounted for US$2.7 billion, whereas outbound deals totalled US$2.8 billion.
Inbound deals were valued at US$0.45 billion, the report showed. The most significant M&A deal in the first two months of 2008 was HDFC Bank's (BSE:500180) acquisition of Centurion Bank of Punjab (BSE:532273) followed by a subsequent merger. The M&A scene recently received a major boost with Tata Motors (BSE:500570) acquisition of iconic brands Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford for US$2.30 billion.

AUSTRALIA 3RD MOST COMPETITIVE BUSINESS ARENA INTERNATIONALLY: SURVEY
SYDNEY (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - Australia has been ranked the fourth most competitive place to do business behind Mexico, Canada and the United States, in a new survey. Melbourne also triumphed over Sydney as the most competitive big city in Australia, according to the study carried out by professional services firm KPMG.
The KPMG Competitive Alternatives Survey compared business costs in 10 countries and 136 cities and showed Australia was one of the cheapest countries in the industrialised world to base a business.
However, only one per cent separated Australia from second place. KPMG chief executive Geoff Wilson said Australia was an excellent base for business given its distinct cost advantage. Australia ranked second for manufacturing costs, had the third most competitive transportation costs and the fourth cheapest labour costs of the countries surveyed.

INDONESIA KEEN TO PURCHASE THAI RICE, SAYS PM
JAKARTA (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Thursday said that Indonesia expressed a desire to buy Thai rice on an annual basis and that Thailand wanted to purchase liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from Indonesia in reciprocation.
Initially, the Indonesian government expressed its intention to buy 100,000-300,000 tonnes of Thai rice each year and the Thai government wanted to purchase one million tonnes of LPG from Indonesia in return. Additionally, Jakarta was willing to support Thailand's plan to buy fertilizers, which are abundant in Indonesia.
Mr Yudhoyono said Thailand and Indonesia would discuss the bilateral cooperation at all levels and expand their cooperation in trade and investment, security, energy, and fishery affairs to increase trade value.

NESTLE OPENS ICE CREAM PLANT IN SOUTH CHINA
GUANGZHOU (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - Nestle opened a new ice cream plant in south China on Wednesday, demonstrating its aim to further develop the Chinese market. The 22,000-sq-m factory, in Guangzhou will increase the food and drink giant's annual ice cream productivity to 64 million liters, three times the output from its old facilities.
The plant, involving 250 million yuan (US$35.6 million) in investment, will help Nestle to promote its high-end ice cream brand in south China and meet the growing demand for ice cream products, said Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, chairman and CEO of the Nestle Group worldwide at the opening ceremony.
Nestle, the world's largest food company, has opened 20 factories in 17 regions across China since it entered the market two decades ago, employing more than 13,000 people.

HONG KONG LAUNCHES FREE WI-FI TO SHARPEN COMPETITIVE EDGE
HONG KONG (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Thursday officially launched a Wi-Fi program to give free access to hotspots, which an official said would help sharpen the city's competitive edge.
The GovWiFi program now gives free access to wireless Internet at over 30 government buildings and will have put in place around 2,000 hotspots to cover about 350 locations by mid-2009, said Frederick Ma, secretary for commerce and economic development.
The program will cover libraries, government offices, job centers, public inquiry centers, sports, cultural and recreation centers, community centers and parks. Ma said the provision of public Wi-Fi services was booming, with over 1,000 hotspots installed in just the first two months of 2008.

JAPANESE TO SPEND US$6 BLN ON INDONESIAN OIL REFINERY, LNG PROJECTS
JAKARTA (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - Three Japanese investors have agreed to cooperate with Indonesia's PT Pertamina to invest US$6.5 billion on oil refinery and liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in Indonesia.
Mitsui Oil Exploration Co. will team up with Pertamina to modify the Cilacap oil refinery in Central Java at a cost of US$1.9 billion expanding its processing capacity from 348,000 to 410,000 barrels of crude per day. Pertamina will also, in cooperation with Itochu Corp. (TSE:8001), expand the daily processing capacity of its oil refinery in Balikpapan from to 280,000 barrels and that of the Balongan refinery in Indramayu to 250,000 barrels at a cost of around US$3.2 billion, a Pertamina official said.
Pertamina also plans to build an LNG plant in Senoro, Central Sulawesi at a cost of US$1.4 billion in cooperation with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (TSE: 7011).

SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS TARGETS US$70 BLN IN SALES
SEOUL (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - Samsung Electronics Co. (KSE:005930) plans to increase its annual sales to 70 trillion won (US$70.6 billion) this year, the company's vice chairman Yoon said Friday. For 2007, Samsung Electronics posted 7.42 trillion won in net profit on sales of 63.17 trillion won.
It was the first time that Samsung saw its yearly sales figure, excluding earnings in overseas units, exceed the 60-trillion-won mark.
Competition will become fiercer in the global electronics market, Yoon forecasted, saying structures of competition between businesses will become more complex and Japanese companies will try to regain market leadership.

CHINA CITIC BANK REPORTS 2007 NET PROFIT MORE THAN DOUBLED
BEIJING (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - China CITIC Bank (SEHK:0998, SSX:601998), the nation's seventh largest lender, said its net profit more than doubled last year, powered by a jump in interest and fee income.
Net profit rose to 8.29 billion yuan (US$1.18 billion) from 3.73 billion yuan last year, the bank said in a statement to the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Per-share earnings rose to 0.23 yuan from 0.12 yuan in 2006.
Operating revenue surged 56.1 per cent from a year earlier to 27.8 billion yuan in 2007, it said. Net interest income rose 58.9 per cent to 26.2 billion yuan last year on increasing outstanding loans. CITIC bank raised US$5.4 billion in April through simultaneous initial public offerings in Shanghai and Hong Kong.

BANGLADESH'S GRAMEEN CYBERNET SIGNS BROADBAND DEAL WITH ERICSSON
DHAKA (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - Grameen CyberNet Limited has signed a deal with Ericsson to have technological facilities to provide advanced broadband services like games and video-on-demand to its customers.
The facility would be a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network based on Ericsson's GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Network) solution, said a press release Wednesday.
Under the agreement, Ericsson will deliver central office optical equipment and devices for the home base on its EDA 1500 solution, plus infrastructure such as fiber systems and cables.

Source:
Business in Asia Today - MARCH 28, 2008
published by Asia Pulse

COPYRIGHT © 2008

Corning holds grand opening ceremony for LCD glass plant in China

Beijing plant will supply panel makers on the China mainland

Corning, N.Y. (BUSINESS WIRE) - Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) today hosted a grand opening ceremony for the company's new liquid crystal display (LCD) glass substrate manufacturing facility in the People's Republic of China.

The plant, located in the Beijing Economic Technological Development Area, is the company's first TFT-LCD glass production facility on the China mainland. The opening continues Corning's trend of entering an LCD-producing region as local market demand expands. Corning currently has LCD glass facilities in the U.S., Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

"Today marks the latest chapter in Corning's history of investment in China, where our businesses have responded to the varied needs of the region's many high-technology industries," said Wendell P. Weeks, chairman and chief executive officer, Corning Incorporated. "This plant reflects our commitment to grow with our customers and to support one of China's most important industries."

John P. Bayne, president, Corning Display Technologies China, hosted the grand opening celebration, together with Weeks and James P. Clappin, president, Corning Display Technologies.

"As an industry leader in TFT-LCD glass and other advanced display products, Corning is committed to providing customers with reliable supply across our global network," said Bayne. "This facility demonstrates our commitment to China and the growing TFT industry. We have added and will continue to add many people to our organization, including highly skilled technicians and engineers, as we continue to ramp operations over the coming months."

Previously, Corning stated that it expects global demand for liquid crystal display glass to grow 25% to 30% in 2008, representing an increase of more than 450 million square feet of glass to about 2.2 billion square feet by year-end. While much of that growth is driven by the demand for LCD televisions, smaller applications like LCD monitors, notebooks, and portable devices are also strong factors in overall glass demand.

About Corning Incorporated

Corning Incorporated (www.corning.com) is the world leader in specialty glass and ceramics. Drawing on more than 150 years of materials science and process engineering knowledge, Corning creates and makes keystone components that enable high-technology systems for consumer electronics, mobile emissions control, telecommunications and life sciences. Our products include glass substrates for LCD televisions, computer monitors and laptops; ceramic substrates and filters for mobile emission control systems; optical fiber, cable, hardware & equipment for telecommunications networks; optical biosensors for drug discovery; and other advanced optics and specialty glass solutions for a number of industries including semiconductor, aerospace, defense, astronomy and metrology.

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a variety of business risks and other uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include the possibility of changes in global economic and political conditions; currency fluctuations; product demand and industry capacity; competition; manufacturing efficiencies; cost reductions; availability of critical components and materials; new product commercialization; changes in the mix of sales between premium and non-premium products; new plant start-up costs; possible disruption in commercial activities due to terrorist activity, armed conflict, political instability or major health concerns; adequacy of insurance; equity company activities; acquisition and divestiture activities; the level of excess or obsolete inventory; the rate of technology change; the ability to enforce patents; product and components performance issues; stock price fluctuations; and adverse litigation or regulatory developments.

Additional risk factors are identified in Corning's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the day that they are made, and Corning undertakes no obligation to update them in light of new information or future events.

Corning
Media Relations:James E. Terry, 607-974-7343 terryje@corning.com or M. Elizabeth Dann, 607-974-4989 dannme@corning.com or Media Relations - China:Lydia Lu, 011-86-21-5467-4666 x1900 lulr@corning.com or Investor Relations:Kenneth C. Sofio, 607-974-7705 sofiokc@corning.com

Inclusion of Sterlite Industries in the S&P India 10 index

Mumbai, India (BUSINESS WIRE) - Sterlite Industries (India) Limited ("Sterlite") (NYSE:SLT) is pleased to announce that it has been included in the recently launched S&P India 10 Index (the "S&P India 10"). The S&P India 10 is designed to provide investors with tradable exposure to the Indian equity market as well as serve as a basis upon which to create investment products.

Sterlite is the only company from the Materials sector in the S&P India 10.

The S&P India 10 comprises ten of the largest and most liquid Indian companies which trade on developed market exchanges namely the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the London Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ or the New York Stock Exchange. In addition, included companies must already be a constituent of the S&P/IFCI India Index, with a float-adjusted market capitalization above US$?500?million and six-month average daily trading value above US$?1?million.

About Sterlite Industries

Sterlite Industries is India's largest non-ferrous metals and mining company with interests and operations in aluminum, copper and zinc and lead. It is a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources plc, a London-based diversified FTSE 100 metals and mining group. Sterlite Industries' main operating subsidiaries are Hindustan Zinc Limited for its zinc and lead operations; Copper Mines of Tasmania Pty Limited for its copper operations in Australia; and Bharat Aluminum Company Limited for its aluminum operations. The company operates its own copper operations in India. The company recently entered the commercial energy generation business and is in the process of setting up a 2,400MW independent power plant through its wholly owned subsidiary, Sterlite Energy Limited. In 2007, it generated revenues of $5.9 billion and net income of $1.1 billion. Sterlite Industries is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange in India and the New York Stock Exchange in the United States. For more information,
please visit www.sterlite-industries.com.

Sterlite Industries (India) Limited
Sumanth Cidambi, +91 22 6646 1531 Associate Director - Investor Relations sumanth.cidambi@vedanta.co.in
Sheetal Khanduja, +91 22 6646 1427 Manager - Investor Relations Sheetal.khanduja@vedanta.co.in

Sustainability Software Provider ESS opens Beijing Office

Enterprise Sustainability Software Provider ESS opens Beijing Office
Industry leader expands marketing and support of HSE/Crisis solutions in Greater China

Tempe, Arizona (BUSINESS WIRE) - ESS, the leading provider of enterprise sustainability solutions for Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) and Crisis Management, today announced that it has opened ESS China, its Beijing-based office that will offer the industry-leading software platform to organizations in Greater China and throughout the Asia Pacific region.

To celebrate its new office, ESS will host a grand opening event, featuring local executives and civic leaders, Wednesday, March 26 at the Beijing American Club.

ESS has established its first office in Asia in order to grow its marketing and support operations in a region where it already has a strong client base, including global energy giants PetroChina and China National Petroleum Company (CNPC).

"Businesses throughout Asia and, in particular, Greater China, are positioning themselves to increase their market share through expanded global operations," said Robert Johnson, ESS President and CEO.

"Those decision makers understand that their organizations must implement standards that are aligned with international protocols such as ISO 14000, Global Reporting Initiative, OHSAS 18000, REACH and others in order to compete in markets where HSE is recognized as an important benchmark for enterprise sustainability."

For nearly two decades, ESS has provided customer-focused solutions that reduce complexities, risks and costs that are associated with HSE management so organizations can reach their corporate governance goals for sustainability and operational excellence.

ESS China will continue that tradition by offering the company's integrated software platform, which enables organizations to efficiently address urgent business concerns such as greenhouse gas management, Corporate Social Responsibility reporting, worker health and safety, compliance reporting and emergency response.

"Organizations throughout China have experienced tremendous growth over the past 10 years, and now they are facing daunting environmental, health, safety and crisis management challenges," Johnson said. "ESS is uniquely positioned to help those organizations manage their HSE issues more effectively."

"ESS' integrated software platform enables users to efficiently collect and communicate critical HSE and Crisis data at all levels of an organization and across the enterprise. With technologies to support enterprise hierarchy and multilingual localization, ESS delivers enterprise solutions that help organizations leverage their HSE data to achieve a competitive advantage, and support Governance, Risk and Compliance."

PetroChina's HSE software platform implementation represented a major landmark as the first enterprise-wide compliance and risk management software deployment of its kind in China.

ESS' software platform enabled PetroChina, the world's largest company by market capitalization, to increase productivity by driving process improvements that generated time and cost savings while also improving management decision making. CNPC selected ESS based on the success of the PetroChina implementation.

About ESS

ESS is the leading provider of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) and Crisis Management sustainability software solutions that support Governance, Risk and Compliance and operational excellence. The company has provided global and local software for thousands of businesses, government agencies and other organizations worldwide. ESS is headquartered in Tempe, Arizona with U.S. offices in Denver, Houston and Washington, and international offices in Beijing, China and Calgary, Alberta.

ESS, TempeDawn Kehr, 480-346-5526
E-mail: ess-media@ess-home.com

Dominique de Villepin awards Sheikh Maktoum Young CEO of the Year

Dominique de Villepin awards Sheikh Maktoum Young CEO of the Year Award for 2008 Awards hosted by the Middle East Excellence Awards Institute

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (BUSINESS WIRE) - His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Hasher al Maktoum, the newly appointed President of Al Fajer Properties (AFP) and CEO of the Al Fajer Group (AGF), has been awarded the prestigious Young CEO of the Year award by the former French prime minister Dominique de Villepin.

The Middle East Excellence Awards Institute in Dubai hosted the award ceremony at the prestigious Burj Al Arab Hotel.

In his acceptance speech, Sheikh Maktoum said: "I would like to first thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for creating an environment that supports the pursuit of excellence which has made such a significant event possible, making Dubai the center of the new-world. Dubai and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed have given people like me the opportunity to excel and perform nationally as well as on the global stage."

"I would like to also thank His Excellency, the former Prime Minister of France, for presenting me this award, as it is truly a great honour to be recognized amongst such great CEOs from the region. I hope to continue to exceed these expectations in all my future business ventures."

The award recognizes the accomplishments of a CEO which have been achieved within a very short period of time and honors those leaders who have shown tremendous leadership potential at a young age and who will continue to contribute to their organization's future success.

Sheikh Maktoum received a BS/BA in finance from Suffolk University in Boston. After completion of his degree he returned to Dubai where he began working with AFG in an executive capacity. With his rapid appointment as the CEO of the Group, he initiated the arduous task of diversifying the Group's businesses with a focus on building a global brand name. Today, the Group employs more than 18,000 employees with an annual turnover of approximately AED 5.8 billion.

Always seeking out new investment opportunities, Sheikh Maktoum simultaneously took on the directorship role of Shadar Holdings to take a partnership stake in Virgin Megastores, Promod, Pull & Bear, and Bershka in the United Arab Emirates, all ventures proving to be highly profitable.

Before his appointment as President of Al Fajer Properties (AFP) recently, Sheikh Maktoum took on the challenging role of serving as the Chairman of Dubai International Holding Company (DIHC). He single-handedly master minded the creation of the international A1 Grand Prix (A1GP) racing series, leveling the playing field for car racing from across the globe and earning
him and Dubai the right for a place in history. He received his first international award last year when he was selected as "Young Global Leader 2007" by the World Economic Forum.

Notes to editors:
Al Fajer Properties:Al Fajer Properties LLC, was established in November 2004 as a wholly owned subsidiary of AFG. Since then the company has built up a significant land bank of note. The company is currently in the process of developing its flagship project which consists of 5 commercial towers located in the Jumeirah Lake Towers Community. With an estimated project value of over AED 3 billion the company has positioned itself to become a leading player in the fastest growing real estate market in the world.

Al Fajer Group
Al Fajer Group was established in 1965, by its Group President His Highness Sheikh Hasher Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum. Since his appointment of CEO of the group in 1998 the company has rapidly grown to a diversified business entity delivering high quality service to a wide range of international clients. With more than 18,000 employees and an annual group turnover of AED 5.8 billion,the Group's business interests to date have now placed it as a market leader with the following nationally recognizable companies incorporated under its umbrella; Al Ahmadiah Contracting & Trading,a leading national contracting firm with over 35 years of widespread construction experience;

Al Ahmadiah Aktor LLC identified as one of the few established professional construction companies reputed for its reliable expertise in intricate designs and exacting quality standards; Al Fajer Security & Maintenance, a leading specialist in providing a wide range of multi-property services; Lunar Electro, a national Electro Mechanical Contracting firm; Al Fajer Establishment, a general trading company with over 3 decades of expertise representing world renowned and leading brand of products supplying to the construction and printing industry; Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd, a well established company in India which has become a pioneer in container manufacturing in the Middle East specializing in mild steel barrels and drums; Al Fajer Information & Services, with over 2 decades of experience in providing a complete range of organization and management services through its five divisions which include Fairs and Exhibitions, Octanorm Displays, Shop Fittings, Design & Graphics and International Exhibit Builders.

Other group members include: Al Fajer Travel & Tourism; Al Fajer Medical Supplies; Al Fajer Interiors & Decorations LLC; and Al Fajer Investments & Development. www.alfajer.com

The Middle East Excellence Awards Institute

The Middle East Excellence Awards Institute was conceived by Datamatix to recognize and promote leadership and entrepreneurial forays within the region. It has consistently emphasized the nurturing and development of regional leadership and talent in different sectors of industry to create a resource base which can effectively contribute and support Middle East expansion initiatives.

The region has witnessed tremendous economic and social growth in the second half of the 20th century. This progress has been made possible by the efforts of many visionaries and leaders. The Institute was established to honor those individuals and organizations that have driven development in the region. It recognizes their commitment, courage and capable leadership which have made a difference to the region's economy and society.

www.meawards.com
Buchanan Communications for Sheikh MaktoumBobby Morse, +44-(0)20-7466-5000 bobbym@Buchanan.uk.com

A.M. Best affirms ratings of Tower Insurance Limited

Oldwick, N.J. (BUSINESS WIRE) - A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating of "a-" of Tower Insurance Limited (Tower Insurance) (New Zealand).

The outlook for both ratings remains stable.

The affirmation of the ratings reflects Tower Insurance's improving operating performance and moderate risk-adjusted capitalization.

The improving trend in Tower Insurance's underwriting results suggests that turnaround strategies are finally yielding the desired results. Underwriting profits were NZD 9.4 million (USD 7.1 million) in fiscal year 2007 compared to NZD 7.1 million (USD 4.6 million) the previous year. The loss ratio in fiscal year 2007 improved to 63.8% from 65.6% in fiscal year 2006. Expense increases, which were offset by improving claims experience, together with strong investment earnings resulted in net income increasing by 58% during the year.

Although Tower Insurance's risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), was weaker in fiscal year 2007, it remains at a level commensurate with its ratings. An improvement in BCAR driven by increased asset risk and retention of operating earnings was offset by the changes of risk retention on the underlying layer of Tower Insurance's catastrophe program. The net premium leverage improved to 1.5 times in fiscal year 2007 from 1.6 times in fiscal year 2006.

Tower Insurance has maintained a competitive position in New Zealand and other Pacific regions. Through its strategic alliance with banks, financial institutions and direct sales distribution channels, Tower Insurance achieved stable growth in gross premiums written in recent years.

Other rating factors include Tower Insurance's exposure to catastrophic perils and distribution risk.

Weather-related events have caused volatility in Tower Insurance's profitability in recent years. Risks in the Pacific have additional exposures to political and social instability. While insurers operating in the region are faced with similar challenges, A.M. Best believes that Tower Insurance's risk management strategy somewhat mitigates these concerns.

Tower Insurance has maintained strong strategic alliance partnerships with banks and other financial institutions.
However, despite the progress made at diversifying its distribution, its exposure to a single alliance partner remains.

For Best's Ratings, an overview of the rating process and rating methodologies, please visit www.ambest.com/ratings.

Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is a global full-service credit rating organization dedicated to serving the financial and health care service industries, including insurance companies, banks, hospitals and health care system providers.
For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

A.M. Best Co.AnalystsPhilip Chung, CFA, +852-2827-3409 philip.chung@ambest.com or Terrence Wong, +852-2827-3403 terrence.wong@ambest.com or Public RelationsJim Peavy,+1-908-439-2200, ext. 5644 james.peavy@ambest.com or Rachelle Morrow,+1-908-439-2200, ext. 5378 rachelle.morrow@ambest.com

NTT Com to offer Global Unified Threat Management service

Tokyo - Kyodo JBN/-- NTT Communications (NTT Com) announced today the launch of its Global Unified Threat Managed (Global UTM) service, which will provide Arcstar(TM) Global IP-VPN customers with integrated services for planning, constructing, managing and implementing effective protection against network security threats.

Global UTM utilizes a range of security technologies to provide IP-VPNs with comprehensive protection against threats.
A service package typically includes modules for integrated firewall, IPSec VPN, iIntrusion Protection System(IPS) antivirus content and spam filtering.

The service enables customers to utilize outsourced security management with 24/7 support to monitor their network traffic and protect themselves against threats that could potentially impact their businesses. Security incidents are managed expertly by NTT Com's Security Operation Center (SOC), which specializes in root-cause analysis, incident remediation and other security-management measures.

The service offers numerous competitive features, including:

- Comprehensive security management for global enterprise networks.
- Integrated suite of services covering a variety of security measures.
- World-class security developed in collaboration with leading third-party research centers.
- Real-time identification of threats and rapid recovery for minimized impact.
- Total-cost optimization of global security management.

Multinational companies are demanding security-management services on a single platform to help them prevent or minimize increasingly sophisticated threats to their network security.
In particular, multinationals need to be able to manage server, PC and firewall security locally and contain security incidents before they spread throughout their global networks.

With the service, hardware and software is installed locally on the clientfs premises by dedicated engineers of NTT Com and its overseas affiliates or partners, with support from device vendors.

A key option is the Real Time Event Notification Service, which provides immediate notification of any security threat exceeding a client-specified level. Professional security engineers are available on a 24/7 basis to analyze security events and devise rapid countermeasures.

NTT Com will launch the Global Unified Threat Managed Service in Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, U.K., U.S. and Vietnam beginning April 1. Three levels of service will be available depending on client needs.

About NTT Communications NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com) provides information and communications technology (ICT) solutions worldwide with dedicated professionals stationed in 21 countries. Renowned as an IPv6 technology pioneer and managed service expert, NTT Com offers diverse high-quality IP, Web-based, and managed network solutions combining network management, security, ubiquitous, Web portals engines, and global services. Its world-class Tier 1 Internet backbone and secure closed networks with over 98,000 MPLS ports, combined with the networks of partner companies around the world, connect more than 200 countries. The company earned non-consolidated revenues exceeding one trillion yen (about 10 billion USD) in fiscal 2006 ended March 31, 2007. NTT Com started as a long-distance phone company in 1999 after the reorganization of the NTT Group, and is the wholly-owned subsidiary of NTT, one of the world's largest telecommunications companies. NTT is listed in Japan, London and New York stock exchanges. Please visit www.ntt.com.

Source: NTT Communications Corporation
Contact: Go Akimoto or Yasuhiro Kajiki Global Business Division, NTT Communications
Tel. +81-3-6800-4500

Media Advisory - KPMG's competitive alternatives study released

Press conference and live web cast

Toronto - CNW-AsiaNet/ - KPMG LLP will release its 7th Competitive Alternatives Study, ranking the competitive business cost advantage of 10 countries and 136 cities, on March 27 at 09:30 EST, 06:30 PST, 13:30 GMT, via a news conference, conference call, and Web cast. The announcement will be made in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The study measures the combined impact of 27 significant cost components that are most likely to vary by location. Over 2,000 individual business scenarios were examined, combining more than 50,000 items of data.

What: Briefing on KPMG's 2008 Competitive Alternatives Study, Q&A will follow.
When: Thursday, March 27 at 09:30 EST, 06:30 PST, 13:30 GMT
Who: Mark MacDonald, Global Director, Competitive Alternatives, KPMG Glenn Mair, Director, MMK Consulting Inc., Co-Author of Competitive Alternatives Study Carl Deslongchamps, Partner, KPMG

The live Web cast can be accessed through KPMG's Web site at http://www.kpmg.com or via http://www.newswire.ca/en/webcast.

Teleconference numbers for reporters to dial-in for the presentation and news conference:
Australia: 0011-800-2288-3501
Germany: 00-800-2288-3501
Japan: 010-800-2288-3501
N. America/Mexico: 1-800-595-8550
UK: 00-800-2288-3501

A digital news report will be available for downloading at the time of the webcast

SOURCE: KPMG LLP
CONTACT: Julie Bannerjea, KPMG LLP,
(416) 777-3243, jbannerjea@kpmg.ca

Infor helps organizations reduce energy costs

Infor Helps Organizations Reduce Energy Costs and Achieve Sustainability Goals Infor EAM Asset Sustainability Edition Brings Energy Efficiency Capabilities to Enterprise Asset Management

Singapore (BUSINESS WIRE) - Infor today announced Infor EAM Asset Sustainability Edition, an enterprise software solution that allows organizations to integrate energy consumption and emissions management into their asset management practices. Infor EAM Asset Sustainability Edition enables organizations to substantially reduce energy costs, while minimizing carbon emissions and the impact of their operations on the environment.

Established benchmarks from the U.S. Department of Energy and industry sources demonstrate that facilities and manufacturers can reduce energy consumption up to 20 percent through maintenance programs that focus on energy consumption and efficiency. Infor EAM Asset Sustainability Edition factors energy consumption into total asset performance, providing a more complete understanding of the true costs to operate and maintain an asset. The software goes beyond just energy management, factoring in an asset's consumption of any of the WAGES commodities (water, air, gas, electricity, and steam), as well as monitoring of fugitive emissions, like ozone-depleting refrigerant gases.

"There is no question that high energy costs are a drag on organizational budgets and that inefficient energy practices have a negative impact on our environment," said John Murphy, director of Industry & Product Marketing for Infor EAM solutions. "Infor EAM Asset Sustainability Edition is a groundbreaking solution that helps address these issues. With this solution, organizations can take a strategic approach to energy efficiency, using software automation to implement practices that promote sustainability and profitability."

Organizations across all sectors face soaring energy costs from basic utilities, such as lighting and HVAC, to the assets that enable their critical business operations, like manufacturing equipment and refrigeration coolers. In addition to reining in high energy costs, organizations are seeking to reduce their energy consumption as part of sustainability initiatives to minimize carbon emissions and offset the impact of their operations on the environment.

Infor EAM Asset Sustainability Edition automates the processes associated with managing assets and their related resource consumption.

It tracks the consumption of individual assets in real-time, evaluates the data against user-defined conditions, and alerts users to anomalies when assets exceed acceptable performance thresholds. The solution also elevates decision-making by incorporating consumption and emission data into key performance indicators and reports. Program managers, for example, can generate reports that provide macro-level analysis of CO2 emissions and drill down into the performance of each asset through easy-to-use graphical dashboards.

The software also enables companies to benchmark the performance of a specific asset to determine the cost of maintaining it at current energy consumption levels versus replacing it with a newer, more energy efficient asset. This functionality enables organizations to make strategic decisions, factoring in energy consumption costs, the price and energy specifications of a replacement, and the projected return-on-investment date.

Infor EAM Asset Sustainability Edition is a web-architected application that can be deployed on-premises at the customer site or hosted by Infor. The software receives energy consumption data through asset sub-metering, either through existing sub-metering electronics systems or other third-party sensors, and can use wireless mesh networks for communications.
For more information on Infor EAM Asset Sustainability Edition, visit http://www.infor.com/goinggreen/solutions/greeneam/as/.

Infor EAM Asset Sustainability Edition demonstrates Infor's commitment to deliver solutions that help customers implement the business processes essential to driving their green and sustainability programs (see Dec. 12, 2007 press release titled, "Infor Helps Organizations Implement Green and Sustainability Programs").

In addition to EAM, these solutions include other key areas such as Supply Chain Management (SCM), Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Performance Management (PM) and ERP. For more information on Going Green, visit www.infor.com/goinggreen.

About Infor Infor delivers business-specific software to enterprising organizations.

With experience built in, Infor's solutions enable businesses of all sizes to be more enterprising and adapt to the rapid changes of a global marketplace. With more than 70,000 customers, Infor is changing what businesses expect from an enterprise software provider. For additional information, visit www.infor.com.

This announcement reflects the direction Infor may take with regard to the specific product(s) described herein, all of which is subject to change by Infor in its sole discretion, with or without notice to you.

This announcement is not a commitment to you in any way and you should not rely on this document or any of its content in making any decision.

Infor is not committing to develop or deliver any specified enhancement, upgrade, product or functionality, even if such is described in this announcement and even if such description is accompanied by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "predict," "should," "will," and/or similar expressions. Many factors can affect Infor's product development plans and the nature, content and timing of future product releases, all of which remain in the sole discretion of Infor.

This announcement, in whole or in part, may not be incorporated into any contractual agreement with Infor or its subsidiaries or affiliates.

Infor expressly disclaims any liability with respect to this announcement.
InforWade Coleman, 678-591-4706 wade.coleman@infor.com or Dominique Ng, (65) 968-56875 dominique.ng@infor.com

A.M. Best affirms ratings of China International Reinsurance Co

Oldwick, N.J. (BUSINESS WIRE) - A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating of "a-" of China International Reinsurance Company Limited (CIRe) (Hong Kong). The outlook for both ratings is stable.

The rating reflects CIRe's profitable operating performance, adequate capitalization and prudent reserving practice.

CIRe has benefited from moderate catastrophe losses and a favorable investment market in 2007. CIRe's earnings momentum continued in 2007 after it had a net profit of a record high level of HKD 363 million in 2006. These two years of solid earnings are the key drivers of maintaining the stable outlook.
Given price deterioration and increasing competition in the global reinsurance market, CIRe's ability to maintain underwriting controls and standards of determining pricing adequacy are key factors for the sustainability of the long-term operating performance.

CIRe's risk-adjusted capitalization improved in 2007 compared to a year earlier due to the purchase of additional retrocession cover and higher profit retention in 2006. The company's current level of risk-adjusted capitalization is adequate to support the ratings. In addition, the company converted HKD 820 million (USD 105 million) of general reserves into paid-up capital in 2007, further demonstrating the capital commitment from its parent company, China Insurance International Holdings (CIIH). However, A.M. Best believes that CIRe's weather-related catastrophic exposure is still relatively high, which has resulted in a volatile Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR) over the past few years. A.M. Best remains cautious of this volatility.

Although pressure on CIIH to provide additional capital to support the organic growth from its major associated companies?Tai Ping Life and Tai Ping Insurance in China?has been relieved due to the continuous improvement in the associated companies' operating results, A.M. Best is still keen to understand all risks (with regard to the associated companies) that could potentially impact CIRe's financial strength.

For Best's Ratings, an overview of the rating process and rating methodologies, please visit www.ambest.com/ratings.

Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is a global full-service credit rating organization dedicated to serving the financial and health care service industries, including insurance companies, banks, hospitals and health care system providers.
For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

A.M. Best Co.Analysts:Billy Kwan, +852-2827-3405 billy.kwan@ambest.com or Terrence Wong, +852-2827-3403 terrence.wong@ambest.com or Public Relations:Jim Peavy, +(1) 908 439 2200, ext. 5644 james.peavy@ambest.com or Rachelle Morrow, +(1) 908 439 2200, ext. 5378 rachelle.morrow@ambest.com

Thailand`s TRUE Corp selects NICE SmartCenter for its VoIP call center

To improve service, dispute resolution capabilities, and operational efficiency; to replace competing systems

Ra'anana (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - NICE Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq: NICE), a leading global provider of advanced solutions that enable organizations to extract Insight from Interactions to drive performance, today announced that Thailand's leading and only fully-integrated telecommunications service provider, TRUE Corporation has selected NICE SmartCenter for its VoIP contact centers. NICE Perform and the NICE workforce management solutions will replace competing systems being used today. TRUE selected NICE SmartCenter to leverage the synergies of the NICE solutions, to improve customer service, dispute resolution capabilities, and operational efficiency.

TRUE Corporation is Thailand's leading and only fully-integrated provider of telecommunications services, with more than 10,000 employees, and operates five core businesses, including: mobile, business, online business, pay-TV, digital commerce, and digital content. TRUE's contact centers handle over 8 million annual customer calls covering topics such as account information inquiries, telephony needs, and technical support requests.

With NICE SmartCenter TRUE will be able to leverage the synergies of the NICE solutions for liability recording and workforce management to better link its customer interactions with its planning and management processes. The NICE solution for 100% interactions capture of inbound and outbound calls will enable TRUE to efficiently handle and manage information archives regarding topics such as billing, payments, collections, and telesales. The NICE solution for workforce management will help TRUE efficiently manage and optimize scheduling of agents.

"We are pleased that Thailand's leading telecommunications services company has selected our comprehensive solution for improving contact center performance at the agent, operational, and enterprise levels," said Doron Ben-Sira, President, NICE APAC. "This reflects a trend we are seeing gaining more and more momentum around the world - of companies across a variety of verticals turning to NICE to replace competing systems - and help them achieve their strategic and operational goals."

About TRUE

True Corporation Public Company Limited is Thailand's only fully-integrated communications service provider, and leader in solutions for convergence lifestyles. True provides consumers, small and medium enterprises, and corporations with a full range of voice, data and multimedia solutions customized to meet their needs. True is the largest wireline service provider in Bangkok, the largest broadband provider in the country and a major player in the wireless, cellular and Internet markets.
Principal subsidiary companies in the True Group include True Visions, Thailand's dominant pay television operator, and True Move, a major mobile phone service provider.

True gives consumers the freedom to live different lifestyles, by providing them with the power to communicate, access knowledge, information and entertainment, as well as
carry out online activities whenever, wherever, and how they like under five product and service categories: TrueMove, TrueOnline, TrueVisions, TrueMoney, and TrueLife. For more information, please visit: http://www.truecorp.co.th

About NICE Systems

NICE Systems (Nasdaq: NICE) is the leading provider of Insight from Interactions solutions and value-added services, powered by the convergence of advanced analytics of unstructured multimedia content and transactional data - from telephony, web, email, radio, video, and other data sources.

NICE's solutions address the needs of the enterprise and security markets, enabling organizations to operate in an insightful and proactive manner, and take immediate action to improve business and operational performance and ensure safety and security. NICE has over 24,000 customers in 100 countries, including over 85 of the Fortune 100 companies. More information is available at http://www.nice.com .

Trademark Note: 360X View, Alpha, ACTIMIZE, Actimize logo, Customer Feedback, Dispatcher Assessment, Encorder, eNiceLink, Executive Connect, Executive Insight, FAST, FAST alpha Blue, FAST alpha Silver, FAST Video Security, Freedom, Freedom Connect, IEX, Interaction Capture Unit, Insight from Interactions, Investigator, Last Message Replay, Mirra, My Universe, NICE, NICE logo, NICE Analyzer, NiceCall, NiceCall Focus, NiceCLS, NICE Inform, NICE Learning, NiceLog, NICE Perform, NiceScreen, NICE SmartCenter, NICE Storage Center, NiceTrack, NiceUniverse, NiceUniverse Compact, NiceVision, NiceVision Alto, NiceVision Analytics, NiceVision ControlCenter, NiceVision Digital, NiceVision Harmony, NiceVision Mobile, NiceVision Net, NiceVision NVSAT, NiceVision Pro, Performix, Playback Organizer, Renaissance, Scenario Replay, ScreenSense, Tienna, TotalNet, TotalView, Universe, Wordnet are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of NICE Systems Ltd. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

This press release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on the current expectations of the management of NICE Systems Ltd. (the Company) only, and are subject to a number of risk factors and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in technology and market requirements, decline in demand for the Company's products, inability to timely develop and introduce new technologies, products and applications, difficulties or delays in absorbing and integrating acquired operations, products, technologies and personnel, loss of market share, pressure on pricing resulting from competition, and inability to maintain certain marketing and distribution arrangements, which could cause the actual results or performance of the Company to differ materially from those described therein. We undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements. For a more detailed description of the risk factors and uncertainties affecting the company, refer to the Company's reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Corporate Media
Rachel Ho
NICE APAC Ltd
Tel:
+852-2598 3840
Email: rachel.ho@nice.com
Galit Belkind
NICE Systems
Tel:
+1-877-245-7448
Email: galit.belkind@nice.com
Investors
Daphna Golden
NICE Systems
Tel: +1-877-245-7449
Email: ir@nice.com
SOURCE NICE APAC Ltd

COPYRIGHT © 2008 - ANTARANEWS

Pacnet Limited voluntary general offer announcement

Singapore (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - VOLUNTARY GENERAL OFFER BY PACNET LIMITED (BERMUDA COMPANY REGISTRATION NO. 38611) TO ACQUIRE ALL THE ISSUED ORDINARY SHARES IN THE CAPITAL OF PACNET INTERNET (S) LIMITED (Singapore company registration no. 199502086C) other than those shares already held by Pacnet Limited as at the date of the Offer

1. Commencement of the Offer
Pacnet Limited (formerly known as Connect Holdings Limited) (the Offeror) together with its principal shareholder and ultimate control persons wishes to announce the voluntary cash general offer (the Offer) for all the issued ordinary shares of Pacnet Internet (S) Limited (formerly known as Pacific Internet Limited) (PIL) other than those already owned by the Offeror (the PIL Shares). Full details of the Offer are contained in the offer to purchase document dated 27 March 2008 (the Offer to Purchase) to be despatched to all holders of PIL Shares (the Shareholders) together with the letter of transmittal (Letter of Transmittal) and other related offer documents.

2. The Offer
2.1 Offer Terms -- As at the date of this Announcement, the Offeror owns and/or has an interest in an aggregate 12,599,754 PIL shares, representing approximately 90.78% of the issued share capital of PIL based on 13,880,149 issued shares of PIL as at 25 March 2008. Full details of the Offerors dealings in PIL shares are set out in Schedule A of the Offer to Purchase.
2.2 Offer Price
-- The Offer is made on the following basis:
-- For each PIL Share: US$11.20 net in cash, without interest (the Offer Price).
The Offer Price represents a premium of approximately 6.67% over the closing price per PIL share on the Nasdaq Global Market of US$10.50 as at 2 November 2007, being the final trading day prior to the delisting of PILs shares.
2.3 Closing Date of the Offer
-- The closing date of this Offer is:
12:00 midnight New York City time on 24 April 2008, 12:00 noon Singapore time on 24 April 2008, or such later date(s) as may be announced by the Offeror.
2.4 PIL Shares
-- The Offer will be extended, on the same terms and conditions, including the same Offer Price, to:
a) all the issued PIL Shares, including those PIL Shares owned, controlled or agreed to be acquired by parties acting or deemed to be acting in concert with the Offeror in connection with the Offer; and
(b) all new PIL shares unconditionally issued or to be issued pursuant to the valid exercise, prior to the close of the Offer, of any options (Options) granted under the Pacific Internet Limited 1999 Share Option Plan.
2.5 Unconditional Offer
-- The Offer is not subject to the satisfaction of any conditions.

3. Options
Under the rules of the Pacific Internet Limited 1999 Share Option Plan, the Options are not freely transferable by the holders thereof. In view of this restriction, the Offeror is not making an offer to acquire the Options pursuant to the Offer. Instead, the Offeror is making a concurrent proposal to the holders of the Options, the terms of which are set out in the Offer to Purchase. The Offeror will also be mailing the proposal to the holders of the Options in a separate letter on the same date of despatch as the Offer to Purchase.

4. Compulsory Acquisition
If, pursuant to the Offer, the Offeror purchases at least 90% of the PIL Shares, the Offeror intends to exercise its right under the Singapore Companies Act to compulsorily acquire those PIL Shares not tendered pursuant to the Offer. Upon completion of the compulsory acquisition, the Offeror would own all of the issued shares of PIL.

5. Information on the Offeror
The Offeror was incorporated in Bermuda on 22 June 2006 and is an investment holding company. The majority shareholder of the Offeror is Pacnet International Limited (formerly known as Connect International Limited) (CIL), an investment holding company incorporated in Bermuda which holds approximately 92.61% of the Offeror and is owned by a number of investment funds. The remaining minority shareholders of the Offeror are investment funds. Details of CIL and the other shareholders of the Offeror, the shareholders of CIL, the Offeror group and the officers of the Offeror are set out in the Offer to Purchase.

6. Information on PIL
6.1 PIL was incorporated in Singapore on 28 March 1995 and was listed on the Nasdaq Global Market on 5 February 1999.
6.2 On 25 October 2007, PIL applied to delist from the Nasdaq Global Market, which delisting took effect on 5 November 2007.
The effect of delisting is that PILs shares have been removed from the Nasdaq Global Market listing, that is, prices are no longer quoted for PILs shares and trades can no longer be executed over the exchange. On 4 February 2008, PIL became deregistered from the US Exchange Act. The effect of deregistration is that PILs reporting obligations (i.e., annual and other periodic reports) are terminated and certain provisions relating to corporate governance, share offerings, tender offers and shareholder reporting under the US Exchange Act no longer apply.
6.3 PIL is a leading Internet Service Provider of data, voice and video internet services with established presence in Singapore, Hong Kong, China, the Philippines, Australia, India, Thailand and Malaysia.
6.4 Based on publicly available information, as at 25 March 2008:
(a) PIL has an issued and paid-up share capital comprising 13,880,149 ordinary shares; and
(b) the Directors of PIL are William L. Barney, Brett Lay and Grace Guang.
6.5 Based on information provided to the Offeror by PIL, as at 24 March 2008, there were 175,500 outstanding options with an exercise price of S$16.92 under the Pacific Internet Limited 1999 Share Option Plan.

7. Rationale for the Offer
7.1 On 2 May 2007, the Offeror commenced a voluntary conditional general offer (the First Offer) for PIL at a final offer price of US$11.00 per share. At the final expiration of the First Offer on 12 July 2007 the Offeror had acquired approximately 88% of PIL. In the eight months following the First Offer, the Offeror purchased additional shares on the open market, at a price not exceeding US$11.00 per share, and raised its total holdings to approximately 90.78%.
7.2 Consequent on PILs delisting and deregistration, there is no longer a trading market for PIL shares. The Offeror therefore believes that this Offer is the only viable way to (a) give Shareholders liquidity on their shares so that each Shareholder can realise their investment and (b) take PIL private.

8. Acceptance of the Offer
Full details of the procedures for the tender of PIL Shares are set out in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase.

9. Foreign Shareholders
The offer is open to all Shareholders. Although we are not aware of any applicable jurisdiction in which the making of this Offer or the acceptance by Shareholders in connection therewith would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction, Shareholders in any jurisdiction, other than Singapore or the United States of America, should inform themselves about, seek independent legal advice and comply with the applicable laws in their relevant jurisdiction.

10. Requests for Offer to Purchase
10.1 Shareholders who have questions, need assistance or require copies of the Offer to Purchase and related documents should contact Innisfree M&A Incorporated, the Information Agent for the Offer (the Information Agent) immediately at the following address and telephone numbers:
The Information Agent for the Offer is:
Innisfree
M&A Incorporated
501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor
New York, New York 10022
Shareholders Call Toll-Free:
(877) 825-8730 (from the U.S.A. and Canada)
00 800 7710 9971 (from the European Union)
Shareholders in Other Locations May Call Collect:
+(212) 750-5833 or +44 20 7710 9960
10.2 Shareholders should read carefully the Offer to Purchase and related materials because they contain important information about the Offer.

11. Responsibility Statement
11.1 The Directors of the Offeror (including those who may have delegated detailed supervision of this Announcement) have taken all reasonable care to ensure that the facts stated and all opinions expressed in this Announcement are fair and accurate.
11.2 Where any information has been extracted from published or otherwise publicly available sources (including, without limitation, information relating to PIL), the sole responsibility of the Directors of the Offeror has been to ensure through reasonable enquiries that such information is accurately and correctly extracted from such sources or, as the case may be, accurately reflected in this Announcement, and
they jointly and severally accept responsibility accordingly.

For and on behalf of
Pacnet Limited
27 March 2008
For more information, please contact:
Lorain Wong
Tel:
+852-2121-2973
Email: lorain.wong@pacnet.com
SOURCE Pacnet Limited

COPYRIGHT © 2008 - ANTARANEWS

IRG looks to acquire Pacnet`s entire stake in Philippine JV

Manila (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Pacific Internet Limited, a Pacnet company, today announced the signing of a Letter of Offer from IRG to buy Pacnet's entire stake in its Philippine joint venture, Primeworld Digital Systems, Inc. (PDSI).

Under the terms of the Offer, IRG has offered to buyPacnet's entire ownership of PDSI. IRG is a financial advisory and investment firm focused on the telecommunications, media and technology sectors in Asia.

With the exit of Pacnet, IRG would become a major shareholder of PDSI. Pacnet has been a primary shareholder and financial backer of the business in the Philippines since 1998.

The company anticipates that this deal will close in the coming month.

About Pacnet

Pacnet, a leading telecom services provider, was born from the operational merger of Asia Netcom and Pacific Internet.
Pacnet owns and operates EAC-C2C, Asia's largest privately-owned submarine cable network at 36,800 km with design capacity of 10.24 Tbps. Offering a comprehensive
portfolio of industry leading IP-based solutions, Pacnet serves the carriers market as well as large enterprises and SMEs.
Pacnet is headquartered in Hong Kong and Singapore with offices in all key markets in Asia and worldwide. For more information, please visit: http://www.pacnet.com

About IRG

IRG is a financial advisory and investment firm focused on the telecommunications, media and technology (TMT) sectors in Asia. Through its TMT industry expertise, IRG has focused on creating shareholder value for its clients and its proprietary investments since its inception in 2000. IRG is headquartered in Hong Kong. For more information, please contact communications@irg.biz .

For more information, contact:
Lorain Wong
Pacnet
Tel: +852-2121-2973
Email: lorain.wong@pacnet.com
SOURCE: Pacnet

COPYRIGHT © 2008 - ANTARANEWS