11/21/08

Ericsson forms digital TV collaboration with Peru's PUCP

Ericsson has signed an agreement with the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP) to collaborate on the development of digital TV platforms in the country, including tests on IPTV platforms, the design of mobile TV projects, the implementation of DTT in Peru, and the investigation of new multimedia communication channels.

The project also involves the construction of an infrastructure for technology testing, the future development of a proprietary signal for interactive television delivered via the Internet, specialised training programmes, and the operation of internships and student exchanges between Ericsson's centres in Chile and Spain.

"We feel very honoured to have the opportunity to establish an alliance with the Catholic University for the development of communication facilities in the country," said Héctor de Tommaso, General Manager of Ericsson Peru.

Luis Guzmán Barrón of the PUCP added: "Today we witness the impressive progress of the technology that is developed by private companies, among which Ericsson is one of the most prominent. We hope, through our investigations and the professionals which we train, to contribute to this advance."

Publication: Andina - English Newswire
Provider: Andina
November 21, 2008

Chinese enterprises likely to invest in rail transport and ports

Peru's minister of Transport and Communications, Verónica Zavala, said today that some Chinese businessmen are interested to invest in the Peruvian rail transport of minerals and port sectors.

"There is an interest of China in railways and ports as part of its projects in the mining industry, specifically in terminals as Marcona (Ica)", she said after the opening ceremony of the APEC 2008 CEO Summit held in Lima.

In this sense, she said that these possible investments aim to insure an efficient transport for the future mining initiatives; even though nowadays these are located at the center and north zones of the country, there is also an interest in the southern zone.

"This is the reason why it is important to point out that the portfolio of projects for concessions and public.private partnerships in this sector amounts to 3.3 billion dollars", she said.

Zavala indicated that another project that has attracted the Chinese interest is the Tren Electrico (Electric Train), because one of the bidders is the investor that currently has the concession of the Shangai train.

Publication: Andina - English Newswire
Provider: Andina
November 21, 2008

11/10/08

Fashion brand Cherokee launches in Peru

Cherokee Inc., a leading licensor and global brand management company, has recently launched its Cherokee brand products in Peru with Falabella's Tottus Stores.

Mark Nawrocki, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Cherokee Brand Development, said they are proud of their recent launch in Peru as the company continues to execute their 'world brand' strategy.

With partners covering over 30 countries around the world, Cherokee has become one of the fastest growing family lifestyle brands internationally.

"While we continue to build our brand with our existing partners, we look forward to our upcoming launches over the next 12 months in Spain with Grupo Eroski, and in the Middle East with Geant, a division of Al Hokair," Nawrocki said Friday.

Cherokee Inc., based in Van Nuys (Los Angeles, USA), is a marketer, licensor and manager of a variety of brands it owns (Cherokee, Sideout, Carole Little and others) and represents.

Currently, Cherokee has licensing agreements in a number of categories, including family apparel, fashion accessories and footwear, as well as home furnishings and recreational products

Publication: Andina - English Newswire
Provider: Andina
November 9, 2008

11/9/08

Peru, Brazil to promote production and marketing of Arapaima

Authorities, entrepreneurs and communities from Peru and Brazil will create a "strategic alliance" to jointly promote production and marketing of Arapaima, a South American tropical freshwater fish, the Peruvian Amazon Research Institute (IIAP) reported today.

IIAP's director, Luis Campos, told Andina news agency that they are arranging a meeting in February attended by regional governments of Ucayali, San Martin, Loreto, and the Brazilian National Institute of Amazonian Research, among other intitutions.

"The aim is to achieve strategic alliances for the resource management, give added value to our products and strengthen scientific research", he said.

Campos said they seek to establish an environmentally profitable bio-trade which helps to expand production of this organic fish without harming the environment.

The arapaima, pirarucu, or paiche (Arapaima gigas) is a South American tropical freshwater fish. It is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world, reportedly with a maximum length up to 4.5 m (14.75 ft.) and weight up to 200 kg (440 lb.). The maximum weight and length is disputed.

It is the largest freshwater fish in South America. As one of the most sought after food fish species in South America, it is often captured primarily by handheld nets for export, by spearfishing for local consumption, and, consequently, large arapaima of more than 2 m are seldom found in the wild today.

IIAP is a Peruvian institution which is focused on scientific and technological research for development and sustainable use of biodiversity in the Amazonian region.

Publication: Andina - English Newswire
Provider: Andina
November 9, 2008

11/2/08

Juniors lacking finance options for mining exploration

Mining exploration in Peru in what is left of this year and next will diminish due to the fact that the 150 juniors at work locally are or will be struggling to obtain the financing they need from the markets on which they trade (mainly the bourses of Toronto and Vancouver, Canada, plus The City of London). Some juniors have seen their shares fall by 50% this year, notes Miguel Cardozo, president of the Comite de Mineria at the Camara de Comercio Canada-Peru as well as being executive president of the junior Alturas Minerals. The firms have been struggling for cash since February.

Peru received almost US$550mil in mining exploration investment in 2007; Cardozo expects the total to be similar this year before dropping substantially (around 30%) in 2009.Luis Vela, executive vice-president of Andean Exploraciones, a junior trading on the Vancouver exchange, says that firms must seek out other financing formats. Andean boasts two projects, Invicta (in Lima) and Sinchao (in Cajamarca). Between them, they will require investment of US$80mil in 2009 if reserves are to continue to be confirmed. Meanwhile, the director of finance at Compania Minera Buenaventura, Carlos Galvez points out that a slowing-up of investment will return to haunt firms further down the road when quality and volumes take a tumble.

Publication: SABI - Business News
Provider: South American Business Information
Date: November 2, 2008