Merck expands drug plant
JAKARTA: Publicly listed drug company PT Merck Indonesia Tbk, a subsidiary of German firm Merck KGaA, has expanded its production facilities in Pasar Rebo, Jakarta, to strengthen its position in the Indonesian market.
The expansion project, which started in 2001 and was recently completed, absorbed a total investment of Rp 40 billion (US$4.7 million), the company said in a statement on Tuesday.
"This is a clear evidence of Merck's determination to continue its presence in Indonesia," president director Rudolf G. Stock said.
Globally and in Indonesia, Merck is well known for its diabetes and cardiovascular drugs. Its popular drugs include Concor and Glocophage which are used to treat diabetes and cardiovascular complaints respectively.
Aside from the above drugs, the firm also produces popular health care products, such as Neurobion, Sangobion and Evion. -- JP
;AFP; ANPAf..r.. Brief-HongKong-China Cathay to start Beijing services JP/14/brief
Cathay to start Beijing services
HONG KONG: Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways said on Tuesday it intends to resume services to Beijing from December after an absence of 13 years.
Cathay Pacific said in a statement it will initially operate three return services a week between Beijing and Hong Kong.
"Approval for Cathay Pacific to operate services to Beijing comes amid other initiatives aimed at boosting Hong Kong's economy and strengthening its links with the Chinese mainland," the airline said.
These initiatives included the signing of a free trade deal, the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), and allowing mainlanders to visit Hong Kong individually, it said.
Philip Chen, the airline's director and chief operating officer, described the three services a week to Beijing as "a very important step, but it still just a start." --AFP
;AFP; ANPAf..r.. Brief-SKorea-Hyundai Widow of tycoon takes Hyundai helm JP/14/Brief2
Widow of tycoon takes Hyundai helm
SEOUL: The widow of the late chairman of South Korea's Hyundai Group on Tuesday took the helm of the ailing business empire, Hyundai said.
Hyun Chung-Eun, the wife of the late Hyundai Group chairman Chung Mong-Hun, inherited the chairmanship of the group when she was appointed chairwoman of Hyundai Elevator, the group's de facto holding company.
"The board of directors held a meeting today and appointed Hyun Chung-Eun, widow of the late chairman Chung Mong-Hun, as chairwoman of Hyundai Elevator," Hyundai Elevator said in a statement.
Hyun, 48, inherited a 4.98-percent stake in Hyundai Merchant Marine from her husband, while her mother, Kim Mun-Hee, has transferred the voting rights for her 18.57-percent stake in Hyundai Elevator to Hyun.
Hyundai Elevator is the largest shareholder in Hyundai Merchant Marine, with a 15.16 percent stake. Hyundai Merchant Marine has under its wings five companies including Hyundai Asan and Hyundai Securities. -- AFP
;AFP; ANPAf..r.. Brief-Australia-telecom Telstra may expand CSL into China JP/14/briefs
Telstra may expand CSL into China
SYDNEY: Australia's Telstra Corp. is considering expanding its Hong Kong-based CSL mobile operations into China despite a drop in revenues, Telstra chief executive Ziggy Switkowski said on Tuesday.
The company is also looking to expand its franchise in other Asian countries, Switkowski said, citing Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia as potential markets.
"Getting CSL involved in some way in China is obvious. The southern part of China has been of interest to us for a long time," he said, pointing out that it was close to Hong Kong and the firm had good ties to local carriers there.
"CSL has worked constructively, particularly when it comes to roaming agreements, with China Mobile and has a good relationship with China Unicom," he said, referring to two of China's main telecoms operators. --- AFP