Elbit Systems to Provide Space Camera for the Italian OPTSAT 3000 Observation Satellite

Contract, valued at tens of millions of dollars, awarded by IAI, the satellite manufacturer

Haifa, Israel, December 5, 2012 - Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ and TASE: ESLT("Elbit Systems"), announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Elbit Systems Electro-Optics Elop Ltd. (“Elop”), was awarded a contract from Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (“IAI”) to provide a space camera for the Italian OPTSAT 3000 observation satellite. The total project, comprising the Jupiter advanced camera and additional services, is valued at approximately $40 million and will be completed within three and a half years.

Adi Dar, Elop's General Manager, said that, “We are proud to have been selected to supply the space camera for the Italian satellite. Elop has been a world leader in the field of space cameras for many years, and our systems are supplied to a variety of space agencies and customers in the satellite market, providing high performance and reliability throughout the mission lifecycle. We trust that this contract will lead to additional contracts, both in Israel and abroad".

Elbit Systems ELOP_Jupiter Space-Camera

 

53rd India International Travel Mart (IITM) Hyderabad

1st December, Hyderabad, India : India International Travel Mart is being held in People’s Plaza, Necklace Road, Hyderabad dated on 30^th November to 2^nd December,2012 in association with Andhra Pradesh Tourism.

The Event inaugurated by Shri Vatti Vasanth Kumar, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism and Smt. Chandana Khan, Special Chief Secretary, Govt. of A.P.

The IITM will be hosted by Andhra Pradesh. There are more than 100 hotels and resorts participants at this event, making it one of hospitability congregations of country. IRCTC provides exclusive rail Travel Packages. IITM will showcase a variety of destinations from different spheres such as pilgrimages, culture& heritage, adventures, International Package tours, destinations etc.

The event will had over 150 participants from over 8 countries. The participants include Travel agents& Tour operators, Destinations Management Companies, National Tourist Office, State Tourism boards, Online Travel portals etc.

The participants from the States of A.P., Kerala, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Puducherry, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka etc. Some of the international participants countries include UAE, Egypt, Oman, Malaysia, Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka etc.

Dr. Adel El Masry, Director of Egypt Tourism office in India, said that “ It’s a great pleasure to participate in IITM Hyderabad. Such platform always encourages us to offer more and more to the Indian market. For Egypt, India is one of the most prime tourism market and always looking for opportunities to attract Indian tourists to the jewels of the Egypt. This year our focus is to promote MICE destinations of Egypt such as Cairo, Luxor, Sharm El Sheikh and El gourna beaches and Nile Cruise keeping the festival mood in consideration”.

The “ India International Travel Mart’ provides an ideal marketing opportunity and excellent back drop to enhance the participants brand equity in the eyes of the discerning and consumer and the travel-trade.

Worst Ever Power crisis in Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad, India,30 November, 2012 –  Andhra Pradesh worst ever poser crisis with a severe demand –supply mismatch. As a result, there is 3 days power holiday in a week for industries but also cut in supplies to domestic consumers in all major cities of the state except for Hyderabad. Even Hyderabad was subject to 2 hrs. power cut daily till a month before. Industries association estimate that 30% cut in production due to these  power cuts. It and ITeS Industry association of A.P. estimate that the cost of production have increased by 60-70% due to this. Cities like Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Tirupati, Warangal are being subject to 3 hrs. of power cut every day.

 

The State has a power generation capacity upwards of 15,974 MW but one third of this 7892 MW is thermal or coal based, while gas based power generation capacity accounts for 3356 MW. Hydroelectric power generation  capacity 3839 MW and others account capacity for 1000 MW.

Devendra Surana, President of Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry(FAPCCI) said that industry are subject to power cuts for last 14 months but now the problem has intensified. There is 3 days power holiday and as a result cut back in production, lay off and led to shortages and increase in prices.

“What is the point in trying to revive growth when power shortage is driving away investing in industry? Wonders  Harry Dhaul, Director General of The Independent Power Producers Association of India. He also said that now shortage of Power of 7706 MW is A.P.

Power supply in the state has been on the downswing due to various reasons. Due to lack availability of gas. Gas is available from the KG Basin, but the availability to AP’s Power station is much less than required. Due to reason fall in production in KG Basin leading to lower availability . GAS based power capacity of 3356 MW only  generated at one third of their capacity.Hydroelecric total capacity of 3839 MW are only generating about 700 MW per day reason due to shortage of water in the reservoir.

Due to coal shortage , A.P. is importing coal of 1.6 million tons to use it for Thermal power stations . But there are not enough requirements for more and more. Thermal power stations are also working much lower capacity due to supplies of coal from the Mahanadi Collieries(Orissa) are not in adequate quantities. 

Power can be bought from the other state s and supplied in A.P. But limited transmission capacity can be transferred. Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra has surplus power but due to the limitation only 1000 MW power can be transferred. Since other states in South India like Karnataka, Kerala like states are facing have same power problems. The 1000 MW that can be transferred from the other states. State Govt. has to power promised to farmers for 7 hrs. a day has  gone towards declining  the situation.