Gujarat Chamber News

Agreement for cooperation in business and industry signed between Malawi and Belarus and Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry


Bright scope for increased trade between China and Gujarat says Chinese Ambassador Shri Zang Yan


An agreement of cooperation in the field of business and industry was signed today between the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the High Commission of the Republic of Malawi and Belarus in India today. This has been the first ever agreement between the Chamber and High Commissions of foreign countries in India in the history of the Chamber. Under the seven point agreement both the parties have pledged to increase liaison and cooperation between the two countries in the field of export-import, investment, business information and other commerce oriented activities for the benefit of the business community of both the countries. Moreover the two countries have also been urged to give due consideration and weightage to the recommendation of the Chamber for grant of visas to its members. 

The agreement of cooperation with Belarus and Malawi was signed today at a function in Ahmedabad in the presence of Ambassadors/High Commissioners of 15 countries in India. Those who were present included Japanese Ambassador Shri Naoki Ito, Chinese Ambassador Shri Zang Yan, Sri Lanka's High Commissioner Shri C. R. Jaysinghe and Nepal's ambassador Shri Durgesh Mansingh. Ambassadors/High Commissioners of Ukraine, Belarus, Peru, Russia, Kyrgyz, Senegal, Gambia, Montenegro, Nicaragua, Malawi and Laos were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion China's Ambassador to India Shri Zang Yan, said that there was bright scope to increase trade between China and Gujarat. He emphasized on the need for increased exchange of businessmen and industrialists of Gujarat and China to each other's country. He said that he was quite impressed by the high growth rate and rapid industrial development of Gujarat. Referring to the speedily expanding bi-lateral relations between India and China he said that the scope for increased cooperation in the field of business, investment and other sectors was extremely bright.

Earlier in his welcome address the Chamber President Shri Rupesh C. Shah explained the important position of the Chamber in the business and industry and economic sector of Gujarat. In view of this, he requested the embassies of various countries to work out a system to expedite granting of business traveler visas, recommended by the Chamber.

German Chief Minister Christian Wulff visits India from 03rd to 06th of October 2008

Christian Wulff, Chief Minister of the German State of Lower Saxony is going to visit India from the 03rd to the 06th of October 2008. The Chief Minister is accompanied by the Minister of Science and Culture of the State of Lower Saxony, Mr. Lutz Stratmann, and a high ranking 70-member business delegation. The State of Lower Saxony is home to Volkswagen, Europe's top-ranking carmaker, and hosts Hanover Fair, the world's largest industrial fair. Chief Minister Wulff and delegation will visit Mumbai on the 03rd, Pune on the 4th and New Delhi on the 05th and 06th of October. In the capital, the Chief Minister will be received by Hon. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Kamal Nath. 

In Mumbai, Chief Minister Wulff will inaugurate a representative office of the State of Lower Saxony. The office which is being set up in the Indian representative office of Deutsche Messe will promote the State of Lower Saxony in India as one of Germany's key business locations in the heart of Europe. As of today, India has already become one of the top three trading partners of Lower Saxony outside the European Union. In Pune, Chief Minister Wulff will visit Volkswagen which is setting up a new factory for car manufacturing in the framework of its 600 Mio EUR investment in India.

Lower Saxony is one of Germany's sixteen federal states and an economic power house with a GDP of 206.6 billion euros (2007). Famous for its annual trade fairs such as the Hanover Industrial Trade Fair in which India was the partner country in 2006 and CeBit - the world's largest IT fair - Lower Saxony marks its importance in global trade and Indo-German economic relations. While the region around Lower Saxony's capital Hanover alone is home to 1,200 IT companies, 25 renowned institutes and research organizations, an Indo-German Business Center in Hanover fosters bilateral trade with India.

INDIA’S FOREIGN TRADE DATA: AUGUST 2008

India’s exports during August, 2008 were valued at US $ 16005 million which was 26.9 per cent higher than the level of US $ 12614 million during August, 2007. In rupee terms, exports touched Rs.68721 crore, which was 33.5 per cent higher than the value of exports during August, 2007. Cumulative value of exports for the period April- August, 2008 was US$ 81225 million (Rs.342477 crore) as against US$ 60101 million (Rs.246180 crore) registering a growth of 35.1 per cent in Dollar terms and 39.1 per cent in Rupee terms over the same period last year.

  India’s imports during August, 2008 were valued at US $ 29946 million representing an increase of 51.2 per cent over the level of imports valued at US $ 19805 million in August, 2007. In Rupee terms, imports increased by 59 per cent. Cumulative value of imports for the period April- August, 2008 was US$ 130364 million (Rs.550123 crore) as against US$ 94664 million (Rs.387791 crore) registering a growth of 37.7 per cent in Dollar terms and 41.9 per cent in Rupee terms over the same period last year.  

  Oil imports during August, 2008 were valued at US $ 10962 million which was 76.7 per cent higher than oil imports valued at US $ 6202 million in the corresponding period last year. Oil imports during April- August, 2008 were valued at US$ 45967 million which was 59.6 per cent higher than the oil imports of US$ 28798 million in the corresponding period last year. 

  Non-oil imports during August, 2008 were estimated at US $ 18985 million which was 39.6 per cent higher than non-oil imports of US$ 13603 million in August, 2007. Non-oil imports during April- August, 2008 were valued at US$ 84397 million which was 28.2 per cent higher than the level of such imports valued at US$ 65846 million in April- August, 2007.  

  The trade deficit for April- August, 2008 was estimated at US $ 49139 million which was higher than the deficit at US $ 34543 million during April- August, 2007.

UshaComm wins Telecom Fiji deal

Kolkata, 1st October 2008: UshaComm, a member company of the Rs.3,000 crore conglomerate Usha Martin Group has entered into an end user license agreement with Telecom Fiji. Under the agreement, Telecom Fiji will use UshaComm’s state-of-the-art billing system Unicorn, convergent mediation system Pegasus and interconnect billing & reconciliation system UIBS. Headquartered in Suva, Fiji Islands, Telecom Fiji Limited (TFL) is the sole provider of local and national (trunk) telephony services, and owns the only public switched telephone network in Fiji.  

“We are confident that UshaComm’s expertise in developing, implementing and supporting world standard, robust, and scalable solutions would be leveraged by Telecom Fiji to rapidly improve its revenues while providing cost-effective and innovative service offerings designed for the region’s market demands ” said Dr. Saugata Banerjee, Executive Director, UshaComm. 

UshaComm is a leading global provider of end-to-end Business Support Systems (BSS) for 3G, CDMA, GPRS, WIMAX, 1xRTT, IPTV, broadband and cable markets catering to over 65 telecom operators worldwide. Headquartered in London, UshaComm has a highly talented team of over 200 engineers located across the globe including India, UK, South Africa, USA, Bangladesh, Ghana, the Middle East and Nepal.

UshaComm’s products use highly advanced development platform and indigenous technology providing operators with considerable benefits in launching new services rapidly and economically to remain agile and competitive. Ushacomm makes considerable investment in technology and manpower to keep its products and offerings contemporary and technically advanced. It also continuously upgrades its products based on a three-year roadmap. 

Mechel Acquires New Komatsu Dump Trucks at its Yakutugol OAO Coal Subsidiary

Neryungri, Russia – September 30, 2008 – Mechel OAO (NYSE: MTL), one of the leading Russian mining and metals companies, announces the acquisition of three Komatsu AFE 830Е mine dump trucks at its Yakutugol OAO coal mining subsidiary as part of its capital investment program.

The mine dump trucks, with carrying capacity of 220-tonnes, will be used for overburden transportation. The new mine machinery was acquired in line with Yakutugol OAO’s technical re-equipment program. The cost of the three new machines was approximately US$10.0 million (RUR250 million).

The components of the large dump trucks were delivered from the U.S., to the port of Vladivostok, Russia, from which they were railed on special drop-frame cars to Neryungri. The machinery has arrived to Yakutugol this September.

The assembly of the two dump trucks has commenced and is planed to be completed in late October. Currently, there are 24 specialists on the repair and engineering team and technological motor pool engaged in the assembly.

The first dump trucks of 830Е family were put into operation at Yakutugol in 1995. Since then, Yakutugol acquired 28 trucks of this model. Each newly acquired lot of the dump trucks had more advanced engines manufactured by German and U.K. firms, with their capacity having increased from 2300 to 2500 horse power. Most of the truck’s components have been modernized and enhanced with participation of the Yakutugol maintenance specialists. Mileage of some select trucks exceeded one million kilometers over the course of thirteen years of operation at the Neryungri open pit coal mine.

Komatsu mine dump trucks have proven they are capable to withstand the harsh environment of Yakutia. They are distinguished by high technical characteristics and reliable electric installation developed by The General Electric Company. The machines have an enhanced workability, which is accounted for by higher operational speed indicators and technical readiness coefficient, making Komatsu 830Е dump trucks 30% more efficient than the ones of BelAZ.

Major mercury protection law passes congress, will prevent exports

Critical legislation that will help protect Americans and people around the world from mercury poisoning by banning the export of elemental mercury from the United States was passed by Congress today, according to scientists and policy experts at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
 
The new law, called the Mercury Market Minimization Act (S.906), puts an end to the cycle of poison where this dangerous neurotoxin is being phased out by industry and the government here in the United States, but then our surplus mercury is shipped overseas to developing countries, where it is released from highly polluting industries. Not only is the air and water in those importing countries contaminated with concentrations of mercury that would not be tolerated in the United States, the mercury can also travel for thousands of miles and can settle right back here in the United States, poisoning Americans mainly through consumption of contaminated fish.
 
“Neither mercury or the fish we eat recognize federal boundaries,” Susan Keane, Mercury Policy Analyst for NRDC, said. “Passage of this legislation banning the export of mercury is a great victory for Americans’ health and the health of people in the developing world. It will curb the flow of mercury into global commerce, keeping it out of our tuna and other fish. Combined with a similar ban adopted just last week by the European Union, this law will significantly reduce the amount of mercury use and pollution from the developing world.”
 
The law now requires that all mercury in the United States remains here, where it can be managed according to U.S. laws. It prohibits the departments of Defense and Energy from exporting their huge accumulated stockpiles of mercury. Under the new law, the Department of Energy will establish a long-term storage facility that can be used to store any excess mercury that is not used by U.S. industries. 
 
Mercury is a dangerous neurotoxin that poses greatest risks to women and children, mainly through consumption of contaminated fish. Mercury contamination is widespread in lakes and rivers throughout our country: nearly every state has at least one fish advisory in place due to hazardous mercury levels. While uses of mercury have declined in the United States, the metal has continued to be exported to the developing world.
 
This legislation represents an historic compromise that will result in a safer and cleaner environment. To help pass this major public health improvement, NRDC worked closely with members of Congress, representatives of industry, and local officials, including the American Chemistry Council, the National Mining Association, and the Environmental Council of States (ECOS). 
 
 The bill was introduced in the Senate by Sens. Barack Obama (D-IL) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and in the House by Rep. Tom Allen (D-ME), whose leadership will now result in the protection of countless people here and abroad.
 
NRDC also appreciates the leadership of the Chairman and the Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) and Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX); and the Chairman and the Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) and their staffs for their commitment to passing the mercury export ban.

Source: Natural Resources Defense Council

Governor Schwarzenegger signs groundbreaking legislation implementing first-in-the-nation green chemistry program

California reached another environmental milestone today with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's signing of AB 1879 by Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) and SB 509 by Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), moving our state on the path toward a comprehensive green chemistry program to reduce or eliminate hazardous chemicals in our products and the environment. 'This bi-partisan package of environmental legislation propels California to the forefront of the nation and the world with the most comprehensive Green Chemistry program ever established,' Governor Schwarzenegger said. 'It also puts an end to the less effective ‘chemical-by-chemical' bans of the past. With these two bills, we will stop looking at toxics as an inevitable bi-product of industrial production. Instead they will be something that can be removed from every product in the design stage-protecting people's health and our environment. I am excited to lead this effort, which will spur a new era of research and innovation and promises to drive economic growth and competition in the green chemistry sector.'

A bi-partisan effort, AB 1879, is jointly authored by Assemblymembers Feuer and Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) and co-authored by Assemblymembers Sam Blakeslee (R-San Luis Obispo), Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina), Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim) and Senators Simitian and Ron Calderon (D-Montebello). SB 509 by Simitian was co-authored by Assemblymember Feuer and Senator Ron Calderon.

AB 1879 establishes authority for the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to develop regulations that create a process for identifying and prioritizing chemicals of concern and to create methods for analyzing alternatives to existing hazardous chemicals. It also allows DTSC to take certain actions following an assessment that range from 'no action' to 'restrictions or bans.' The bill also establishes a Green Ribbon Science Panel made up of experts to provide advice on scientific matters, chemical policy recommendations and implementation strategies, as well as ensuring implementation efforts are based on a strong scientific foundation. Moreover, it expands the role of the Environmental Policy Council, made up of the heads of all California Environmental Protection Agency boards and departments, to oversee critical activities related to the implementation of the green chemistry program.

SB 509 creates an online Toxics Information Clearinghouse, a web-based database, to increase consumer knowledge about the toxicity and hazards of thousands of chemicals used in California every day. 

At the Governor's request, the Secretary for Environmental Protection has established a Green Chemistry Initiative to develop policy options for implementing a green chemistry program. Instead of making chemical policy through the Legislature on a case-by-case basis, the goal of this initiative is to work with scientists from California and around the world to evaluate the health effects of chemicals and possible alternatives with a systematic and comprehensive approach that is science-based. AB 1879 and SB 509 build on this initiative and contain provisions to implement two of six key recommendations from the upcoming Green Chemistry Initiative - Phase Two Report to be released later this fall.

The two bills signed by the Governor today follow a number of steps California has taken to protect consumers from dangerous chemicals, including:
SB 484 (D-Migden) which the Governor signed in 2005 giving California the nation's first law requiring disclosure of chemicals in cosmetics, and 
SB 1379 (D-Perata) which the Governor signed in 2006 starting America's first bio-monitoring program and making California the only state that measures and catalogues human exposure to chemicals.