Ahmedabad: About 150 plastics manufacturers are expected to invest nearly Rs 3,000 crore in the upcoming plastics park at Dahej in Bharuch district of Gujarat.
These firms, from the small-scale sector, have already booked plots to set up their units in the 200 acres allotted by the State Government, Raju Desai, Chairman, Plastivision India 2013, said.
Each of these units would invest Rs 10 crore to Rs 25 crore. The first units will commence production in 2015.
He also said the Ninth Plastivision India 2013, an international exhibition being organised by All India Plastics Manufacturers’ Association (AIPMA), will be held in Mumbai from December 12 to 16. Over 1,500 exhibitors from 30 countries will participate .
Success in my Habit
Sunday, December 1, 2013
London invites Kerala start-ups
Thiruvananthapuram: Start up in London, develop in India. This is the message from London and Partners, the metropolis’s official promotional organisation, to start-ups based in Kerala.
Set up business there and get back home to develop it. Size does not matter for aspiring entrepreneurs, says Jeff Cao, Head for Asia and Pacific, London and Partners.
DIRECT FLIGHTS
In fact 95 per cent of the businesses hosted by the agency have strength varying from 10 to 15, according to Gautam Sehgal, Chief Representative for India.
There are 131 direct flights operating to London every week from various cities in India, notes Cao.
So companies here are best positioned to take advantage of facilities that the city offers, he adds. Aspirants need just to plug in at office space made available for liberal terms.
The agency will also help with finding necessary capital for investment and growth - be it in the form of angel funds, venture capital or private equity.
STORY TO TELL
Cao said his agency is looking to invite aspiring entrepreneurs ‘who have a compelling story to tell’ to use the platform London offers and reach out to the rest of the world.
Some of Kerala-based companies have already proceeded to set up a perch there. Apollo Tyres, which has set up a marketing office, is one of them.
The city is inviting investors from varied sectors, including information and communication technology and finance, who want to do business with the rest of Europe.
Research and development and intellectual property are fast catching up as major opportunities. Pharmaceuticals and life sciences are but a logical extension to these.
CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
Known as the publishing capital of the world, London offers investment opportunities in this sector as well, says Cao. He calls them creative industries. Fashion technology, media and films also answer to their specifications.
Renewable energy in all forms is another area that the city invites investments in. It aims to cut down its emissions by 50 per cent by 2020.
Students from India will be encouraged to conduct research in wind energy technologies. Offshore wind and solar farms are also priority areas.
Cao says that the city is promoting electric vehicles in a big way. There is renewed emphasis on creating entire corridors where charging facilities are available.
Fresh from the success of hosting the Olympics, the city is bracing to host the 2017 world championships in athletics, he added.
Set up business there and get back home to develop it. Size does not matter for aspiring entrepreneurs, says Jeff Cao, Head for Asia and Pacific, London and Partners.
DIRECT FLIGHTS
In fact 95 per cent of the businesses hosted by the agency have strength varying from 10 to 15, according to Gautam Sehgal, Chief Representative for India.
There are 131 direct flights operating to London every week from various cities in India, notes Cao.
So companies here are best positioned to take advantage of facilities that the city offers, he adds. Aspirants need just to plug in at office space made available for liberal terms.
The agency will also help with finding necessary capital for investment and growth - be it in the form of angel funds, venture capital or private equity.
STORY TO TELL
Cao said his agency is looking to invite aspiring entrepreneurs ‘who have a compelling story to tell’ to use the platform London offers and reach out to the rest of the world.
Some of Kerala-based companies have already proceeded to set up a perch there. Apollo Tyres, which has set up a marketing office, is one of them.
The city is inviting investors from varied sectors, including information and communication technology and finance, who want to do business with the rest of Europe.
Research and development and intellectual property are fast catching up as major opportunities. Pharmaceuticals and life sciences are but a logical extension to these.
CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
Known as the publishing capital of the world, London offers investment opportunities in this sector as well, says Cao. He calls them creative industries. Fashion technology, media and films also answer to their specifications.
Renewable energy in all forms is another area that the city invites investments in. It aims to cut down its emissions by 50 per cent by 2020.
Students from India will be encouraged to conduct research in wind energy technologies. Offshore wind and solar farms are also priority areas.
Cao says that the city is promoting electric vehicles in a big way. There is renewed emphasis on creating entire corridors where charging facilities are available.
Fresh from the success of hosting the Olympics, the city is bracing to host the 2017 world championships in athletics, he added.
JLR bullish on growing luxury market
Coimbatore: The luxury car market, though nascent in India, is growing rapidly, said Rohit Suri, Vice- President, Jaguar Land Rover India.
The luxury car segment had grown 21 per cent during the first half of the current fiscal compared with the corresponding period of the previous year, he said. “Our company has registered a 30 per cent growth between April and October 2013. The entry level car — Jaguar XF — has been the best selling vehicle. But that does not mean that other cars from Jaguar Land Rover stable are not doing well,” he added.
Suri was in the city for the inauguration of a Jaguar Land Rover showroom in Coimbatore. This is the second Jaguar Land Rover showroom in Tamil Nadu, after Chennai.
The company has a network of 19 distribution outlets across 17 cities in India. It plans to expand the network to 22- 23 outlets before the end of the year. “The proposed ones would be outside Tamil Nadu,” Suri said.
VST Group has taken up the dealership for Jaguar and Land Rover in Tamil Nadu.
The showroom, located at Oddarpalayam in Ondhipudhur, Coimbatore will showcase 12 new Jaguar Land Rover cars, including the recently launched Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Evoque, Discovery 4 and Freelander 2.
The Coimbatore facility, according to Arun Surendra, Managing Director, VST Motors (VST Group), has been established in a 2-acre plot. “The built-up area is around 30,000 sq feet. This can be expanded as and when the product portfolio grows. While there will be a display of 12 cars in the showroom, the workshop area will comprise 14 bays, including body painting facility,” Surendra said.
The Group has invested around Rs 6-8 crore for establishing the facility.
The showroom will cater to Erode, Salem, Trichi and Madurai markets and also help owners of Jaguar range of cars get their vehicle serviced. Hitherto, they had to take it to Chennai, Surendra pointed out.
The company had sold around 300 new cars in Tamil Nadu in the last 2-3 years. “Fifty of these are plying in Coimbatore region. Another10 -12 cars will be delivered before the end of this month,” added Surendra.
On new models, Suri said the company would roll out 2 -3 new models in the next 24 to 36 months.
The luxury car segment had grown 21 per cent during the first half of the current fiscal compared with the corresponding period of the previous year, he said. “Our company has registered a 30 per cent growth between April and October 2013. The entry level car — Jaguar XF — has been the best selling vehicle. But that does not mean that other cars from Jaguar Land Rover stable are not doing well,” he added.
Suri was in the city for the inauguration of a Jaguar Land Rover showroom in Coimbatore. This is the second Jaguar Land Rover showroom in Tamil Nadu, after Chennai.
The company has a network of 19 distribution outlets across 17 cities in India. It plans to expand the network to 22- 23 outlets before the end of the year. “The proposed ones would be outside Tamil Nadu,” Suri said.
VST Group has taken up the dealership for Jaguar and Land Rover in Tamil Nadu.
The showroom, located at Oddarpalayam in Ondhipudhur, Coimbatore will showcase 12 new Jaguar Land Rover cars, including the recently launched Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Evoque, Discovery 4 and Freelander 2.
The Coimbatore facility, according to Arun Surendra, Managing Director, VST Motors (VST Group), has been established in a 2-acre plot. “The built-up area is around 30,000 sq feet. This can be expanded as and when the product portfolio grows. While there will be a display of 12 cars in the showroom, the workshop area will comprise 14 bays, including body painting facility,” Surendra said.
The Group has invested around Rs 6-8 crore for establishing the facility.
The showroom will cater to Erode, Salem, Trichi and Madurai markets and also help owners of Jaguar range of cars get their vehicle serviced. Hitherto, they had to take it to Chennai, Surendra pointed out.
The company had sold around 300 new cars in Tamil Nadu in the last 2-3 years. “Fifty of these are plying in Coimbatore region. Another10 -12 cars will be delivered before the end of this month,” added Surendra.
On new models, Suri said the company would roll out 2 -3 new models in the next 24 to 36 months.
H&R Johnson ties up with Nobilia of Germany
New Delhi: H&R Johnson will offer the Nobilia range of German-made modular kitchens in Chennai.
Nobilia is a market leader in modular kitchens in Germany. One in three modular kitchens there is by Nobilia, according to its head of exports, Michael Behr.
Represented by H&R Johnson in India, it is looking at a chain of outlets in major cities.
The store in Chennai will be at Besant Nagar and will offer the entire range.
H&R Johnson COO Sushil Matey said his company was expanding its presence in the home segment with an integrated approach as provider of flooring, wall panelling, bathroom fittings and kitchens.
The association with Nobilia was finalised a few years back and the company has been offering Nobilia products for some time. But with the increasing demand for modular kitchens and the demand for quality products the company is highlighting the brand, Matey said.
Nobilia is a market leader in modular kitchens in Germany. One in three modular kitchens there is by Nobilia, according to its head of exports, Michael Behr.
Represented by H&R Johnson in India, it is looking at a chain of outlets in major cities.
The store in Chennai will be at Besant Nagar and will offer the entire range.
H&R Johnson COO Sushil Matey said his company was expanding its presence in the home segment with an integrated approach as provider of flooring, wall panelling, bathroom fittings and kitchens.
The association with Nobilia was finalised a few years back and the company has been offering Nobilia products for some time. But with the increasing demand for modular kitchens and the demand for quality products the company is highlighting the brand, Matey said.
EIL enters Nigerian refinery and petrochemical sector with a mega project
New Delhi: Engineers India Limited (EIL) has reached an understanding with Dangote Group in Nigeria for Project Management Consultancy (PMC) and Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) services for implementing a grassroot 400,000 BPSD (20 MMTPA) Petroleum Refinery and 600,000 TPA Polypropylene Plant.
The agreement for the same has been initialed for the Lumpsum value of $139 million. This will be the largest ever single consultancy assignment for EIL.
EIL shall render PMC including EPCM and Commissioning services for the project. The main facilities of the project comprise of Crude Distillation Unit, Single train Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit, Diesel Hydrotreating Unit, CCR unit, Alkylation Unit, Poly-Propylene Unit etc, Utilities and Offsites including captive power with other enabling infrastructure facilities. The crude and product handing facilities through Single Point Mooring (SPM) would also be integrated with the refinery.
The agreement for the same has been initialed for the Lumpsum value of $139 million. This will be the largest ever single consultancy assignment for EIL.
EIL shall render PMC including EPCM and Commissioning services for the project. The main facilities of the project comprise of Crude Distillation Unit, Single train Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit, Diesel Hydrotreating Unit, CCR unit, Alkylation Unit, Poly-Propylene Unit etc, Utilities and Offsites including captive power with other enabling infrastructure facilities. The crude and product handing facilities through Single Point Mooring (SPM) would also be integrated with the refinery.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Getting 50 million rural women to go online
New Delhi: Rakhi Paliwal, 23, an up sarpanch (village deputy) in Rajasthan, studies law, rides a motorcycle and is comfortable surfing the internet. When a wall in a school building in her village in Rajasamund, Rajasthan, collapsed, she sought appointments with various local authorities, but in vain. She then took a picture of the collapsed wall and mailed it along with her application to the district collector.
“In two month’s time, the wall was repaired,” Paliwal said, underlining the various ways in which the internet can be used to solve local problems.
Paliwal was here to participate in the launch of Google India’s new initiative to bring 50 million women online in a year.
India has about 200 million internet users, but only one third of these are women. “This is the lowest gender ratio in the world,” said Rajan Anandan, Managing Director and Vice-President, Sales and Operations, Google India.
Google India’s initiative Helping women get online, with support from Intel, Hindustan Unilever and Axis Bank, was launched here on Wednesday. It will focus on creating awareness about the benefits of the internet for women and will educate them to use the internet to improve their lives and work.
In the first stage, Google said it would launch a mass media campaign targeted at urban women who are ‘internet moms’. The ads will go on air next week. In addition, a Web site www.hwgo.com will host content covering the basics of internet use in Hindi and English as also a toll-free helpline.
Yonca Brunini, global lead, Tech For Good, and Vice-President of Marketing at Google, said, “A pilot programme carried out by us at a village in Bhilwara, Rajasthan was successful in training over 100,000 women on how to use basic internet applications.” She said they would replicate the model in other areas, but admitted that to scale up in India, Google would need to expand to other regional languages.
“In two month’s time, the wall was repaired,” Paliwal said, underlining the various ways in which the internet can be used to solve local problems.
Paliwal was here to participate in the launch of Google India’s new initiative to bring 50 million women online in a year.
India has about 200 million internet users, but only one third of these are women. “This is the lowest gender ratio in the world,” said Rajan Anandan, Managing Director and Vice-President, Sales and Operations, Google India.
Google India’s initiative Helping women get online, with support from Intel, Hindustan Unilever and Axis Bank, was launched here on Wednesday. It will focus on creating awareness about the benefits of the internet for women and will educate them to use the internet to improve their lives and work.
In the first stage, Google said it would launch a mass media campaign targeted at urban women who are ‘internet moms’. The ads will go on air next week. In addition, a Web site www.hwgo.com will host content covering the basics of internet use in Hindi and English as also a toll-free helpline.
Yonca Brunini, global lead, Tech For Good, and Vice-President of Marketing at Google, said, “A pilot programme carried out by us at a village in Bhilwara, Rajasthan was successful in training over 100,000 women on how to use basic internet applications.” She said they would replicate the model in other areas, but admitted that to scale up in India, Google would need to expand to other regional languages.
Bharti to spend Rs 800cr/year on retail
New Delhi: Despite offers for fresh tie-ups, Sunil Mittal-led Bharti Group appears set to go solo in the retail business and expand the footprint of its EasyDay stores through fresh investments, estimated at Rs 700-800 crore annually.
Bharti Enterprises and Walmart, which called off their six-year-old relationship last month, are in the final stages of ending their joint venture for wholesale cash-and-carry operations. The partners had set up 20 wholesale stores under the Best Price brand while Bharti handled the front-end operations through the Easy Day chain.
Although Bharti and Walmart were expected to be among the first movers to tap into the vast retail business in India, the US giant's eagerness to get a policy regime to its liking is said to be a reason behind the split. At the same time, a joint venture for the multi-brand retail business would have come at a cost as the partners would not have been able to tap into prosperous markets such as Punjab as the state does not permit foreign retailers to set up shop. Punjab has emerged as a hub of sorts for Bharti's retail foray.
Even as regulatory clearances are being sought, sources said, bankers have approached Bharti for fresh tie-ups. But, instead of opting for a new alliance, Bharti is going to expand its presence and look at roping in a partner later. "The plan is to grow this format further and expand. New investments will continue to come and Bharti Enterprises remains committed to the venture... There appears to be no immediate need for a foreign partner," said a senior executive, who did not wish to be identified.
The executive said that over the years, Bharti's executives had worked out the details of the retail business and some of Walmart employees are also joining EasyDay. The list includes Raj Jain, the former Walmart India head, who has now joined Bharti as an adviser.
While Walmart and Bharti have ended their JV, the US retail major continues to support Bharti in the business. "They are still supporting the Bharti venture in areas such as logistics and IT. There are a lot of things from Walmart which are embedded with the system. We still enjoy a great relationship," the source said.
Despite the split, EasyDay will source goods from Walmart's wholesale stores.
Bharti Enterprises and Walmart, which called off their six-year-old relationship last month, are in the final stages of ending their joint venture for wholesale cash-and-carry operations. The partners had set up 20 wholesale stores under the Best Price brand while Bharti handled the front-end operations through the Easy Day chain.
Although Bharti and Walmart were expected to be among the first movers to tap into the vast retail business in India, the US giant's eagerness to get a policy regime to its liking is said to be a reason behind the split. At the same time, a joint venture for the multi-brand retail business would have come at a cost as the partners would not have been able to tap into prosperous markets such as Punjab as the state does not permit foreign retailers to set up shop. Punjab has emerged as a hub of sorts for Bharti's retail foray.
Even as regulatory clearances are being sought, sources said, bankers have approached Bharti for fresh tie-ups. But, instead of opting for a new alliance, Bharti is going to expand its presence and look at roping in a partner later. "The plan is to grow this format further and expand. New investments will continue to come and Bharti Enterprises remains committed to the venture... There appears to be no immediate need for a foreign partner," said a senior executive, who did not wish to be identified.
The executive said that over the years, Bharti's executives had worked out the details of the retail business and some of Walmart employees are also joining EasyDay. The list includes Raj Jain, the former Walmart India head, who has now joined Bharti as an adviser.
While Walmart and Bharti have ended their JV, the US retail major continues to support Bharti in the business. "They are still supporting the Bharti venture in areas such as logistics and IT. There are a lot of things from Walmart which are embedded with the system. We still enjoy a great relationship," the source said.
Despite the split, EasyDay will source goods from Walmart's wholesale stores.
Volvo India to set up truck, bus facility in Malur
Bengaluru: Volvo India Private Ltd plans to set up truck and bus manufacturing facility in Malur, Kolar (near Bangalore) with an investment of Rs 974 crore.
The facility is likely to give employment to about 2,125 people.
The company’s proposal has been approved by the State high-level clearance committee (SHLCC) chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah which met on Tuesday evening.
Riddhi Siddhi
Along with Volvo India, SHLCC also cleared proposal of Riddhi Siddhi to set up maize-based starch manufacturing unit at Gokak in Belgaum district.
The company is investing Rs 335 crore in the facility which is likely to give employment to 335 people.
The facility is likely to give employment to about 2,125 people.
The company’s proposal has been approved by the State high-level clearance committee (SHLCC) chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah which met on Tuesday evening.
Riddhi Siddhi
Along with Volvo India, SHLCC also cleared proposal of Riddhi Siddhi to set up maize-based starch manufacturing unit at Gokak in Belgaum district.
The company is investing Rs 335 crore in the facility which is likely to give employment to 335 people.
Kerala Cabinet approves Solar Energy Policy
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Cabinet has approved a Solar Energy Policy that seeks to raise installed capacity of the solar sector to 500 MW by 2017 and 1,500 MW by 2030.
The mission is to contribute to long-term energy security of the State well as ecological security by reduction in carbon emissions.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told newspersons here that the draft policy had been posted on the website of the Agency for Non-Conventional Energy and Rural Technology.
Comments received from stakeholders, including the general public, have been incorporated to the final document.
Land suitable for development of solar installations in the possession of either Government or private individuals will be identified, as per the original draft.
Such identified lands shall be offered to developers for grid connected solar installations.
Lease rentals fixed by revenue department shall be payable to the land owner. Only lands which do not have an immediate productive use shall be thus identified.
FEED-IN TARIFF
In the case of offsite commercial installations, the State Electricity Regulatory Commission will notify the normative feed-in tariff of solar power for procurement by State power utility.
Feed-in tariff refers to payments made out to ordinary energy users for renewable electricity generated by them.
Net metering shall be applicable for all agencies that consume grid power and have installed solar installations with some form of Government subsidy.
Special feed-in tariff will be made applicable for consumers with monthly consumption of 30 units and below.
For off grid systems, the policy seeks to ensure bank finance at attractive rates and provide generation-based incentives. Existing capital subsidies shall be restructured appropriately.
GENERATION FACILITIES
For grid connected systems, the Government would initiate a programme by which all public buildings are provided with generation facilities using appropriate technology options.
The policy urges all concerned to make use of the rooftop and premises to install solar plants to match maximum demand within a period of two years.
Grid connected systems will be promoted for domestic consumers in a phased manner after formulating grid connection standards for LT distribution.
In this regard cluster-wise installations will be given suitable incentives on a conditional basis for adopting solar installations.
The mission is to contribute to long-term energy security of the State well as ecological security by reduction in carbon emissions.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told newspersons here that the draft policy had been posted on the website of the Agency for Non-Conventional Energy and Rural Technology.
Comments received from stakeholders, including the general public, have been incorporated to the final document.
Land suitable for development of solar installations in the possession of either Government or private individuals will be identified, as per the original draft.
Such identified lands shall be offered to developers for grid connected solar installations.
Lease rentals fixed by revenue department shall be payable to the land owner. Only lands which do not have an immediate productive use shall be thus identified.
FEED-IN TARIFF
In the case of offsite commercial installations, the State Electricity Regulatory Commission will notify the normative feed-in tariff of solar power for procurement by State power utility.
Feed-in tariff refers to payments made out to ordinary energy users for renewable electricity generated by them.
Net metering shall be applicable for all agencies that consume grid power and have installed solar installations with some form of Government subsidy.
Special feed-in tariff will be made applicable for consumers with monthly consumption of 30 units and below.
For off grid systems, the policy seeks to ensure bank finance at attractive rates and provide generation-based incentives. Existing capital subsidies shall be restructured appropriately.
GENERATION FACILITIES
For grid connected systems, the Government would initiate a programme by which all public buildings are provided with generation facilities using appropriate technology options.
The policy urges all concerned to make use of the rooftop and premises to install solar plants to match maximum demand within a period of two years.
Grid connected systems will be promoted for domestic consumers in a phased manner after formulating grid connection standards for LT distribution.
In this regard cluster-wise installations will be given suitable incentives on a conditional basis for adopting solar installations.
Karnataka clears 10 projects worth over Rs 10,044 cr
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State high-level clearance committee (SHLCC) chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has cleared 10 projects with an investment of over Rs 10,044 crore. The projects are expected to create 14,105 jobs in 10 districts.
Intel Technology India is investing Rs 600 crore to set up its research and development (R&D) centre in Bangalore. About 4,200 people are expected to be employed at the centre.
SHLCC also cleared Khayati Steel Industries Ltd proposal in Mandya to build facility to make TMT bars. The project is worth Rs 235 crore and plans to employ 320 people.
Volvo India is setting up a truck and bus manufacturing facility in Malur, Kolar (near Bangalore) with an investment of Rs 974 crore. The facility is likely to give employment to 2,125 people.
Riddhi Siddhi
SHLCC also cleared proposal of Riddhi Siddhi to set up maize-based starch manufacturing unit at Gokak in Belgaum district.
The company is investing Rs 335 crore in the facility, which is likely to give employment to 335 people
JSW Steel will invest Rs 6,930 crore to strengthen its 10 mtpa steel manufacturing facility by improving infrastructure at Sandur in Bellary district. Its employment potential is 313.
Toyota Mitsubishi will invest Rs 250 crore to set up rotating motors and power equipment facility at Vasantapur industrial estate near Tumkur. The facility is likely to employ 548 people.
Intel Technology India is investing Rs 600 crore to set up its research and development (R&D) centre in Bangalore. About 4,200 people are expected to be employed at the centre.
SHLCC also cleared Khayati Steel Industries Ltd proposal in Mandya to build facility to make TMT bars. The project is worth Rs 235 crore and plans to employ 320 people.
Volvo India is setting up a truck and bus manufacturing facility in Malur, Kolar (near Bangalore) with an investment of Rs 974 crore. The facility is likely to give employment to 2,125 people.
Riddhi Siddhi
SHLCC also cleared proposal of Riddhi Siddhi to set up maize-based starch manufacturing unit at Gokak in Belgaum district.
The company is investing Rs 335 crore in the facility, which is likely to give employment to 335 people
JSW Steel will invest Rs 6,930 crore to strengthen its 10 mtpa steel manufacturing facility by improving infrastructure at Sandur in Bellary district. Its employment potential is 313.
Toyota Mitsubishi will invest Rs 250 crore to set up rotating motors and power equipment facility at Vasantapur industrial estate near Tumkur. The facility is likely to employ 548 people.
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