Embassy of India, Riyadh

 

 Issue 3 ♦ January 2005

India Biz News

         www.indianembassy.org.sa

Previous Issues

- A snapshot of India’s economic scene

 

WB pegs growth at 6.5% despite tsunami

NEW DELHI: The World Bank said on Monday it would "more or less" stick to its forecast of 6.5 per cent growth rate for Indian economy despite the damage suffered by the country in Tsunami tragedy.
"We have not estimated the impact of Tsunami on the Indian economy. But we can say that it will not significantly change our outlook for fiscal '05," World Bank Country Director Michael Carter told mediapersons on the sidelines of a seminar on 'development and nationhood' organised by FICCI.
Indian economy grew seven per cent in the first half of this fiscal, according to CSO Carter said India benefited from economic reforms but had to bear costs as well. "Significant rise of services sector after 1990s clearly reflected gains that India made and is still making," Carter said.  Globalisation brought with itself efficiency which was crucial for economic growth, he said.

 

India's New Product Patent Regime Comes in Force

NEW DELHI, Jan 3 Asia Pulse - In line with its WTO obligations, India adopted Saturday the product patent regime for food, drugs and chemicals and embedded software with adequate safeguards to protect the interests of the common man. The government introduced the product patent regime by amending the Patent Act by way of ordinance on December 26 and notifying rules on December 28.  India, Brazil and China are among the few countries which have advanced their deadline to meet their Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights commitments. TRIPS agreement on public health provides for invoking compulsory licensing to countries to address any health Least developed countries like Bangladesh have time till 2010 to effect product patents.  With the Act coming into effect, the process of grant of product patents will get rolling as the government begins opening up of 'mail box' applications.

 

Open Invitation: Foreign carriers flock to India

NEW DELHI, DEC 29:  In a major boost to the civil aviation sector, the Cabinet on Wednesday allowed domestic private airlines to operate on international routes, except to Gulf countries. The Cabinet has also approved the civil aviation ministry’s proposals for strengthening Air-India and Indian Airlines, including improving operational synergy between the two carriers. The Cabinet has, however, stipulated that only those private scheduled carriers which have “a minimum of five years continuous experience and 20 aircraft in their fleet would be allowed to operate to foreign destinations. The carriers would also have to meet a minimum mileage coverage.

 

India's software market shining

New Delhi-December 14: India’s share in the world software and services market has increased to 2.4% in 2003-04. In 2002-03 it accounted for 2.09%. In 2001-02 it was just 1.82%. In 2003-04 the total value of software and services export grew at 30.5% clocking revenues of $12.5 billion. In rupee terms it was Rs 55,500 crore, an increase of 20.4% over the previous year. Despite industry efforts to diversify into other markets, government data indicates that North America which accounts for over 55% of the global IT spend, was the destination of approximately 70% of Indian software exports during 2003-04.  The European Union was second on the list at 22.25% of the total export. North America remains the dominant market for ITES-BPO services, accounting for over 80% of the business.   According to latest government figures, IT and electronics exports stood at Rs 63,200 crore in 2003-04 registering a growth of 22%.   Hardware exports grew by 37.5 % to reach the Rs 7,700 crore mark. And software and services accounted for Rs 55,500 crore exports. Thus the share of IT in the total Indian exports is 21.3%, accounting for 2.64% of the GDP. It is projected to grow to 7% of GDP and 35% of exports by 2008.

 

Ratan Tata is Forbes’ ‘Businessman of the Year’ in Asia

Mumbai- January 3: Tata group chief Ratan Tata, who is responsible for the phenomenal growth of the Tata group in the past decade, has been named as Forbes’ Asian ‘Businessman of the Year 2004’. Tata, 67, succeeded illustrious J.R.D. Tata as the group head in 1991. “His (Tata’s) $14.3 billion family conglomerate is a picture of what was and is India Inc,” Forbes said in its recent issue. Crediting Tata with modernising perhaps one of the most respected business houses of India, the magazine said Ratan Tata has spent the past decade more than doubling the revenue of the corporate giant while diversifying into modern business, where technology combined with cheap labour can make for a potent competitor. Apart from steel, automobiles, tea, chemicals and hotels, the group has major presence in telecom and software now.

 

Dual citizenship open to all NRIs

 

MUMBAI-January 7: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh while inaugurating the 'Pravasi Bharatiya Divas'  announced dual citizenship to all Indians who migrated after Jan 26, 1950 as long as their home countries allow dual citizenship under their local laws, and said details will be worked out soon.  Some 2,000 overseas Indians are taking part in the three-day conference. The announcement is seen as a major improvement on the previous government's decision to grant dual citizenship to overseas Indians in select developed countries. "I do hope that a day will come when every single overseas Indian who wishes to secure Indian citizenship will actually be able to do so," the prime minister said.

 

FDI in aviation raised to 49%

The government has hiked the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) cap for domestic airlines from the existing level of 40 to 49 per cent through the automatic route but has however barred foreign airlines from picking up direct or indirect equity. The Cabinet has also approved 100 per cent FDI in domestic airlines by NRIs and overseas corporate bodies (OCBs) through the automatic route. FDI investments in the domestic airlines need not go through the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB). Earlier, the ceilings on FDI in respect of air transport services (domestic airlines) stood at 40 per cent with prior government approval of FIPB. 100 per cent NRI/OCB was earlier allowed with prior government approval.

 

Exports surge despite pressure from rising Re

New Delhi- December 29:  It was a year of revival for Indian exports. Though exports started the year with 8.7 per cent growth in January, a steady rise of over 20 per cent was maintained for the rest of the year. During March, exports jumped to a record 42 per cent. The surge resulted in the government reworking export targets and targeting to double India's percentage share (from 0.7 per cent) in global merchandise trade by 2009. The earlier target was 1 per cent of global trade, to be achieved by 2008-09. It wasn't just exports. Even imports grew at a healthy pace, partly due to high international crude prices pushing up the trade deficit. Economists believe healthy import growth also indicates a high level of manufacturing activity in the economy, a part of which finds its way into the export market. The government, too, helped push up exports at the beginning of the year by changing the data collection mechanism. Exports grew rapidly amidst the rupee appreciating at the beginning and at the close of the year. Exporters also had to contend with the pressure of high fuel prices in the second half of 2004. The trends observed in the current year are expected to continue in 2005 as well. The export of textiles, the largest item in India's basket, is projected to grow by 25-30 per cent next year after the end of trade quotas from January 1.

 

FDI flow grows by 26.83% in H1

Mumbai- January 1: Foreign Direct investments (FDI) into India rose by 26.83 per cent to $2.04 billion in the first half of current fiscal ending September, 2004, as against $1.61 billion in April-September, 2003. The FDI rose by $1.27 billion in July-September, 2004, (Q2) as against April-June quarter (Q1) at $0.77 billion, RBI said.   The total net capital flows for the first half of FY-05, showed a 12.77 per cent fall at $10.08 billion when compared to flows of $11.56 billion in April-September, 2003, RBI said. The net capital flows include FDI, portfolio investment, external assistance, ECBs, NRI deposits, and other banking capital and short term credits, it added.

 

IOC catches global bug, to invest $1bn in Iran gas project

New Delhi: It’s a lot of gas but it’s rock solid. Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) will invest $1bn or more in a project to develop gas in Iran’s South Pars field, convert it into liquefied natural gas and ship it to India. IOC will lay its hands on 9m tonnes of LNG annually. Ennore, off Chennai, is a possible location for a new LNG terminal to receive these imports. This would be IOC’s first upstream venture abroad. IOC will take an upstream company along as a partner for their E&P and LNG projects in Iran. The two projects — gas exploration and LNG — are estimated to involve a total investment of $5.7bn. IOC will have a 40% stake in the exploration block while the balance will be held by Petropars. In the second project, the LNG liquefaction facility, IOC plans to have a 60% stake. Since Iran does not have provisions for oil equity, IOC will sign a service contract, which will give it an assured rate of return. Normally, this works out to almost 15% RoR but at today’s Libor rates, the ROR works out to 12%. IOC will get to buy a minimum 4.5m tonnes of LNG. For the balance 4.5m tonnes, it will be given the first option for marketing.

Some Important Websites:

Ministry of External Affairs :  http://meaindia.nic.in/

Ministry of Finance: http://finmin.nic.in

Ministry of Commerce and Industry:http://commin.nic.in

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) : www.ciionline.org

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) : www.ficci.com

India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) : www.indiatradepromotion.org

Trade-India.com : www.trade-india.com / Indian Exporters : www.indianexporters.com
Exporters India : www.indiamarkets.com /  India Mart : www.indiamart.com

 

Trade Fairs in India: Calendar of Events - 2004-2005

Fair

Products

Organizer

International Garment Fair

Pragati Maidan, New Delhi

January 23-25, 2005

 

International Garment Fair Association

NBCC Tower (First Floor), 15 Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi – 110 066

Tel. : 91-11-26187630, 26169393/9394

Fax: 91-11-26106683, 26188584/8300

E-Mail:hoadepd@vsnl.com

Web: http://www.indiaapparelfair.com 

 

Print Pack India' 2005

Pragati Maidan, New Delhi

January 18-23, 2005

 

Machines & equipment for sheet and web offset, flexo, rotogravure, silk screen & label printing; DTP, CTP, Plate making systems, Paper cutting, book block making, case & book bind, foiling, die-cutting, crea-sing, slitting & rewinding machines, Corrugating, rotary cutting, card-board printing & box stitching machines etc.

India Trade Promotion Organisation and

Indian Printing Packaging and Allied Machinery Manufacturing Association (IPAMA)

Mr. Amrit Singh, DGM

India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO)

Tel. : 91-11-2337-1582,

Fax: 91-11-2337-1459

E-Mail:as@itpo.online.com 



INDIA INTERNATIONAL LEATHER FAIR 2004

Chennai Trade Centre

 

31 January - 4 February,2005

 

Finished leather, Shoes; Shoe components - uppers, soles, heels, counters, lasts; Leather garments; Fashion accessories; Leather goods-travel ware, belts, gloves, portfolios, hand bags and wallets; Saddlery and harness; Machinery and equipment for leather tanning, shoe making , dryers, stitching & sewing machines; finishing leather chemical, effluent treatment,  and Consultancy services..


India Trade Promotion Organisation

 

 

 

India Stone Mart 2005-

 

3rd International Stone Industry Exhibition, Jaipur (Rajasthan) 

January 28- February 1, 2005

Manufacturers & suppliers of stone-related machineries & equipment, stone - related tools, consumables material handling equipment ,allied quarrying/ mining equipment; Testing & Standardisation organizations; Consultancy organizations; stone quarry owners and Processors.

 

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry( FICCI)

and

Centre for Development of Stones (CDOS)
RIICO Wing, Udyog Bhawan, Tilak Marg
Jaipur -302005, Rajasthan, India.
Tel:+91-141-2227199, 5102032
Fax:+91-141-5104804

Website: www.cdos-india.com 

16th International Engineering & Technology Fair (IETF) 2005

 9-12 February 2005

 New Delhi

A biennial showcase of all that is current and also all that the world can expect from India, providing unique opportunities for networking with the who's who of government and business in India.

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)

Trade Fair Department, 249 F

Sector 18, Phase 4

Gurgaon – 122 015 (Haryana)

Tel : +91 124 25014060 /

Fax : +91 124 25014080

Tex-Styles India 2005

Pragati Maidan, New Delhi

 

February 26- March 1,2005

 

Home furnishing , fabrics, fibres, yarn, accessories, CAD / CAM systems.( Last event: 2002: Exhibitors:300; Area:16,000 sq.mtrs.)

India Trade Promotion Organisation – ITPO

New Delhi – 110001.

Tel : +91 11 23318143

Fax : +91 11 23371874

www.indiatradepromotion.org

AAHAR - International Food Fair, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi

 

 March 04-08, 2005

Processed foods, processing, packing and refrigeration machinery, agricultural products, hotel, restaurant equipment and supplies

India Trade Promotion Organisation

                   

 Recent Queries by Indian Businessmen

 

 

SL.

No

ADDRESS

TEL.

FAX/E.MAIL

PARTICULARS OF QUERIES

01

Ronak Overseas Co.

PO Box: 33, Baroda

0091-265-2438444

0091-265-2432681

E-mail: info@ronakoverseas.com

Web: www.ronakoverseas.com / www.ronakexporthouse.com

Manufactures and exporters of ophthalmic linses, texties, medical, sucgical, building materials, food grain consumer items etc.

02

 

Shri. Ramalingam

 

 

E-mail: ramaling@md2.vsnl.net.in

Seeking contact details of Saudi companies offering Idustrial, management training

03

Mr. Mirza Alim Baig, Phd (Eco),

Research and Information System for the Non- Aligned and other Developing Countries (RIS(,

Zone IVB, 4th  Floor, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi

0091-11-24682177/78/79/80* 36

00966-1-24682173/74

E-mail: mabaig@rus.org.in / mabaig76@yahoo.com

Web: www.ris.org.in

Seeking information and materials of study on “including investment in the Framework of Free Trade Agreement between Indian and GCC countries”

04

Mr. Atish Bihani,

Ekkalayva Infosys.

Pune

 

E-mail: atishbihani@eklavya.com

Seeking list of hotels in Dammam

05

Shri. R.K. Razdan

 

E-mail: razdan_ram@rediffmail.com / ram_razdan@yahoo.com

Exploring opportunities for export and services in the instrumentation of processing industries in Saudi Arabia 

06

Mr. Hemant Shekhawat,

Export Assistant

Golden Surgemed Ltd.

101/102 Valiankanni Towers, ‘A’Wing, Mari Nagar, Off senapati Bapat marg, Mahim (W) Mumbai 400016

0091-22-24459116/17/18

00966-22-4459119

E-mail: alves@bom3.vsnl.net.in

Web: www.alvesgroup.com

Exporters of medical goods

07

Mr. Kanti Lal

BBenx Exports,

 

 

E-mail: bbenex@bbenex.com

Exporters of orthopaedic implants. Medical equipments

08

Mr. Ragavendran C.E.O,

Shree Agro International

 

 

E-mail: raga_dpi@yahoo.com

Exorters of ground nut and ground nut oil

09

Mr. Varsh Berlia, Director

Beri Mecurio Ltd.

12, Khetan Bhavan, 198 Jamshadji Tata Road,

Chaurchgate,

Mumbai 400020

0091-22-30222333

0091-22-30222444/30222555

E-mail: varsha@glberlia.com / mertal@glberlia.com

Web: www.berimercurio.com

Seeking contact address of Basic Chemical Industries

10

Mr. B.Veera Swamy,

Betterdeal Macheneries Pvt. Ltd.

U67, Udyog Vihar, Phase IV, Gurgoeon

 

009111-51655650

001-11-26965762

E-mail: betterdealmachinery@yahoo.co.in

Web: www.oxygen-gas-plants.com,

11

Shri R.N. Meshram,

Suptdg. Mineral Economist for Controller General, Ministy of Coal & Mines, India Bureau of Mines,  Indira Bhava, Civil Lines,

 Nagpur 440001

 

0091-712-2565471/2565073/2564934

E-mail: cme_ibn@ibm.mah.nic.in

Seeking information on iron ore industry in Saudi Arabia

12

Micro Labs Ltd. India

Bangalore

 

E-mail: meetsubu@rediffmail.com

Interested in setting up of  pharmaceutical  firm in Saudi Arabia

13

Mr. Rohin A. Shah,

Jashnin Enterprises,

516, Rasta Peth, Pune

0091-20-26127581/26113788

E-mail: jashbin@vsnl.net

Exporeters of pharmaceutical machinery, chemicals, scientific instruments, hospital furniture etc.

14

Ms. Namrata Vivrekar,

Asst. Director Indo Overseas Chamber of Commerce & Industry

609, Chetak Centre,

12/2, R.N.T. Marg, Indore- 452001

0091-731-2526840/ 2526841

0091-731-2524111

E-mail: iocci@vsnl.net

Seeking information on importers of decorative stones, tiles, sand stones etc.

15

Mr. Jyantilal & Sons

Mumbai

0091-22-28122343

E-mail: daksha_12@hotmail.com

Exporters of pharmaceutical formulations, bulk drugs, surgical disposables, surgical dressings, hospital equip. and furniture

16

Mr. Venugopal Kompella,

Executive Exports

Shri Exports,

Flat No. 102, Balaji Resdency, Block II, Maruthi Nagr, AS Rao Nagar, ECIL Post, Hyderabad 500062

009140-55286244

E-mail: shri_exports@rediffmail.com

Exporters if cashew nut

17

Mr. Sanjeev,

Krishan Exports,

A-88, 3rd flroor, East of Kailash,

New Delhi 110065

0091-11-51612125/51612845/26920151

0091-11-51612845

E-mail: krishnaexports@touchtelindia.net

Exporters of table linen, kitchen linen, bed linen etc.

18

Mr. Atish Bihani,

Ekklavya Infosys

 

E-mail: atishbihani@eklavya.com

Seeking list of hotels in Dammam

19

Shri Nitin Mahajan,

Sr. Project Manager,

Tata Economic Consultancy Services,

Orient House, Adi Marzban Path,

Mumbai 400001

0091-22-56388585