BBC plans to get into computer business, take computers into every home

Tunnel WarfareLike the Loch Ness monster, the channel tunnel linking England and France pops up now and then in British newspapers. The idea was first mooted at the turn of the century but every-time it looked like taking off, there was a war and it had to be shelved. Mrs Thatcher's Government has now said that it is in favour of a tunnel provided it is funded privately and no government money is involved.Since the project is estimated to cost anything between Rs 2,000 crore and Rs 12,000 crore, private funding would have to be on a massive scale. Surprisingly, among the latest schemes under consideration, is a proposal by British Steel Corporation, an ailing state-owned unit, for a combined viaduct and tunnel link costing around Rs 10,000 crore. This is something of a joke as the corporation has been in the red for the last few years and has no hopes of undertaking such a big project without vast government backing.The British are apparently very keen on the project but the French are blowing hot and cold, though at one time, about six years ago, they too were interested. In fact, the two countries had agreed in 1975 to build a twin-bore. 6.85 metre rail and road vehicle tunnel but Britain pulled out unilaterally from the treaty and the entente cordiale came to an abrupt end.Breaking The Quota Barrier The coal industry in England being what it is, carrying coal to Newcastle may not be such a bad business but the Chinese in Hong Kong are going one better. A big Hong Kong garment group, Yangtsekiang Garment Manufacturing (YGM) is planning to set up a denim fabric plant in north-east England. YGM sells jeans in Europe under the Arnold Palmer and Arnie labels as well as a range of Arnold Palmer and Leroy shirts. Most of the company's merchandise is made in the Far East - from denims imported from UK but the decision to manufacture in Europe is aimed partly at overcoming quota problems in some EEC markets.YGM has an annual turnover of Rs 80 crore from its Far Eastern operations along with Rs 45 crore from its European and American marketing companies. Its British set-up will have Japanese and American partners, the latter providing management expertise for fabric operation, which is expected to be of the order of 10 million metres a year. The project will cost Rs 18 crore and employ 600 people. Third World countries, including India, which bridle at the EEC's quota systems, might take a leaf out of the Chinese solution to the North-South problem.BBC Into ComputersThe BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) plans to take computers into every home, literally. It is going into the computer business. From this autumn, the impoverished corporation will boost its income by selling its own brand computers for around Rs 4,500 on which it will earn a 10 per cent royalty. This unusual diversification is timed to coincide with a 10-part television series in which viewers will be taught how to programme the computer and do many other practical things like working out your tax liability. learning maths, doing accounts and keeping stock control.Such micro-computers are now selling in England for less than Rs 2,000. Many purchasers buy them just to learn a little more about computers, and, according to a survey, there are thousands of potential customers for such small machines that can be plugged into an ordinary TV set to give a display screen. And if someone buys a printer to go with the micro-computer, they could use it as a word-processor, which is the nearest thing to the kind of small computers that are now being marketed in India (India Today, March 16-31).Banking On IslamCan bankers in countries governed by Islamic law charge interest on their loans? Strictly on religious ground, they cannot, but business is business, and banks in Islamic countries are insisting on their pound of flesh. However, they are not getting away with it and the issue is now being brought up in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and London with the start of a High Court case between a Dubai sheikh and the National Bank of Abu Dhabi in which the Abu Dhabi Government has a majority holding.The case involves Sheikh Mohammed at Maktoum, who took a loan of Rs 13 crore in 1978 for the construction of a shop and office complex in Diers Soukh in Dubai. The loan was syndicated by a number of banks, most of them Arab-owned. The sheikh has now instituted legal proceedings in Abu Dhabi requesting a rescheduling of loan and absolution, on religious grounds, from the requirement to pay interest. The banks have now retaliated by moving the High Court in London on the basis that the loan agreement was governed by English law. The judgement is expected in near future.Facing Recession's AxeHeads continue to roll all over Europe under the guillotine of the recession. The latest victim is John Ray, chief executive of the Chloride group who was sacked last week in London in an apparent attempt to inject new management blood into the ailing batteries group. Ray will be succeeded by Ken Hodgson who is in charge of Chloride Europe and who was once connected with Chloride India.In the last six months up to September 1980. Chloride made a loss of Rs 9 crore before tax and made no dividend payment. According to reports, Ray was told that "when the battle is going badly, you have to change the general." In India, fortunately, the battle is going pretty well and Chloride India continues to be a highly profitable operation. Its Rs 10 share was quoted around Rs 40 last week.The British corporate sector is passing through a severe crisis from which even such giants as Imperial Chemicals (ICI) have not escaped. ICI made a loss for the first time in its history but its chief executive has not gone the Chloride way - not yet, anyway.Published By: AtMigration Published On: Nov 23, 2013 08:37 IST--- ENDS ---

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BBC plans to get into computer business, take computers into every home

The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) plans to take computers into every home, literally. It is going into the computer business.

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