Beijing

New CEO named

BearingPoint, one of the world's largest management and technology consulting firms, announced that it has named Ron Machan chief executive officer (CEO) of its China practice.

Machan replaces LingSheng Chen, who will become chairman of BearingPoint's China practice, focusing primarily on leading its Global Development Centre while providing overall leadership for China.

High-tech exposition

The Ninth China Beijing International High-tech Expo is to be held during May 23 to 27 in the capital city.

The key themes of this year's annual event will be focused on co-ordinated development, recycling economy, regional co-operation and creative cultural industry.

The main activities will include large-scale exhibitions, professional forums and conferences, as well as trading talks and promotions.

Co-operation pact signed

China's winter clothes manufacturer Yalu Group Co Ltd recently signed agreements with US firms 3M Company and Show Coast Group to jointly develop new materials and designs for high-end winter clothing for men.

Yalu plans to enhance such international co-operations in an effort to become the world's largest provider for such garments, said Gu Zhenhua, president of Yalu Group.

Energy efficiency

Johnson Controls said improvements in energy efficiency would be its core business in China in a bid to address the country's growing energy demands.

The company help firms improve the energy efficiency of automatic controls in apartment building for lighting and other supporting facilities.

Johnson Controls recently acquired York International, a move that significantly expanded its business portfolio worldwide.

Shanghai

Joint programme

Denmark-based shipping company NORDEN and Shanghai Maritime University (SMU) have launched a programme to ensure SMU's maritime capabilities are competitive with international standards.

The multi-year programme includes direct financial assistance to top students, SMU educator awards, curricula delivered by NORDEN at SMU, a programme for SMU professors to learn at NORDEN's Copenhagen headquarters, and a recruiting program.

"We believe there is a vast pool of talent here in all maritime categories. Our partnership with SMU is a way of ensuring ever-growing resources in this talent pool," said Peter Borup, managing director of NORDEN Tankers & Bulkers Pte Ltd.

Guangdong

Inventions highlighted

The annual China Hi-Tech Fair will for the first time put a spotlight on individual inventions and "not-commonly-recognized" projects during this year's event.

The fair is slated to run between October 12 to 17 in Shenzhen, a coastal city in South China's Guangdong Province. The new events are aimed at highlighting individual patented inventions and some seemingly marginal projects that are facing difficulty getting financial support, said Shenzhen's Mayor Xu Zongheng.

Chongqing

JV launched

French water giant Suez Corp has built a 50/50 joint venture with the Chongqing government to treat wastewater in the southwestern municipality.

The joint venture will invest 60 million euros (US$72 million) to build a wastewater treatment plant that can treat 300,000 cubic metres of wastewater a day.

The joint venture will offer wastewater services for Jiangbei and Yubei districts in northern Chongqing over a period of 25 years.

(China Daily 04/07/2006 page10)