(Telecompaper) Asian mobile operator group Axiata Group has established a new business unit and announced new appointments to lead the new unit. The group's chief financial officer, James Maclaurin will be vacating his post to move to the new business unit, e.co, as chief executive officer per 1 January 2014. Joining Maclaurin will be Nashad Emir and Thivanka Rangala, both internal hires, as chief operating officer and chief financial officer of e.co. The new business unit will own and manage the passive network infrastructure of the Axiata Group as a business and will have subsidiaries in most of Axiata's markets. Axiata has appointed Chari TVT as chief financial officer to replace Maclaurin. Chari was previously the CFO of Celcom Axiata in Malaysia.