Gandhinagar: The Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited (TCGL) is all set to provide not just better infrastructure facilities to those coming to the state, but has also decided to woo the tourists through internet and mobile services.
The tourism department has decided to have a 24x7 call centre, a mobile application and GIS mapping of the tourist destinations of the state to help the tourists get information about the destinations, facilities and hotels. It will also help them in arranging taxi services and online bookings.
The TCGL will provide the services through the Gujarat Info Petro Limited (GIPL). V K Sharma, the chief executive officer of GIPL said, "We are in the midst of developing the facilities for the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat and the facilities, if everything goes as per plan, will be launched next week."
Navjeet Khokhar, business development officer at GIPL, said that they have been given three projects by TCGL and all of them are in the last stages. These include a 24-hour helpline where the operator would give information based on the queries, while the second would be a website for online booking and the third a mobile application.
GIS and mobile applications: As soon as one enters Gujarat with a mobile number which is outside the Gujarat circle, he would be greeted by the Gujarat tourism department and will be prompted to download an application which would not only give directions within the state but would also facilitate him to book hotels and taxi from his mobile (using mobile internet) and even book hotels. The software will be different for iPhone, Android and Blackberry mobiles. The download would be free. Also there would be a link to download it directly from the TCGL website.
Call centre: GIPL will facilitate a five seated call centre exclusively for the TCGL. It will not only give information about the places to visit in the nearby areas, but will also suggest where to stay and will also help the person choose the hotel as per his choice. The call centre will help the person by giving him the taxi operator's number and the prevalent rate in the region. The operators at the centre will also design the package if the person was willing to give out his package. Information about the various modes of travel to the tourist destinations will also be given.
Website: The TCGL official website will not only provide pictures of the facilities at the tourist destination but will also facilitate online booking. This facility will be for the properties owned by the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat and for the other hoteliers at the tourist destination.
Success in my Habit
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Dr Reddy's launches Lansoprazole capsules in US
Hyderabad: Pharma major Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has launched over-the-counter Lansoprazole delayed-release capsules in the US market.
The Hyderabad-based company will market the product under store brand labels in the US market.
The product is the bioequivalent version of Novartis Consumer Health’s Prevacid 24 HR capsule. It had brand sales of approximately $115 million in the 12 months ending March 31, 2012, according to market estimates.
The tablets are generally indicated for treating rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
The Hyderabad-based company will market the product under store brand labels in the US market.
The product is the bioequivalent version of Novartis Consumer Health’s Prevacid 24 HR capsule. It had brand sales of approximately $115 million in the 12 months ending March 31, 2012, according to market estimates.
The tablets are generally indicated for treating rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Fairbridge to buy Thomas Cook's stake in India operations for Rs 817 cr
Mumbai: Fairbridge Capital (Mauritius) will buy 77 per cent of Thomas Cook Group’s stake in its India operations for Rs 817.4 crore.
Fairbridge is a subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings.
The agreement for sale was reached following an auction process, Thomas Cook said.
In a filing to the stock exchanges, Thomas Cook India said the agreed price is equivalent to Rs 50 per share which represents an 11 per cent premium to the market price immediately prior to announcement of the auction process.
Thomas Cook Group will grant Fairbridge licence over the Thomas Cook brand for 12.5 years in the countries in which Thomas Cook India operates.
The sale is subject to shareholders and regulatory approvals. It is expected to be completed in the current fiscal.
Fairbridge is a subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings.
The agreement for sale was reached following an auction process, Thomas Cook said.
In a filing to the stock exchanges, Thomas Cook India said the agreed price is equivalent to Rs 50 per share which represents an 11 per cent premium to the market price immediately prior to announcement of the auction process.
Thomas Cook Group will grant Fairbridge licence over the Thomas Cook brand for 12.5 years in the countries in which Thomas Cook India operates.
The sale is subject to shareholders and regulatory approvals. It is expected to be completed in the current fiscal.
Essar Oil - L&T sign MoU for bitumen supply
Mumbai: Essar Oil, amongst India's top private sector refiners, and Larsen & Toubro (L&T), amongst India's top engineering and construction companies, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for supplies of high quality bitumen for key infrastructure projects in Gujarat undertaken by the engineering giant.
The initial supply agreement is for a quantity of 15,000 metric tonnes over the course of the project and is likely to be extended to other projects in and around the state.
Essar Oil will provide supplies for the Kandla - Mundra Road Project (KMRP) and the Samakhaiyali - Gandhidham Road Project (SGRP), both in the state of Gujarat from its state-of-the-art refinery in Vadinar. This cooperation will soon be extended to projects like the Kishangarh - Udaipur - Ahmedabad Road Project, among others.
Essar Oil has existing relationship with L&T under which it supplied about 60,000 metric tonnes of high quality bitumen over the last 18 months for L&T's various road projects.
The new MoA is over and above that quantity. Essar Oil will ensure availability of quality product for the projects and the relationship with L&T will open up avenues for sales of its refinery product.
"We are happy to be associated with L&T and in essence be a part of the infrastructure development of the country. Essar Oil is fully geared to meet the supply for increased demand of high quality bitumen for road construction," said Mr. S. Thangapandian, CEO - Marketing, Essar Oil.
The initial supply agreement is for a quantity of 15,000 metric tonnes over the course of the project and is likely to be extended to other projects in and around the state.
Essar Oil will provide supplies for the Kandla - Mundra Road Project (KMRP) and the Samakhaiyali - Gandhidham Road Project (SGRP), both in the state of Gujarat from its state-of-the-art refinery in Vadinar. This cooperation will soon be extended to projects like the Kishangarh - Udaipur - Ahmedabad Road Project, among others.
Essar Oil has existing relationship with L&T under which it supplied about 60,000 metric tonnes of high quality bitumen over the last 18 months for L&T's various road projects.
The new MoA is over and above that quantity. Essar Oil will ensure availability of quality product for the projects and the relationship with L&T will open up avenues for sales of its refinery product.
"We are happy to be associated with L&T and in essence be a part of the infrastructure development of the country. Essar Oil is fully geared to meet the supply for increased demand of high quality bitumen for road construction," said Mr. S. Thangapandian, CEO - Marketing, Essar Oil.
After Stockholm, Mumbai is most liveable city: Survey
Coimbatore: Mumbai has emerged as the second-most liveable city in the world, according to an Ericsson ConsumerLab survey. The liveability factor has been tied to connectivity. Stockholm topped the list.
India's business capital has in the survey outranked cities such as New York, London and Los Angeles.
The 30-minute online survey (with 1,500 participants per city) was carried out in Cairo, Johannesburg, Mumbai, Stockholm, Beijing, Moscow, Sao Paulo, Tokyo, Seoul, London, Los Angeles, New York and Hong Kong.
“Urbanization is a global mega-trend. City populations grow by 7500 people per hour, and people are clearly feeling some stress from overcrowding. We also saw how with the use of ICT, (Information and Communication Technology) people in cities alleviated such feelings and got on with city life,” said the Head of Research at Ericsson ConsumerLab, Mr Michael Bjorn.
The survey found that the average commute time in the 13 cities was two hours, twenty minutes per day.
“People are more relaxed when they know how long their commute will take, as this enables them to use their time more efficiently. Smart-phones are becoming an invaluable tool on the daily commute,' said Mr Bjorn.
“Big cities are hotbeds for creativity, bringing together people from different walks of life. The sheer number of social opportunities is what makes life alluring in such cities,” he said.
Some issues
City dwellers seemed most satisfied with the abundance of restaurants, pubs, cafes, shopping malls, supermarkets and entertainment facilities, apart from mobile network and water distribution.
Traffic and parking, air quality, overall cleanliness and the manner of communication by authorities frustrated city dwellers the most, according to the survey.
The findings further revealed that women in Mumbai and Tokyo were slightly happier living in cities than men; and young people were found happier than the old in Cairo and Seoul. This was in contrast to Mumbai, Stockholm and Tokyo, where the aged ones were most content.
India's business capital has in the survey outranked cities such as New York, London and Los Angeles.
The 30-minute online survey (with 1,500 participants per city) was carried out in Cairo, Johannesburg, Mumbai, Stockholm, Beijing, Moscow, Sao Paulo, Tokyo, Seoul, London, Los Angeles, New York and Hong Kong.
“Urbanization is a global mega-trend. City populations grow by 7500 people per hour, and people are clearly feeling some stress from overcrowding. We also saw how with the use of ICT, (Information and Communication Technology) people in cities alleviated such feelings and got on with city life,” said the Head of Research at Ericsson ConsumerLab, Mr Michael Bjorn.
The survey found that the average commute time in the 13 cities was two hours, twenty minutes per day.
“People are more relaxed when they know how long their commute will take, as this enables them to use their time more efficiently. Smart-phones are becoming an invaluable tool on the daily commute,' said Mr Bjorn.
“Big cities are hotbeds for creativity, bringing together people from different walks of life. The sheer number of social opportunities is what makes life alluring in such cities,” he said.
Some issues
City dwellers seemed most satisfied with the abundance of restaurants, pubs, cafes, shopping malls, supermarkets and entertainment facilities, apart from mobile network and water distribution.
Traffic and parking, air quality, overall cleanliness and the manner of communication by authorities frustrated city dwellers the most, according to the survey.
The findings further revealed that women in Mumbai and Tokyo were slightly happier living in cities than men; and young people were found happier than the old in Cairo and Seoul. This was in contrast to Mumbai, Stockholm and Tokyo, where the aged ones were most content.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Indian e-commerce sector to witness robust hiring this fiscal
New Delhi: The e-commerce industry in India is expected to witness increase in hiring, with online retailers being bullish about their employment plans during 2012-13, according to various industry players.
"With the growing e-commerce industry in the country and major international players entering the market, the number of job offers would certainly look up," Sundeep Malhotra, CEO and Founder, Homeshop18.com. The company has grown by over 70 per cent in headcount terms in 2011.
The online retail segment is expected to report strong growth in the coming years, on the back of growing Internet consumer base, increasing use of smartphones, laptops/PCs and availability of Internet in the remotest part of the country. The segment is expected to grow from Rs 2,000 crore (US$ 366.03 million) during 2012 to Rs 7,000 crore (US$ 1.28 billion) by 2015. It is growing at an annual rate of 35 per cent, according to report by a leading industry body.
"e-commerce space is a booming space as Internet audience are likely to double in the next two-three years and this industry will require talent from various sectors like technology, product, analytics, sourcing, general management talent, merchandising and marketing," according to Pearl Uppal, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Fashionandyou.com.
Due to the growth in the sector, e-commerce companies are recruiting the best talent available from premier institutions such as the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).
Some of India's leading e-commerce portals are Flipkart.com, Futurebazaar.com, eBay.in, Snapdeal.com, Homeshop18.com, Fashionandyou.com and Rediffshopping.com.
"With the growing e-commerce industry in the country and major international players entering the market, the number of job offers would certainly look up," Sundeep Malhotra, CEO and Founder, Homeshop18.com. The company has grown by over 70 per cent in headcount terms in 2011.
The online retail segment is expected to report strong growth in the coming years, on the back of growing Internet consumer base, increasing use of smartphones, laptops/PCs and availability of Internet in the remotest part of the country. The segment is expected to grow from Rs 2,000 crore (US$ 366.03 million) during 2012 to Rs 7,000 crore (US$ 1.28 billion) by 2015. It is growing at an annual rate of 35 per cent, according to report by a leading industry body.
"e-commerce space is a booming space as Internet audience are likely to double in the next two-three years and this industry will require talent from various sectors like technology, product, analytics, sourcing, general management talent, merchandising and marketing," according to Pearl Uppal, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Fashionandyou.com.
Due to the growth in the sector, e-commerce companies are recruiting the best talent available from premier institutions such as the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).
Some of India's leading e-commerce portals are Flipkart.com, Futurebazaar.com, eBay.in, Snapdeal.com, Homeshop18.com, Fashionandyou.com and Rediffshopping.com.
India's gem & jewellery sector to obtain orders in US show, says GJEPC
Mumbai: India's gems and jewellery industry is all set to make an impact in the upcoming jewellery show in the US and expect to obtain huge export orders for this fiscal. The industry will showcase its designs and innovations in this mega event at the JCK Las Vegas jewellery show to be scheduled from June 1 to 4.
"We expect to get large size jewellery and diamond orders for the next couple of months that will boost the overall sentiments. It is an opportunity to further accentuate India's growing recognition in the international arena as the global destination of gems and jewellery," says Rajiv Jain, chairman of Gems and jewellery export promotion council ( GJEPC).
The council has invited country's leading manufacturers and retailers to display their latest designer jewellery in the categories of mass produced, couture and further that of gold, platinum and silver.
The council has joined hands with the country's successful campaign- India Incredible and signed 'Sonam Kapoor' as brand ambassador for the event. The gems and jewellery industry in the last fiscal has gone up by 5% at Rs 2.04 lakh crore against Rs 1.95 lakh crore in previous fiscal.
The gems and jewellery sector accounted for India's 14% total merchandise exports. On the contrary, the imports of raw materials for making gems and jewellery stood up at 32% at Rs 72,160 crore in Fy 12 over Rs 54,564 crore last fiscal.
"We expect to get large size jewellery and diamond orders for the next couple of months that will boost the overall sentiments. It is an opportunity to further accentuate India's growing recognition in the international arena as the global destination of gems and jewellery," says Rajiv Jain, chairman of Gems and jewellery export promotion council ( GJEPC).
The council has invited country's leading manufacturers and retailers to display their latest designer jewellery in the categories of mass produced, couture and further that of gold, platinum and silver.
The council has joined hands with the country's successful campaign- India Incredible and signed 'Sonam Kapoor' as brand ambassador for the event. The gems and jewellery industry in the last fiscal has gone up by 5% at Rs 2.04 lakh crore against Rs 1.95 lakh crore in previous fiscal.
The gems and jewellery sector accounted for India's 14% total merchandise exports. On the contrary, the imports of raw materials for making gems and jewellery stood up at 32% at Rs 72,160 crore in Fy 12 over Rs 54,564 crore last fiscal.
Coconut Development Board signs MoU with Trinidad & Tobago
Kochi: Coconut Development Board (CDB)and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has signed a MoU to encourage and develop technical collaboration between India and the latter for the development of coconut industry. This is the first time the board is entering into an agreement with a commonwealth country for transfer of technology.
The thrust areas in the MoU are identification and supply of 60,000 coconut seedlings within a period of two years, transfer of technology , post harvest management and primary processing, production of value added products from coconut and mechanized palm climbing.
Skilled and trained man power outsourcing have also been envisaged for short duration. It is expected to provide India to explore more marketing opportunities in coconut in Trinidad and Tobago.
CDB chairman T K Jose said the board will give technical support to rehabilitate 10,000 acres over a period of two years for which nearly 6 lakh superior quality seedlings will be produced.
The MoU was signed between CDB chairman and Pranesh Maharaj, chairman of St.Patrick Coconut Growers Co-operative Society of Trinidad and Tobago, who is on a visit to the country, on Thursday. A team of officials from Coconut Development Board will visit Trinidad and Tobago to make an assessment of the coconut industry there.
The thrust areas in the MoU are identification and supply of 60,000 coconut seedlings within a period of two years, transfer of technology , post harvest management and primary processing, production of value added products from coconut and mechanized palm climbing.
Skilled and trained man power outsourcing have also been envisaged for short duration. It is expected to provide India to explore more marketing opportunities in coconut in Trinidad and Tobago.
CDB chairman T K Jose said the board will give technical support to rehabilitate 10,000 acres over a period of two years for which nearly 6 lakh superior quality seedlings will be produced.
The MoU was signed between CDB chairman and Pranesh Maharaj, chairman of St.Patrick Coconut Growers Co-operative Society of Trinidad and Tobago, who is on a visit to the country, on Thursday. A team of officials from Coconut Development Board will visit Trinidad and Tobago to make an assessment of the coconut industry there.
Adi Godrej leading CEOs team to Japan
Bangalore: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is organising a 19-member CEOs' delegation visit to Japan as part of the celebration of 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“The intensity of involvement or engagement from Japan in Indian companies has increased over the years,” Mr Vikram S. Kirloskar, co-leader and Vice-Chairman, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, told Business Line.
The three-day visit will be led by Mr Adi Godrej, President - CII, and Chairman, Godrej Group.
Mr Kirloskar pointed out that bilateral investments have surged in the last three years, and total FDI from Japan was $12.2 billion between April 2000 and February 2012.
Japan has emerged as the third largest source of FDI for India, he said.
Total trade between the two countries in 2010-11 was $13.8 billion. India's exports stood at $5.2 billion and imports from Japan were at $8.6 billion in 2010-11.
Some of the sectors where the delegation will look for engagement include infrastructure, services including finance, legal and ICT, electronic hardware, heavy industries, environmental management technology, telecom and life sciences.
Mr Kirloskar said that India is the largest recipient of overseas development assistance from Japan in keynote projects such as the Delhi Metro.
He added that Japan's involvement in the upcoming $90-billion Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, which would see development of industrial clusters in six states, and the Bangalore-Chennai corridor project were noteworthy.
Japan would also fund the hi-speed rail project between Chennai and Bangalore, which could go up to Mysore, he added.
According to him, a third highway was also being planned between the two cities, besides a Japanese township was also being planned in Karnataka.
The services sector was also looking for business opportunities in Japan, and many IT/ITeS companies were now expanding quite rapidly in Japan, said Mr Kirloskar.
In the life-sciences space, the Daiichi Sankyo acquisition of Ranbaxy has paved the way for Japanese interest in the Indian life-sciences sector, he added.
A delegation of small-scale companies also would visit Japan, he said.
“We are trying to get small-scale companies involved in Japan, and help them overcome the language and cultural barriers. We want to push the co-operation that we get from Japanese companies to smaller companies as well,” said Mr Kirloskar.
A two-day India-Japan Business Summit, organised by the CII and Japanese industry body Kaidanren, will also be held from May 23, which will also see participation from the Union Minister of Commerce, Mr Kamal Nath.
“The intensity of involvement or engagement from Japan in Indian companies has increased over the years,” Mr Vikram S. Kirloskar, co-leader and Vice-Chairman, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, told Business Line.
The three-day visit will be led by Mr Adi Godrej, President - CII, and Chairman, Godrej Group.
Mr Kirloskar pointed out that bilateral investments have surged in the last three years, and total FDI from Japan was $12.2 billion between April 2000 and February 2012.
Japan has emerged as the third largest source of FDI for India, he said.
Total trade between the two countries in 2010-11 was $13.8 billion. India's exports stood at $5.2 billion and imports from Japan were at $8.6 billion in 2010-11.
Some of the sectors where the delegation will look for engagement include infrastructure, services including finance, legal and ICT, electronic hardware, heavy industries, environmental management technology, telecom and life sciences.
Mr Kirloskar said that India is the largest recipient of overseas development assistance from Japan in keynote projects such as the Delhi Metro.
He added that Japan's involvement in the upcoming $90-billion Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, which would see development of industrial clusters in six states, and the Bangalore-Chennai corridor project were noteworthy.
Japan would also fund the hi-speed rail project between Chennai and Bangalore, which could go up to Mysore, he added.
According to him, a third highway was also being planned between the two cities, besides a Japanese township was also being planned in Karnataka.
The services sector was also looking for business opportunities in Japan, and many IT/ITeS companies were now expanding quite rapidly in Japan, said Mr Kirloskar.
In the life-sciences space, the Daiichi Sankyo acquisition of Ranbaxy has paved the way for Japanese interest in the Indian life-sciences sector, he added.
A delegation of small-scale companies also would visit Japan, he said.
“We are trying to get small-scale companies involved in Japan, and help them overcome the language and cultural barriers. We want to push the co-operation that we get from Japanese companies to smaller companies as well,” said Mr Kirloskar.
A two-day India-Japan Business Summit, organised by the CII and Japanese industry body Kaidanren, will also be held from May 23, which will also see participation from the Union Minister of Commerce, Mr Kamal Nath.
Talks on Indo-US bilateral investment treaty at advanced stag
Chennai: The US ambassador to India, Ms Nancy Powell, has said the Bilateral Investment Treaty between India and the US has reached an advanced stage of negotiation.
“This treaty would enhance transparency and predictability for investors, and support economic growth and job creation in both countries,” said Ms Powell on a visit to Chennai.
“We expect a new round (of negotiations) to kick off very soon.”
The Ambassador said the US is committed to working with the Indian Government in resolving the challenges to trade and investment. The challenges include high tariff and non-tariff barriers, restrictions on foreign investment and policy decisions.”
In her address to the Indian business community, organised by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, Ms Powell said the adoption of manufacturing policies discriminatory to foreign companies and the inclusion of retroactive tax provisions in the Finance Bill by India are two examples of policy decisions that could dampen business sentiment.
Ms Powell said her primary purpose was to ensure bilateral business ties get a big boost. In 1995, the value of US goods exports to India was just above $3 billion. Last year, it topped $21 billion and this year it is expected to touch $100 billion. In 1995, when Ms Powell left India as Minister-Counsellor for Political Affairs in Delhi, US FDI into India was negligible. Now it’s near $30 billion. Indian FDI in the US tops $3 billion.
While US software and auto companies have made good headway in India, the emerging opportunities are in the areas of nano-technology, biotechnology and homeland security.
“This treaty would enhance transparency and predictability for investors, and support economic growth and job creation in both countries,” said Ms Powell on a visit to Chennai.
“We expect a new round (of negotiations) to kick off very soon.”
The Ambassador said the US is committed to working with the Indian Government in resolving the challenges to trade and investment. The challenges include high tariff and non-tariff barriers, restrictions on foreign investment and policy decisions.”
In her address to the Indian business community, organised by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, Ms Powell said the adoption of manufacturing policies discriminatory to foreign companies and the inclusion of retroactive tax provisions in the Finance Bill by India are two examples of policy decisions that could dampen business sentiment.
Ms Powell said her primary purpose was to ensure bilateral business ties get a big boost. In 1995, the value of US goods exports to India was just above $3 billion. Last year, it topped $21 billion and this year it is expected to touch $100 billion. In 1995, when Ms Powell left India as Minister-Counsellor for Political Affairs in Delhi, US FDI into India was negligible. Now it’s near $30 billion. Indian FDI in the US tops $3 billion.
While US software and auto companies have made good headway in India, the emerging opportunities are in the areas of nano-technology, biotechnology and homeland security.
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