Bizbits

Wipro profit increases
BANGALORE: Computer major Wipro8217;s net profit has increased steeply to Rs 25.7 crore in the first quarter of the current financial year from Rs 3.2 crore in the same period of last year. The company8217;s software exports also increased by 73 per cent to Rs 133.1 crore in the first quarter of 1998-99 ended on June 30, a company press release said here today after its board meeting.

Wipro8217;s sales grew by 31 per cent to Rs 345.5 crore from Rs 264.2 crore against the corresponding period of last year. The company had enhanced the rate of depreciation on computers from 33 per cent to 50 per cent, on furniture and fixtures from 9.5 per cent to 19 per cent and on office equipment from 4.75 per cent to 19 per cent in the current financial year. This had resulted in an additional expense of Rs 3.2 crore, the press release added.

GES Tech
MUMBAI: GES Technologies has announced a strategic alliance with Computer Point to revitalise the company8217;s computer retailing operations.The 2 companies will work together to re-launch the computer stores under a different format as per international norms and practices. The alliance will cover stores of Computer Point in Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Calcutta and Kochi.

Export norms
NEW DELHI: The government has notified fixation of standard input-output norms for 45 new items to help exporters obtain quality-based advance licences directly from the regional offices of Directorate General of Foreign Trade. The government has also carried out amendments/corrections in 26 existing norms of different product groups.