New Delhi: India will make small civilian passenger aircraft as part of measures approved by a panel led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to boost domestic manufacturing.
The plan includes increasing steel production capacity to 300 million tonnes, a 30% increase in textile exports, and domestic manufacturing capabilities in advanced materials, alloys and composites.
"If we have to grow at 8-9% in the future, this has to come through sustained growth in manufacturing, particularly labour-intensive manufacturing," the prime minister said at the meeting of the high-level committee on manufacturing. "Manufacturing and manufacturing alone can absorb all those who need better livelihood opportunities."
Nine central ministries took part in the deliberations. The additional 300 million tonnes of steel capacity will by the Central Public Sector Enterprises in collaboration with the states. India produced about 77 million tonnes of steel last year from 89 million tonnes capacity. Higher exports, apart from boosting domestic economy and generating employment, will also help trim the current account deficit which touched a record high 4.8% of GDP last fiscal.
Manufacturing growth slipped to 1% last financial year and shows no signs of pick up yet.
India has done well in automobiles, auto-components, pharmaceuticals, metals and cement, but has "not been able to leverage its strengths both in traditional industries and in emerging sectors to the extent we could have", the prime minister said, according to a statement issued by his office.
The prime minister flagged electronics and telecommunications where India does not have much manufacturing capabilities and whatever limited production was confined to lower end items.
"Our exports consist of raw materials and primary goods and our imports consist overwhelmingly of manufacturing.
We need to remedy this situation by removing the bottlenecks that hinder our progress in manufacturing and taking full advantage of our strengths," Singh said.
Steel ministry will come out with time-bound action plans in eight weeks to implement the decisions.
An inter-ministerial group under textiles secretary will prepare in four weeks a plan to boost textiles exports. Other groups will take forward decision on electric and hybrid transport, civilian aircraft production and advanced materials.
Success in my Habit
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
DLF sells 150-MW Kutch wind farm for Rs 325 cr
Coimbatore: As part of its efforts to exit from non-core business, DLF Ltd has completed the transfer of 150-MW capacity wind power project in Kutch, Gujarat, to BLP Vayu (Project 1) Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Bharat Light & Power Pvt Ltd, including related assets and liabilities along with relevant long-term loans on ‘as is where is basis’ by way of slump-sale for a lumpsum consideration of Rs 325.38 crore.
Maersk Line begins cashew express service to W. Africa
Kochi: Maersk Line (India & Sri Lanka cluster) has announced the commencement of its West Africa-India cashew express service.
The first vessel – New Yorker – will call at ICTT Vallarpadam on Tuesday for its seasonal cashew service. Franck Dedenis, MD, Maersk Line, said in a statement issued here that the service dedicated to cashew nuts imports is customised according to the trade demands. It has shorter transit time and top quality food containers.
Maersk Line also accepts cashew shipments for India from Banjul, Gambia via the Mediterranean Service.
The first vessel – New Yorker – will call at ICTT Vallarpadam on Tuesday for its seasonal cashew service. Franck Dedenis, MD, Maersk Line, said in a statement issued here that the service dedicated to cashew nuts imports is customised according to the trade demands. It has shorter transit time and top quality food containers.
Maersk Line also accepts cashew shipments for India from Banjul, Gambia via the Mediterranean Service.
Smartphone segment grows 167%
Samsung retains its top position; Indian players Micromax and Karbonn push away MNC players
Pune: Indian smartphone mobile segment is finally catching up with global peers. During January-April, 9.4 million smartphones were shipped into the country, a growth of 167.3 per cent on an annual basis, according to a survey. During the period, smartphones accounted for 12.8 per cent of the cell phone market in India.
The country saw 73.5 million mobile handset shipments for the January-April period, representing a growth of 11 per cent year-on-year, said CyberMedia Research’s India Monthly Mobile Handsets Market Review, April 2013.
While South Korea-based Samsung Electronics retained its top position in the smartphone segment, Indian players Micromax and Karbonn emerged as the number two and three players, displacing other international rivals like Nokia and Sony Corp.
“The India smartphones market saw the entry of two local vendors among the top three positions for the first time, displacing tier 1 international players. This shows that market dynamics have changed in the India smartphones segment. One of the key reasons for this is that a large number of featurephone users are migrating to entry-level smartphones,” said Tarun Pathak, analyst, CMR Telecoms Practice. “A significant proportion of these were already using the devices of local vendors and preferred to continue with a smartphone of the same brand. Thus, local vendors have been able to introduce their new smartphone offerings to this captive customer base.”
Faisal Kawoosa, lead analyst, CMR Telecoms, added the featurephones market in India had matured, whereas the smartphones category was showing promising growth. “This is attracting relatively new entrants such as Micromax and Karbonn to start offering smartphones, particularly for entry level users who would like to migrate to a more sophisticated mobile experience.”
The survey also stated the Indian players could well continue to maintain their market share during year.
“It is expected to sustain, till such time as one of the tier I international players like Nokia, BlackBerry, HTC or Sony Mobiles launch a sustained marketing and promotion drive to regain share or introduce a new, potentially disruptive mobile device technology,” Pathak added
Pune: Indian smartphone mobile segment is finally catching up with global peers. During January-April, 9.4 million smartphones were shipped into the country, a growth of 167.3 per cent on an annual basis, according to a survey. During the period, smartphones accounted for 12.8 per cent of the cell phone market in India.
The country saw 73.5 million mobile handset shipments for the January-April period, representing a growth of 11 per cent year-on-year, said CyberMedia Research’s India Monthly Mobile Handsets Market Review, April 2013.
While South Korea-based Samsung Electronics retained its top position in the smartphone segment, Indian players Micromax and Karbonn emerged as the number two and three players, displacing other international rivals like Nokia and Sony Corp.
“The India smartphones market saw the entry of two local vendors among the top three positions for the first time, displacing tier 1 international players. This shows that market dynamics have changed in the India smartphones segment. One of the key reasons for this is that a large number of featurephone users are migrating to entry-level smartphones,” said Tarun Pathak, analyst, CMR Telecoms Practice. “A significant proportion of these were already using the devices of local vendors and preferred to continue with a smartphone of the same brand. Thus, local vendors have been able to introduce their new smartphone offerings to this captive customer base.”
Faisal Kawoosa, lead analyst, CMR Telecoms, added the featurephones market in India had matured, whereas the smartphones category was showing promising growth. “This is attracting relatively new entrants such as Micromax and Karbonn to start offering smartphones, particularly for entry level users who would like to migrate to a more sophisticated mobile experience.”
The survey also stated the Indian players could well continue to maintain their market share during year.
“It is expected to sustain, till such time as one of the tier I international players like Nokia, BlackBerry, HTC or Sony Mobiles launch a sustained marketing and promotion drive to regain share or introduce a new, potentially disruptive mobile device technology,” Pathak added
World Bank to help set up tool rooms for SMEs
The manufacturing sector has been facing tough competition in the national and international markets, as most MSMEs cannot afford captive tool rooms
To improve the competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the manufacturing sector, the World Bank has joined hands with the ministry of MSME to make quality tools and testing facilities available to these enterprises at reasonable cost, by setting up tool rooms in the public sector.
This has been stated by the Federation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (FISME) on its website, quoting a notification issued by R K Rai, director, tool rooms.
The proposed project will increase the competitiveness of MSMEs and conduct training programmes to improve the skill set of the labour force in key high-value engineering sectors, including electronic systems design and manufacturing, plastics, automotive and aerospace industries.
At the institutional level, the network of hi-tech tool rooms and existing training capacity is insufficient to meet the growing demand in high-value engineering design, and needs a focused effort in order to address declining competitiveness, according to the notification.
The manufacturing sector has been facing tough competition in the national and international markets, as most MSMEs cannot afford captive tool rooms. Tool rooms are playing a useful role, and more are needed in the country, said FISME.
The cost of each tool room is estimated at $20 million. Thus an outlay of $300 million in external finance may be required for setting up the 15 tool rooms planned during the Twelfth Plan (2012-17), in addition to funds already being provided by the MSME ministry and the state government concerned.
To foster the growth of the MSME sector, the Union government has set up 10 state-of-the-art tool rooms. These promote precision and quality in the development and manufacture of sophisticated moulds, dyes, tools and equipment.
At present, the development commissioner for MSME operates 10 tool rooms and eight technology development centres. Several of these have been set up through collaborations with German and Danish agencies and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (Unido). These technology centres have been providing technical and vocational training to more than 100,000 trainees annually.
The project also envisages the scaling up of the tool rooms' training activities, possibly through a change in their organisational set-up, to help improve coordination between research and industry (public and private, domestic and international), and developing linkages with ITIs and polytechnics.
According to the fourth All India Census of MSMEs, the number of enterprises and employment opportunities in this sector has grown by more than 25 per cent in the period 2006-07 to 2011-12, compared to the period 2001-02 to 2006-07.
To improve the competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the manufacturing sector, the World Bank has joined hands with the ministry of MSME to make quality tools and testing facilities available to these enterprises at reasonable cost, by setting up tool rooms in the public sector.
This has been stated by the Federation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (FISME) on its website, quoting a notification issued by R K Rai, director, tool rooms.
The proposed project will increase the competitiveness of MSMEs and conduct training programmes to improve the skill set of the labour force in key high-value engineering sectors, including electronic systems design and manufacturing, plastics, automotive and aerospace industries.
At the institutional level, the network of hi-tech tool rooms and existing training capacity is insufficient to meet the growing demand in high-value engineering design, and needs a focused effort in order to address declining competitiveness, according to the notification.
The manufacturing sector has been facing tough competition in the national and international markets, as most MSMEs cannot afford captive tool rooms. Tool rooms are playing a useful role, and more are needed in the country, said FISME.
The cost of each tool room is estimated at $20 million. Thus an outlay of $300 million in external finance may be required for setting up the 15 tool rooms planned during the Twelfth Plan (2012-17), in addition to funds already being provided by the MSME ministry and the state government concerned.
To foster the growth of the MSME sector, the Union government has set up 10 state-of-the-art tool rooms. These promote precision and quality in the development and manufacture of sophisticated moulds, dyes, tools and equipment.
At present, the development commissioner for MSME operates 10 tool rooms and eight technology development centres. Several of these have been set up through collaborations with German and Danish agencies and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (Unido). These technology centres have been providing technical and vocational training to more than 100,000 trainees annually.
The project also envisages the scaling up of the tool rooms' training activities, possibly through a change in their organisational set-up, to help improve coordination between research and industry (public and private, domestic and international), and developing linkages with ITIs and polytechnics.
According to the fourth All India Census of MSMEs, the number of enterprises and employment opportunities in this sector has grown by more than 25 per cent in the period 2006-07 to 2011-12, compared to the period 2001-02 to 2006-07.
India signs taxation pact with Albania
New Delhi: The Government of India has signed double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA) and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital with Government of Albania, as per the Ministry of Finance in a statement. The agreement was signed by Dr Sudha Sharma, Chairperson, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and Mr Fatos Kerciku, the Albanian Ambassdor.
The agreement aims to provide tax stability to the residents of India and Albania and will facilitate mutual economic cooperation between the two countries. It will also stimulate the flow of investment, technology and services between India and Albania.
DTAA incorporates provisions for effective exchange of information between tax authorities of the two countries in line with latest international standards, including exchange of banking information and supply of information without recourse to domestic interest, it added.
The DTAA provides that business profits will be taxable in the source state if the activities of an enterprise constitute a Permanent Establishment (PE) in the source state. The agreement also provides for fixed place PE, building site, construction & installation PE, service PE and agency PE, besides an Article on Assistance in Collection of Taxes. This article also includes provision for taking measure of conservancy, highlighted the statement.
Moreover, it incorporates anti-abuse (limitation of benefits) provisions to ensure that the benefits of the agreement are availed of by the genuine residents of the two countries, it added.
The agreement aims to provide tax stability to the residents of India and Albania and will facilitate mutual economic cooperation between the two countries. It will also stimulate the flow of investment, technology and services between India and Albania.
DTAA incorporates provisions for effective exchange of information between tax authorities of the two countries in line with latest international standards, including exchange of banking information and supply of information without recourse to domestic interest, it added.
The DTAA provides that business profits will be taxable in the source state if the activities of an enterprise constitute a Permanent Establishment (PE) in the source state. The agreement also provides for fixed place PE, building site, construction & installation PE, service PE and agency PE, besides an Article on Assistance in Collection of Taxes. This article also includes provision for taking measure of conservancy, highlighted the statement.
Moreover, it incorporates anti-abuse (limitation of benefits) provisions to ensure that the benefits of the agreement are availed of by the genuine residents of the two countries, it added.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Hero MotoCorp enters Africa
New Delhi: The country’s largest two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp (HMC) on Friday announced its entry in to the African continent with the launch of its brand and products in Kenya where it has also set-up an assembly unit.
The company’s operations are set to commence in Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast next week. In Kenya, HMC has partnered with Ryce East Africa to sell its two-wheelers in the country. As per the arrangement, Sameer Group (a part of Ryce East Africa) has been appointed as the authorised distributor of Hero MotoCorp range of two-wheelers in Kenya. Pawan Munjal, managing director and chief executive officer, HMC said: “We are delighted to see brand Hero make its debut in the African continent with the first launch in Kenya. This is a strategic market for us in our overall plan for the continent, which is why we are also starting our first Africa CKD assembly operations here.”
HMC said it has introduced a range of Hero two-wheeler brands across categories, including the entry-level segment, Dawn, the Deluxe segment, Splendor Pro, Glamour and Hunk, and the premium segment, Karizma.
"We are confident our products will appeal to customers across a wide price spectrum and create a new benchmark for mass mobility in Kenya. Indeed, our Africa business is going to play a crucial role in our plans of taking Hero global," added Munjal. Overall, the company aims to sell 10 million units by 2016-17, 10 per cent of which is scheduled to come in from its international operations.
Hero MotoCorp will soon launch brand-building initiatives in the African market with the English version of the iconic Hero anthem 'Hum Main Hai Hero' (There's a Hero in Each of Us), which will be aired across radio stations in Kenya, the company said.
The company's foray in Africa comes close on the heels of its launch in Central America, where the company commenced its operations in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras in May. Its other international markets include Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Colombia.
The company’s operations are set to commence in Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast next week. In Kenya, HMC has partnered with Ryce East Africa to sell its two-wheelers in the country. As per the arrangement, Sameer Group (a part of Ryce East Africa) has been appointed as the authorised distributor of Hero MotoCorp range of two-wheelers in Kenya. Pawan Munjal, managing director and chief executive officer, HMC said: “We are delighted to see brand Hero make its debut in the African continent with the first launch in Kenya. This is a strategic market for us in our overall plan for the continent, which is why we are also starting our first Africa CKD assembly operations here.”
HMC said it has introduced a range of Hero two-wheeler brands across categories, including the entry-level segment, Dawn, the Deluxe segment, Splendor Pro, Glamour and Hunk, and the premium segment, Karizma.
"We are confident our products will appeal to customers across a wide price spectrum and create a new benchmark for mass mobility in Kenya. Indeed, our Africa business is going to play a crucial role in our plans of taking Hero global," added Munjal. Overall, the company aims to sell 10 million units by 2016-17, 10 per cent of which is scheduled to come in from its international operations.
Hero MotoCorp will soon launch brand-building initiatives in the African market with the English version of the iconic Hero anthem 'Hum Main Hai Hero' (There's a Hero in Each of Us), which will be aired across radio stations in Kenya, the company said.
The company's foray in Africa comes close on the heels of its launch in Central America, where the company commenced its operations in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras in May. Its other international markets include Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Colombia.
Crompton Greaves wins Rs 28-cr order from France
Mumbai: Crompton Greaves (CG), an Avantha Group company, has bagged a contract worth €3.5 million (Rs 28 crore) for the design, engineering, supply, installation and commissioning of a wind-power farm substation at the 75-Mw Seine Rive Gauche Nord wind farm in France. CG will also be responsible for building/upgrading the overall electrical system.
The project includes all electrical, mechanical and civil engineering work, supply of two 45 MVA step-up power transformers, medium- and high-voltage air insulated switchgear, substation automation system, buildings, and ancillaries.
The substation will help integrate wind energy and boost power supplies to meet the growing residential demand besides reinforcing the transmission grid and improving reliability, efficiency and power quality. The total 150Gwh of installed capacity will produce electricity for over 55,000 households with an estimated reduction in emissions of 130.000 tonnes of CO2 a year.
The project is scheduled for completion by mid 2014. Substations include equipments that protect and control the flow of electric power, transform voltage levels and facilitate the safe and efficient transmission and distribution of electricity in the grid.
CG was successful against established industry competition in securing this second reference project in the French renewable sector after the 225kV wind substation commissioned in 2011 for VALECO’s wind farm “Les monts de Lacaune”.
“The contract demonstrates CG’s local project management strengths, and on and offshore track record besides our cost-efficient approach in offering turnkey “design and build” grid infrastructure solutions,” said Laurent Demortier, CEO & Managing Director of the company.
The project includes all electrical, mechanical and civil engineering work, supply of two 45 MVA step-up power transformers, medium- and high-voltage air insulated switchgear, substation automation system, buildings, and ancillaries.
The substation will help integrate wind energy and boost power supplies to meet the growing residential demand besides reinforcing the transmission grid and improving reliability, efficiency and power quality. The total 150Gwh of installed capacity will produce electricity for over 55,000 households with an estimated reduction in emissions of 130.000 tonnes of CO2 a year.
The project is scheduled for completion by mid 2014. Substations include equipments that protect and control the flow of electric power, transform voltage levels and facilitate the safe and efficient transmission and distribution of electricity in the grid.
CG was successful against established industry competition in securing this second reference project in the French renewable sector after the 225kV wind substation commissioned in 2011 for VALECO’s wind farm “Les monts de Lacaune”.
“The contract demonstrates CG’s local project management strengths, and on and offshore track record besides our cost-efficient approach in offering turnkey “design and build” grid infrastructure solutions,” said Laurent Demortier, CEO & Managing Director of the company.
Foreign Investment Promotion Board gives go ahead to 7 pharma FDI proposals
New Delhi: The Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) on Friday cleared seven Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) proposals for investment in Indian pharmaceutical companies, ending the policy of uncertainty over Investments in the sector.
It deferred three proposals as there were ownership issues. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), the nodal body for framing FDI policy, wants to review the policy to ensure there are enough safeguards to ensure domestic healthcare concerns.
In all, the FIPB, which is headed by Department of Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram, discussed 30 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) proposals. The three proposals deferred will be taken up after the DIPP clarifies the policy.
The proposals which were discussed in the meeting on Friday include that of Singapore's GlaxoSmithKline Pte Ltd, US' Mylan Inc, Mauritius-based Castleton Investment Ltd, Mumbai-based Ferring Therapeutics and Hyderabadbased Verdant Life Sciences.
At present, 100% FDI in pharma sector is allowed through automatic approval route in the new projects but the foreign investment in the existing pharma companies requires FIPB approval.
This distinction was made last year following concerns that largescale acquisition of Indian pharma companies by MNCs could compromise public health as the foreign companies may stop manufacturing cheaper drugs.
The government had also decided to build in conditions to ensure that Indian company did not stop producing essential drugs after being acquired by a foreign company. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion is likely to clarify these conditions soon after which proposals that envisage change of control could be taken up.
It deferred three proposals as there were ownership issues. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), the nodal body for framing FDI policy, wants to review the policy to ensure there are enough safeguards to ensure domestic healthcare concerns.
In all, the FIPB, which is headed by Department of Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram, discussed 30 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) proposals. The three proposals deferred will be taken up after the DIPP clarifies the policy.
The proposals which were discussed in the meeting on Friday include that of Singapore's GlaxoSmithKline Pte Ltd, US' Mylan Inc, Mauritius-based Castleton Investment Ltd, Mumbai-based Ferring Therapeutics and Hyderabadbased Verdant Life Sciences.
At present, 100% FDI in pharma sector is allowed through automatic approval route in the new projects but the foreign investment in the existing pharma companies requires FIPB approval.
This distinction was made last year following concerns that largescale acquisition of Indian pharma companies by MNCs could compromise public health as the foreign companies may stop manufacturing cheaper drugs.
The government had also decided to build in conditions to ensure that Indian company did not stop producing essential drugs after being acquired by a foreign company. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion is likely to clarify these conditions soon after which proposals that envisage change of control could be taken up.
India-Israel trade rises to $6 billion in 2012-13
Hyderabad: Trade between India and Israel touched the $6-billion mark during 2012-13, up from $5.15 billion in 2011-12, according to an official from the Israeli Embassy.
Addressing a meeting here hosted by the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Fapcci) and Indo-Israel Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Jonathan Ben Zaken, Attaché - Economic and Commercial Affairs, Embassy of Israel, said trade volumes had grown to this level from a modest $200 million in 1992.
He further said bilateral relations between India and Israel had strengthened significantly in recent years with both nations experiencing a convergence of interests in agriculture, farm research, science, public health, IT, telecommunications and cooperation in space.
The Israeli industry is keen to take advantage of synergies with India in areas like water technologies, information technology and sectors that Israel is strong in.
About 265 information technology companies are doing significant business in Israel.
His country was always looking for innovation in solutions, technology, development and relations between countries, he said.
Fapcci President Srinivas Ayyadevara said: "Early implementation of the proposed free trade agreement between India and Israel will boost the bilateral trade multi-fold."
Ken Uday Sagar, President, Indo Israel Chambers of Commerce and Industry, explained the potential for collaboration and scope of bilateral trade.
Addressing a meeting here hosted by the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Fapcci) and Indo-Israel Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Jonathan Ben Zaken, Attaché - Economic and Commercial Affairs, Embassy of Israel, said trade volumes had grown to this level from a modest $200 million in 1992.
He further said bilateral relations between India and Israel had strengthened significantly in recent years with both nations experiencing a convergence of interests in agriculture, farm research, science, public health, IT, telecommunications and cooperation in space.
The Israeli industry is keen to take advantage of synergies with India in areas like water technologies, information technology and sectors that Israel is strong in.
About 265 information technology companies are doing significant business in Israel.
His country was always looking for innovation in solutions, technology, development and relations between countries, he said.
Fapcci President Srinivas Ayyadevara said: "Early implementation of the proposed free trade agreement between India and Israel will boost the bilateral trade multi-fold."
Ken Uday Sagar, President, Indo Israel Chambers of Commerce and Industry, explained the potential for collaboration and scope of bilateral trade.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)