MIM Knowledge Center: Keeping you Abreast with latest trends in Global Business!

Skype, a company stationed in Luxembourg, is about to change the way that we communicate. Skype is a software program that allows users to make phone calls via their computer to any location in the world with absolutely no charge. The program uses the same concept that is utilized by peer to peer file sharing websites, i.e. Kazaa. In Silicon Valley, Skype is expected to be the next big development, which is exactly why eBay bought Skype for $2.6 billion. Skype is anticipated to completely revolutionize today’s telecommunications system. It is expected that once Skype gains popularity, it will not be long until all global calls are free. Many people are wondering why eBay would be interested in Skype. The answer is simple: with Skype technology, eBay users will be able to talk to the person from whom they are purchasing an item. To find out more about this innovative program, i.e. how it works and how it will generate profit, click below:

India's energy potential is ranked third in the world, just behind the United States and Europe, with annual installations of 875 megawatts (MW). This figure exceeds the forecasts of 500 MW, and comes out to be 10.7 percent of the total MW produced globally. Presently, India also possesses a cumulative wind energy capacity of 3,000 MW, which puts them second only behind Denmark, which has an installed capacity of 3,083 MW. The government of India has proposed to make renewable energy more commercially viable and cover issues of cost and quality, making a self-reliant model for the sector. To find out the rest of this story, please visit the link below:

China Mobile ( Hong Kong), the world’s largest mobile phone company with 227 million subscribers as of July 2005, is looking to purchase Reliance Telecom, the mobile phone division of India’s largest private diversified operations company, Reliance Group. This is the second offer to purchase Reliance, as Russia’s AFK Sistema placed a bid to purchase the company. Reliance Telecom provides mobile services based on the GSM platform in eight telecom circles in India and possesses a market share of 3.16 percent. Industry sources believe that this deal between China Mobile and Reliance will happen and it is just a matter of when and for how much. The current estimation for the selling price is $1.5 billion. To find out more, please visit the link below:

Singapore , which ended a forty year ban on Casinos in April 2005, has opened its window for constructing two iconic integrated casinos, hoping that the multi-billion dollar project would spice up its straight-laced image and attract more tourists to its shores. The amazing success of Macau 's economy -- up 28 percent in real terms last year on the back of a rosy gaming sector and strong tourist arrivals of 16.67 million -- and the fact that many other Asian cities are now considering building casino resorts, prompted the government to reconsider its position. Singapore has short listed 12 companies to apply, including Las Vegas based Sands Corporation and MGM Mirage. These US based enterprises plan to submit proposals due to Singapore 's central location to several, densely populated Southeast Asian countries and its vicinity to the untapped Indian and Australian markets. The project will bring a great number of international tourists to the city. It is anticipated that this might help double Singapore 's tourism numbers to 17 million and triple its present tourism revenue to US$18 billion by 2015. It is envisaged that this initiative will bolster Singapore ’s economy over the next five years, adding 1.8% to its GDP and creating jobs for as many as 35,000 people.

The much anticipated, Disneyland Hong Kong, opened on September 12 th to a crowd of 30,000 VIPs and media members. This $3.2 billion theme park is the 11 th of the Walt Disney empire. The park spreads across 320 acres and holds a capacity of 60,000 guests. Disneyland Hong Kong has a very similar set up to Disneyland California, with some cultural adjustments to increase the appeal to the Chinese population. The Disney brand and its characters are already very popular in China. Disney expects that it will bring at least 5.6 million people to the park in its opening year. Based on the outcome of the opening day and the popularity of Disney throughout China, Disneyland already seems to be heading for success in China, even to the point where they are already considering opening a second Disneyland in Shanghai. For further details of Disney’s expansion, please visit the links below:

On September 20 th, OPEC agreed to produce two million barrels of oil a day available in an attempt to reassure markets that are edgy over supplies due to the storms threatening the gulf coast. This decision was made due to the extensive damage done by Hurricane Katrina and the damage that may occur as a result of Hurricane Rita to oil refineries on the Gulf Coast, especially to the Texas oil industry. The intention of this extra oil distribution is to lower or stabilize the already excessive oil prices, as we approach the winter season when additional oil is needed to heat homes. If more harm should occur to the Gulf Coast oil refineries, this extra two million barrels of oil will help alleviate some possible oil shortages and price increases. For more information on this story check, please visit the following links:

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