The construction will be financed primarily with foreign funds. The bidding for the development is expected to open in April.

Office in Hanoi

Shin Satellite inaugurated the first iPSTAR rpresentative ofice in Hanoi last week to facilitate iPSTAR broadband satellite service deployment and support its partners and customers in the Vietnam market.

According to the company's release yesterday, the AR Hanoi Gateway was opened in 2005 and is operated by Vietnam Telecom International (VTI), a subsidiary company of Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications (VNPT).

VTI commenced iPSTAR services last April.

Rice exporters

Seven Thai rice exporters yesterday won bidding lots totalling 270,000 tonnes or worth Bt357.8 million for rice quality improvement and export to Iran, organised by the Foreign Trade Department, according director-general Apiradi Tantraporn.

The seven companies are Asia Golden Rice, Thai Maphan Trading, Thai Hua, President Agri, Pong Lab, Capital Cereal and KrungThai Agricultures.

Apiradi said Iran would require more rice imports this year.

Fruit wrappings

PP Foods Supply, an orange grower and distributor, plans to expand its premium market through improved growing procedures and new premium marketing channels.

The company has adapted a new growing method by wrapping oranges grown in its Saithong farm with small paper bags that are totally closed by steel wires to protect them from insects. Each orange, mainly the Sai Nam Phueng breed, has its own paper bag. The first set of wrapped oranges will be ready for sale during the coming Chinese New Year. By applying the growing method, the company expects it will increase sales of its premium oranges by 25-30 per cent. -