Starbucks to enter India next year
New Delhi: US-based coffee retail giant Starbucks Corporation is set to open its outlets in India in 2007. According to a company spokesperson, Starbucks is currently in talks with a number of potential joint venture partners and is also in the process of finalising locations for its retail outlets in the country.

According to market sources, the company has zeroed in on Delhi and Mumbai for its first retail outlets, even as it is scouting for other locations around the country. The company may also be in talks with a number of leading companies - including the existing players in the market and others.

The company plans to target young adults in order to expand their presence in the country.
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Kolkata port launches online GIS
Kolkata: Making it a first for any port in the country, a Web-based system, known as Geographical Information System, has been launched for the real-estate management of Kolkata Port.

At the launch of the system at Kolkata Port Trust's head office on Saturday, the chairman, Dr A. K. Chanda said that the GIS would introduce transparency and speed in decision-making in land-related deals. The system has been developed by Descon Ltd., an IT service provider.

Kolkata port has more than 4,500 acres of land under its Kolkata Dock System (KDS), of which 3,326 acres are within the municipal limits of Kolkata, Howrah and Budge Budge. The total number of leases and licences under KDS is about 5052. An additional 6,500 acres are under Haldia Dock Complex.

Facing a gigantic task in the management of such vast estates spread over several districts and cities, port trust authorities are also mulling satellite imaging of the entire land area under the port to easily identify unauthorised encroachment.
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