Mumbai: Larsen and Toubro will acquire the 50 per cent stake held by Komatsu Asia & Pacific in L&T-Komatsu Ltd (LTK).
Komatsu Asia & Pacific is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Komatsu Ltd, Japan.
L&T declined to furnish details of the transaction and said the value was insignificant. L&T holds the balance stake.
Komatsu is the largest manufacturer of hydraulic excavators and has manufacturing and marketing facilities worldwide.
With this buy-out, LTK will become a wholly owned subsidiary of L&T.
L&T Komatsu will continue to manufacture construction equipment and hydraulic components. Komatsu will be responsible for the production of Komatsu equipment including hydraulic excavators, L&T said.
L&T will continue to extend marketing, sales and product support in India for the Komatsu range of products.
L&T started the Bangalore unit to make hydraulic excavators in 1975. It inked the joint venture in 1998.
The Bangalore facility comprises machinery and hydraulic works. The products manufactured at L&T-Komatsu are supplied to domestic and overseas customers.
Success in my Habit
Monday, April 15, 2013
Outbound tourism market from India grows: Four emerging trends
New Delhi: Foreign tourist boards are gearing up to meet the growing number of Indians who are travelling abroad and splurging. Starting direct flights is the first step.
Never mind the sluggish economy and poor sentiments, there's good news from the world of travel and tourism. India has emerged as the world's fastest-growing outbound market and in absolute numbers it is second only to China. The number of Indians travelling overseas is set to rise from around 15 million today to 50 million by 2020, according to Tourism Australia.
This will mean a big growth in spending overseas. According to a recently released Amadeus-Frost & Sullivan tourism industry report, Indians travelling to Asia-Pacific alone spent $13.3 billion in 2011. This figure is set to zoom to $91 billion by 2030, making Indians the second-biggest spenders, after China, in the world on overseas travel.
Not surprisingly, the world is taking note. Tourism Australia hopes to get 300,000 Indian tourists by 2020. South Africa Tourism Board too says India has become one of the key tourism generating nations for their country. Indian tourist arrivals to Thailand crossed the 1-million mark for the first time in 2012.
Thai Airways have recently started direct flights between Delhi and Phuket and Mumbai and Phuket to cater to the surging demand from Indians looking for wedding destinations and holidays. "Direct flights are a good precursor to the growth in tourist numbers," says Deep Kalra, founder, Makemytrip.com.
The introduction of direct flights between India and Istanbul has led to a sharp rise in Indian tourists travelling to Istanbul, Kalra notes. Spotting demand, Turkish Airlines today connects many Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad with Istanbul.
Travel to Meet Family
In pre-liberalisation days, with little disposable income and fewer options, holidays for most middle-class Indians were about visiting friends and families in India. It is a trend that is playing out well overseas among globetrotting Indians.
According to the Amadeus-Frost & Sullivan report, a high 43% of leisure travellers from India say visiting friends and relatives (VFR) was the main reason behind their overseas travel.
Partly this has to do with the growing diaspora — estimated by the government at 25 million but Kalra puts it at around 100 million. The VFR travellers behave differently than standard vacation travellers, says Ankur Bhatia, director, Amaedus India. "They travel for longer periods, and typically do not book hotels but stay with friends and relatives," he says.
Extended Weekends — Abroad
Weekend holidays in nearby hill stations are passe. Now with direct flights to a number of foreign tourist destinations, Indians would rather spend their extended weekends overseas.
Short-haul direct international flights — anything around five hours of flight time — are seeing the biggest growth, says Kalra. Maldives, Thailand, Hong Kong, the UAE and Dubai are some of the important emerging destinations.
The fact that it is cheaper to travel and holiday in Thailand than in Kerala, and stay in better hotels, is a big incentive. Also noticeable is the fact that Indians are taking more frequent holidays.
According to the Makemytrip data, while Indians would typically take an international holiday once in 18-24 months five years back, the frequency is now once in 12-18 months.
New Niches, Customised Offerings
Of course the demand for packaged tours offered by companies like Cox & Kings is growing among Indians travelling overseas for the first time. But more and more globetrotting Indians are turning experimental, looking to customise trips, opting for offbeat destinations and newer experiences.
According to the Amadeus-Frost & Sullivan report, while the number of solo women and senior Indians (65 years-plus) travelling overseas is still a small category in both the business and leisure segments, it is likely to grow many fold by 2030.
Women business travellers, today pegged at 25% of the total, are set to rise by 891% by 2030. And senior travellers, currently pegged at 1.3 million, are set to rise to 7.3 million by 2030.
There is a small but growing category of Indian food lovers, says Himmat Anand, founder of Tree of Life Resort, who is a travel industry veteran having worked with Sita Travels and Kuoni India.
"Earlier, it was an afterthought. But now, food is becoming very important, especially at the upper end," he says. All this means that the companies in travel and tourism will have plenty of opportunities to differentiate themselves and customise their offerings to lure international travellers from India.
Growth at the Top and BOP
Experts see two categories of Indian travellers growing — at the top end and the bottom end — as incomes rise. This isn't true just for India but Asia Pacific at large.
From around 700 million people in the middle class in 2011, the number is set to touch 2.1 billion by 2030, signalling the rise of what is called the consuming class (annual household income of $5,000 plus). The biggest chunk of this growth will come from China and India.
India's middle class, the report estimates, will grow from the present 5% to 50% by 2030. Similarly, HNIs are expected to grow six fold by 2030 — from around 0.2 million in 2011 to over 1.2 million by 2030. This segment will fuel growth at the luxury end of the market.
Never mind the sluggish economy and poor sentiments, there's good news from the world of travel and tourism. India has emerged as the world's fastest-growing outbound market and in absolute numbers it is second only to China. The number of Indians travelling overseas is set to rise from around 15 million today to 50 million by 2020, according to Tourism Australia.
This will mean a big growth in spending overseas. According to a recently released Amadeus-Frost & Sullivan tourism industry report, Indians travelling to Asia-Pacific alone spent $13.3 billion in 2011. This figure is set to zoom to $91 billion by 2030, making Indians the second-biggest spenders, after China, in the world on overseas travel.
Not surprisingly, the world is taking note. Tourism Australia hopes to get 300,000 Indian tourists by 2020. South Africa Tourism Board too says India has become one of the key tourism generating nations for their country. Indian tourist arrivals to Thailand crossed the 1-million mark for the first time in 2012.
Thai Airways have recently started direct flights between Delhi and Phuket and Mumbai and Phuket to cater to the surging demand from Indians looking for wedding destinations and holidays. "Direct flights are a good precursor to the growth in tourist numbers," says Deep Kalra, founder, Makemytrip.com.
The introduction of direct flights between India and Istanbul has led to a sharp rise in Indian tourists travelling to Istanbul, Kalra notes. Spotting demand, Turkish Airlines today connects many Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad with Istanbul.
Travel to Meet Family
In pre-liberalisation days, with little disposable income and fewer options, holidays for most middle-class Indians were about visiting friends and families in India. It is a trend that is playing out well overseas among globetrotting Indians.
According to the Amadeus-Frost & Sullivan report, a high 43% of leisure travellers from India say visiting friends and relatives (VFR) was the main reason behind their overseas travel.
Partly this has to do with the growing diaspora — estimated by the government at 25 million but Kalra puts it at around 100 million. The VFR travellers behave differently than standard vacation travellers, says Ankur Bhatia, director, Amaedus India. "They travel for longer periods, and typically do not book hotels but stay with friends and relatives," he says.
Extended Weekends — Abroad
Weekend holidays in nearby hill stations are passe. Now with direct flights to a number of foreign tourist destinations, Indians would rather spend their extended weekends overseas.
Short-haul direct international flights — anything around five hours of flight time — are seeing the biggest growth, says Kalra. Maldives, Thailand, Hong Kong, the UAE and Dubai are some of the important emerging destinations.
The fact that it is cheaper to travel and holiday in Thailand than in Kerala, and stay in better hotels, is a big incentive. Also noticeable is the fact that Indians are taking more frequent holidays.
According to the Makemytrip data, while Indians would typically take an international holiday once in 18-24 months five years back, the frequency is now once in 12-18 months.
New Niches, Customised Offerings
Of course the demand for packaged tours offered by companies like Cox & Kings is growing among Indians travelling overseas for the first time. But more and more globetrotting Indians are turning experimental, looking to customise trips, opting for offbeat destinations and newer experiences.
According to the Amadeus-Frost & Sullivan report, while the number of solo women and senior Indians (65 years-plus) travelling overseas is still a small category in both the business and leisure segments, it is likely to grow many fold by 2030.
Women business travellers, today pegged at 25% of the total, are set to rise by 891% by 2030. And senior travellers, currently pegged at 1.3 million, are set to rise to 7.3 million by 2030.
There is a small but growing category of Indian food lovers, says Himmat Anand, founder of Tree of Life Resort, who is a travel industry veteran having worked with Sita Travels and Kuoni India.
"Earlier, it was an afterthought. But now, food is becoming very important, especially at the upper end," he says. All this means that the companies in travel and tourism will have plenty of opportunities to differentiate themselves and customise their offerings to lure international travellers from India.
Growth at the Top and BOP
Experts see two categories of Indian travellers growing — at the top end and the bottom end — as incomes rise. This isn't true just for India but Asia Pacific at large.
From around 700 million people in the middle class in 2011, the number is set to touch 2.1 billion by 2030, signalling the rise of what is called the consuming class (annual household income of $5,000 plus). The biggest chunk of this growth will come from China and India.
India's middle class, the report estimates, will grow from the present 5% to 50% by 2030. Similarly, HNIs are expected to grow six fold by 2030 — from around 0.2 million in 2011 to over 1.2 million by 2030. This segment will fuel growth at the luxury end of the market.
Farm output may rise 130% in 20 years: CII-McKinsey report
New Delhi: India can achieve a leadership position in the world food market and also meet its growing domestic demand, promises a report by CII-McKinsey, issued today.
The assurance is based, it says, on various steps to be taken on policy, with the active involvement of the private sector. Termed the third Food and Agriculture Integrated Development Action Report (Faida), it has been jointly prepared by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and consultants McKinsey & Company.
The report says India has the potential to increase its value of agricultural output by 130 per cent (at farmgate prices), from Rs 12.7 lakh crore in 2011 to Rs 29.3 lakh crore in 2030, if it follows a 12-point plan to improve yields across all crops, augmenting processing capability and strengthening the quality of farm produce. It wants a mix of business participation, technology-oriented productivity growth, food processing and exports, over the next 20 years.
"Agriculture needs to get into a mission mode and our analysis shows that instead of focusing on grains and cereals, the first step should be for perishables. Both Centre and states need to move fast in this sector, to create an enabling policy environment by keeping perishable commodities out of the ambit of the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee Act," said Adil Zainulbhai, chairman-India of McKinsey.
‘A high-value powerhouse’
Titled ‘India as an agriculture and high value food powerhouse: A new vision for 2030’, the report said processing of farm items have the potential to grow by 414 per cent to Rs 5.7 lakh crore in 2030 from Rs 1.1 lakh crore in 2011. And, food exports to rise 452 per cent, from Rs 1.4 lakh crore in 2011 to Rs 7.7 lakh crore in 2030. "All these are conservative estimates and Indian agriculture has much more potential," said Rakesh B Mittal, past chairman of the CII National Council on Agriculture and chairman of Faida-3.
“As an outcome (of all this), the sector could grow by 5.2-5.7 per cent (in real terms, annually) over the next 20 years,” the 100-plus page report said.
It identified mango, banana, potato, soybean and poultry as five items to drive the next wave of growth in Indian agriculture.
The report says India presently achieves just 50-60 per cent of the potential yield for most crops. The reasons include poor technology adoption, weak links between farmers and industry, unexplored opportunities in branding, marketing and exports, lack of infrastructure support and dearth of extension support.
As a direct correlation of the high growth it promises, it says farmer income will rise by over four times in real terms, while consumers will also benefit from the increase in supplies, which in turn will help match India’s estimated per capita consumption of food items in 2030. It estimates the latter figure to increase from Rs 9,360 to Rs 15,390 (an annual increase of three per cent at 2010 prices) in the next 20 years.
In the past decade,consumption of food items has moved more towards high-value ones such as fruits, vegetables, milk, meat and fish.
"The ratio tof cereals and pulses in the overall food budget of the average Indian consumer has dropped by more than 25 per cent in the last one decade," the report said. In 2000, basic foodgrains formed 60 per cent of the total agricultural produce by weight, with high-value produce constituting 38 per cent. By 2010, high-value food formed 45 per cent of total production and this proportion will increase.
How
To achieve its target, the report has a list of 12 key points. It wants, for instance, a National Farm Gate to Market Infrastructure Authority, on the lines of the National Highways Authority of India, to integrate the working of multiple authorities in the logistics segments.
“There are many bodies like the National Centre for Cold Chain Development Authority, National Horticulture Board, APEDA, Ministry of Food Processing, etc, involved in building and managing the farm gate infrastructure in terms of sorting, packaging, storage and transportation. Due to multiple players, there is fragmentation and insufficient accountability for an integrated solution,” the report said.
"This all encompassing authority will clearly define what each of the above mentioned bodies needs to do so, as to provide a seamless cold chain infrastructure in the country," said Zainulbhai.
It also advocated a favourable policy regime for agriculture marketing, through removal of caps on subsidies for essential agriculture investments, review of taxation structures and stock limits and a unified regulatory mechanism for organised input retail, which would provide farmers with a one-stop shop for all farm inputs and amendments to the land ceiling Aact, to promote corporate farming and aggregation of land through long-tenure leases, say for a period of 10 years.
The report also called for starting two separate missions, one on agricultural technology and the other on sustainable farming, to promote high-quality seeds, scientific farming and yield improvement mechanisms. The sustainability mission, the report said, should create a national map of soil type and water availability, to identify areas that need to replenish specific nutrients.
For ensuring consumers and farmers develop a taste for branded food products, the report has advocated creation of a new segment called ‘branded food’, which would be led by the industry, be voluntary and on the lines of the ‘Woolmark’ brand for wool items.
Brands, flows
“The development of branded food would assure consumers of its freshness, healthiness, quality and traceability,” the report said. To promote export of select items, the government should set up a National Agriculture and Food Export Mission, with the help of private players that would identify the right products and markets, invest in market creation, ensure adherence to international quality benchmarks. "The first Faida report said India's food processing sector would become a Rs 215,000-225,000 crore industry by 2005 but till 2010, it has become only a Rs 66,000 crore industry, thus realising only 10 per cent of its potential," the report said.
India should learn from countries who have successfully marketed their farm produce worldwide, like ‘Florida Oranges’, the report said.
On extension services, the report asked for participation of private entities. “The Agricultural Technology Management Agency has only 100,000 extension workers, which is 10 per cent of the requirement. The Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) have a similar story to tell, with only one KVK per district, each with about 20 scientific staff members.”
It also called for setting up an Indian Institute of Agriculture Technology, on the lines of IITs and IIMs, and a network of four or five world-class food and agriculture institutes across the country. “There is a need to create a new generation of agri-entrepreneurs who will lead this next wave of growth,” it recommends. It also advocated more industry-farmer partnerships, through established models like farmer-producer organisations and farmer-producer companies.
The assurance is based, it says, on various steps to be taken on policy, with the active involvement of the private sector. Termed the third Food and Agriculture Integrated Development Action Report (Faida), it has been jointly prepared by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and consultants McKinsey & Company.
The report says India has the potential to increase its value of agricultural output by 130 per cent (at farmgate prices), from Rs 12.7 lakh crore in 2011 to Rs 29.3 lakh crore in 2030, if it follows a 12-point plan to improve yields across all crops, augmenting processing capability and strengthening the quality of farm produce. It wants a mix of business participation, technology-oriented productivity growth, food processing and exports, over the next 20 years.
"Agriculture needs to get into a mission mode and our analysis shows that instead of focusing on grains and cereals, the first step should be for perishables. Both Centre and states need to move fast in this sector, to create an enabling policy environment by keeping perishable commodities out of the ambit of the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee Act," said Adil Zainulbhai, chairman-India of McKinsey.
‘A high-value powerhouse’
Titled ‘India as an agriculture and high value food powerhouse: A new vision for 2030’, the report said processing of farm items have the potential to grow by 414 per cent to Rs 5.7 lakh crore in 2030 from Rs 1.1 lakh crore in 2011. And, food exports to rise 452 per cent, from Rs 1.4 lakh crore in 2011 to Rs 7.7 lakh crore in 2030. "All these are conservative estimates and Indian agriculture has much more potential," said Rakesh B Mittal, past chairman of the CII National Council on Agriculture and chairman of Faida-3.
“As an outcome (of all this), the sector could grow by 5.2-5.7 per cent (in real terms, annually) over the next 20 years,” the 100-plus page report said.
It identified mango, banana, potato, soybean and poultry as five items to drive the next wave of growth in Indian agriculture.
The report says India presently achieves just 50-60 per cent of the potential yield for most crops. The reasons include poor technology adoption, weak links between farmers and industry, unexplored opportunities in branding, marketing and exports, lack of infrastructure support and dearth of extension support.
As a direct correlation of the high growth it promises, it says farmer income will rise by over four times in real terms, while consumers will also benefit from the increase in supplies, which in turn will help match India’s estimated per capita consumption of food items in 2030. It estimates the latter figure to increase from Rs 9,360 to Rs 15,390 (an annual increase of three per cent at 2010 prices) in the next 20 years.
In the past decade,consumption of food items has moved more towards high-value ones such as fruits, vegetables, milk, meat and fish.
"The ratio tof cereals and pulses in the overall food budget of the average Indian consumer has dropped by more than 25 per cent in the last one decade," the report said. In 2000, basic foodgrains formed 60 per cent of the total agricultural produce by weight, with high-value produce constituting 38 per cent. By 2010, high-value food formed 45 per cent of total production and this proportion will increase.
How
To achieve its target, the report has a list of 12 key points. It wants, for instance, a National Farm Gate to Market Infrastructure Authority, on the lines of the National Highways Authority of India, to integrate the working of multiple authorities in the logistics segments.
“There are many bodies like the National Centre for Cold Chain Development Authority, National Horticulture Board, APEDA, Ministry of Food Processing, etc, involved in building and managing the farm gate infrastructure in terms of sorting, packaging, storage and transportation. Due to multiple players, there is fragmentation and insufficient accountability for an integrated solution,” the report said.
"This all encompassing authority will clearly define what each of the above mentioned bodies needs to do so, as to provide a seamless cold chain infrastructure in the country," said Zainulbhai.
It also advocated a favourable policy regime for agriculture marketing, through removal of caps on subsidies for essential agriculture investments, review of taxation structures and stock limits and a unified regulatory mechanism for organised input retail, which would provide farmers with a one-stop shop for all farm inputs and amendments to the land ceiling Aact, to promote corporate farming and aggregation of land through long-tenure leases, say for a period of 10 years.
The report also called for starting two separate missions, one on agricultural technology and the other on sustainable farming, to promote high-quality seeds, scientific farming and yield improvement mechanisms. The sustainability mission, the report said, should create a national map of soil type and water availability, to identify areas that need to replenish specific nutrients.
For ensuring consumers and farmers develop a taste for branded food products, the report has advocated creation of a new segment called ‘branded food’, which would be led by the industry, be voluntary and on the lines of the ‘Woolmark’ brand for wool items.
Brands, flows
“The development of branded food would assure consumers of its freshness, healthiness, quality and traceability,” the report said. To promote export of select items, the government should set up a National Agriculture and Food Export Mission, with the help of private players that would identify the right products and markets, invest in market creation, ensure adherence to international quality benchmarks. "The first Faida report said India's food processing sector would become a Rs 215,000-225,000 crore industry by 2005 but till 2010, it has become only a Rs 66,000 crore industry, thus realising only 10 per cent of its potential," the report said.
India should learn from countries who have successfully marketed their farm produce worldwide, like ‘Florida Oranges’, the report said.
On extension services, the report asked for participation of private entities. “The Agricultural Technology Management Agency has only 100,000 extension workers, which is 10 per cent of the requirement. The Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) have a similar story to tell, with only one KVK per district, each with about 20 scientific staff members.”
It also called for setting up an Indian Institute of Agriculture Technology, on the lines of IITs and IIMs, and a network of four or five world-class food and agriculture institutes across the country. “There is a need to create a new generation of agri-entrepreneurs who will lead this next wave of growth,” it recommends. It also advocated more industry-farmer partnerships, through established models like farmer-producer organisations and farmer-producer companies.
Visa on Arrival Scheme registers a growth of 63 percent
New Delhi: The Visa on Arrival (VOA) scheme of the Government for foreign tourists registered a growth of 63% during March, 2013. During the month, a total number of 2,107 VoAs were issued as compared to 1,287 VoAs issued during March, 2012.
The following are the other important highlights of VoAs issued during March, 2013:
During the period January to March 2013, a total number of 5,744 VoAs were issued as compared to 3,905 VoAs during corresponding period of 2012 registering a positive growth of 47.1%.
The number of VoAs issued under this scheme during March 2013 for nationals of the eleven countries were Japan (848), New Zealand (332), Indonesia (312), the Philippines (225), Singapore (214), Finland (109), Luxembourg (32), Vietnam (20), Myanmar (8), Cambodia (7) and Laos (0).
The number of VoAs issued under the Scheme during January to March 2013 were Japan (2251), New Zealand (985), Indonesia (739), the Philippines (631), Singapore (571), Finland (386), Luxembourg (61), Vietnam (53), Cambodia (42), Myanmar (22) and Laos (3).
During the period January to March 2013, the highest number of VoAs were issued at Delhi airport (3371) followed by Mumbai (1239), Chennai (778) and Kolkata (356).
The following are the other important highlights of VoAs issued during March, 2013:
During the period January to March 2013, a total number of 5,744 VoAs were issued as compared to 3,905 VoAs during corresponding period of 2012 registering a positive growth of 47.1%.
The number of VoAs issued under this scheme during March 2013 for nationals of the eleven countries were Japan (848), New Zealand (332), Indonesia (312), the Philippines (225), Singapore (214), Finland (109), Luxembourg (32), Vietnam (20), Myanmar (8), Cambodia (7) and Laos (0).
The number of VoAs issued under the Scheme during January to March 2013 were Japan (2251), New Zealand (985), Indonesia (739), the Philippines (631), Singapore (571), Finland (386), Luxembourg (61), Vietnam (53), Cambodia (42), Myanmar (22) and Laos (3).
During the period January to March 2013, the highest number of VoAs were issued at Delhi airport (3371) followed by Mumbai (1239), Chennai (778) and Kolkata (356).
India and Mauritius sign memorandum of understanding on electoral cooperation
New Delhi: India and Mauritius have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi, for cooperation in the field of election management and administration.
The MoU was signed by the Chief Election Commissioner of India, Shri V.S. Sampath and the Electoral Commissioner of Mauritius, Mr. Mohammad Irfan Abdool Rahman. Election Commissioners of India, Shri H. S. Brahma and Dr. Nasim Zaidi; diplomats and senior officials of the Election Commission of India and Government of India were present at the signing ceremony.
The major aims of MoU are: promotion of exchanges of knowledge and experience in electoral processes; exchange of information, materials, expertise and training of personnel; production and distribution of materials pertaining to electoral systems, voting technology, voters’ education and awareness, and participation of women and minorities in electoral process.
Shri Sampath described the MoU as a great landmark and an important mechanism for strengthening and deepening mutual collaboration between ECI and the Electoral Commissioner’s Office of Mauritius. He expressed the confidence that the MoU would facilitate sharing of best practices, skills and experiences between the two institutions for mutual benefit. He stated that the partnership between two important Democracies – India and Mauritius – is a very good augury not only for the region but for the whole world.
Election Commissioner, Mr. Brahma offered the available expertise and facilities in India for strengthening the electoral system in Mauritius.
Mr. Abdool Rahman praised the expertise and experience gained by ECI over six decades in conducting the largest elections in the world in a peaceful, transparent and credible manner. He also stated that this MoU would formalize the very special relationship between the two Commissions and will strengthen the ongoing cooperation between them. He commended ECI’s initiative in setting up India Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), which is a world-class training and resource centre and stated that his office would be very interested in utilizing its training facilities. He also acknowledged that the Model Electoral Code of Mauritius has drawn inspiration from India’s Model Code of Conduct.
Election Commission of India has so far signed seventeen MOUs with Election Management Bodies and international organizations across the world. Some of the MoU signed recently are with Egypt, Venezuela, Republic of Korea and UNDP.
The MoU was signed by the Chief Election Commissioner of India, Shri V.S. Sampath and the Electoral Commissioner of Mauritius, Mr. Mohammad Irfan Abdool Rahman. Election Commissioners of India, Shri H. S. Brahma and Dr. Nasim Zaidi; diplomats and senior officials of the Election Commission of India and Government of India were present at the signing ceremony.
The major aims of MoU are: promotion of exchanges of knowledge and experience in electoral processes; exchange of information, materials, expertise and training of personnel; production and distribution of materials pertaining to electoral systems, voting technology, voters’ education and awareness, and participation of women and minorities in electoral process.
Shri Sampath described the MoU as a great landmark and an important mechanism for strengthening and deepening mutual collaboration between ECI and the Electoral Commissioner’s Office of Mauritius. He expressed the confidence that the MoU would facilitate sharing of best practices, skills and experiences between the two institutions for mutual benefit. He stated that the partnership between two important Democracies – India and Mauritius – is a very good augury not only for the region but for the whole world.
Election Commissioner, Mr. Brahma offered the available expertise and facilities in India for strengthening the electoral system in Mauritius.
Mr. Abdool Rahman praised the expertise and experience gained by ECI over six decades in conducting the largest elections in the world in a peaceful, transparent and credible manner. He also stated that this MoU would formalize the very special relationship between the two Commissions and will strengthen the ongoing cooperation between them. He commended ECI’s initiative in setting up India Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), which is a world-class training and resource centre and stated that his office would be very interested in utilizing its training facilities. He also acknowledged that the Model Electoral Code of Mauritius has drawn inspiration from India’s Model Code of Conduct.
Election Commission of India has so far signed seventeen MOUs with Election Management Bodies and international organizations across the world. Some of the MoU signed recently are with Egypt, Venezuela, Republic of Korea and UNDP.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Chinese cement equipment maker buys stake in Chennai firm
Kochi: Sinoma International Engineering (Hong Kong) Ltd, a part of the Chinese state-run National Materials Group Corporation, has entered the Indian cement equipment industry by acquiring a majority stake in Chennai-based equipment manufacturer LNV Technology Ltd.
Sinoma International has 80 per cent market share in the cement equipment industry in China. It bought 68 per cent stake in LNV Technology for Rs 130 crore. The rest of the share in the joint venture is held by V C Rao, managing director of the company, and LV Technology. VC Rao had around 51 per cent equity share in the company before the deal.
The Chinese firm would provide LNV expertise in research and design, manufacturing, installation and after sales service, says Liu Zhijiang, group chairman, China National Materials Group Corporation (Sinoma). He says a partnership with LNTV will help it serve its Indian clients better. The company would gradually introduce a brand new business model for the local cement plant owners, he adds.
Sinoma International has been present in India in partnership with the building materials major, Lafarge, but its presence was minimal, says Wang Wei, chairman, Sinoma International Engineering. With the joint venture with LNV, the company is expecting to be the leading supplier of cement equipment in India in the next five years, says H J Nielsen, managing director, LV Technology Public, Bangkok.
The joint venture would also look into establishing engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) capabilities, which are not prevalent in the Indian cement equipment industry, says Rao. He says LNV is also looking at enhancing its manufacturing capacity.
"Sinoma is the only company in the world to do this kind of EPC in the segment. That model is not available in India now, which would be brought in through LNVT," he says.
LNVT is projecting $5 million investment in in the next two years and another $5 million investment based on the order intakes of the company, he adds. However, a detailed plan would be ready after the board meeting with the new partner. The company, which has a revenue of around Rs 160 crore, has a backlog of Rs 120 crore. It is also working on a project worth $55 million in Nepal.
Globally, 80 per cent of the cement equipment market is owned by four companies, including Sinoma International, FLSmidth based in Denmark, Polysius AG and Germany's KHD.
Sinoma International has 80 per cent market share in the cement equipment industry in China. It bought 68 per cent stake in LNV Technology for Rs 130 crore. The rest of the share in the joint venture is held by V C Rao, managing director of the company, and LV Technology. VC Rao had around 51 per cent equity share in the company before the deal.
The Chinese firm would provide LNV expertise in research and design, manufacturing, installation and after sales service, says Liu Zhijiang, group chairman, China National Materials Group Corporation (Sinoma). He says a partnership with LNTV will help it serve its Indian clients better. The company would gradually introduce a brand new business model for the local cement plant owners, he adds.
Sinoma International has been present in India in partnership with the building materials major, Lafarge, but its presence was minimal, says Wang Wei, chairman, Sinoma International Engineering. With the joint venture with LNV, the company is expecting to be the leading supplier of cement equipment in India in the next five years, says H J Nielsen, managing director, LV Technology Public, Bangkok.
The joint venture would also look into establishing engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) capabilities, which are not prevalent in the Indian cement equipment industry, says Rao. He says LNV is also looking at enhancing its manufacturing capacity.
"Sinoma is the only company in the world to do this kind of EPC in the segment. That model is not available in India now, which would be brought in through LNVT," he says.
LNVT is projecting $5 million investment in in the next two years and another $5 million investment based on the order intakes of the company, he adds. However, a detailed plan would be ready after the board meeting with the new partner. The company, which has a revenue of around Rs 160 crore, has a backlog of Rs 120 crore. It is also working on a project worth $55 million in Nepal.
Globally, 80 per cent of the cement equipment market is owned by four companies, including Sinoma International, FLSmidth based in Denmark, Polysius AG and Germany's KHD.
Bajaj-Kawasaki gears up to enter Indonesia
Pune: Bajaj Auto and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, which have marketing collaborations in India and the Philippines, are now taking their partnership to Indonesia, under which select Bajaj products will be assembled at Kawasaki’s facility and distributed through its network.
The first product that will be taken to that market is the Pulsar 200 NS, and this is scheduled to happen during this financial year. “Kawasaki has made some minor improvements in the motorcycle,” said Rajiv Bajaj, MD, Bajaj Auto. He added that after Indonesia, Brazil and Asean markets were also on the partnership’s radar.
He was speaking after the launch of the Kawasaki Ninja 300 in the Indian market. This is the fourth product in this range to be marketed in India by Bajaj, and since its debut here around four years ago, 3,000 units of the Ninja have so far been sold.
Indian content
The newest Ninja, that will come from Thailand as a CKD unit and be assembled at Bajaj’s Chakan plant, has some content such as headlights and speedometer sourced from India. Kawasaki is preparing to source suspensions also for their products.
Yuji Horiuchi, head of India Kawasaki Motors, said that the current level of Indian content stood at 10 per cent, and the company was looking to expand it further.
Bajaj Auto already has a small assembly plant in Indonesia where semi-knocked down operations can be undertaken, and around two years ago there were reports that Bajaj planned to invest further to enable CKD operations.
However, a senior official said the company had not made much headway in penetrating the Indonesian market, and hence, a marketing collaboration with an existing partner, who was successful in the country, was the best option. Products will be sold with only the sub-brand name (eg Pulsar) prominently displayed and the Kawasaki name less obviously located.
NINJA 300 launched
Bajaj Auto, a distributor of Kawasaki Bikes in India, has launched the Kawasaki Ninja 300 in the Indian market.
The new motorcycle will be sold through Probiking showrooms. It is the fourth of the Kawasaki Ninja range of products launched in India.
Priced at Rs 3.5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), it replaces the Kawasaki Ninja 250 R launched last August.
With a maximum power of 39PS and a maximum torque of 27 NM, the Ninja 300 has a host of features from Kawasaki’s superbikes like the ZX-10R and ZX-14R.
The first product that will be taken to that market is the Pulsar 200 NS, and this is scheduled to happen during this financial year. “Kawasaki has made some minor improvements in the motorcycle,” said Rajiv Bajaj, MD, Bajaj Auto. He added that after Indonesia, Brazil and Asean markets were also on the partnership’s radar.
He was speaking after the launch of the Kawasaki Ninja 300 in the Indian market. This is the fourth product in this range to be marketed in India by Bajaj, and since its debut here around four years ago, 3,000 units of the Ninja have so far been sold.
Indian content
The newest Ninja, that will come from Thailand as a CKD unit and be assembled at Bajaj’s Chakan plant, has some content such as headlights and speedometer sourced from India. Kawasaki is preparing to source suspensions also for their products.
Yuji Horiuchi, head of India Kawasaki Motors, said that the current level of Indian content stood at 10 per cent, and the company was looking to expand it further.
Bajaj Auto already has a small assembly plant in Indonesia where semi-knocked down operations can be undertaken, and around two years ago there were reports that Bajaj planned to invest further to enable CKD operations.
However, a senior official said the company had not made much headway in penetrating the Indonesian market, and hence, a marketing collaboration with an existing partner, who was successful in the country, was the best option. Products will be sold with only the sub-brand name (eg Pulsar) prominently displayed and the Kawasaki name less obviously located.
NINJA 300 launched
Bajaj Auto, a distributor of Kawasaki Bikes in India, has launched the Kawasaki Ninja 300 in the Indian market.
The new motorcycle will be sold through Probiking showrooms. It is the fourth of the Kawasaki Ninja range of products launched in India.
Priced at Rs 3.5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), it replaces the Kawasaki Ninja 250 R launched last August.
With a maximum power of 39PS and a maximum torque of 27 NM, the Ninja 300 has a host of features from Kawasaki’s superbikes like the ZX-10R and ZX-14R.
BHEL tie-up with Mitsubishi will get Rs 1,500 cr worth orders
Ranipet: The public sector power equipment major BHEL expects to garner Rs 1,500 crore of additional business, arising out of its recently-signed technology tie-up with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
BHEL and Mitsubishi signed the deal on April 3 under which the Japanese company will give BHEL the technology for removing the harmful sulphurous compounds from the gases that escape out of thermal power plants.
At present, the authorities are okay as long as the gases are let out sufficiently high into the atmosphere. But in future, the norms are likely to become tougher.
The fact that more and more of the upcoming thermal power plants in India will use imported coals—given the difficulty in securing indigenous coals—is likely to become an issue here, as imported coals are typically of high sulphur content.
Therefore, power projects will be expected to de-sulphurise the flue gases before letting them out into the atmosphere.
According to T.N. Veeraraghavan, Executive Director, BHEL’s Ranipet unit, a 660-MW super critical power plant will need to spend Rs 300 crore on FGD.
Veeraraghavan told at a press conference today that he expects BHEL to secure its first FGD order — worth about Rs 200 crore — from NTPC, for a plant that is coming up at Vindhyachal.
BHEL will learn from MHI the nuances of spraying either sea water (if the project is on the coast) or water mixed with limestone on to the flue gases, so that the sulphur compounds into either sodium sulphate or calcium sulphate.
The latter basically gypsum, which can be sold to cement plants.
BHEL and Mitsubishi signed the deal on April 3 under which the Japanese company will give BHEL the technology for removing the harmful sulphurous compounds from the gases that escape out of thermal power plants.
At present, the authorities are okay as long as the gases are let out sufficiently high into the atmosphere. But in future, the norms are likely to become tougher.
The fact that more and more of the upcoming thermal power plants in India will use imported coals—given the difficulty in securing indigenous coals—is likely to become an issue here, as imported coals are typically of high sulphur content.
Therefore, power projects will be expected to de-sulphurise the flue gases before letting them out into the atmosphere.
According to T.N. Veeraraghavan, Executive Director, BHEL’s Ranipet unit, a 660-MW super critical power plant will need to spend Rs 300 crore on FGD.
Veeraraghavan told at a press conference today that he expects BHEL to secure its first FGD order — worth about Rs 200 crore — from NTPC, for a plant that is coming up at Vindhyachal.
BHEL will learn from MHI the nuances of spraying either sea water (if the project is on the coast) or water mixed with limestone on to the flue gases, so that the sulphur compounds into either sodium sulphate or calcium sulphate.
The latter basically gypsum, which can be sold to cement plants.
Handloom exports may grow 35% this fiscal: Minister
Hyderabad: Despite the global economic slowdown, the country's export of handloom products may increase by 30-35 per cent this fiscal, according to Panabaka Lakshmi, Minister of State for Textiles, Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Last fiscal, handloom exports touched $156 million, she said at a panel discussion on ‘Boosting Market Linkages in the Handloom Sector’, organised by the Assocham Ladies League here today.
“Foreign buyers get attracted to the traditional designs and vibrant colours of the fabrics. This is something weavers should capitalise on,” the Minister pointed out.
She said India had nearly 27.83 lakh handloom households, out of which 87 per cent was located in the rural areas. This sector accounted for a share of 19 per cent of the total cloth produced in the country. Handloom is the second largest employment provider after agriculture, generating employment for more than 65 lakh weavers and workers.
Financial support
She said the Centre was willing to provide financial support to states that were prepared to set up common facility centres at handloom clusters. These centres would also provide a marketing platform for the weavers and help them get better prices for their products.
Currently, India had about 612 handloom clusters, out of which 53 are located in Andhra Pradesh.
“We have received proposals from some states, which we are considering,” she said.
e-marketing platforms
The Government was also encouraging development of various e-marketing platforms on the lines set up by the Central Cottage Industries Corporation and the Handicrafts and Handlooms Export Corporation. The Assocham Ladies League, Hyderabad Chapter, proposed a handloom industry revival plan through creation of market linkages, sustainable platforms for showcasing of products, spreading awareness on Government policies and certification of the authenticity of the handloom products, said Suman Gahlot, General Manager of Taj Deccan and its chairperson.
Last fiscal, handloom exports touched $156 million, she said at a panel discussion on ‘Boosting Market Linkages in the Handloom Sector’, organised by the Assocham Ladies League here today.
“Foreign buyers get attracted to the traditional designs and vibrant colours of the fabrics. This is something weavers should capitalise on,” the Minister pointed out.
She said India had nearly 27.83 lakh handloom households, out of which 87 per cent was located in the rural areas. This sector accounted for a share of 19 per cent of the total cloth produced in the country. Handloom is the second largest employment provider after agriculture, generating employment for more than 65 lakh weavers and workers.
Financial support
She said the Centre was willing to provide financial support to states that were prepared to set up common facility centres at handloom clusters. These centres would also provide a marketing platform for the weavers and help them get better prices for their products.
Currently, India had about 612 handloom clusters, out of which 53 are located in Andhra Pradesh.
“We have received proposals from some states, which we are considering,” she said.
e-marketing platforms
The Government was also encouraging development of various e-marketing platforms on the lines set up by the Central Cottage Industries Corporation and the Handicrafts and Handlooms Export Corporation. The Assocham Ladies League, Hyderabad Chapter, proposed a handloom industry revival plan through creation of market linkages, sustainable platforms for showcasing of products, spreading awareness on Government policies and certification of the authenticity of the handloom products, said Suman Gahlot, General Manager of Taj Deccan and its chairperson.
Indo-Russian Co-Operation Agreement signed
New Delhi: The Government of India and Government of Russian Federation have signed on April 10, 2013 in Moscow a Regulation defining the structure, functions and procedure of the Joint Commission which has been established by an Agreement signed on December 21, 2010 in New Delhi in the field of Emergency Management.
Shri Sushilkumar Shinde, Union Minister of Home Affairs and Mr.Vladimir Puchkov, Minister of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters have singed this agreement.
The agreement will enable both the countries to help each other in the field of prevention and elimination of the consequences of emergency situations. It will further strengthen the bond of friendship between the two countries and enhance the Indo-Russian Co-operation.
The Indo-Russian Commission will ensure the implementation of the Agreement which was signed on December 21, 2010 in New Delhi for catalyzing cooperation in the field of Emergency Management and contribute to the well being and safety of the people of both the countries in the event of disasters and also to exchange mutually beneficial scientific and technical information in the area of Emergency Management. The meetings of the Joint Commission will be alternatively held in India and Russia.
Shri Sushilkumar Shinde, Union Minister of Home Affairs and Mr.Vladimir Puchkov, Minister of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters have singed this agreement.
The agreement will enable both the countries to help each other in the field of prevention and elimination of the consequences of emergency situations. It will further strengthen the bond of friendship between the two countries and enhance the Indo-Russian Co-operation.
The Indo-Russian Commission will ensure the implementation of the Agreement which was signed on December 21, 2010 in New Delhi for catalyzing cooperation in the field of Emergency Management and contribute to the well being and safety of the people of both the countries in the event of disasters and also to exchange mutually beneficial scientific and technical information in the area of Emergency Management. The meetings of the Joint Commission will be alternatively held in India and Russia.
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