Insurance, infotech ventures set to mark new AV Birla group era
The Rs 15,000-crore Aditya Vikram Birla group is all set to be piloted by Kumar Mangalam Birla into two crucial areas with new age growth potential: insurance and information technology. The group, besides consolidating its commodities businesses, with focus on value addition, will also be a major player in the emerging infrastructure sector.

Telco to tap overseas debt market for Yankee bonds buyback
Telco will hit the international debt market this week to raise funds to buy back part of its $200 million Yankee bonds issued in August 1997. The initiative is expected to reduce the average cost of its existing forex debt as well as reduce the wide margin at which its bonds are quoted in the secondary market abroad.

Mafatlals Industries leases out part Mumbai property to Cushman & Wakefield
The Arvind Maftlal-owned Mafatlal Industries (MIL) is set to generate substantial revenue from its real estate resources. The group has taken its restructuring process further by striking a leasing arrangement with international property consultants Cushman & Wakefield. The company is also in active negotiations with Cushman & Wakefield for sale of floors at Mafatlal Centre.

CORPORATE
Hudco to open retail-finance window in November
Philips India unveils digital, audio range

ECONOMY
New technology to reduce fuel consumption in refineries
Global economy in deeper rut now, says IMF panel

EXPRESSIONS
Brandishing brands does not boost profits
Credibility at stake

MARKETS
October shakes markets again, awakens G7
Unit Trust likely to tap money market: Dealers

LEISURE
Newspapers set sights on Silicon Valley
Baron Electronics unveils Aiwa range of ware