New Delhi: Brookings Institution, a non-profit public policy organisation based in Washington DC, announced it would open Brookings India as a platform for public policy research and analysis.
The Brookings’ India centre will analyse the opportunities and challenges facing India. The operational activities and the funding of Brookings India will be primarily by Indians.
Brookings decided to open a centre here because India is the largest democracy and one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
Brookings Institution is one of the oldest independent think-tanks, and has been consistently ranked among the most influential ones for many decades. In the University of Pennsylvania’s Global Go-To Think Tank Rankings in 2012, Brookings was ranked the world’s best.
Urjit Patel, who was appointed a deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India earlier this month, has been a non-resident senior fellow of the Brookings Institution since 2009.
Vikram Singh Mehta, former chairman of the Shell group of companies, will be the chairman of Brookings India. Mehta began his career with the IAS in 1978 and had earlier worked with Philips Petroleum and Oil India Limited.
“The India centre will look into Indian issues, drawing on Indian talent. The model of independent policy-relevant research that Brookings has developed over nearly 100 years will contribute to an informed Indian citizenry and provide useful analysis and recommendations to Indian policymakers as they deal with these challenges. The connection to Brookings in Washington will help increase the reach of Indian scholars to the US and elsewhere,” said Mehta.
Brookings India’s research will focus on domestic and global economics, foreign policy, and energy and infrastructure policy.
Nita and Mukesh Ambani of Reliance Industries, Rahul Bajaj of Bajaj Auto, S Gopalakrishnan of Infosys, and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw of Biocon are among the persons who support the Brookings’ India initiative.
Earlier, Aspen Institute had set up an Indian chapter. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is also expected to start an Indian centre.
Although the Chinese had a larger representation in global think-tanks, Indian scholars and businessmen are increasingly being affiliated with them.
Success in my Habit
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
HCL Tech in multi-million dollar deal with Cobham
New Delhi: HCL Technologies on Tuesday said it has entered into a multi-year, multi-million dollar engineering services agreement with UK-based Cobham, a technology company serving the aerospace and defence industry.
As part of the engagement, HCL will support multiple Cobham sites across the globe with a range of services — hardware, software, embedded, mechanical and testing.
“HCL will be a key partner in helping to invest in strategic programmes which allow us to stay ahead of the competition,” Tom Garvey, Vice-President, Operations, at Cobham’s Avionics and Surveillance Division, said.
The engagement will allow Cobham’s dedicated team of engineers to develop cutting edge solutions to help meet customer needs in a number of fields, he said.
As part of the engagement, HCL will support multiple Cobham sites across the globe with a range of services — hardware, software, embedded, mechanical and testing.
“HCL will be a key partner in helping to invest in strategic programmes which allow us to stay ahead of the competition,” Tom Garvey, Vice-President, Operations, at Cobham’s Avionics and Surveillance Division, said.
The engagement will allow Cobham’s dedicated team of engineers to develop cutting edge solutions to help meet customer needs in a number of fields, he said.
Farida Group sets up tannery in Ethiopia
Chennai: The Chennai-based Farida Group has established a tannery in Ethiopia to cater to export market and, if needed, for imports into India. The group is among the largest exporters of footwear and makes leather footwear for leading international brands.
The tannery about 70 km from Addis Ababa was commissioned towards the end of last year with a capacity to produce about 800,000 sq. ft of leather, according to Rafeeque Ahmed, Chairman, Farida Group.
The unit has been set up through Farida’s overseas subsidiary in Singapore. It is an independent unit that will cater to the markets for finished leather. It will export leather to the overseas markets and if needed supply to Farida Group’s requirements here, he said.
The African country is a rich source of quality raw material and setting up a tannery is a good value addition, he said. The Group has multiple leather footwear production units and tanneries in Tamil Nadu. The total footwear production capacity is over 22,000 pairs a day.
The tannery about 70 km from Addis Ababa was commissioned towards the end of last year with a capacity to produce about 800,000 sq. ft of leather, according to Rafeeque Ahmed, Chairman, Farida Group.
The unit has been set up through Farida’s overseas subsidiary in Singapore. It is an independent unit that will cater to the markets for finished leather. It will export leather to the overseas markets and if needed supply to Farida Group’s requirements here, he said.
The African country is a rich source of quality raw material and setting up a tannery is a good value addition, he said. The Group has multiple leather footwear production units and tanneries in Tamil Nadu. The total footwear production capacity is over 22,000 pairs a day.
Teva Pharma, P&G sets up world's largest OTC plant in Gujarat
Ahmedabad: Israel-based Teva Pharmaceuticals, an $18 billion generic drug maker will set up world's largest OTC medicine facility in Gujarat in collaboration with Procter & Gamble. On Tuesday, the company had ground-breaking ceremony for its multi-product facility at Sanand, near Ahmedabad.
Teva Global Operations, Executive Vice President, Strategy and Operation, Eran Katz, said "The multipurpose plant in India will support the growing demand for our non-prescription health care products across Asia. The Sanand facility will be a critical component of PGT Healthcare, Teva's international partnership and joint venture with Procter & Gamble." Teva Pharm India Pvt. Ltd expects completion of construction of the plant in two years.
The facility would be focused on Over-the-counter (OTC) product manufacturing and will initially cater domestic and Asia Pacific markets, according to the company. This will include liquid, oral solid dosage and inhaler production including P&G's current Vicks range of cough & cold medicines and throat drops in India, along with potentially other over-the-counter products for India and other markets.
The new plant will complement the existing network of Vicks contract manufacturers in India as the company plans to continue working with their current contract manufacturers even after this plant is operational, said the company.
The modular design of the plant will enable Teva to further expand the plant as demand for consumer health care products continues to grow across the region and the globle.
In November 2011, P&G and Teva Pharma entered into a joint venture in consumer healthcare by setting up PGT Healthcare headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. This business model brings together each company's complementary capabilities and existing OTC portfolios. While Teva Pharma is world's largest generic drug maker, P&G is one of the largest players in FMCG globally.
Teva Global Operations, Executive Vice President, Strategy and Operation, Eran Katz, said "The multipurpose plant in India will support the growing demand for our non-prescription health care products across Asia. The Sanand facility will be a critical component of PGT Healthcare, Teva's international partnership and joint venture with Procter & Gamble." Teva Pharm India Pvt. Ltd expects completion of construction of the plant in two years.
The facility would be focused on Over-the-counter (OTC) product manufacturing and will initially cater domestic and Asia Pacific markets, according to the company. This will include liquid, oral solid dosage and inhaler production including P&G's current Vicks range of cough & cold medicines and throat drops in India, along with potentially other over-the-counter products for India and other markets.
The new plant will complement the existing network of Vicks contract manufacturers in India as the company plans to continue working with their current contract manufacturers even after this plant is operational, said the company.
The modular design of the plant will enable Teva to further expand the plant as demand for consumer health care products continues to grow across the region and the globle.
In November 2011, P&G and Teva Pharma entered into a joint venture in consumer healthcare by setting up PGT Healthcare headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. This business model brings together each company's complementary capabilities and existing OTC portfolios. While Teva Pharma is world's largest generic drug maker, P&G is one of the largest players in FMCG globally.
India, EU sign pact to recycle waste water
Patancheru (Medak dist): India and the European Union have signed a Rs 80-crore (about €12-million) agreement to recycle industrial and domestic waste water to provide water for irrigation purposes.
Besides, the two sides would work on other products that come out of waste water and also on the efficient use of water under the Water4Crops-India project.
The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) will lead one of the two consortia with 34 member companies, universities and research organisations.
The Union Department of Bio Technology and six EU countries contributed Rs 40 crore each for the four-year project.
The Indian consortia include The Energy Research Institute (TERI), National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Euro India Research Centre, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, SABMiller and Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd.
“The consortium will be working on three types of industrial waste water mainly from the Charminar Breweries of SABMiller in India in Andhra Pradesh; Onion and Fruit Processing Plant at JISL, Jalgaon in Maharashtra; and the sugar factory from Ugar Sugar in Karnataka,” Suhas P. Wani of ICRISAT, who is leading the Indian consortium, told reporters here on Tuesday.
Besides, the two sides would work on other products that come out of waste water and also on the efficient use of water under the Water4Crops-India project.
The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) will lead one of the two consortia with 34 member companies, universities and research organisations.
The Union Department of Bio Technology and six EU countries contributed Rs 40 crore each for the four-year project.
The Indian consortia include The Energy Research Institute (TERI), National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Euro India Research Centre, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, SABMiller and Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd.
“The consortium will be working on three types of industrial waste water mainly from the Charminar Breweries of SABMiller in India in Andhra Pradesh; Onion and Fruit Processing Plant at JISL, Jalgaon in Maharashtra; and the sugar factory from Ugar Sugar in Karnataka,” Suhas P. Wani of ICRISAT, who is leading the Indian consortium, told reporters here on Tuesday.
Amara Raja Batteries to spend Rs 440 cr on capacity expansion
Hyderabad: Industrial and automotive batteries manufacturer Amara Raja Batteries, in which the US battery giant Johnson Controls holds 26% stake, has decided to spend Rs 440 crore on augmenting production capacities of its VRLA and four-wheeler batteries over the next 16-18 months.
The board of the company, which met on Monday to take record the audited financial results for the quarter ended December 2012, has approved the proposal on investments on expansion of large VRLA and four-wheeler batteries of the company's facilities located near Tirupathi in Andhra Pradesh.
Executive Director Ravi Bhamidipati said the fresh investments were in addition to already approved capital investment of Rs 304 crore to expand capacities in medium VRLA, automotive four-wheeler and automotive two-wheeler lines.
Amara Raja manufactures batteries to Indian railways,power, oil and gas sectors. It counts among its major clients the leading Indian automobile players such as Ashok Leyland, Ford India, Honda, Hyundai, M&M, Maruti Suzuki and TATA Motors. The company also exports products to Asia Pacific, Africa and Middle East.
"We continue to enjoy debt free status with free cash of over Rs 350 crore as on December 31, 2012. The capacity expansion programs undertaken in the last 12 months are progressing as per schedule," said chief financial officer K.Suresh.
For the quarter to December 2012, Amara Raja reported a 23% growth in its consolidated net profit at Rs 81 crore compared to the same quarter a year ago of Rs 66 crore, while it saw its net sales grew by 24% at Rs 757 crore from Rs.612 cr a year ago.
Managing Director Jaydev Galla said teh company is confident of growth prospects and continues to invest in capacities in the medium to long range despite slack demand from OE customers in automotive segment, supply challenges, power tariff hike, rising commodity and fuel prices and volatility in currency markets.
The board of the company, which met on Monday to take record the audited financial results for the quarter ended December 2012, has approved the proposal on investments on expansion of large VRLA and four-wheeler batteries of the company's facilities located near Tirupathi in Andhra Pradesh.
Executive Director Ravi Bhamidipati said the fresh investments were in addition to already approved capital investment of Rs 304 crore to expand capacities in medium VRLA, automotive four-wheeler and automotive two-wheeler lines.
Amara Raja manufactures batteries to Indian railways,power, oil and gas sectors. It counts among its major clients the leading Indian automobile players such as Ashok Leyland, Ford India, Honda, Hyundai, M&M, Maruti Suzuki and TATA Motors. The company also exports products to Asia Pacific, Africa and Middle East.
"We continue to enjoy debt free status with free cash of over Rs 350 crore as on December 31, 2012. The capacity expansion programs undertaken in the last 12 months are progressing as per schedule," said chief financial officer K.Suresh.
For the quarter to December 2012, Amara Raja reported a 23% growth in its consolidated net profit at Rs 81 crore compared to the same quarter a year ago of Rs 66 crore, while it saw its net sales grew by 24% at Rs 757 crore from Rs.612 cr a year ago.
Managing Director Jaydev Galla said teh company is confident of growth prospects and continues to invest in capacities in the medium to long range despite slack demand from OE customers in automotive segment, supply challenges, power tariff hike, rising commodity and fuel prices and volatility in currency markets.
Kerala industrial body sets up container freight station at Kalamassery
Kochi: Aimed at tapping growing business opportunities from the Vallarpadam Terminal, the State-owned Kerala State Industrial Enterprises (KSIE) has set up a container freight station at Kalamassery.
The Rs 25-crore venture, established at 8.5 acres owned by the company, would cater to the emerging needs of the International Container Transhipment Terminal at Vallarpadam.
The facility has an 80,000 sq ft customs-bonded cargo handling centre to manage export and import operations and can handle 1,000 containers at a time, Mayin Haji, Chairman and Febi Varghese, Managing Director, KSIE, said.
All modern facilities have been incorporated for the security and smooth operations of the freight station in accordance with international standards. It can provide direct employment to 100 eligible candidates and indirect employment to 500 persons.
KSIE has arranged facilities for container stuffing and de-stuffing and for the smooth movement of cargo. The project would also be helpful in providing time-bound services to the Exim trade after the Customs clearance proceedings, they said.
Kerala Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty, who had recently inaugurated the facility expressed the hope that the new CFS could play a leading role in the movement of transhipment cargo from this region, which is emerging as a leading destination connecting the global shipping trade.
According to KSIE officials, the company had ventured into CFS as part of its diversification process by utilising its land availability to build up the facility. Close proximity to the Vallarpadam terminal and road connectivity are considered an added advantage for the CFS, set up by the company.
Sources in the shipping fraternity said that logistics business is expected to pick up in the region offering good business opportunities for CFS operations following the relaxation of Cabotage restrictions.
It is pointed out that the port management has also planned CFS’s in order to develop Vallarpadam into a major logistics hub by earmarking 54 acres near the ICTT with private participation.
Besides, the setting up of more number of CFS would generate more job opportunities, the sources said.
The CFS facility near ICTT considered being a great support to the traders as they can meet all their shipping requirements under one roof, that too near the ICTT, the sources added.
The Rs 25-crore venture, established at 8.5 acres owned by the company, would cater to the emerging needs of the International Container Transhipment Terminal at Vallarpadam.
The facility has an 80,000 sq ft customs-bonded cargo handling centre to manage export and import operations and can handle 1,000 containers at a time, Mayin Haji, Chairman and Febi Varghese, Managing Director, KSIE, said.
All modern facilities have been incorporated for the security and smooth operations of the freight station in accordance with international standards. It can provide direct employment to 100 eligible candidates and indirect employment to 500 persons.
KSIE has arranged facilities for container stuffing and de-stuffing and for the smooth movement of cargo. The project would also be helpful in providing time-bound services to the Exim trade after the Customs clearance proceedings, they said.
Kerala Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty, who had recently inaugurated the facility expressed the hope that the new CFS could play a leading role in the movement of transhipment cargo from this region, which is emerging as a leading destination connecting the global shipping trade.
According to KSIE officials, the company had ventured into CFS as part of its diversification process by utilising its land availability to build up the facility. Close proximity to the Vallarpadam terminal and road connectivity are considered an added advantage for the CFS, set up by the company.
Sources in the shipping fraternity said that logistics business is expected to pick up in the region offering good business opportunities for CFS operations following the relaxation of Cabotage restrictions.
It is pointed out that the port management has also planned CFS’s in order to develop Vallarpadam into a major logistics hub by earmarking 54 acres near the ICTT with private participation.
Besides, the setting up of more number of CFS would generate more job opportunities, the sources said.
The CFS facility near ICTT considered being a great support to the traders as they can meet all their shipping requirements under one roof, that too near the ICTT, the sources added.
GSK-Biological E tie-up on combination vaccine
Mumbai: Multinational drug-maker GlaxoSmithKline and the Hyderabad-based Biological E Limited have come together for early stage research and development of a six-in-one combination paediatric vaccine against polio and other infectious diseases.
The companies said they would form an equally-partnered venture to develop the vaccine that would help protect children in India and other developing countries. If approved, the vaccine could be a first of its kind, a GSK note said, as it would combine GSK’s injectable polio vaccine (IPV) and Biological E’s pentavalent vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (whole-cell pertussis), hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b.
Fewer Injections
The vaccine would enable fewer injections for children, thereby improving compliance in immunisation schedules. The fully liquid formulation of the vaccine also means it would be ready to use with no additional ingredients or materials required, freeing up space at local storage facilities.
The venture will bear the development costs for the candidate vaccine, which is expected to enter phase 1 development in the next two years. In phase 1 trials, the product is exposed for the first time to a small group of healthy human volunteers to evaluate the safety profile of the drug. A small initial cash investment will be made by both companies to cover start-up costs and subsequent development costs will be split equally, the note said.
Fight Against Polio
Christophe Weber, President of GSK Vaccines, said the agreement was aligned to GSK’s vision of providing quality vaccines to those in need and by leveraging Biological E’s strengths, this particular vaccine had the potential to play a significant role in the fight against polio.
Vijay Kumar Datla, Chairman Biological E, said that they expect to leverage the partnership to accelerate the development of the hexavalent vaccine and make IPV accessible for developing countries in the post-eradication phase for polio.
The companies said they would form an equally-partnered venture to develop the vaccine that would help protect children in India and other developing countries. If approved, the vaccine could be a first of its kind, a GSK note said, as it would combine GSK’s injectable polio vaccine (IPV) and Biological E’s pentavalent vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (whole-cell pertussis), hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b.
Fewer Injections
The vaccine would enable fewer injections for children, thereby improving compliance in immunisation schedules. The fully liquid formulation of the vaccine also means it would be ready to use with no additional ingredients or materials required, freeing up space at local storage facilities.
The venture will bear the development costs for the candidate vaccine, which is expected to enter phase 1 development in the next two years. In phase 1 trials, the product is exposed for the first time to a small group of healthy human volunteers to evaluate the safety profile of the drug. A small initial cash investment will be made by both companies to cover start-up costs and subsequent development costs will be split equally, the note said.
Fight Against Polio
Christophe Weber, President of GSK Vaccines, said the agreement was aligned to GSK’s vision of providing quality vaccines to those in need and by leveraging Biological E’s strengths, this particular vaccine had the potential to play a significant role in the fight against polio.
Vijay Kumar Datla, Chairman Biological E, said that they expect to leverage the partnership to accelerate the development of the hexavalent vaccine and make IPV accessible for developing countries in the post-eradication phase for polio.
4 FDI Proposals Amounting to Rs. 280.00 Crore Approved by FIPB
Further to Para 5 of the Press Release dated January 11, 2013 regarding Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) proposals approved by FIPB, wherein it was stated that decision in case of the Five (5) proposals will be communicated separately, the Central Government has now approved the following Four (4) proposals out of them amounting to Rs. 280.00 crore approximately.
Following 4 (Four) proposals have been approved.
Sl. No. Name of the applicant Particulars of the proposal FDI/NRI inflows(` In crore)
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
1 M/s IvyCap Ventures Trust To allow NRI investment through normal banking channels in compliance with FEMA Regulations and extant FDI Policy. 200.00
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
2 M/s Wipro Limited, Bangalore Transfer of shares by way of swap consequent to a demerger of non-IT activities. The company is engaged primarily in IT sector and also in other diversified activities including defence. Nil
POWER
3 M/s Spanco Power Distribution Ltd., Mumbai Post facto approval to act as an investing company and make downstream investments in its WoS and other companies in the power distribution sector. 80.00
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
4 M/s GPX India Private Limited, Maharashtra To issue equity shares to the Foreign Collaborator against import of capital goods/equipment/machinery to carry out the business of setting up of domestic Other Service Provider (OS) (Data Centre) for providing various products and services to its clients/customers. Nil
2. The following 1 (One) proposal has been deferred:
Sl. No Name of the applicant Particulars of the proposal
1 M/s Yalamanchili Software Export Ltd., Chennai Conversion of non-repatriable equity held by majority shareholder to repatriable equity and share swap of this holding to shares of a foreign company.
Following 4 (Four) proposals have been approved.
Sl. No. Name of the applicant Particulars of the proposal FDI/NRI inflows(` In crore)
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
1 M/s IvyCap Ventures Trust To allow NRI investment through normal banking channels in compliance with FEMA Regulations and extant FDI Policy. 200.00
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
2 M/s Wipro Limited, Bangalore Transfer of shares by way of swap consequent to a demerger of non-IT activities. The company is engaged primarily in IT sector and also in other diversified activities including defence. Nil
POWER
3 M/s Spanco Power Distribution Ltd., Mumbai Post facto approval to act as an investing company and make downstream investments in its WoS and other companies in the power distribution sector. 80.00
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
4 M/s GPX India Private Limited, Maharashtra To issue equity shares to the Foreign Collaborator against import of capital goods/equipment/machinery to carry out the business of setting up of domestic Other Service Provider (OS) (Data Centre) for providing various products and services to its clients/customers. Nil
2. The following 1 (One) proposal has been deferred:
Sl. No Name of the applicant Particulars of the proposal
1 M/s Yalamanchili Software Export Ltd., Chennai Conversion of non-repatriable equity held by majority shareholder to repatriable equity and share swap of this holding to shares of a foreign company.
Anand Sharma Launches eBiz Portal
New Delhi: The Union Minister for Commerce, Industry & Textiles Shri Anand Sharma launched an eBiz portal at the CII Partnership Summit in Agra today. The portal is India’s Government-to-Business (G2B) portal developed by Infosys in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) Model. “This Mission Mode Project will mark a paradigm shift in the Government’s approach to providing Government-to-Business (G2B) services for India’s investor and business communities,” said Shri Sharma while launching the portal.
In order to enable businesses and investors to save time and costs and in order to improve the business environment in the country, an online single window was conceptualised in the form of the eBiz Mission Mode Project under the National eGovernance Plan. Shri Sharma said that the “project aims to create a business and investor friendly ecosystem in India by making all business and investment related regulatory services across Central, State and local governments available on a single portal, thereby obviating the need for an investor or a business to visit multiple offices or a plethora of websites.”
Shri Sharma further said that the core value of the transformational project lies in a shift in the Governments’ service delivery approach from being department-centric to customer-centric. “eBiz will create a 24x7 facility for information and services and will also offer joined-up services where a single application submitted by a customer, for a number of permissions, clearances, approvals and registrations, will be routed automatically across multiple governmental agencies in a logical manner.” “An inbuilt payment gateway will also add value by allowing all payments to be collected at one point and then apportioned, split and routed to the respective heads of account of Central / State / Para-statal agencies along with generation of challans and MIS reports. This payment gateway is the first of its kind designed in India and can become a universal payment gateway for all eGovernance applications,” added Shri Sharma.
The Department of Industrial Promotion & Policy, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, is the Nodal Government Agency responsible for the implementation of the eBiz Project. Infosys Technologies Ltd. has been selected as the Concessionaire/ Project Implementation Partner and is responsible for the design, development, implementation and maintenance of the eBiz Solution.
Shri Sharma said that the government is “firmly committed to wide-ranging initiatives aimed at fostering the business environment in the country in a holistic manner. Our approach includes leveraging technology to bring transparency, improve efficiency and promote convenience. eBiz is an important step in this direction and we are pleased to work in partnership with Infosys on this project, which we hope will become a benchmark for successful Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the country.”
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Saurabh Chandra, Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry observed that “the eBiz Project is the first of its kind ever implemented in the country. It marks the highest level of maturity in web-based eGovernance applications as it strives to achieve horizontal integration across various verticals of Central government, State governments and Para-statal agencies”.
The first phase of the project, which was being launched today, provides an interactive tool that helps investors assess the Licenses and Permits requirements while setting up and operating a business in India. The License & Permit Information wizard will provide authentic information 24X7 to investors and businesses by providing answers to questions in an interview style format.
In order to enable businesses and investors to save time and costs and in order to improve the business environment in the country, an online single window was conceptualised in the form of the eBiz Mission Mode Project under the National eGovernance Plan. Shri Sharma said that the “project aims to create a business and investor friendly ecosystem in India by making all business and investment related regulatory services across Central, State and local governments available on a single portal, thereby obviating the need for an investor or a business to visit multiple offices or a plethora of websites.”
Shri Sharma further said that the core value of the transformational project lies in a shift in the Governments’ service delivery approach from being department-centric to customer-centric. “eBiz will create a 24x7 facility for information and services and will also offer joined-up services where a single application submitted by a customer, for a number of permissions, clearances, approvals and registrations, will be routed automatically across multiple governmental agencies in a logical manner.” “An inbuilt payment gateway will also add value by allowing all payments to be collected at one point and then apportioned, split and routed to the respective heads of account of Central / State / Para-statal agencies along with generation of challans and MIS reports. This payment gateway is the first of its kind designed in India and can become a universal payment gateway for all eGovernance applications,” added Shri Sharma.
The Department of Industrial Promotion & Policy, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, is the Nodal Government Agency responsible for the implementation of the eBiz Project. Infosys Technologies Ltd. has been selected as the Concessionaire/ Project Implementation Partner and is responsible for the design, development, implementation and maintenance of the eBiz Solution.
Shri Sharma said that the government is “firmly committed to wide-ranging initiatives aimed at fostering the business environment in the country in a holistic manner. Our approach includes leveraging technology to bring transparency, improve efficiency and promote convenience. eBiz is an important step in this direction and we are pleased to work in partnership with Infosys on this project, which we hope will become a benchmark for successful Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the country.”
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Saurabh Chandra, Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry observed that “the eBiz Project is the first of its kind ever implemented in the country. It marks the highest level of maturity in web-based eGovernance applications as it strives to achieve horizontal integration across various verticals of Central government, State governments and Para-statal agencies”.
The first phase of the project, which was being launched today, provides an interactive tool that helps investors assess the Licenses and Permits requirements while setting up and operating a business in India. The License & Permit Information wizard will provide authentic information 24X7 to investors and businesses by providing answers to questions in an interview style format.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
GEA sets up decanter unit
New Delhi: Düsseldorf-headquartered GEA Group has set up a facility in Bangalore to expand its decanter manufacturing capacity.
GEA Westfalia Separator India, the Indian arm of the ^6-billion GEA Group, has a capacity of producing 250 decanters annually at its Bangalore factory at present.
With the expansion, GEA Westfalia Separator India will be able to meet demands from other market segments, including process customisations, said Ashok Narula, managing director.
The Bangalore unit has the capacity to produce decanters up to 350 mm diametre for environmental application.
Since 2006, the company has exported about 500 decanters worldwide from its Bangalore factory. Prototype decanter centrifuge UCD 205 was also developed at the facility. Inaugurating the facility, the mechanical equipment president, Markus Hullmann, said 2,500 applications GEA offers globally are now available in India. “We strongly feel the Indian Industry deserves the best in world-class technology,” he added.
GEA Westfalia Separator, which started with the production of milk separators that separate cream from milk, currently provides solutions to several industries with focus on food, pharma, and energy. In India, the company has presence in antibiotic projects, dairy, casein, naphtha treatment, vaccine projects, fruit juice, instant coffee and edible oil industry.
Initially, the company had restricted itself in the chemical, pharma and casein industry in India as competition was less. It has later spread wings in other areas as custom duties came down in specific areas.
GEA Westfalia Separator India, the Indian arm of the ^6-billion GEA Group, has a capacity of producing 250 decanters annually at its Bangalore factory at present.
With the expansion, GEA Westfalia Separator India will be able to meet demands from other market segments, including process customisations, said Ashok Narula, managing director.
The Bangalore unit has the capacity to produce decanters up to 350 mm diametre for environmental application.
Since 2006, the company has exported about 500 decanters worldwide from its Bangalore factory. Prototype decanter centrifuge UCD 205 was also developed at the facility. Inaugurating the facility, the mechanical equipment president, Markus Hullmann, said 2,500 applications GEA offers globally are now available in India. “We strongly feel the Indian Industry deserves the best in world-class technology,” he added.
GEA Westfalia Separator, which started with the production of milk separators that separate cream from milk, currently provides solutions to several industries with focus on food, pharma, and energy. In India, the company has presence in antibiotic projects, dairy, casein, naphtha treatment, vaccine projects, fruit juice, instant coffee and edible oil industry.
Initially, the company had restricted itself in the chemical, pharma and casein industry in India as competition was less. It has later spread wings in other areas as custom duties came down in specific areas.
Cathay Pacific to offer more direct flights from Mumbai to Hong Kong
Mumbai: Hong Kong based full service airline Cathay Pacific would add more direct flights from Mumbai to Hong Kong starting April. The airline will also introduce its new product line of the premium economy cabin on this route after launching it in Delhi and Chennai last year.
Cathay that has India route among the top 10 revenue earners will add three more direct flights from Mumbai to Hong Kong as it withdraws stopover flights from the finance city to Hong Kong via Bangkok. The network carrier said 75% of its passenger carriage is transit passengers mainly to China and the west coast of US.
Charlie Stewart - Cox, its newly appointed general manager for South East Asia, Middle East and Africa based out of Mumbai said that in the current downturn India as a market is still robust and is one of the few economies that are growing.
"For Cathay 2013 will be a good year in India as we have increased flights in this market last year by adding eight percent more capacity compared to 2011 and we will continue to seek growth opportunities and add more products in this market, " Cox said.
Cathay is betting big on its premium economy cabin as this new product which Cathay says it is the only airline to offer from the Indian market is slated to push the yields up by 30% for the airline. The product offers separate noiseless cabin for travellers, more leg space and bigger seats with rebooted entertainment system.
The premium economy class according to Cathay's regional sales and marketing manager for South Asia, Rakesh Raikar, will push the aspiring and young Indian travellers to an upgrade from economy to the premium economy cabin. The airline said its front sets are getting filled up to 50%-60% and generally flights are 80% full.
Cathay along with its sister airline Dragonair flies 46 weekly flights from six ports in India. It recently added Hyderabad in its network with four weekly flights.
Cathay that has India route among the top 10 revenue earners will add three more direct flights from Mumbai to Hong Kong as it withdraws stopover flights from the finance city to Hong Kong via Bangkok. The network carrier said 75% of its passenger carriage is transit passengers mainly to China and the west coast of US.
Charlie Stewart - Cox, its newly appointed general manager for South East Asia, Middle East and Africa based out of Mumbai said that in the current downturn India as a market is still robust and is one of the few economies that are growing.
"For Cathay 2013 will be a good year in India as we have increased flights in this market last year by adding eight percent more capacity compared to 2011 and we will continue to seek growth opportunities and add more products in this market, " Cox said.
Cathay is betting big on its premium economy cabin as this new product which Cathay says it is the only airline to offer from the Indian market is slated to push the yields up by 30% for the airline. The product offers separate noiseless cabin for travellers, more leg space and bigger seats with rebooted entertainment system.
The premium economy class according to Cathay's regional sales and marketing manager for South Asia, Rakesh Raikar, will push the aspiring and young Indian travellers to an upgrade from economy to the premium economy cabin. The airline said its front sets are getting filled up to 50%-60% and generally flights are 80% full.
Cathay along with its sister airline Dragonair flies 46 weekly flights from six ports in India. It recently added Hyderabad in its network with four weekly flights.
Tata Projects, Aldesa bag Rs 3,300-cr freight corridor project
New Delhi: A consortium of Tata Projects and Spanish firm Aldesa has bagged a Rs 3,300 crore civil works contract to build a rail track between Bhaupur and Khurja in Uttar Pradesh, a 343-km segment of the dedicated eastern freight corridor.
“Physical work is expected to start from March-April. A letter of intent has been issued for the project,” said Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation Ltd Managing Director, R. K. Gupta.
The consortium beat nine bidders for the project. The letter of intent was issued on Thursday, and the project is funded by the World Bank.
Those in race for the project were: CRFG-Soma, OHL-Punj Lloyd, KEC-Remput-Simplex, Essar-Patel-BSCPL, San Jose-ECI, STS-Era, IVRCL-KMB, Navyug-SEW and Gammon-CMC.
The 343-km project was sliced into three subsets, and the bidders had been qualified to bid for one, two or all three. In the bids, the consortia have offered various levels of discount, depending on the size of projects they get.
Seven consortia of the above bidders were qualified to bid for all the three packages. It will take some time for the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India, a special purpose vehicle set up under the Ministry of Railways, to evaluate the lowest bidder, as the bids are submitted in multiple combinations.
“Physical work is expected to start from March-April. A letter of intent has been issued for the project,” said Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation Ltd Managing Director, R. K. Gupta.
The consortium beat nine bidders for the project. The letter of intent was issued on Thursday, and the project is funded by the World Bank.
Those in race for the project were: CRFG-Soma, OHL-Punj Lloyd, KEC-Remput-Simplex, Essar-Patel-BSCPL, San Jose-ECI, STS-Era, IVRCL-KMB, Navyug-SEW and Gammon-CMC.
The 343-km project was sliced into three subsets, and the bidders had been qualified to bid for one, two or all three. In the bids, the consortia have offered various levels of discount, depending on the size of projects they get.
Seven consortia of the above bidders were qualified to bid for all the three packages. It will take some time for the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India, a special purpose vehicle set up under the Ministry of Railways, to evaluate the lowest bidder, as the bids are submitted in multiple combinations.
1 Foodgrain Godowns to be Constructed in Assam
New Delhi: The Centre has proposed to construct 11 new food grains godowns at different locations in the state of Assam to strengthen Public Distribution System. Besides this additional storage capacity will also be crated at three existing locations in the state. These godown to be constructed or expanded by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), will add food grain storage capacity of 3,47,000 MT in the state of Assam. Out of this a capacity of 7000 MT will be created within the three existing complexes of FCI in the state.
Location wise details of capacity to be created is as follows:
S.NO. NAME OF LOCATION CAPACITY IN MT
1 Changsari Ph. I & II (50,000 MT in each phase) 1,00,000
2 Nowgaon Ph. I & II (with siding)(25,000 MT in each phase) 50,000
3 Dibrugarh (with siding) 25,000
4 Barpeta Road ( with siding) 25,000
5 Karimganj 5,000
6 Fakiragram 5,000
7 Tezpur Bindukuri/(with siding)\ 25,000
8 Salchapara (with siding) 25,000
9 Kokrajhar (with siding) 30,000
10 Bongoigaon (with siding) 25,000
11 Junai (with siding) 25,000
12 Hojai 2,500(within existing complex)
13 New Lakhimpur 2,500(within existing complex)
14 Jogigopa 2,000(within existing complex)
Total 3,47,000
Location wise details of capacity to be created is as follows:
S.NO. NAME OF LOCATION CAPACITY IN MT
1 Changsari Ph. I & II (50,000 MT in each phase) 1,00,000
2 Nowgaon Ph. I & II (with siding)(25,000 MT in each phase) 50,000
3 Dibrugarh (with siding) 25,000
4 Barpeta Road ( with siding) 25,000
5 Karimganj 5,000
6 Fakiragram 5,000
7 Tezpur Bindukuri/(with siding)\ 25,000
8 Salchapara (with siding) 25,000
9 Kokrajhar (with siding) 30,000
10 Bongoigaon (with siding) 25,000
11 Junai (with siding) 25,000
12 Hojai 2,500(within existing complex)
13 New Lakhimpur 2,500(within existing complex)
14 Jogigopa 2,000(within existing complex)
Total 3,47,000
RBI raises FII limit in govt, corp bonds by $5 bn each
Mumbai: To attract foreign funds into the bond market, the Reserve Bank of India ( RBI) on Thursday raised the ceiling for foreign institutional investors (FII)’s holdings in government securities and corporate bonds by $5 billion each. The cap on domestic debt now stands at $75 billion.
Bond dealers and treasury executives said the interest of FIIs had been robust. The additional capital flows would help tackle the high current account deficit, which stood at a record 5.4 per cent of the gross domestic product in the quarter ended September.
The three-year lock-in period for FIIs purchasing government securities (G-secs) for the first time has been done away with, RBI said.
The sub-limit of $10 billion for investment by FIIs in G-secs was enhanced by $5 billion, it added, while the cap on corporate debt other than in the infrastructure sector was raised from $20 billion to $25 billion.
With rises of $5 billion in each of the two categories, FIIs and long-term investors can now invest $25 billion in G-secs and $50 billion in corporate debt instruments, including the sub-limit of $25 billion for infra bonds.
RBI said though the residual maturity condition would not be applicable on the entire sub-limit (in G-secs) of $15 billion, such investments would not be allowed in short-term papers such as treasury bills.
The overall FII limit for domestic debt is distributed through a host of categories across government, corporate and infrastructure debt. Long-term investors include sovereign wealth funds, multilateral agencies, pension funds and foreign central banks.
Bond dealers and treasury executives said the interest of FIIs had been robust. The additional capital flows would help tackle the high current account deficit, which stood at a record 5.4 per cent of the gross domestic product in the quarter ended September.
The three-year lock-in period for FIIs purchasing government securities (G-secs) for the first time has been done away with, RBI said.
The sub-limit of $10 billion for investment by FIIs in G-secs was enhanced by $5 billion, it added, while the cap on corporate debt other than in the infrastructure sector was raised from $20 billion to $25 billion.
With rises of $5 billion in each of the two categories, FIIs and long-term investors can now invest $25 billion in G-secs and $50 billion in corporate debt instruments, including the sub-limit of $25 billion for infra bonds.
RBI said though the residual maturity condition would not be applicable on the entire sub-limit (in G-secs) of $15 billion, such investments would not be allowed in short-term papers such as treasury bills.
The overall FII limit for domestic debt is distributed through a host of categories across government, corporate and infrastructure debt. Long-term investors include sovereign wealth funds, multilateral agencies, pension funds and foreign central banks.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
KEL to set up new transformer plant in Malappuram
Kochi: The State-owned Kerala Electrical and Allied Engineering Company (KEL) is setting up a cast-resin transformer plant near its Edarikkod unit in Malappuram.
The foundation stone for the Rs 8.5-crore plant will be laid by the State Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty on January 28. The State Electricity Minister Aryadan Mohammed will unveil the prototype of a cast-resin transformer on the occasion.
K. Shamsuddin, Managing Director, KEL, said the diversification plan would help the company to produce cast-resin transformers of three lakh kVA capacity. These new generation transformers are widely used in new infrastructure projects and residential towers as they comply with the latest norms and stipulations prevailing in the industry, he said.
KEL's Edarikkod unit was commercially operational since January 2010 and had already sold more than 2,400 units of 100-kVA distribution transformers worth Rs 24 crore to KSEB.
The company acquired the know-how and permission to produce the new-generation cast-resin transformers recently, which has been a technical innovation delivering more efficiency and safety with higher capacity.
He said that with its expertise in producing distribution transformers and nation-wide marketing reach spanning over 25 years, the diversification project of KEL is expected to take the PSU to greater heights.
KEL, operational since 1964, has been in the list of companies with an annual turnover of more than Rs 100 crore for the last many years. In addition to Edarikkod, the company has three more units at Kundara, Mamala and Olavakkod.
The Mamala unit produces distribution transformers, while the structural fabrication division makes gates and shutters required by irrigation projects and railway coaches, hanging bridges and other steel fabrication products.
The State Government has already been sanctioned another diversification and renovation of Mamala unit at a cost of Rs 12.5 crore, mainly to produce power transformers up to 10 MVA capacities, he added.
The Kundara unit manufactures brushless alternators used in lighting and air-conditioning of railway coaches and special grade alternators for the Ministry of Defence while its Olavakkod unit is into fuse units, LT switch gears and HRC fuses required by SEBs.
The foundation stone for the Rs 8.5-crore plant will be laid by the State Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty on January 28. The State Electricity Minister Aryadan Mohammed will unveil the prototype of a cast-resin transformer on the occasion.
K. Shamsuddin, Managing Director, KEL, said the diversification plan would help the company to produce cast-resin transformers of three lakh kVA capacity. These new generation transformers are widely used in new infrastructure projects and residential towers as they comply with the latest norms and stipulations prevailing in the industry, he said.
KEL's Edarikkod unit was commercially operational since January 2010 and had already sold more than 2,400 units of 100-kVA distribution transformers worth Rs 24 crore to KSEB.
The company acquired the know-how and permission to produce the new-generation cast-resin transformers recently, which has been a technical innovation delivering more efficiency and safety with higher capacity.
He said that with its expertise in producing distribution transformers and nation-wide marketing reach spanning over 25 years, the diversification project of KEL is expected to take the PSU to greater heights.
KEL, operational since 1964, has been in the list of companies with an annual turnover of more than Rs 100 crore for the last many years. In addition to Edarikkod, the company has three more units at Kundara, Mamala and Olavakkod.
The Mamala unit produces distribution transformers, while the structural fabrication division makes gates and shutters required by irrigation projects and railway coaches, hanging bridges and other steel fabrication products.
The State Government has already been sanctioned another diversification and renovation of Mamala unit at a cost of Rs 12.5 crore, mainly to produce power transformers up to 10 MVA capacities, he added.
The Kundara unit manufactures brushless alternators used in lighting and air-conditioning of railway coaches and special grade alternators for the Ministry of Defence while its Olavakkod unit is into fuse units, LT switch gears and HRC fuses required by SEBs.
Exide to buy out partners' stake in ING Vysya Life
Bengaluru/ Kolkata: Exide Industries Ltd, India’s largest producer of automotive and industrial batteries, which holds 50 per cent of the equity capital of ING Vysya Life Insurance Co (IVL), said it would acquire the remaining stake in the insurer.
With this acquisition, ING Group will exit its insurance business in India as part of its global restructuring strategy. Prior to the exit from India, ING exited its insurance ventures in Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, while it is looking at similar exits in China, Japan and South Korea.
Exide will acquire 26 per cent from ING Group, 16.32 per cent from the Hemendra Kothari group and 7.68 per cent from the Enam Group for an aggregate consideration of about Rs 550 crore, subject to regulatory approvals. Exide has been a shareholder of IVL since 2005. After the buyout, Exide will identify and induct a new international player in the life insurance genre to infuse fresh equity into IVL, subject to regulatory approvals for IVL’s expansion plans, the company said in a statement to the Bombay Stock Exchange. ING Group has given rights to Exide to use the ING brand for one year post approval of the deal, which is expected within the next two quarters.
According to an Exide official, the funding for the acquisition will be done through internal accruals. “For the insurance business, we will soon initiate the process to rope in some international player.” According to senior officials of IVL, the operations of the company will not change whatsoever going forward. “Exide was a 50 per cent shareholder already and they will control 100 per cent, going forward. It was just a matter of time that this step had to happen as ING had made its intentions clear to exit the insurance business in some of the global markets,” a senior official said.
Said ING Group: “ING’s exit from the Indian life insurance joint venture is part of the previously announced intended divestment of ING’s Asian insurance and investment management businesses. The process for the remaining businesses is ongoing. Any further announcements will be made if and when appropriate.”
The transaction is not expected to have a material impact on ING Group results. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2013. Today’s agreement does not impact ING Vysya Bank, a publicly listed bank in India in which ING has a 44 per cent stake, nor ING’s fund management business in the country, it said.
The life insurer saw a growth of 13.1 per cent in new business premiums from April to November 2012, compared with the corresponding period in 2011. On the other hand, private life insurers saw a fall of 3.7 per cent in new premium during the same period. The company is hoping for a 10 per cent growth this year.
IVL has 1.3 per cent share in the Indian life insurance market and among the private sector insurers, it has around four per cent market share. In terms of individual premium collection, it ranked ninth among private life insurers, till October 2012.
IVL has over a decade of experience and is serving more than one million customers in 200 cities in India. The company distributes its products through more than 30,000 IVL advisers, bancassurance partner ING Vysya Bank, referral partners, corporate agents and brokers. It employs 6,000 on its rolls.
With this acquisition, ING Group will exit its insurance business in India as part of its global restructuring strategy. Prior to the exit from India, ING exited its insurance ventures in Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, while it is looking at similar exits in China, Japan and South Korea.
Exide will acquire 26 per cent from ING Group, 16.32 per cent from the Hemendra Kothari group and 7.68 per cent from the Enam Group for an aggregate consideration of about Rs 550 crore, subject to regulatory approvals. Exide has been a shareholder of IVL since 2005. After the buyout, Exide will identify and induct a new international player in the life insurance genre to infuse fresh equity into IVL, subject to regulatory approvals for IVL’s expansion plans, the company said in a statement to the Bombay Stock Exchange. ING Group has given rights to Exide to use the ING brand for one year post approval of the deal, which is expected within the next two quarters.
According to an Exide official, the funding for the acquisition will be done through internal accruals. “For the insurance business, we will soon initiate the process to rope in some international player.” According to senior officials of IVL, the operations of the company will not change whatsoever going forward. “Exide was a 50 per cent shareholder already and they will control 100 per cent, going forward. It was just a matter of time that this step had to happen as ING had made its intentions clear to exit the insurance business in some of the global markets,” a senior official said.
Said ING Group: “ING’s exit from the Indian life insurance joint venture is part of the previously announced intended divestment of ING’s Asian insurance and investment management businesses. The process for the remaining businesses is ongoing. Any further announcements will be made if and when appropriate.”
The transaction is not expected to have a material impact on ING Group results. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2013. Today’s agreement does not impact ING Vysya Bank, a publicly listed bank in India in which ING has a 44 per cent stake, nor ING’s fund management business in the country, it said.
The life insurer saw a growth of 13.1 per cent in new business premiums from April to November 2012, compared with the corresponding period in 2011. On the other hand, private life insurers saw a fall of 3.7 per cent in new premium during the same period. The company is hoping for a 10 per cent growth this year.
IVL has 1.3 per cent share in the Indian life insurance market and among the private sector insurers, it has around four per cent market share. In terms of individual premium collection, it ranked ninth among private life insurers, till October 2012.
IVL has over a decade of experience and is serving more than one million customers in 200 cities in India. The company distributes its products through more than 30,000 IVL advisers, bancassurance partner ING Vysya Bank, referral partners, corporate agents and brokers. It employs 6,000 on its rolls.
Simba Toys plans joint ventures with Indian manufacturers
Mumbai: Germany-based Simba Dickie Group, through its subsidiary Simba Toys, plans to forge joint ventures with Indian manufacturers for making board games and plush toys.
Instead of setting up a green field manufacturing facility as proposed earlier, the toymaker has decided to pick up stake in local companies. With the intention of bringing down prices for price-sensitive markets including India, the European toymaker expects India to become the sourcing hub for ‘emerging’ countries such as Brazil, Russia, Poland and West Asia.
“We are in talks with Indian companies for manufacturing plush toys and board games. The investments would be made by the parent company in Germany for buying a stake in Indian companies. We would like to treat India as a sourcing base, since labour costs in China have risen,” said Shree Narayan Sabharwal, Business Head for Simba Toys.
Local manufacturing would also lead to lower prices for price-sensitive markets. “Today, all our toys are being imported and the fluctuating dollar is not exactly helping us. But we have managed to subsidise prices for some of our brands in India by almost 30 per cent, by saving on marketing costs. The organised toy market in India is still small and fragmented, but it is growing between 18 and 20 per cent,” said Sabharwal.
“We have to cater to emerging markets such as India, Russia and West Asia where there is potential, but these are price-sensitive nations unlike the European countries. India would now be serving as the sourcing hub for certain categories such as plush and plastic toys and board games, but not electronic toys,” he added.
Having got on board a master franchise in India, Exelixi Management Company, Simba Toys entered retail through its own stores last year in cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi. It is also launching stores in tier 2 cities such as Indore and Udaipur.
With six stores in malls, Simba Toys now plans to position itself as a ‘neighbourhood’ toy store in upmarket residential areas in the metros in smaller formats measuring between 800 and 1,500 sq ft.
It is also planning an ad campaign with Viacom 18-owned Nickelodeon channel for its brands such as Steffi doll and Squap games. “There would be series of commercials on the Nickelodeon channel and we would be associating with some of their shows and on-ground events for our brands,” Sabharwal said.
Apart from its own stores, Simba also distributes its brands across toy retailers such as Hamleys and Landmark. Almost 90 per cent of Simba’s turnover comes from distribution revenues, while the rest is through its stores.
Instead of setting up a green field manufacturing facility as proposed earlier, the toymaker has decided to pick up stake in local companies. With the intention of bringing down prices for price-sensitive markets including India, the European toymaker expects India to become the sourcing hub for ‘emerging’ countries such as Brazil, Russia, Poland and West Asia.
“We are in talks with Indian companies for manufacturing plush toys and board games. The investments would be made by the parent company in Germany for buying a stake in Indian companies. We would like to treat India as a sourcing base, since labour costs in China have risen,” said Shree Narayan Sabharwal, Business Head for Simba Toys.
Local manufacturing would also lead to lower prices for price-sensitive markets. “Today, all our toys are being imported and the fluctuating dollar is not exactly helping us. But we have managed to subsidise prices for some of our brands in India by almost 30 per cent, by saving on marketing costs. The organised toy market in India is still small and fragmented, but it is growing between 18 and 20 per cent,” said Sabharwal.
“We have to cater to emerging markets such as India, Russia and West Asia where there is potential, but these are price-sensitive nations unlike the European countries. India would now be serving as the sourcing hub for certain categories such as plush and plastic toys and board games, but not electronic toys,” he added.
Having got on board a master franchise in India, Exelixi Management Company, Simba Toys entered retail through its own stores last year in cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi. It is also launching stores in tier 2 cities such as Indore and Udaipur.
With six stores in malls, Simba Toys now plans to position itself as a ‘neighbourhood’ toy store in upmarket residential areas in the metros in smaller formats measuring between 800 and 1,500 sq ft.
It is also planning an ad campaign with Viacom 18-owned Nickelodeon channel for its brands such as Steffi doll and Squap games. “There would be series of commercials on the Nickelodeon channel and we would be associating with some of their shows and on-ground events for our brands,” Sabharwal said.
Apart from its own stores, Simba also distributes its brands across toy retailers such as Hamleys and Landmark. Almost 90 per cent of Simba’s turnover comes from distribution revenues, while the rest is through its stores.
Akhilesh Yadav govt gives Rs 2,858 cr contract to supply 15 lakh laptops to HP India
Lucknow: The contract to supply 15 lakh laptops to the Uttar Pradesh government has been awarded by the state authorities to Hewlett Packard India.
One of the biggest such contracts ever, the state cabinet at a meeting on Wednesday awarded the Rs 2858.70 crore contract to supply 15 lakh units of laptops, to HP India, which quoted the lowest price at Rs 19,058 per laptop inclusive of taxes and duty.
The UP Electronics Corporation, MD, Prabhat Mittal who managed the bidding process said that while HP India quoted the lowest rates, HCL with its bid of Rs 21,883 was the second lowest.
The winning company has been mandated to supply 5 per cent of the total order within 60 days of signing the agreement, with an increased quantity being supplied every subsequent month. The company would complete the supply of 15 lakh laptops in seven months after the date of agreement.
Mittal said that the laptops would be delivered at the Tehsil block level in each district by the company and they were working towards starting distribution of laptops to students in a months time.
It was the Samajwadi Party's poll manifesto promise to give free laptops and tablets to all class 12 and class 10 pass outs respectively which was seen as the game changer in the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls in March last year.
The promise helped the Samajwadi Party ride to power on popular support by youths and Akhilesh Yadav become the Chief Minister on 15 March 2012.
Since then the large size of the order had forced the government to keep shifting the biding dates as IT companies expressed problems in supplying laptops in such large numbers.
The bidding process for supplying tablets to the UP government is still underway and government officials say that they were hopeful of finalising the contract by February end.
One of the biggest such contracts ever, the state cabinet at a meeting on Wednesday awarded the Rs 2858.70 crore contract to supply 15 lakh units of laptops, to HP India, which quoted the lowest price at Rs 19,058 per laptop inclusive of taxes and duty.
The UP Electronics Corporation, MD, Prabhat Mittal who managed the bidding process said that while HP India quoted the lowest rates, HCL with its bid of Rs 21,883 was the second lowest.
The winning company has been mandated to supply 5 per cent of the total order within 60 days of signing the agreement, with an increased quantity being supplied every subsequent month. The company would complete the supply of 15 lakh laptops in seven months after the date of agreement.
Mittal said that the laptops would be delivered at the Tehsil block level in each district by the company and they were working towards starting distribution of laptops to students in a months time.
It was the Samajwadi Party's poll manifesto promise to give free laptops and tablets to all class 12 and class 10 pass outs respectively which was seen as the game changer in the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls in March last year.
The promise helped the Samajwadi Party ride to power on popular support by youths and Akhilesh Yadav become the Chief Minister on 15 March 2012.
Since then the large size of the order had forced the government to keep shifting the biding dates as IT companies expressed problems in supplying laptops in such large numbers.
The bidding process for supplying tablets to the UP government is still underway and government officials say that they were hopeful of finalising the contract by February end.
Bilateral Co-Operation Understanding in Water Resources Development and Management with Government of Rwanda
New Delhi: India and Rawanda have singed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bilateral co-operation in Water Resources Development and Management. From Indian side it was Union Water resources Minister Shri Harish Rawat while from Government of Rawanda it was Dr. (Mrs.), Agnes M. KALIBATA, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources who were the signatories in a function held here in New Delhi yesterday.
The MoU specifies various areas of co-operation with focus on planning, design and implementation of marshland and hillside irrigation, watershed management, water governance, and training and capacity building of farmers and functionaries in the water sector.
It is also proposed to promote Joint Ventures between the private entrepreneurs of the two countries through mutual facilitation of investment procedures and for working out mechanisms and modalities for funding and technical assistance. The MoU provides for setting up a Joint Commission which would follow up the implementation of this MoU.
The objective of this co-operation is to realize the goal of achieving food security in Rwanda and thereby to promote further the already existing friendly relations between the two countries.
The MoU specifies various areas of co-operation with focus on planning, design and implementation of marshland and hillside irrigation, watershed management, water governance, and training and capacity building of farmers and functionaries in the water sector.
It is also proposed to promote Joint Ventures between the private entrepreneurs of the two countries through mutual facilitation of investment procedures and for working out mechanisms and modalities for funding and technical assistance. The MoU provides for setting up a Joint Commission which would follow up the implementation of this MoU.
The objective of this co-operation is to realize the goal of achieving food security in Rwanda and thereby to promote further the already existing friendly relations between the two countries.
Multi Screen Media launches video-on-demand service
New Delhi: To cater to the fast growing online consumer base, Multi Screen Media (MSM) launched its video-on-demand service Sony LIV on Tuesday.
Apart from enabling the audience to view current shows, Sony LIV also gives them a chance to watch the previous episodes of their favourite shows. It also offers shows from its archives. “In addition to episodes of all-time favourites such as Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin, Kkusum, Heena, Boogie Woogie, Movers & Shakers, Office Office, LIV will go back 17 years and also showcase a large archive of movies and special events such as Stardust and Filmfare Awards,” it said in a statement.
Man Jit Singh, CEO, MSM, said LIV was aimed at providing entertainment on the go for young India. With the launch of this user-friendly and interactive application, LIV aims to change the way this nation consumes entertainment, he said, and claimed the platform was great for brands to enhance their engagement and interaction with young consumers. The Sony LIV application is available globally for free, online on sonyLIV.com and for download on major App stores – iTunes and Google Play.
Apart from enabling the audience to view current shows, Sony LIV also gives them a chance to watch the previous episodes of their favourite shows. It also offers shows from its archives. “In addition to episodes of all-time favourites such as Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin, Kkusum, Heena, Boogie Woogie, Movers & Shakers, Office Office, LIV will go back 17 years and also showcase a large archive of movies and special events such as Stardust and Filmfare Awards,” it said in a statement.
Man Jit Singh, CEO, MSM, said LIV was aimed at providing entertainment on the go for young India. With the launch of this user-friendly and interactive application, LIV aims to change the way this nation consumes entertainment, he said, and claimed the platform was great for brands to enhance their engagement and interaction with young consumers. The Sony LIV application is available globally for free, online on sonyLIV.com and for download on major App stores – iTunes and Google Play.
Texas Instruments centre in Delhi
New Delhi: Texas Instruments (TI) has launched a Centre of Excellence at Netaji Subash Institute of Technology (NSIT), Delhi. This is the first centre for embedded product development that TI is setting up in any educational institution in India.
It will promote design of embedded products based on TI’s semiconductors. It will also promote design of educational solutions for teaching subjects on embedded systems.
The centre will conduct educational activities such as seminars and train-the-trainer workshops that will be open to teachers from other engineering colleges as well.
Dr. C P Ravikumar, Technical Director - University Relations, Texas Instruments India, said, “The centre will design products that are relevant to the Indian electronics industry and nurture talent in the area of embedded product design.”
It will promote design of embedded products based on TI’s semiconductors. It will also promote design of educational solutions for teaching subjects on embedded systems.
The centre will conduct educational activities such as seminars and train-the-trainer workshops that will be open to teachers from other engineering colleges as well.
Dr. C P Ravikumar, Technical Director - University Relations, Texas Instruments India, said, “The centre will design products that are relevant to the Indian electronics industry and nurture talent in the area of embedded product design.”
Lupin gets US nod for 7th oral contraceptive
Mumbai: Drug maker Lupin received final US approval for its oral contraceptive Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol, the seventh in the category, the Indian company said in a statement on Tuesday. The drug is a generic version of Watson Laboratories' Lutera.
Lupin has 32 more products filed for approval with the US Food and Drug Administration department in the oral contraceptive segment. "We plan a full cross section of products in the segment," said the company spokesman Shamsher Gorawara.
This is Lupin's first year of offerings in the segment, but it expects to clock over $100 million (Rs 538 crore) in the next financial year that begins in April, a company executive had said. Gorawara said the company does not give out segment wise revenue breakup.
The generic market for oral contraceptives is estimated at $1.2 billion (Rs 6,457 crore). Lutera had annual U.S sales of approximately $103.6 million (Rs 557 crore).
In the quarter that ended on September 30 Lupin reported consolidated revenue of Rs 2301 crore with net profit of Rs 290 crore.
Lupin has 32 more products filed for approval with the US Food and Drug Administration department in the oral contraceptive segment. "We plan a full cross section of products in the segment," said the company spokesman Shamsher Gorawara.
This is Lupin's first year of offerings in the segment, but it expects to clock over $100 million (Rs 538 crore) in the next financial year that begins in April, a company executive had said. Gorawara said the company does not give out segment wise revenue breakup.
The generic market for oral contraceptives is estimated at $1.2 billion (Rs 6,457 crore). Lutera had annual U.S sales of approximately $103.6 million (Rs 557 crore).
In the quarter that ended on September 30 Lupin reported consolidated revenue of Rs 2301 crore with net profit of Rs 290 crore.
Welspun Energy commissions 15 MW solar plant in Rajasthan
New Delhi: Welspun Energy Ltd has commissioned a 15-MW solar photovoltaic power project in Rajasthan, well ahead of time.
The $3-billion Welspun Group has been developing and operating power projects across India. In Maharashtra and Gujarat, it is operating 64 MW power plants.
The company won three projects worth 50 MW capacity at the auction under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, and has completed the first. The remaining two projects of 15 MW and 20 MW are close to completion, the company said, adding that the entire 50 MW capacity would be commissioned in the coming weeks, much ahead of their contractual schedule of February 26, 2013.
“During the auction, 27 bidders were awarded projects to be implemented in various parts of the country. Welspun Solar AP Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Welspun Energy, emerged as the only successful bidder for the 50 MW capacity, the maximum capacity allowed to a single bidder,” said an official.
The 50 MW solar projects would reduce carbon emissions to the extent of 78,000 tonnes annually. The projects are situated in Phalodi Tehsil of Jodhpur district in Rajasthan.
“The three solar projects are expected to generate total electricity of 90 million kWh in a year,” the company said in a statement.
Welspun had quoted a tariff of Rs 8.14/ unit for the first 15 MW unit. The 50 MW projects are set to produce energy enough to light up 2.5 lakh homes.
The company has also won a 130-MW solar PV project in Madhya Pradesh, which will be the largest solar project to be developed by any company in India. The project would be commissioned by end of 2013, the company said.
The company is also developing 2,000 MW thermal plant in Madhya Pradesh; 660 MW plant in Maharashtra; 200 MW solar plant in Rajasthan; 100 MW solar power plant in Gujarat and 100 MW solar power plant in Madhya Pradesh.
Over the next three years, the company expects to generate 6,000 MW of thermal power, 500 MW of solar power and 500 MW of hydro power.
The $3-billion Welspun Group has been developing and operating power projects across India. In Maharashtra and Gujarat, it is operating 64 MW power plants.
The company won three projects worth 50 MW capacity at the auction under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, and has completed the first. The remaining two projects of 15 MW and 20 MW are close to completion, the company said, adding that the entire 50 MW capacity would be commissioned in the coming weeks, much ahead of their contractual schedule of February 26, 2013.
“During the auction, 27 bidders were awarded projects to be implemented in various parts of the country. Welspun Solar AP Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Welspun Energy, emerged as the only successful bidder for the 50 MW capacity, the maximum capacity allowed to a single bidder,” said an official.
The 50 MW solar projects would reduce carbon emissions to the extent of 78,000 tonnes annually. The projects are situated in Phalodi Tehsil of Jodhpur district in Rajasthan.
“The three solar projects are expected to generate total electricity of 90 million kWh in a year,” the company said in a statement.
Welspun had quoted a tariff of Rs 8.14/ unit for the first 15 MW unit. The 50 MW projects are set to produce energy enough to light up 2.5 lakh homes.
The company has also won a 130-MW solar PV project in Madhya Pradesh, which will be the largest solar project to be developed by any company in India. The project would be commissioned by end of 2013, the company said.
The company is also developing 2,000 MW thermal plant in Madhya Pradesh; 660 MW plant in Maharashtra; 200 MW solar plant in Rajasthan; 100 MW solar power plant in Gujarat and 100 MW solar power plant in Madhya Pradesh.
Over the next three years, the company expects to generate 6,000 MW of thermal power, 500 MW of solar power and 500 MW of hydro power.
Energy & Petroleum Minister of Niger calls on MoS Petroleum Smt. P. Lakshmi
New Delhi: Smt. P. Lakshmi, Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas has said that India will soon send a delegation of experts to Niger for exploring possibilities of cooperation between two countries in the hydrocarbon sector. Responding to the proposal of her counterpart Mr. Foumakore Gado, Minister of Energy & Petroleum of Niger, at a meeting here today, Smt Lakshmi said Indian companies are interested to choose exploration blocks and invest in the oil Marketing infrastructure of the country. She also offered to provide training by PSUs like ONGC, GAIL, IOC to the Niger’s hydrocarbon sector personnel.
Mr. Gado invited Indian delegation of experts in the oil & gas sector to provide them technical expertise in the hydrocarbon value chain. He welcomed Indian companies to invest in exploration blocks and other oil & gas sector activities.
Mr. Foumakore Gado led a high level delegation of Niger at the meeting, which included Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Transport and chairman & Finance Commission of Niger.
Mr. Gado invited Indian delegation of experts in the oil & gas sector to provide them technical expertise in the hydrocarbon value chain. He welcomed Indian companies to invest in exploration blocks and other oil & gas sector activities.
Mr. Foumakore Gado led a high level delegation of Niger at the meeting, which included Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Transport and chairman & Finance Commission of Niger.
Tata starts making Jaguars in Pune
Mumbai: To make its cars more affordable for Indian buyers, Mumbai-based Tata Motors has started assembling the Jaguar XF at its new facility in Chakan near Pune.
This has allowed the company to offer the luxury saloon at Rs 44.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai), pitting it directly against the BMW 5 series and the Mercedes Benz E Class.
So far, the Jaguar XF was imported from the UK as a fully-built unit. The car was launched in the country in 2010 for Rs 48.37 lakh. However, subsequent increases in import charges led to a rise in its prices.
The Jaguar XF is Jaguar Land Rover’s second model to be assembled in India.
In May 2011, the company started manufacturing the Land Rover Freelander 2 at the Chakan assembly plant. Jaguar XF models manufactured at Chakan would have the 2.2-litre diesel engine; this is the first time such engines would be available in the Indian market.
Rohit Suri, vice-president, Jaguar Land Rover India, said, “Our best-selling models in India are the Land Rover Freelander 2 and the Jaguar XF, and this has driven the move to build these products locally. We are delighted to offer this car as a locally-built product with a new engine for this market. This would enable us to provide our customers with a wider choice of competitively priced models.”
A company statement said the Jaguar XF also had other variants---with a three-litre V6 turbocharged engine (peak power of 275 hp) and a five-litre supercharged V8 engine (peak power of 375 hp).
The car features an array of upgrades available as standard features such as rear view camera, TV tuner, navigation system, optimised audio and navigation controls, front passenger seat away, touch screen, gear-shifting paddles, full-size spare wheel, electric sunroof and rear screen electric blind.
This has allowed the company to offer the luxury saloon at Rs 44.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai), pitting it directly against the BMW 5 series and the Mercedes Benz E Class.
So far, the Jaguar XF was imported from the UK as a fully-built unit. The car was launched in the country in 2010 for Rs 48.37 lakh. However, subsequent increases in import charges led to a rise in its prices.
The Jaguar XF is Jaguar Land Rover’s second model to be assembled in India.
In May 2011, the company started manufacturing the Land Rover Freelander 2 at the Chakan assembly plant. Jaguar XF models manufactured at Chakan would have the 2.2-litre diesel engine; this is the first time such engines would be available in the Indian market.
Rohit Suri, vice-president, Jaguar Land Rover India, said, “Our best-selling models in India are the Land Rover Freelander 2 and the Jaguar XF, and this has driven the move to build these products locally. We are delighted to offer this car as a locally-built product with a new engine for this market. This would enable us to provide our customers with a wider choice of competitively priced models.”
A company statement said the Jaguar XF also had other variants---with a three-litre V6 turbocharged engine (peak power of 275 hp) and a five-litre supercharged V8 engine (peak power of 375 hp).
The car features an array of upgrades available as standard features such as rear view camera, TV tuner, navigation system, optimised audio and navigation controls, front passenger seat away, touch screen, gear-shifting paddles, full-size spare wheel, electric sunroof and rear screen electric blind.
DTDC scales its global presence, enters Australia and Kuwait through joint venture
New Delhi: DTDC scales its global presence, enters Australia and Kuwait through joint venture
DTDC Courier and Cargo Ltd., India's premier express courier company, has expanded its presence in the APAC and Middle-East regions by entering into Australia and Kuwait.
The Australian venture will be handled jointly by DTDC and Fast World Express Pty Ltd wherein DTDC has 34 per cent of holdings. The Kuwait venture will be handled by Kuwait Bayarek General Trading and Contracting Co. W.I.I. who is the Master franchise. With this DTDC's global footprint goes up to 16 countries providing services to over 240 international locations.
In addition to Sydney and Melbourne as principal centre for service, DTDC will gradually extend their services to Brisbane, Auckland and Perth through further Master Franchisees recruited under DTDC Fast World Express Pty Ltd.
Currently they are operational with a core management team of about 5-10 professionals mainly looking into sales. The entity will progressively offer same day delivery, pick-up and return services for vital shipments, 'Bullet Service' within 4 hours, pre-paid services.
The principle office for Kuwait is located in Farwaniya in Kuwait City. Other branches are planned in Al Ardya, Sabah, Al Salmiya, Al-Almadi and further expansion to Iraq. By June, Kuwait will be connected with all the 16 countries where DTDC has offices and rest of the 225 countries through their associates.
DTDC Courier and Cargo Ltd., India's premier express courier company, has expanded its presence in the APAC and Middle-East regions by entering into Australia and Kuwait.
The Australian venture will be handled jointly by DTDC and Fast World Express Pty Ltd wherein DTDC has 34 per cent of holdings. The Kuwait venture will be handled by Kuwait Bayarek General Trading and Contracting Co. W.I.I. who is the Master franchise. With this DTDC's global footprint goes up to 16 countries providing services to over 240 international locations.
In addition to Sydney and Melbourne as principal centre for service, DTDC will gradually extend their services to Brisbane, Auckland and Perth through further Master Franchisees recruited under DTDC Fast World Express Pty Ltd.
Currently they are operational with a core management team of about 5-10 professionals mainly looking into sales. The entity will progressively offer same day delivery, pick-up and return services for vital shipments, 'Bullet Service' within 4 hours, pre-paid services.
The principle office for Kuwait is located in Farwaniya in Kuwait City. Other branches are planned in Al Ardya, Sabah, Al Salmiya, Al-Almadi and further expansion to Iraq. By June, Kuwait will be connected with all the 16 countries where DTDC has offices and rest of the 225 countries through their associates.
Firms in hotel sector can now tap external commercial borrowings
Mumbai: Indian companies in the hotel sector (with a total project cost of Rs 250 crore or more), irrespective of their geographical location, have been allowed to tap the external commercial borrowing (ECB) route.
The ECBs will be for repayment of outstanding rupee loan(s) and/or for fresh rupee capital expenditure.
The Reserve Bank of India, in a notification, said the abovementioned companies are eligible borrowers under the ECB policy for repayment of rupee loans and/or fresh rupee capital expenditure.
As per the extant guidelines, only Indian companies in the manufacturing and infrastructure sectors, which are consistent foreign exchange earners, are allowed to go in for ECBs for repayment of outstanding rupee loan(s) taken from the domestic banking system and/or for fresh rupee capital expenditure.
In September 2012, the RBI had enhanced the maximum permissible limit of ECB for an individual company. The limit was set at 75 per cent of the average foreign exchange earnings realised during the immediate past three financial years or 50 per cent of the highest foreign exchange earnings realised in any of the immediate past three financial years, whichever is higher.
Prior to the enhancement, the maximum permissible ECB was limited to 50 per cent of the average annual export earnings realised during the past three financial years.
The maximum ECB by an individual company or group, as a whole, is restricted to $3 billion.
The ECBs will be for repayment of outstanding rupee loan(s) and/or for fresh rupee capital expenditure.
The Reserve Bank of India, in a notification, said the abovementioned companies are eligible borrowers under the ECB policy for repayment of rupee loans and/or fresh rupee capital expenditure.
As per the extant guidelines, only Indian companies in the manufacturing and infrastructure sectors, which are consistent foreign exchange earners, are allowed to go in for ECBs for repayment of outstanding rupee loan(s) taken from the domestic banking system and/or for fresh rupee capital expenditure.
In September 2012, the RBI had enhanced the maximum permissible limit of ECB for an individual company. The limit was set at 75 per cent of the average foreign exchange earnings realised during the immediate past three financial years or 50 per cent of the highest foreign exchange earnings realised in any of the immediate past three financial years, whichever is higher.
Prior to the enhancement, the maximum permissible ECB was limited to 50 per cent of the average annual export earnings realised during the past three financial years.
The maximum ECB by an individual company or group, as a whole, is restricted to $3 billion.
Second AEPC Stakeholder Forum under Project DISHA Convenes
New Delhi: The 2nd Stakeholder' Consultation/ AEPC Stakeholder Forum meet convenes here today. The second stakeholder consultation was organized to discuss and consult the DISHA facilitation programme methodology being implemented in Garment Manufacturing Factories in India. The meeting was presided-over by Shri V. Srinivas, IAS, Jt. Secretary (Exports), Ministry of Textiles. Chairman AEPC Dr. A Salthivel, Ashok Logani, Chairman DISHA Sub- committee, Mrs Manisha Sinha, Director Exports, Ministry of Textiles, Shri H K Jethi, Director Ministry of Labour, Labour Commissioner of States, Brands, Buying Houses, NGOs, Trade Union, Accreditation Agencies, Compliance consultants, exporters were also present in the meeting.
AEPC launched the Driving Industry towards Human Capital Advancement (DISHA) programme in December 2011, under the aegis and support of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India to support the Indian apparel industry in addressing some of the concerns and challenges. AEPC is supporting the development of a code of conduct along with a guideline and self-assessment tool as Indian apparel industry's self-regulatory initiative under the DISHA programme - Common Code of Conduct.
During the First Stake Holders Forum we have discussed and shared the code and other tools to the stakeholders of the Indian apparel industry to seek their feedback for effective and desired impact of the DISHA programme.
AEPC DISHA has undergone a significant change since its inception. Now the focus is on transferring the ownership and control based on the participatory engagement and owning the responsibility of implementing the DISHA- CCC (Code of Conduct). The DISHA tool kit has been handed over to the DISHA champions who are from the employee pool manager level staff of the factories. The DISHA team regularly monitors the developments after they have gone through the TOT/ training and implementation sessions. Ministry officials also from time to time visit these factories to see the intent and resolve of implementation of DISHA codes.
Speaking on the forum Dr. A Sakthivel Chairman AEPC stated that, “The first Roundtable of the Stakeholders initiated the process for the formation of this Forum. The Forum discussed the most important initiative being taken by AEPC for meeting and managing compliance challenges in the work place – DISHA.” We invite everyone who would like to contribute towards development of a comprehensive framework for managing compliance challenges, in this context. Recognizing the need for providing a multistakeholder platform to exchange perspectives, voices and concerns as well as seek assistance and contribution of various stakeholders of the apparel industry towards developing strategies to address compliance challenges AEPC DISHA respects all suggestions and feedbacks, he added.
Chairman AEPC further informed that, during the first Stakeholders Consultation, Questionnaires were circulated to all participants in order to get institutional response of various stakeholders on their perception of the compliance challenges faced by the apparel industry and their expectations from DISHA to meet their challenges. The assessment of these questionnaire show very positive response from most of the stakeholders to the AEPC approach to understand and resolving compliance challenges faced by Indian Apparel Industry. The concept was appreciated by all stakeholders. It was recognized as a huge ambition that manufacturers take responsibility for making India a responsible sourcing destination.
Shri V Srinivas Jt. Secretary Exports in the Ministry of Textiles said, “At present there are 145 enrolments from across India. Factory visits have been initiated in 78 of these, in NCR, Jaipur, Ludhiana, Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Tirupur, Maudrai, Kolkatta. Of these 78 factories, 26 have completed atleast 3rd visit of the 6 visit DISHA training programme. During the interaction with some of the DISHA participating factories during the distribution of the DISHA adoption certificates, last week, I was happy to know that the programme has given tangible benefit to factories in the areas of market access, productivity and worker relationship management and retention”. As we all know, social and environment compliance has become an important requirement while supplying to the western markets. For India to remain competitive in this scenario, we have to focus intensively on two competitive levers; innovation and social compliance. Global apparel buyers are now insisting on full compliance with International and national labor standards, regulations and convention. I am happy that the programme has come out as a robust programme for addressing the industry's requirement for compliance management”.
JS Exports briefed that, “The Ministry is keen to run this programme in the 12th plan and beyond. We have a target of 2600 units by the end of this plan period. I feel this year was a preparatory year and we would need you feedbacks to make the programme more robust and effective. I would like to share with you that the programme has been received with great enthusiasm by the USTR and US Dept of Labour. USTR has expressed eagerness to enter into cooperation with us on various issues including this programme. The proposed MoU with USTR envisages sharing of knowledge and best practices in the areas of social compliance to strengthen such initiatives.
Shri. Ashok Logani, Chairman DISHA Sub- Committee said, “Happy workers leads to less absenteeism & reduced over time leading to increased productivity and reduction in production cost. This is the philosophy behind our dedicated training on worker issues. The DISHA champion’s team concept enhances relationship between apparel manufacturer and various dept heads in the middle management. DISHA is a space of interest to all the various stakeholders so that they can use their sphere of influence to converge people together to discuss and answer some very important questions. This platform, brought forward by the AEPC with the help of the government makes it imperative for all of us to come together to envision what the future should look like for the industry and others in the supply chain”.
Secretary Textiles, Smt. Kiran Dhingra IAS, last week distributed the DISHA adoption certificate to the ‘DISHA Champions’. 78 factories which have been reached out for the training and implementation under project DISHA. The six days training programme/ workshop aimed at the capacity building and greater awareness for the effective implementation of the programme.
AEPC launched the Driving Industry towards Human Capital Advancement (DISHA) programme in December 2011, under the aegis and support of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India to support the Indian apparel industry in addressing some of the concerns and challenges. AEPC is supporting the development of a code of conduct along with a guideline and self-assessment tool as Indian apparel industry's self-regulatory initiative under the DISHA programme - Common Code of Conduct.
During the First Stake Holders Forum we have discussed and shared the code and other tools to the stakeholders of the Indian apparel industry to seek their feedback for effective and desired impact of the DISHA programme.
AEPC DISHA has undergone a significant change since its inception. Now the focus is on transferring the ownership and control based on the participatory engagement and owning the responsibility of implementing the DISHA- CCC (Code of Conduct). The DISHA tool kit has been handed over to the DISHA champions who are from the employee pool manager level staff of the factories. The DISHA team regularly monitors the developments after they have gone through the TOT/ training and implementation sessions. Ministry officials also from time to time visit these factories to see the intent and resolve of implementation of DISHA codes.
Speaking on the forum Dr. A Sakthivel Chairman AEPC stated that, “The first Roundtable of the Stakeholders initiated the process for the formation of this Forum. The Forum discussed the most important initiative being taken by AEPC for meeting and managing compliance challenges in the work place – DISHA.” We invite everyone who would like to contribute towards development of a comprehensive framework for managing compliance challenges, in this context. Recognizing the need for providing a multistakeholder platform to exchange perspectives, voices and concerns as well as seek assistance and contribution of various stakeholders of the apparel industry towards developing strategies to address compliance challenges AEPC DISHA respects all suggestions and feedbacks, he added.
Chairman AEPC further informed that, during the first Stakeholders Consultation, Questionnaires were circulated to all participants in order to get institutional response of various stakeholders on their perception of the compliance challenges faced by the apparel industry and their expectations from DISHA to meet their challenges. The assessment of these questionnaire show very positive response from most of the stakeholders to the AEPC approach to understand and resolving compliance challenges faced by Indian Apparel Industry. The concept was appreciated by all stakeholders. It was recognized as a huge ambition that manufacturers take responsibility for making India a responsible sourcing destination.
Shri V Srinivas Jt. Secretary Exports in the Ministry of Textiles said, “At present there are 145 enrolments from across India. Factory visits have been initiated in 78 of these, in NCR, Jaipur, Ludhiana, Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Tirupur, Maudrai, Kolkatta. Of these 78 factories, 26 have completed atleast 3rd visit of the 6 visit DISHA training programme. During the interaction with some of the DISHA participating factories during the distribution of the DISHA adoption certificates, last week, I was happy to know that the programme has given tangible benefit to factories in the areas of market access, productivity and worker relationship management and retention”. As we all know, social and environment compliance has become an important requirement while supplying to the western markets. For India to remain competitive in this scenario, we have to focus intensively on two competitive levers; innovation and social compliance. Global apparel buyers are now insisting on full compliance with International and national labor standards, regulations and convention. I am happy that the programme has come out as a robust programme for addressing the industry's requirement for compliance management”.
JS Exports briefed that, “The Ministry is keen to run this programme in the 12th plan and beyond. We have a target of 2600 units by the end of this plan period. I feel this year was a preparatory year and we would need you feedbacks to make the programme more robust and effective. I would like to share with you that the programme has been received with great enthusiasm by the USTR and US Dept of Labour. USTR has expressed eagerness to enter into cooperation with us on various issues including this programme. The proposed MoU with USTR envisages sharing of knowledge and best practices in the areas of social compliance to strengthen such initiatives.
Shri. Ashok Logani, Chairman DISHA Sub- Committee said, “Happy workers leads to less absenteeism & reduced over time leading to increased productivity and reduction in production cost. This is the philosophy behind our dedicated training on worker issues. The DISHA champion’s team concept enhances relationship between apparel manufacturer and various dept heads in the middle management. DISHA is a space of interest to all the various stakeholders so that they can use their sphere of influence to converge people together to discuss and answer some very important questions. This platform, brought forward by the AEPC with the help of the government makes it imperative for all of us to come together to envision what the future should look like for the industry and others in the supply chain”.
Secretary Textiles, Smt. Kiran Dhingra IAS, last week distributed the DISHA adoption certificate to the ‘DISHA Champions’. 78 factories which have been reached out for the training and implementation under project DISHA. The six days training programme/ workshop aimed at the capacity building and greater awareness for the effective implementation of the programme.
Chiranjeevi Attends Fourth meeting of Asean and India Tourism Ministers at Vientiane
The Fourth Meeting of ASEAN and India Tourism Ministers was held in Vientiane, Lao PDR today in conjunction with the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2013 . The Meeting was jointly co-chaired by Union Tourism Minister Shri K.Chiranjeevi and Prof. Dr. Bosengkham Vongdara, Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lao PDR.
Both the Ministers signed the Protocol to amend the Memorandum of Understanding between ASEAN and India on Strengthening Tourism Cooperation, which would further strengthen the tourism collaboration between ASEAN and Indian national tourism organisations.
The main objective of this Protocol is to amend the MoU to protect and safeguard the rights and interests of the parties with respect to national security, national and public interest or public order, protection of intellectual property rights, confidentiality and secrecy of documents, information and data.
Both the Ministers welcomed the adoption of the Vision Statement of the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit held on 20 December 2012 in New Delhi, India, particularly on enhancing the ASEAN Connectivity through supporting the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity. The Ministers also supported the close collaboration of ASEAN and India to enhance air, sea and land connectivity within ASEAN and between ASEAN and India through ASEAN-India connectivity project.
The Ministers were pleased with the implementation progress of the MOU in 2012 through the following projects and activities:
Familiarization trip of 10 travel writers from ASEAN Member States to India;
Visit of teachers/faculty of hospitality institutes from India to ASEAN Member States and vice-versa for developing teaching modules and establishing student exchange programmes between ASEAN and India;
Visit of 10 travel writers from India to ASEAN Member States;
Familiarisation trip of 20 tour operators from ASEAN Member States to India during Buddhist Conclave; and
Exchange visit of tour operators and travel agents between ASEAN and India
In further promoting tourism exchange between ASEAN and India, the Ministers agreed to launch the ASEAN-India tourism website (www.indiaasean.org) as a platform to jointly promote tourism destinations, sharing basic information about ASEAN Member States and India and a visitor guide.
The Ministers welcomed the successful conclusion of the 8000km ASEAN-India Car Rally organised as one of the highlighted events in commemorating the 20th Anniversary of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations in 2012.
Both the Ministers signed the Protocol to amend the Memorandum of Understanding between ASEAN and India on Strengthening Tourism Cooperation, which would further strengthen the tourism collaboration between ASEAN and Indian national tourism organisations.
The main objective of this Protocol is to amend the MoU to protect and safeguard the rights and interests of the parties with respect to national security, national and public interest or public order, protection of intellectual property rights, confidentiality and secrecy of documents, information and data.
Both the Ministers welcomed the adoption of the Vision Statement of the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit held on 20 December 2012 in New Delhi, India, particularly on enhancing the ASEAN Connectivity through supporting the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity. The Ministers also supported the close collaboration of ASEAN and India to enhance air, sea and land connectivity within ASEAN and between ASEAN and India through ASEAN-India connectivity project.
The Ministers were pleased with the implementation progress of the MOU in 2012 through the following projects and activities:
Familiarization trip of 10 travel writers from ASEAN Member States to India;
Visit of teachers/faculty of hospitality institutes from India to ASEAN Member States and vice-versa for developing teaching modules and establishing student exchange programmes between ASEAN and India;
Visit of 10 travel writers from India to ASEAN Member States;
Familiarisation trip of 20 tour operators from ASEAN Member States to India during Buddhist Conclave; and
Exchange visit of tour operators and travel agents between ASEAN and India
In further promoting tourism exchange between ASEAN and India, the Ministers agreed to launch the ASEAN-India tourism website (www.indiaasean.org) as a platform to jointly promote tourism destinations, sharing basic information about ASEAN Member States and India and a visitor guide.
The Ministers welcomed the successful conclusion of the 8000km ASEAN-India Car Rally organised as one of the highlighted events in commemorating the 20th Anniversary of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations in 2012.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Nalco to commission 2nd wind power project at Jaisalmer in Sept
Kolkata: National Aluminium Co Ltd said on Thursday that its second 47.6-MW wind power plant at Ludarva in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan would be ready for commissioning in September.
The Rs 283-crore project will be executed by Gamesa Wind Turbines involving erection of 56 wind turbines, each of 850 KW rating.
On December 30, Nalco had commissioned its first wind power project at Gandikota in Kudappa district of Andhra Pradesh. Under this project, Suzlon erected 24 wind turbines, each with 2.1-MW capacity. The project had cost Nalco Rs 274 crore.
Nalco signed the power purchase agreement with Andhra Pradesh Transco and began injection of power to the State grid.
Nalco, a large thermal power consumer for its aluminium smelting in Odhisa, is obligated to generate renewable energy under the electricity regulations.
The Rs 283-crore project will be executed by Gamesa Wind Turbines involving erection of 56 wind turbines, each of 850 KW rating.
On December 30, Nalco had commissioned its first wind power project at Gandikota in Kudappa district of Andhra Pradesh. Under this project, Suzlon erected 24 wind turbines, each with 2.1-MW capacity. The project had cost Nalco Rs 274 crore.
Nalco signed the power purchase agreement with Andhra Pradesh Transco and began injection of power to the State grid.
Nalco, a large thermal power consumer for its aluminium smelting in Odhisa, is obligated to generate renewable energy under the electricity regulations.
Hitachi Consulting to expand India operations; open to more acquisitions
Hyderabad: Hitachi Consulting is on expansion drive in India and plans to more than double its headcount from 2000 to over 4500, including strengthening its physical infrastructure.
Part of the Japanese conglomerate Hitachi Limited, Hitachi Consulting recently acquired Celerant Consulting, which significantly adds to its presence in the US and Europe and new verticals such as energy and mining.
Philip R. Parr, Chief Executive Officer and President of Hitachi Consulting, told Business Line that the company plans to significantly expand its presence while also scouting for more acquisitions in the consulting and services related business.
"We have had a very successful acquisition-led growth in the past and the company management plans to sustain the growth by further strengthening the infrastructure in India at Hyderabad, but also looking at acquisitions," he said.
Hitachi Consulting has presence in India through three centres Hyderabad, Pune and Bangalore, with Hyderabad being its biggest.
The company has about 2000 employees in India and plans to take this number up to 4,500 by investing about $ 25 million in related infrastructure.
"By expanding our presence here, we will make India, Hitachi Consulting’s biggest development and support base with more than 50 per cent associates as we head towards $ 1 billion in revenue this fiscal," he added.
Sanjay Jesrani, Executive Vice President, Head of Global Development Centre, India and China, Hitachi Consulting, said the company is keen to expand its operations and partner with some of the Japanese companies setting up centres in India and expanding presence.
Part of the Japanese conglomerate Hitachi Limited, Hitachi Consulting recently acquired Celerant Consulting, which significantly adds to its presence in the US and Europe and new verticals such as energy and mining.
Philip R. Parr, Chief Executive Officer and President of Hitachi Consulting, told Business Line that the company plans to significantly expand its presence while also scouting for more acquisitions in the consulting and services related business.
"We have had a very successful acquisition-led growth in the past and the company management plans to sustain the growth by further strengthening the infrastructure in India at Hyderabad, but also looking at acquisitions," he said.
Hitachi Consulting has presence in India through three centres Hyderabad, Pune and Bangalore, with Hyderabad being its biggest.
The company has about 2000 employees in India and plans to take this number up to 4,500 by investing about $ 25 million in related infrastructure.
"By expanding our presence here, we will make India, Hitachi Consulting’s biggest development and support base with more than 50 per cent associates as we head towards $ 1 billion in revenue this fiscal," he added.
Sanjay Jesrani, Executive Vice President, Head of Global Development Centre, India and China, Hitachi Consulting, said the company is keen to expand its operations and partner with some of the Japanese companies setting up centres in India and expanding presence.
Jet Airways partners with CentrumDirect for Forex
Mumbai: Jet Airways has entered into a partnership with CentrumDirect, one of India’s leading financial services groups, to offer Foreign Exchange Services to guests travelling abroad.
Guests may avail themselves of this facility online by providing the necessary details on the airline’s Web site www.jetairways.com.
Authorised representatives from CentrumDirect will then contact the guests to complete the transaction.
With a presence in over 40 cities within India, CentrumDirect offers 30 leading world currencies, travellers’ cheques and prepaid travel cards.
Guests may avail themselves of this facility online by providing the necessary details on the airline’s Web site www.jetairways.com.
Authorised representatives from CentrumDirect will then contact the guests to complete the transaction.
With a presence in over 40 cities within India, CentrumDirect offers 30 leading world currencies, travellers’ cheques and prepaid travel cards.
BHEL bags Rs 750 cr contract in Bhutan
New Delhi: Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has secured a contract for supplying electro-mechanical equipment for a 720 mw hyydroelectric project in Bhutan.
The order envisages manufacture, supply, erection and commissioning of the electro-mechanical equipment for Mangdechhu hydroelectric project. The value of the contract will be in the range of Rs 730 crore to Rs 750 crore, an official statement said.
The project is being set-up under a bilateral agreement between India and the Bhutan.
The order has been placed on BHEL by Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project Authority ( MHPA), Bhutan. After the 1,200-mw Punatsangchhu-I 1200-mw and Punatsangchhu- II projects, this is BHEL's third consecutive contract for the main electro-mechanical package in Bhutan.
The company has installed its electro-mechanical equipment in Chhukha (336 mw), Kurichhu (60 mw) and Tala (1020 mw) hydroelectric projects in Bhutan. These projects today account for 95% of the total power generating capacity in that country.
On commissioning of these projects alongwith Mangdechhu project, BHEL supplied electro-mechanical equipment will account for around 4,350 MW in Bhutan by 2017.
For the present contract, four turbines and generators of 170 mw each and associated equipment will be manufactured and supplied by BHEL's Bhopal facility while the control system will be manufactured and supplied by BHEL's electronic division at Bangalore.
Besides, Bhutan, BHEL overseas hydro installations include projects in Thailand, Malaysia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Tajikistan and Nepal. BHEL also has ongoing hydro projects in Rwanda, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and DR Congo.
The order envisages manufacture, supply, erection and commissioning of the electro-mechanical equipment for Mangdechhu hydroelectric project. The value of the contract will be in the range of Rs 730 crore to Rs 750 crore, an official statement said.
The project is being set-up under a bilateral agreement between India and the Bhutan.
The order has been placed on BHEL by Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project Authority ( MHPA), Bhutan. After the 1,200-mw Punatsangchhu-I 1200-mw and Punatsangchhu- II projects, this is BHEL's third consecutive contract for the main electro-mechanical package in Bhutan.
The company has installed its electro-mechanical equipment in Chhukha (336 mw), Kurichhu (60 mw) and Tala (1020 mw) hydroelectric projects in Bhutan. These projects today account for 95% of the total power generating capacity in that country.
On commissioning of these projects alongwith Mangdechhu project, BHEL supplied electro-mechanical equipment will account for around 4,350 MW in Bhutan by 2017.
For the present contract, four turbines and generators of 170 mw each and associated equipment will be manufactured and supplied by BHEL's Bhopal facility while the control system will be manufactured and supplied by BHEL's electronic division at Bangalore.
Besides, Bhutan, BHEL overseas hydro installations include projects in Thailand, Malaysia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Tajikistan and Nepal. BHEL also has ongoing hydro projects in Rwanda, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and DR Congo.
Anand Sharma Announces Rs. 55 Crores Scheme for Agrotextiles in Northeast
New Delhi: The Union Minister for Commerce, Industry & Textiles Shri Anand Sharma today inaugurated the second edition of TechnoTex-2013 here in Pragati Maidan. TechnoTex-2013 is an annual and premier event jointly organised by the Ministry of Textiles and FICCI, focusing exclusively on Technical Textiles. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Sharma announced a scheme on Usage of Agrotextiles in North East Region with a five year budget of Rs. 55 crores. Earlier, a pilot scheme worth Rs 500 crores for GeoTextiles was announced in the Budget Speech last year. “Viewed in tandem with our recent policy announcement of 51 per cent Foreign Direct Investment in Multi Brand Retail with its attendant benefits of reducing post-harvest agriculture and horticulture losses, the two Schemes together can change the trajectory of development in the North East Region,” said Shri Sharma. In consonance with the need to give an added thrust to the textile sector, the Minister said that the Plan outlay for the 12th Five Year Plan stands considerably enhanced to more than five times the allocation in the previous Plan to Rs 703 crores.
Shri Sharma further added that a special scheme has also been formulated in the Ministry of Textiles for the North East Region “for promotion of the Textiles Industry in this region by allowing fiscal flexibility through relaxation of parameters to suit localised region specific requirements.” Shri Sharma was confident that the approach of the Ministry and various schemes for the North East will fast track development of its infrastructure and bring in a new paradigm for economic growth in the region.
Shri Sharma, while considering the overarching and expansive nature of Technical Textiles, said that “a conscious effort has been made to solicit inter-ministerial collaborations with concerned Departments in Government of India to steer the agenda in coordinated partnership with States, Industry and related Ministries.” Shri Sharma was hopeful that both the industry and the departments as important stakeholders will find this mutually rewarding and enriching.
The Minster also said that the Ministry of Textiles is promoting technical textiles by incentivising to the extent of Rs 40 crores of the total project cost, Textile Parks specifically dedicated to Technical Textiles under the Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITPs). “Five such Parks namely, the Pallavada Technical Textile Park in Tamil Nadu, Baramati Hi-Tech Park in Maharashtra, Eco Textile Park in Gujarat, Jaipur Tex Weaving Park in Rajasthan and the Technical Textile and Machinery Mega project in Karnataka are under various stages of completion and are expected to emerge as industrial hubs in their own rights, generating employment, attracting investment and augmenting our export potential,” added Shri Sharma
Shri Sharma further added that a special scheme has also been formulated in the Ministry of Textiles for the North East Region “for promotion of the Textiles Industry in this region by allowing fiscal flexibility through relaxation of parameters to suit localised region specific requirements.” Shri Sharma was confident that the approach of the Ministry and various schemes for the North East will fast track development of its infrastructure and bring in a new paradigm for economic growth in the region.
Shri Sharma, while considering the overarching and expansive nature of Technical Textiles, said that “a conscious effort has been made to solicit inter-ministerial collaborations with concerned Departments in Government of India to steer the agenda in coordinated partnership with States, Industry and related Ministries.” Shri Sharma was hopeful that both the industry and the departments as important stakeholders will find this mutually rewarding and enriching.
The Minster also said that the Ministry of Textiles is promoting technical textiles by incentivising to the extent of Rs 40 crores of the total project cost, Textile Parks specifically dedicated to Technical Textiles under the Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITPs). “Five such Parks namely, the Pallavada Technical Textile Park in Tamil Nadu, Baramati Hi-Tech Park in Maharashtra, Eco Textile Park in Gujarat, Jaipur Tex Weaving Park in Rajasthan and the Technical Textile and Machinery Mega project in Karnataka are under various stages of completion and are expected to emerge as industrial hubs in their own rights, generating employment, attracting investment and augmenting our export potential,” added Shri Sharma
Friday, January 18, 2013
Fiat India to help parent develop smallest Jeep
New Delhi: Fiat India’s research and development (R&D) team would contribute significantly in the Italian car maker’s programme to design and develop its alliance partner Chrysler’s smallest Jeep, to be launched globally in mid-2014. The company has finalised a plan to roll out nine new models by 2016, some of which would be shipped from India to right-hand-drive markets abroad.
The Fiat Group is investing Euro 1 billion in developing two new products at it facility in Melfi, Italy. Apart from the small Jeep (likely to be named ‘Jeepster’ or ‘Scamp’), the company is working on another crossover vehicle, based on the 500X platform. The second product would have the Fiat badge.
Enrico Atanasio, managing director, Fiat Group Automobiles India Private Limited, said, “Massive market research would be done from the next quarter for the product (Jeepster) in India. We want to understand the requirements of the market here. The Indian R&D (research and development) team would contribute significantly in the development of the product in Melfi. We are looking at leveraging India as an export hub for right-hand drive models. We have excess capacity in India and are looking at exporting vehicles from here to markets in the UK, Japan, Australia, South Africa.” Fiat operates a production unit at Ranjangaon in Maharashtra with partner Tata Motors. Currently, the two companies together utilise about half the facility’s annual production capacity of 1,80,000 units.
The Italian company has also commissioned an R&D set-up, Chrysler India Automotive Private Limited, in Chennai. Engineers at this facility would work towards launching a B-segment sports utility vehicle (SUV) in India in 2015. This product would be based on the product being developed in Melfi. “This is a new category. We have not finalised the specifications yet, but product-wise, it would resemble the compact SUVs launched in the market lately. It would be manufactured at our facility in Ranjangaon,” Atanasio said.
The new product from Fiat is expected to take on the likes of Renault Duster and the soon-to-be launched Ford EcoSport. Since its launch in July 2012, the Duster has recorded sales of 23,731 units. The vehicle is priced at Rs 7.49-11.69 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
The product introductions are part of Fiat’s blueprint to launch nine new and refurbished models in India over three to four years. Apart from the Jeepster, Fiat would also introduce a C-segment SUV from the Chrysler portfolio in 2016. Globally, this product would replace the Compass. Also on the cards are Wrangler, Jeep Cherokee and Abarth. All these products would hit the roads in 2013-14. Fiat would also launch a compact SUV in the second half of 2014.
“With all these product launches, eventually, we aim to have five per cent market share. Our priority is to successfully launch Jeep and Abarth products in India and develop our distribution network in the mid term,” Atanasio said. After the distribution and marketing tie-up with joint venture partner Tata Motors was terminated, Fiat had commenced work to put in place 100 dealerships by the end of this year. It would also establish 20 exclusive showrooms for Jeep-branded products by the year-end.
Fiat plans to sell 11,000-12,000 units in India this year and double the sales in 2014. In the April-December period of 2012, the company sold 5,924 units of the Punto and Linea in India.
The Fiat Group is investing Euro 1 billion in developing two new products at it facility in Melfi, Italy. Apart from the small Jeep (likely to be named ‘Jeepster’ or ‘Scamp’), the company is working on another crossover vehicle, based on the 500X platform. The second product would have the Fiat badge.
Enrico Atanasio, managing director, Fiat Group Automobiles India Private Limited, said, “Massive market research would be done from the next quarter for the product (Jeepster) in India. We want to understand the requirements of the market here. The Indian R&D (research and development) team would contribute significantly in the development of the product in Melfi. We are looking at leveraging India as an export hub for right-hand drive models. We have excess capacity in India and are looking at exporting vehicles from here to markets in the UK, Japan, Australia, South Africa.” Fiat operates a production unit at Ranjangaon in Maharashtra with partner Tata Motors. Currently, the two companies together utilise about half the facility’s annual production capacity of 1,80,000 units.
The Italian company has also commissioned an R&D set-up, Chrysler India Automotive Private Limited, in Chennai. Engineers at this facility would work towards launching a B-segment sports utility vehicle (SUV) in India in 2015. This product would be based on the product being developed in Melfi. “This is a new category. We have not finalised the specifications yet, but product-wise, it would resemble the compact SUVs launched in the market lately. It would be manufactured at our facility in Ranjangaon,” Atanasio said.
The new product from Fiat is expected to take on the likes of Renault Duster and the soon-to-be launched Ford EcoSport. Since its launch in July 2012, the Duster has recorded sales of 23,731 units. The vehicle is priced at Rs 7.49-11.69 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
The product introductions are part of Fiat’s blueprint to launch nine new and refurbished models in India over three to four years. Apart from the Jeepster, Fiat would also introduce a C-segment SUV from the Chrysler portfolio in 2016. Globally, this product would replace the Compass. Also on the cards are Wrangler, Jeep Cherokee and Abarth. All these products would hit the roads in 2013-14. Fiat would also launch a compact SUV in the second half of 2014.
“With all these product launches, eventually, we aim to have five per cent market share. Our priority is to successfully launch Jeep and Abarth products in India and develop our distribution network in the mid term,” Atanasio said. After the distribution and marketing tie-up with joint venture partner Tata Motors was terminated, Fiat had commenced work to put in place 100 dealerships by the end of this year. It would also establish 20 exclusive showrooms for Jeep-branded products by the year-end.
Fiat plans to sell 11,000-12,000 units in India this year and double the sales in 2014. In the April-December period of 2012, the company sold 5,924 units of the Punto and Linea in India.
RCom signs Rs 5,500-crore network deal with Alcatel
Mumbai/ New Delhi: Reliance Communications Ltd (RCoM) on Wednesday signed an eight-year end-to-end network managed services contract with Alcatel-Lucent for $1 billion (around Rs 5,481 crore), covering India’s eastern and southern markets.
The move is expected to be followed by a similar contract with Ericsson for the northern and western markets, to be announced soon.
The comprehensive managed services deal covers wireless, wireline and utilities. It is different from other contracts signed for managed services in the country by competing telcos, which have been limited to wireless services. The deal will also help RCom to dramatically trim its work force, with a little over 4,000 or 15 per cent of its total of around 26,000 shifting to Alcatel within the next 90 days.
Once the Ericsson deal is also sealed, 9,000 to 10,000 employees involved in the network business are expected to shift to the two companies.
Currently, RCom has a 33:67 joint venture (JV) with Alcatel-Lucent, announced in 2008 for managed services but was restricted to only wireless. After this deal, the JV will cease to exist. Explained Gurdeep Singh, president and chief executive for the wireless business: "The deal will mean that we do not have to deal with multiple vendors, which is essential as the market moves towards high quality data services. Also, it will ensure predictability in our cost structure, as it will be linked to quality of service and customer satisfaction."
He declined to comment on the proposed deal with Ericsson, saying an agreement with another equipment company would be announced soon.
Sources in the know say the savings in cost after both deals get through could 15-20 per cent, significant in the business. Especially when the company has Rs 36,000 crore of debt. RCom had earlier thought of giving the contract to just one vendor but decided it would be strategically better to have two. Nokia Siemens Network, Huawei Technologies and ZTE were also in the race for the project.
The contract would entail outsourcing end-to-end management services, including operational planning of the network (which most companies keep to themselves), management and maintenance of GSM, CDMA and wireline networks, fibre, utilities, internet protocol and field assurance (quality control). Munish Seth, managing director of Alcatel-Lucent India, said this was one of the largest and most strategic contracts till now for the unit. The managed services model was introduced in the country by Bharti Airtel, which has signed long-term contracts with Ericsson, Nokia Siemens Network and Huawei for second-generation and third-generation services.
Bharti also had a comprehensive outsourcing deal with IBM for information technology solutions for a few years. Vodafone has managed services contracts with Ericsson and Nokia Siemens.
The move is expected to be followed by a similar contract with Ericsson for the northern and western markets, to be announced soon.
The comprehensive managed services deal covers wireless, wireline and utilities. It is different from other contracts signed for managed services in the country by competing telcos, which have been limited to wireless services. The deal will also help RCom to dramatically trim its work force, with a little over 4,000 or 15 per cent of its total of around 26,000 shifting to Alcatel within the next 90 days.
Once the Ericsson deal is also sealed, 9,000 to 10,000 employees involved in the network business are expected to shift to the two companies.
Currently, RCom has a 33:67 joint venture (JV) with Alcatel-Lucent, announced in 2008 for managed services but was restricted to only wireless. After this deal, the JV will cease to exist. Explained Gurdeep Singh, president and chief executive for the wireless business: "The deal will mean that we do not have to deal with multiple vendors, which is essential as the market moves towards high quality data services. Also, it will ensure predictability in our cost structure, as it will be linked to quality of service and customer satisfaction."
He declined to comment on the proposed deal with Ericsson, saying an agreement with another equipment company would be announced soon.
Sources in the know say the savings in cost after both deals get through could 15-20 per cent, significant in the business. Especially when the company has Rs 36,000 crore of debt. RCom had earlier thought of giving the contract to just one vendor but decided it would be strategically better to have two. Nokia Siemens Network, Huawei Technologies and ZTE were also in the race for the project.
The contract would entail outsourcing end-to-end management services, including operational planning of the network (which most companies keep to themselves), management and maintenance of GSM, CDMA and wireline networks, fibre, utilities, internet protocol and field assurance (quality control). Munish Seth, managing director of Alcatel-Lucent India, said this was one of the largest and most strategic contracts till now for the unit. The managed services model was introduced in the country by Bharti Airtel, which has signed long-term contracts with Ericsson, Nokia Siemens Network and Huawei for second-generation and third-generation services.
Bharti also had a comprehensive outsourcing deal with IBM for information technology solutions for a few years. Vodafone has managed services contracts with Ericsson and Nokia Siemens.
Textiles Secretary to launch India’s First Technology Innovation Centre
New Delhi: The Apparel Training & Design Centre (ATDC) under the Education & Training Initiatives of Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) is going to set up India’s first ‘Technology Innovation Research Centre’ at the ATDC-Training of Trainers’ Academy, Gurgaon, in collaboration with JUKI India Pvt. Ltd. This Centre will demonstrate leading edge technologies and undertaking applied research. The ATDC-JUKI TECH Innovation Centre is an important initiative to strengthen the Apparel Industry, especially the SMEs, to adopt new technologies for increasing productivity, efficiency and quality for better price realisation and better global competitiveness.
The Centre will be launched by Textiles Secretary Smt. Kiran Dhingra, IAS tomorrow in the presence of Dr. A. Sakthivel, Chairman, AEPC, ATDC & IAM; Hari Kapoor, Vice-Chairman, ATDC; and a team from JUKI.
The ATDC-JUKI TECH Innovation Centre will be a platform where industry and academia can focus on showcasing and demonstrating leading edge technology and carrying out applied ‘Research’ which is a key word in SMART (Skills for Manufacturing of Apparel through Research and Training). Applied ‘Research’ combined with technology training can become a potent force to catalyse advancement of apparel production techniques and praxis, that would be relevant for India’s apparel manufacturing environment.
Smt. Dhingra will also be the Chief Guest and Convocation Speaker on the 2nd Convocation of Institute of Apparel Management at the Apparel House Auditorium tomorrow. The Institute of Apparel Management, which over the last three academic years has carved a niche as a premier fashion institute, is celebrating its 2nd Convocation. The Guests of Honour for the Convocation are Shri V. Srinivas, Joint Secretary (Exports), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India and Shri Sunil Sethi, President, Fashion Design Council of India. The students’ innovative displays will be also available for viewing at Lynx-I & II during the day of the Convocation.
ATDC-JUKI is also organising a seminar on “Intelligent Sewing Systems” at the ATDC – JUKI Tech Innovation Centre on January 18, 2013. This seminar deals with contemporary production practices that would help you to enhance productivity.
The Centre will be launched by Textiles Secretary Smt. Kiran Dhingra, IAS tomorrow in the presence of Dr. A. Sakthivel, Chairman, AEPC, ATDC & IAM; Hari Kapoor, Vice-Chairman, ATDC; and a team from JUKI.
The ATDC-JUKI TECH Innovation Centre will be a platform where industry and academia can focus on showcasing and demonstrating leading edge technology and carrying out applied ‘Research’ which is a key word in SMART (Skills for Manufacturing of Apparel through Research and Training). Applied ‘Research’ combined with technology training can become a potent force to catalyse advancement of apparel production techniques and praxis, that would be relevant for India’s apparel manufacturing environment.
Smt. Dhingra will also be the Chief Guest and Convocation Speaker on the 2nd Convocation of Institute of Apparel Management at the Apparel House Auditorium tomorrow. The Institute of Apparel Management, which over the last three academic years has carved a niche as a premier fashion institute, is celebrating its 2nd Convocation. The Guests of Honour for the Convocation are Shri V. Srinivas, Joint Secretary (Exports), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India and Shri Sunil Sethi, President, Fashion Design Council of India. The students’ innovative displays will be also available for viewing at Lynx-I & II during the day of the Convocation.
ATDC-JUKI is also organising a seminar on “Intelligent Sewing Systems” at the ATDC – JUKI Tech Innovation Centre on January 18, 2013. This seminar deals with contemporary production practices that would help you to enhance productivity.
India, US team up for agri extension training in Africa
Hyderabad: India and the United States have joined hands to provide extension training to agricultural professionals in three African countries of Liberia, Kenya and Malawi.
Latest Techniques
National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management and US Agency for International Development will equip 180 professionals from these countries in the next two years with latest techniques and tools in improving productivity, public private partnerships, strengthening agricultural value chains and market institutions.
Addressing 30 participants from the three countries here on Wednesday, Jonathan Shrier, Special Representative for Global Food Security in the US Department of State, said the developing countries were home to 87 crore hungry people despite the progress made since the Green Revolution.
Major Challenges
Climate change, shrinking natural resources, a decline in per capita cultivable land and rising demands for food were major challenges the world faced now.
“We need game-changing innovative solutions to address these challenges,” he said.
India, which emerged as a hub for low-cost, effective local innovations can help address these issues around the world, he added.
Latest Techniques
National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management and US Agency for International Development will equip 180 professionals from these countries in the next two years with latest techniques and tools in improving productivity, public private partnerships, strengthening agricultural value chains and market institutions.
Addressing 30 participants from the three countries here on Wednesday, Jonathan Shrier, Special Representative for Global Food Security in the US Department of State, said the developing countries were home to 87 crore hungry people despite the progress made since the Green Revolution.
Major Challenges
Climate change, shrinking natural resources, a decline in per capita cultivable land and rising demands for food were major challenges the world faced now.
“We need game-changing innovative solutions to address these challenges,” he said.
India, which emerged as a hub for low-cost, effective local innovations can help address these issues around the world, he added.
MeadWestvaco to invest Rs 1,000 cr for expansion
Ahmedabad: The US-based packaging major MeadWestvaco Corporation on Tuesday said it will invest $184 million (Rs 1,000 crore) to expand the company’s presence in industrial packaging and triple its sales in India.
The US major, which signed a MoU with the State Government recently, said the investment will be over the next three to five years in the packaging and paperboard industry in India, and create 800 jobs in this industry.
The investment includes the purchase of Vapi-based Ruby Macons Ltd, and plans to expand the current production at the facility with the installation of a new paper machine to manufacture new paperboard products and grades.
The expansion is already underway and should increase the production starting in 2013, John Luke, Jr, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, MeadWestvaco, said in a statement here.
In November 2011, MeadWestvaco had announced the acquisition of Ruby Macons Ltd, a market leader in corrugated packaging materials in India, as part of the company’s growth strategy, including its emphasis on growth in emerging markets.
This will expand the company’s presence in industrial and agricultural packaging in India, which already includes a converting facility in Pune making rigid, humidity-resistant corrugated packaging for fresh fruits and vegetables, consumer goods, household appliances and pharmaceuticals.
The US major, which signed a MoU with the State Government recently, said the investment will be over the next three to five years in the packaging and paperboard industry in India, and create 800 jobs in this industry.
The investment includes the purchase of Vapi-based Ruby Macons Ltd, and plans to expand the current production at the facility with the installation of a new paper machine to manufacture new paperboard products and grades.
The expansion is already underway and should increase the production starting in 2013, John Luke, Jr, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, MeadWestvaco, said in a statement here.
In November 2011, MeadWestvaco had announced the acquisition of Ruby Macons Ltd, a market leader in corrugated packaging materials in India, as part of the company’s growth strategy, including its emphasis on growth in emerging markets.
This will expand the company’s presence in industrial and agricultural packaging in India, which already includes a converting facility in Pune making rigid, humidity-resistant corrugated packaging for fresh fruits and vegetables, consumer goods, household appliances and pharmaceuticals.
NMIMS ties up with CETYS University to develop capabilities
Mumbai: Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) has signed a pact with CETYS University of Mexico to develop competencies and capabilities of both institutes.
The association will include preparation of faculty at doctorate levels and in particular engineering courses. CETYS University will use NMIMS's expertise to pursue doctoral programmes, NMIMS said in a release. It will also involve enriching curriculum of both universities in programmes that need to be constantly researched. Also, there will be a student exchange programme for MBA students so that they get an opportunity to go abroad to understand and experience other regions of the world. Short-term sessions of the programme will begin from March. Groups of students who are found suitable for the programme will get to participate in a 2-3 weeks session in engineering and management practices.
"NMIMS has always been ambitious on various ways to prepare students for the global economy and the mission has been to give global focused education to its students. The CETYS University of Mexico was also founded on the mission of enriching and value based education to its students," said Dr Rajan Saxena, vice chancellor, NMIMS University.
"Technology and distant education go hand in hand...The idea is to develop virtual technological innovations to educate and give value addition to education," he said. Both universities work on similar technology, i.e., blackboard technology which ensures that the convergence is easy. It reduces the burden of getting faculties to the region and also helps in offering a global reach.
"Both the universities have been working towards collaborative options for some time now and the MoU was the next logical step to formalise and strengthen the association," said Dr Fernando Leon - Garcia, president, CETYS University.
The association will include preparation of faculty at doctorate levels and in particular engineering courses. CETYS University will use NMIMS's expertise to pursue doctoral programmes, NMIMS said in a release. It will also involve enriching curriculum of both universities in programmes that need to be constantly researched. Also, there will be a student exchange programme for MBA students so that they get an opportunity to go abroad to understand and experience other regions of the world. Short-term sessions of the programme will begin from March. Groups of students who are found suitable for the programme will get to participate in a 2-3 weeks session in engineering and management practices.
"NMIMS has always been ambitious on various ways to prepare students for the global economy and the mission has been to give global focused education to its students. The CETYS University of Mexico was also founded on the mission of enriching and value based education to its students," said Dr Rajan Saxena, vice chancellor, NMIMS University.
"Technology and distant education go hand in hand...The idea is to develop virtual technological innovations to educate and give value addition to education," he said. Both universities work on similar technology, i.e., blackboard technology which ensures that the convergence is easy. It reduces the burden of getting faculties to the region and also helps in offering a global reach.
"Both the universities have been working towards collaborative options for some time now and the MoU was the next logical step to formalise and strengthen the association," said Dr Fernando Leon - Garcia, president, CETYS University.
Four FDI Proposals Amounting to Rs. 1286.75 Crore Approved by FIPB
New Delhi: Based on the recommendations of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) in its meeting held on December 31, 2012, the Central Government has approved four (04) proposals of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) amounting to Rs. 1286.75 crore approximately.
The following four (04) proposals have been approved:
Sl. No. Name of the applicant Particulars of the proposal FDI/NRI inflows(` In crore)
INDUSTRIAL POLICY & PROMOTION
1 M/s Pran Beverages (India) Pvt. Ltd., Kolkata Change in foreign collaborator and increase in foreign equity participation to carry out the business of manufacture of fruits/vegetables juices and their concentrates, squashes and powders, and manufacture of Beverages n.e.c. 30.25
PHARMACEUTICALS
2 M/s Hospira Inc., USA, M/s Hospira Pte Ltd., Singapore, and M/s Hospira Healthcare India Pvt. Ltd. Induction of foreign equity into Indian company which will acquire manufacturing facilities in the pharmaceuticals sector. 1194.75
3 M/s Perrigo API India Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai Induction of foreign equity to carry out the business of manufacture of pharmaceutical ingredients. 55.00
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
4 M/s InterCall Asia Pacific Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Singapore To set up a WOS to undertake the business of providing audio, video and web conferencing services for business, commercial, banking and other establishments. 6.75
2.The following two (02) proposals have been deferred:
Sl. No Name of the applicant Particulars of the proposal
1 M/s Alliance Insurance Brokers Private Limited, Mumbai Induction of foreign equity by way of issue and transfer of equity shares to carry out the business of insurance broking.
2 M/s Aon Holdings B.V., Netherlands Post facto approval for induction of foreign equity to carry out the business of Insurance broking, and risk advisory services.
3.The following one (01) proposal has been withdrawn from the Agenda:
Sl. No Name of the applicant
1 M/s Ingka Holding Overseas B.V.
The following four (04) proposals have been approved:
Sl. No. Name of the applicant Particulars of the proposal FDI/NRI inflows(` In crore)
INDUSTRIAL POLICY & PROMOTION
1 M/s Pran Beverages (India) Pvt. Ltd., Kolkata Change in foreign collaborator and increase in foreign equity participation to carry out the business of manufacture of fruits/vegetables juices and their concentrates, squashes and powders, and manufacture of Beverages n.e.c. 30.25
PHARMACEUTICALS
2 M/s Hospira Inc., USA, M/s Hospira Pte Ltd., Singapore, and M/s Hospira Healthcare India Pvt. Ltd. Induction of foreign equity into Indian company which will acquire manufacturing facilities in the pharmaceuticals sector. 1194.75
3 M/s Perrigo API India Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai Induction of foreign equity to carry out the business of manufacture of pharmaceutical ingredients. 55.00
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
4 M/s InterCall Asia Pacific Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Singapore To set up a WOS to undertake the business of providing audio, video and web conferencing services for business, commercial, banking and other establishments. 6.75
2.The following two (02) proposals have been deferred:
Sl. No Name of the applicant Particulars of the proposal
1 M/s Alliance Insurance Brokers Private Limited, Mumbai Induction of foreign equity by way of issue and transfer of equity shares to carry out the business of insurance broking.
2 M/s Aon Holdings B.V., Netherlands Post facto approval for induction of foreign equity to carry out the business of Insurance broking, and risk advisory services.
3.The following one (01) proposal has been withdrawn from the Agenda:
Sl. No Name of the applicant
1 M/s Ingka Holding Overseas B.V.
India and Vietnam have signed an MoU on MSME
New Delhi: India and Vietnam have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for identifying thrust areas and opportunities, and developing institutional framework for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) in Vietnam.
Ministry of Planning and Investment of Vietnam and India's Ministry of MSME have signed the MoU during the ongoing four day state visit of Mr Hamid Ansari, Vice President of India to Vietnam.
The MoU also aims at promotion of partnership projects and institutional cooperation between the two countries, organising trade fairs and exhibitions for marketing the products of MSME, exchange of business missions to initiate transfer of technology and business alliance, and providing training for improvement of managerial and technical skills for MSME. It is a part of India’s efforts to further strengthen economic ties with Vietnam.
India and Vietnam have set a bilateral trade and investment target of US$ 7 billion by 2015. A Joint Committee has been set up by Ministries of both the countries to monitor the implementation of the MoU
Ministry of Planning and Investment of Vietnam and India's Ministry of MSME have signed the MoU during the ongoing four day state visit of Mr Hamid Ansari, Vice President of India to Vietnam.
The MoU also aims at promotion of partnership projects and institutional cooperation between the two countries, organising trade fairs and exhibitions for marketing the products of MSME, exchange of business missions to initiate transfer of technology and business alliance, and providing training for improvement of managerial and technical skills for MSME. It is a part of India’s efforts to further strengthen economic ties with Vietnam.
India and Vietnam have set a bilateral trade and investment target of US$ 7 billion by 2015. A Joint Committee has been set up by Ministries of both the countries to monitor the implementation of the MoU
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Hero MotoCorp begins work on Rajasthan plant
New Delhi: Two-wheeler manufacturer Hero MotoCorp (HMCL) on Monday said it has started construction of its fourth manufacturing plant and a new Global Parts Centre (GPC) at Neemrana, in Rajasthan.
The company will invest Rs 550 crore in setting up this plant and the GPC. Both facilities are expected to be operational towards the end of financial year 2013-14, it said.
“The commencement of work on the new plant is indicative of our intention and strategy for the future. We foresee a revival in market sentiment sooner than later and, when it happens, we will be ready to meet the upsurge in demand,” Pawan Munjal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, HMCL, said.
The Neemrana plant, spread over 47 acres, will provide direct employment to over 1000 people, and have an installed capacity of 7.50 lakh units per annum.
“At the same time, we will be setting up a modern GPC spread over 35 acres at Neemrana,” he said.
The Global Parts Centre is expected to be operational in the third quarter of the next financial year (2013-14) and will initially employ 400 people.
The GPC will have an automated storage and retrieval system, automated packaging and sorting systems, online tracking of parts using a warehouse management system, lean manufacturing systems and, importantly, the green building concept, Munjal added.
The company will invest Rs 550 crore in setting up this plant and the GPC. Both facilities are expected to be operational towards the end of financial year 2013-14, it said.
“The commencement of work on the new plant is indicative of our intention and strategy for the future. We foresee a revival in market sentiment sooner than later and, when it happens, we will be ready to meet the upsurge in demand,” Pawan Munjal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, HMCL, said.
The Neemrana plant, spread over 47 acres, will provide direct employment to over 1000 people, and have an installed capacity of 7.50 lakh units per annum.
“At the same time, we will be setting up a modern GPC spread over 35 acres at Neemrana,” he said.
The Global Parts Centre is expected to be operational in the third quarter of the next financial year (2013-14) and will initially employ 400 people.
The GPC will have an automated storage and retrieval system, automated packaging and sorting systems, online tracking of parts using a warehouse management system, lean manufacturing systems and, importantly, the green building concept, Munjal added.
Apollo Tyres opens R&D centre in Netherlands
New Delhi: Apollo Tyres on Monday opened its global research and development (R&D) centre in Enschede, the Netherlands. It will serve as a hub for the development and testing of car and van tyres for all product brands — Apollo, Vredestein and Dunlop (32 countries in Africa) — of the company, it said.
Named Apollo Tyres Global R&D BV, the new centre will start operations with more than 100 people from various parts of the world, including 20 car tyre specialists from India and South Africa. It will later be scaled-up to nearly 150 people.
R&D Restructuring
“The Global R&D centre is an important milestone in our journey to become a $ 6 billion tyre company by 2016,” Onkar S. Kanwar, Chairman, Apollo Tyres said.
Recently, the company restructured its R&D team, across its three key geographies, to create synergy and greater alignment to the company’s growth aspirations.
Two Global Hubs
In line with this strategy, the company is bringing together its R&D resources comprising almost 250 people in Africa, Europe and India to create two global R&D hubs — Enschede, the Netherlands for car and van tyres and Chennai, for commercial vehicle tyres.
Both R&D departments will be in close contact with original equipment manufacturers and replacement clients, test centres, raw material suppliers and research institutes.
“Going forward, R&D will continue to be the cornerstone of our vision, as we plan to ramp up the R&D spend to 3 per cent of our sales revenue,” Neeraj Kanwar, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Apollo Tyres said.
Named Apollo Tyres Global R&D BV, the new centre will start operations with more than 100 people from various parts of the world, including 20 car tyre specialists from India and South Africa. It will later be scaled-up to nearly 150 people.
R&D Restructuring
“The Global R&D centre is an important milestone in our journey to become a $ 6 billion tyre company by 2016,” Onkar S. Kanwar, Chairman, Apollo Tyres said.
Recently, the company restructured its R&D team, across its three key geographies, to create synergy and greater alignment to the company’s growth aspirations.
Two Global Hubs
In line with this strategy, the company is bringing together its R&D resources comprising almost 250 people in Africa, Europe and India to create two global R&D hubs — Enschede, the Netherlands for car and van tyres and Chennai, for commercial vehicle tyres.
Both R&D departments will be in close contact with original equipment manufacturers and replacement clients, test centres, raw material suppliers and research institutes.
“Going forward, R&D will continue to be the cornerstone of our vision, as we plan to ramp up the R&D spend to 3 per cent of our sales revenue,” Neeraj Kanwar, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Apollo Tyres said.
India plans to develop a forecasting model for energy demand and supply
New Delhi: India plans to develop a forecasting model for energy demand and supply that will help in policy decisions. The model, on the lines of UK's Energy Calculator 2050, will be available to industry and researchers.
"The proposal has in-principle approval of the Prime Minister and the task to set up a model is entrusted to Planning Commission," a senior government official said.
Apart from India, China is also in talks with UK's Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to set up a similar model. "This will be the government's own energy model, which will provide energy pathways for four decades. This will provide effective tool for taking energy related policy decisions in an integrated manner," Planning Commission Adviser-Energy Anil K Jain said. The model will be handy to predict demand, supply and pricing more objectively and in a manner, which will help to optimize natural resources, he added.
Planning Commission is creating this energy model because the country has separate ministries and departments for different types of energy such as coal, power, petroleum, nuclear and renewable. It will also guide Indian negotiators in taking stand at international forums, especially on the climate change, he said.
Bangalore-based Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) is assisting Planning Commission in setting up the model. CSTEP's Chairman VS Arunachalam says that since GDP growth is dependent on energy supply, it is important to know how much energy India would need and how to meet the demand.
Currently, the Planning Commission's recommendations on energy are based on studies carried out with expert groups, but these often do not capture the changes in global energy scenarios and technological advances. Jain said almost all developed nations have their own energy models that help them in taking crucial policy decisions regarding demand, supply, pricing and utilization. US Energy Information Administration is one such model that keeps global energy data and has been a resource center for various countries including India.
"The proposal has in-principle approval of the Prime Minister and the task to set up a model is entrusted to Planning Commission," a senior government official said.
Apart from India, China is also in talks with UK's Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to set up a similar model. "This will be the government's own energy model, which will provide energy pathways for four decades. This will provide effective tool for taking energy related policy decisions in an integrated manner," Planning Commission Adviser-Energy Anil K Jain said. The model will be handy to predict demand, supply and pricing more objectively and in a manner, which will help to optimize natural resources, he added.
Planning Commission is creating this energy model because the country has separate ministries and departments for different types of energy such as coal, power, petroleum, nuclear and renewable. It will also guide Indian negotiators in taking stand at international forums, especially on the climate change, he said.
Bangalore-based Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) is assisting Planning Commission in setting up the model. CSTEP's Chairman VS Arunachalam says that since GDP growth is dependent on energy supply, it is important to know how much energy India would need and how to meet the demand.
Currently, the Planning Commission's recommendations on energy are based on studies carried out with expert groups, but these often do not capture the changes in global energy scenarios and technological advances. Jain said almost all developed nations have their own energy models that help them in taking crucial policy decisions regarding demand, supply, pricing and utilization. US Energy Information Administration is one such model that keeps global energy data and has been a resource center for various countries including India.
Canada seeks comprehensive economic pact with India
New Delhi: Canada wants an "ambitious" Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India, Canadian High Commissioner to India Stewart Beck said here on Monday.
Addressing a seminar, the envoy said the agreement should ensure maximum movement of people apart from giving the best possible rates for Canadian goods. He added that Canada could also bring capital to India. The envoy hoped that the foreign investment agreement would help both countries. "This is something which will also help Indian investments in Canada," the envoy said.
In the field of education, Beck said the number of student visas issued to Indians had touched 13,000 last year from 3,000 in 2008.
Admitting that relations between the two countries were affected by some problems earlier, the envoy said the past has been buried.
Addressing a seminar, the envoy said the agreement should ensure maximum movement of people apart from giving the best possible rates for Canadian goods. He added that Canada could also bring capital to India. The envoy hoped that the foreign investment agreement would help both countries. "This is something which will also help Indian investments in Canada," the envoy said.
In the field of education, Beck said the number of student visas issued to Indians had touched 13,000 last year from 3,000 in 2008.
Admitting that relations between the two countries were affected by some problems earlier, the envoy said the past has been buried.
Government relaxes export norms for pharma grade and specialty sugar
New Delhi: The Government of India has liberalised the procedure for export of pharmaceutical grade sugar and specialty sugar.
“Export of pharmaceutical grade sugar and specialty sugar will not be required to be registered with Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), as per a notification released by the Ministry of Commerce.
The pharmaceutical grade sugar include sucrose, and specialty sugar include candy sugar, castor sugar, icing sugar, light brown sugar, rainbow sugar, sugar cubes and sugar sachets (white and brown). These varieties will not require registration, it highlighted.
However, other type of sugar export will require registration with the DGFT.
“Export of pharmaceutical grade sugar and specialty sugar will not be required to be registered with Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), as per a notification released by the Ministry of Commerce.
The pharmaceutical grade sugar include sucrose, and specialty sugar include candy sugar, castor sugar, icing sugar, light brown sugar, rainbow sugar, sugar cubes and sugar sachets (white and brown). These varieties will not require registration, it highlighted.
However, other type of sugar export will require registration with the DGFT.
Gail commissions 5 million tonne LNG terminal at Dabhol, plans to double its capacity by 2016
New Delhi: Gail India has commissioned the 5 million tonne capacity liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal at Dabhol facility in Maharashtra and plans to double its capacity by 2016 in a phased manner, state gas utility chairman BC Tripathi said.
Gail had imported a shipload of LNG for commissioning the Dabhol terminal in March last year but the operations had to be aborted midway after two successive equipment failures.
"The Dabhol terminal will serve as a gateway for entry of natural gas to the southern and western parts of the country," Tripathi said. The company is planning to import about half a dozen LNG cargoes in next three-four months, he said.
The first cargo is expected to arrive at the terminal from Russia by the end of this month.
Gail has long-term LNG import contract with Russian energy major Gazprom. Tripathi said the focus of the company is to complete construction of break-water facility, which will help in expanding the terminal's capacity to 7.5 mmtpa in next two years and finally to 10 mmtpa in 2016.
The terminal is operated by Ratnagiri Gas and Power Private limited (RGPPL), a joint venture of Gail and state power utility NTPC. India is focusing on import of gas as it has faced a steep fall in domestic output.
The country has two operational terminals at Dahej and Hazira. "Commissioning of Dabhol terminal at this crucial juncture shall facilitate higher volumes of LNG imports for securing energy for the country," Tripathi said. Gail expects that the break-water facility will be completed this financial year. The company had mechanically completed the terminal two years ago.
Gail had imported a shipload of LNG for commissioning the Dabhol terminal in March last year but the operations had to be aborted midway after two successive equipment failures.
"The Dabhol terminal will serve as a gateway for entry of natural gas to the southern and western parts of the country," Tripathi said. The company is planning to import about half a dozen LNG cargoes in next three-four months, he said.
The first cargo is expected to arrive at the terminal from Russia by the end of this month.
Gail has long-term LNG import contract with Russian energy major Gazprom. Tripathi said the focus of the company is to complete construction of break-water facility, which will help in expanding the terminal's capacity to 7.5 mmtpa in next two years and finally to 10 mmtpa in 2016.
The terminal is operated by Ratnagiri Gas and Power Private limited (RGPPL), a joint venture of Gail and state power utility NTPC. India is focusing on import of gas as it has faced a steep fall in domestic output.
The country has two operational terminals at Dahej and Hazira. "Commissioning of Dabhol terminal at this crucial juncture shall facilitate higher volumes of LNG imports for securing energy for the country," Tripathi said. Gail expects that the break-water facility will be completed this financial year. The company had mechanically completed the terminal two years ago.
InMobi acquires UK firm Overlay Media
Mumbai: Leading mobile advertising network InMobi has acquired UK-based mobile data analytics start-up and content aware computing firm Overlay Media for an undisclosed amount.
Overlay Media, which comprises a team of data scientists, has built the context engine technology to deliver personalised content to mobile users.
“This acquisition will help us to continue to be at the forefront of delivering highly engaging content to consumers globally,” said Naveen Tewari, Founder and CEO, InMobi.
The Bangalore and San-Francisco based mobile technology company enables the world’s leading brands, developers, and publishers to engage 578 million consumers across 165 countries globally.
It is backed by investors including SoftBank, Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers and Sherpalo Ventures.
Meanwhile, Ian Anderson, CEO, Overlay Media, said: “Our goal has been to develop technology that enables mobile devices to provide a highly personal and immersive user experience. Through this acquisition, we will further strengthen our position as a market leader in mobile advertising.”
The Overlay Media team will be based at the InMobi London office. The company has offices in India, the UK and the US, as well as in other global locations. It recently expanded its footprint in Asia, Europe and Australia.
InMobi has also acquired Metaflow Solutions, a UK-based mobile app management and distribution solutions company, and a US-based start-up MMTG Labs that makes ad software.
Overlay Media, which comprises a team of data scientists, has built the context engine technology to deliver personalised content to mobile users.
“This acquisition will help us to continue to be at the forefront of delivering highly engaging content to consumers globally,” said Naveen Tewari, Founder and CEO, InMobi.
The Bangalore and San-Francisco based mobile technology company enables the world’s leading brands, developers, and publishers to engage 578 million consumers across 165 countries globally.
It is backed by investors including SoftBank, Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers and Sherpalo Ventures.
Meanwhile, Ian Anderson, CEO, Overlay Media, said: “Our goal has been to develop technology that enables mobile devices to provide a highly personal and immersive user experience. Through this acquisition, we will further strengthen our position as a market leader in mobile advertising.”
The Overlay Media team will be based at the InMobi London office. The company has offices in India, the UK and the US, as well as in other global locations. It recently expanded its footprint in Asia, Europe and Australia.
InMobi has also acquired Metaflow Solutions, a UK-based mobile app management and distribution solutions company, and a US-based start-up MMTG Labs that makes ad software.
Turkish glass major acquires 45% stake in HNGFL
Kolkata: Turkish Glass maker Trakya Cam Snayii AS bought a 45 per cent stake in HNG Float Glass Limited (HNGFL) through a joint Venture (JV) agreement on Friday.
According to the JV, Hindustan National Glass and Industries (HNGIL), the share-holding company in HNGFL and its promoter, the Somany family, will now dilute their stake in HNGFL.
Currently, HNGIL and the Somany family hold 47.4 per cent and 40.2 per cent stake in HNGFL, respectively and the remaining 12 per cent is held by IFC Washington.
Post-JV, Trakya Cam Snayii AS will become an equal shareholder in HNGFL for an undisclosed amount. IFC Washington will continue to hold 10 per cent stake (about 10 per cent of the increased paid up capital). The share-holding of HNGIL will stand diluted from the present 47.4 per cent to 15 per cent.
When contacted, HNGIL chairman C K Somany refused to comment on the value paid by the Turkish glass maker for this JV.
HNGIL is one of India’s leading glass manufacturers, with a total production capacity of 4,300 tonnes per day. It had promoted HNGFL in 2006. Trakya Cam Sanayii AS, which was founded by Sisecam in 1978, is the leading company in the flat glass market in Turkey and a pioneer in the region. The company reached $751 million net sales with 2,768 employees in FY 2011.
Trakya Cam Sanayii AS had taken a strategic step in 2009 with the decision to jointly develop its flat glass activities with Saint-Gobain, one of the biggest companies in the industry.
HNGFL is engaged in the business of manufacturing float glass and related value added float glass products.
The company’s plant is located in Halol, Gujarat with the current capacity of the furnace being 600 tonnes per day.
According to the JV, Hindustan National Glass and Industries (HNGIL), the share-holding company in HNGFL and its promoter, the Somany family, will now dilute their stake in HNGFL.
Currently, HNGIL and the Somany family hold 47.4 per cent and 40.2 per cent stake in HNGFL, respectively and the remaining 12 per cent is held by IFC Washington.
Post-JV, Trakya Cam Snayii AS will become an equal shareholder in HNGFL for an undisclosed amount. IFC Washington will continue to hold 10 per cent stake (about 10 per cent of the increased paid up capital). The share-holding of HNGIL will stand diluted from the present 47.4 per cent to 15 per cent.
When contacted, HNGIL chairman C K Somany refused to comment on the value paid by the Turkish glass maker for this JV.
HNGIL is one of India’s leading glass manufacturers, with a total production capacity of 4,300 tonnes per day. It had promoted HNGFL in 2006. Trakya Cam Sanayii AS, which was founded by Sisecam in 1978, is the leading company in the flat glass market in Turkey and a pioneer in the region. The company reached $751 million net sales with 2,768 employees in FY 2011.
Trakya Cam Sanayii AS had taken a strategic step in 2009 with the decision to jointly develop its flat glass activities with Saint-Gobain, one of the biggest companies in the industry.
HNGFL is engaged in the business of manufacturing float glass and related value added float glass products.
The company’s plant is located in Halol, Gujarat with the current capacity of the furnace being 600 tonnes per day.
MoUs worth Rs 1.34 lakh crore signed in affordable housing sector
Ahmedabad: The affordable housing and construction industry witnessed signing of memorandum of understandings ( MoUs) to the tune of Rs 1.34 lakh crore, by both domestic and global players.
Eight MoUs were signed for various verticals in housing and construction, including affordable housing technology, pre-cast construction technology and slum rehabilitation.
In affordable urban housing technology segment, while US-based Hawthorne Development Corporation signed an MoU worth Rs 1 lakh crore with the Gujarat government, Tata Housing Development Company Ltd signed for Rs 3,500 crore.
Global players like Elematic of Finland and Spiroll Precast Services Ltd of the US signed MoUs for providing pre-cast technology in cost-effective and efficient housing construction for Rs 15,000 crore and Rs 5,000 crore, respectively.
Domestic players like M V Omni Projects (India) Ltd and Sheetal Infrastructure Pvt Ltd signed MoUs worth Rs 3,000 crore and Rs 1,000 crore, respectively, in the area of slum rehabilitation.
Ahmedabad-based real estate developer Bakeri Urban Development Pvt Ltd also announced investment commitment of Rs 1,500 crore in the affordable housing sector.
In a bid to provide free housing schemes for differently-abled people, Ahmedabad-based Sankalp Disable Association signed an MoU worth Rs 5,592 crore.
Eight MoUs were signed for various verticals in housing and construction, including affordable housing technology, pre-cast construction technology and slum rehabilitation.
In affordable urban housing technology segment, while US-based Hawthorne Development Corporation signed an MoU worth Rs 1 lakh crore with the Gujarat government, Tata Housing Development Company Ltd signed for Rs 3,500 crore.
Global players like Elematic of Finland and Spiroll Precast Services Ltd of the US signed MoUs for providing pre-cast technology in cost-effective and efficient housing construction for Rs 15,000 crore and Rs 5,000 crore, respectively.
Domestic players like M V Omni Projects (India) Ltd and Sheetal Infrastructure Pvt Ltd signed MoUs worth Rs 3,000 crore and Rs 1,000 crore, respectively, in the area of slum rehabilitation.
Ahmedabad-based real estate developer Bakeri Urban Development Pvt Ltd also announced investment commitment of Rs 1,500 crore in the affordable housing sector.
In a bid to provide free housing schemes for differently-abled people, Ahmedabad-based Sankalp Disable Association signed an MoU worth Rs 5,592 crore.
Mass grocery, apparel most favoured segments for FDI: Study
New Delhi: Mass grocery and apparel are the two most favoured segments for foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail, according to a study by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India.
The study, titled Indian Retail Market-Opening More Doors, which comes at time when the country has opened its doors to FDI in retail, says each policy condition is expected to have different implications on various retail sub-segments.
“A policy condition might have a low impact in one segment but could be a major stumbling block for another segment. Mass grocery and apparel are two of the fastest growing organised retail segments in India today. In both these segments, there are large domestic retailers who could be potential joint venture partners for foreign retailers,” Gaurav Gupta, Senior Director, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India, said in a statement.
He said foreign retailers could enter India by forming a joint venture company that could have multi-brand retail stores. “Alternatively, the foreign investor may also consider acquiring 51 per cent stake in the existing business set-up of the potential Indian joint venture partner,” he added.
The report stated that the fact that mass grocery retailers already source many products directly from producers or food processing units was an advantage for this segment. But to meet sourcing guidelines and have better margins, foreign retailers would need to cultivate relationships with local manufacturers, it added.
The study said the condition on sourcing would continue to be a major bottleneck for various segments such as consumer electronics, footwear, furniture and furnishing, among others.
The study, titled Indian Retail Market-Opening More Doors, which comes at time when the country has opened its doors to FDI in retail, says each policy condition is expected to have different implications on various retail sub-segments.
“A policy condition might have a low impact in one segment but could be a major stumbling block for another segment. Mass grocery and apparel are two of the fastest growing organised retail segments in India today. In both these segments, there are large domestic retailers who could be potential joint venture partners for foreign retailers,” Gaurav Gupta, Senior Director, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India, said in a statement.
He said foreign retailers could enter India by forming a joint venture company that could have multi-brand retail stores. “Alternatively, the foreign investor may also consider acquiring 51 per cent stake in the existing business set-up of the potential Indian joint venture partner,” he added.
The report stated that the fact that mass grocery retailers already source many products directly from producers or food processing units was an advantage for this segment. But to meet sourcing guidelines and have better margins, foreign retailers would need to cultivate relationships with local manufacturers, it added.
The study said the condition on sourcing would continue to be a major bottleneck for various segments such as consumer electronics, footwear, furniture and furnishing, among others.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Imperial Servcorp to invest $5 m in India expansion
Hyderabad: Imperial Servcorp plans to add three more centres in India by next year investing about $ 5 million in developing them to offer unbranded serviced office space and virtual office services.
Part of the Australian company Serve Corp with presence in over 50 countries, and operating out of two locations in India through a venture with K. Raheja Corp, is now embarking on expansion. “We have identified Gurgaon, Delhi, Bangalore and Pune for setting up offices,” said Meenal Sinha, Country Head Imperial Servcorp India.
She told Business Line that the last few years in India through its presence in Raheja Mindspace in IT hub of Hyderabad and in Mumbai, has been exciting and Servcorp venture serves over 400 clients, which includes start ups, service providers and multi-national companies looking to expand in India.
Through the venture with K. Raheja Corp, the company has been offering serviced office space to clients. “We are now in the process of finalising deals with other developers in Gurgaon, Bangalore, Delhi and expect to begin operations during the year,” she said.
“Most companies, who identify a city for expansion, begin operations as start ups using our serviced office space facilities. This enables them to complete their task and then move on to their own facility. They get advantage of a full office using our facilities,” she said.
Apart from this, the $40-million investment by Serve Corp has enabled these clients to access latest technologies and use virtual office spaces. The secretarial services respond to their customers as if they were their own staff.
These facilities enable clients to commence operations in less than 24 hours offering access to board rooms and conference facilities. The market for such services will get bigger and spread to tier II cities too, she said.
Part of the Australian company Serve Corp with presence in over 50 countries, and operating out of two locations in India through a venture with K. Raheja Corp, is now embarking on expansion. “We have identified Gurgaon, Delhi, Bangalore and Pune for setting up offices,” said Meenal Sinha, Country Head Imperial Servcorp India.
She told Business Line that the last few years in India through its presence in Raheja Mindspace in IT hub of Hyderabad and in Mumbai, has been exciting and Servcorp venture serves over 400 clients, which includes start ups, service providers and multi-national companies looking to expand in India.
Through the venture with K. Raheja Corp, the company has been offering serviced office space to clients. “We are now in the process of finalising deals with other developers in Gurgaon, Bangalore, Delhi and expect to begin operations during the year,” she said.
“Most companies, who identify a city for expansion, begin operations as start ups using our serviced office space facilities. This enables them to complete their task and then move on to their own facility. They get advantage of a full office using our facilities,” she said.
Apart from this, the $40-million investment by Serve Corp has enabled these clients to access latest technologies and use virtual office spaces. The secretarial services respond to their customers as if they were their own staff.
These facilities enable clients to commence operations in less than 24 hours offering access to board rooms and conference facilities. The market for such services will get bigger and spread to tier II cities too, she said.
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