New trade, education, research and cultural links will be forged between Cork and another large Chinese city after a formal agreement was signed yesterday.

A property investment company has closed a deal to buy two Dublin city centre office buildings for €32m.

One Fifty One announced today that it has reached agreement with its existing syndicate of six banks to extend a €200m banking facility to the Group out to June 30, 2013.

A THREE-JUDGE High Court has begun hearing the challenge by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to the conduct by the Mahon Tribunal of its inquiries into certain banking transactions conducted through Mr Ahern’s account in 1993 and 1994.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern has taken a High Court challenge to the “manifestly unconstitutional” handling by the Mahon Tribunal to date of inquiries into certain banking transactions conducted through Mr Ahern’s account in 1993 and 1994.

The Irish Cricket Union this morning announced a squad of 13 for their Friends Provident games with Gloucestershire and Essex, which take place at Clontarf on Thursday and Sunday.

THE Irish Cricket Union confirmed that the three match ODI series between India and South Africa will proceed this summer in Belfast.

Merger and acquisitions (M&A) in 2007 will be dominated by privately owned medium-sized companies across a range of sectors, according to the latest edition of Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking’s Irish Business Review.

Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking today announced that it has appointed a dedicated media finance person in the US and further appointments will be made in the near future.

Despite a number of injury worries during the week, the Ireland camp are hopeful of having a full squad to select from, ahead of their opening World Cup fixture with England tomorrow.

THERE was further good news for the Irish cricket team yesterday when sponsors, Bank of Ireland, promised €50,000 to the side following their World Cup heroics in the West Indies.

The Irish Cricket Union have announced the signing of 21-year-old Vernon Philander, as one of their two permitted overseas players for this year's Friends Provident Trophy.

The Irish Cricket Union today confirmed the appointment of Phil Simmons as its new national coach.

Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking today announced that it has appointed a new London based property team to focus on the UK and European markets.

New tax incentives will boost Ireland’s film industry by attracting more Hollywood producers to the country, it was claimed today.

SIAC Construction Limited, one of Ireland’s leading infrastructure providers and building services groups, has announced the completion of an €82m syndicated banking facility with three leading Irish banks.

INCREASED takeover competition from venture capital and private equity groups is making it harder for Irish groups to expand.

The Bank of Ireland plans to double its corporate Irish business in a growth strategy which has seen it recruit 100 new bankers, the company’s corporate banking chief executive said today.

Construction products group Kingspan has negotiated $200m (€154m) through a private placement of debt with a group of US investors.

BANK OF IRELAND Corporate Banking has opened its first office on mainland Europe in Paris.

Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking today launched a specialised €500m fund dedicated to the environment and renewable energy sector.