Clusterkraft e-Newsletter (Vol.12)

 

National

International

 

Events

Article

Do you know Maharashtra Artisanal Clusters????

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National

Government will help 25 small units in Karnataka

Bangalore : Government announces new industrial policy for the small-scale sector. Rs. 85 crores already in subsidy arrears to small entrepreneurs and SPV's to be formed under the Societies' Registration Act. More...

Goa Govt to apply for fenni patent

Panjim: Goa government may soon have exclusive right for distilling cashew fenni. State level committee formed to get geographical indication (GI). Department of Science, Technology, and Environment appointed as the nodal agency. More...

Italians and Bengal food processing clusters to twin

Kolkata: A group of leading Italian companies engaged in food processing explores the potential of the growing industry in West Bengal . Italy 's Forli-Cesena Chamber of Commerce is leading the team. Prospective areas of investment being mushroom cultivation and processing, dehydrated and canned fruits and vegetable, potato processing, frozen fruits and vegetables, frozen fruits, fruit pulps and fruit concentrates.
More...

Tech bank for SME´s by SIDBI

SIDBI sets up company to serve as a "Technology Bank" for implanting appropriate foreign technologies in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Company to help in infusing new and imported technologies will help increase productivity levels of SMEs. More...

TCS sets up Centre of Excellence in Coimbatore Engineering Cluster

Coimbatore : TCS unveils its first `engineering centre of excellence' in Coimbatore . Consulting-led initiative is expected to enable SMEs to innovate and access global markets. Beginning made by starting to work with 180 SMEs. More...

CII to launch more clusters for small industries

CII plans to launch two more cluster projects to help set up a cross-section of diverse industries in one place. More...

SIDBI to focus on direct financing in rural clusters

SIDBI plans to change its focus from refinancing to direct assistance and increase number of micro-finance institutions (MFIs). Special focus to be laid on north- east states. More...

Pune Semiconductor cluster a possibility

Pune: Pune to be the hub of semiconductor manufacturing in India . A consortium SemIndia to be set up a $3 billion chip fabrication factory. A study released predicts the semiconductor and embedded design market in to grow from $3.25 billion in 2005 to $14.42 billion in 2010 and $43.07 billion by 2015. More...

Surat Textile Cluster likely to boost further by Budget 2006

Surat , considered one of the largest synthetic textiles manufacturing hub, in South Asia to see a revival of sorts with many of the small units that had been winding up, becoming competitive yet again with the budget 2006. More...

International

Loan to Panama clusters from IDB

Panama : Policy based loan of $100 million approved by Inter-American Development Bank to support Panama 's efforts to reduce its fiscal deficit, strengthen its social security system and prepare its economy for competition under free trade. Panama government to foster increase productivity at the levels of individual businesses clusters of firms, and sectors. More...

Release of State of Pennsylvania Industry report

Pittsburgh Technology Council releases seventh annual State of the Industry Report examining role of technology industry clusters and other key factors play in southwestern Pennsylvania 's economy. More...

China has new plan to protect intellectual property rights

BEIJING - China government plans to intensify protection of its intellectual property rights that covers trademarks, patents and import and export activities. As part of the effort measures will be taken to raise public awareness about protecting intellectual property rights, and there will be conduct of international exchanges and cooperation. More...

Ninth Malaysia Plan to focus on MSME's

Incentives to be made available for development of dynamic industrial clusters and small and medium-scale enterprises to encourage strategic alliances in services and manufacturing sector. Essential infrastructure has also been targeted in the ninth Malaysian Plan to create a more equitable society. More...

U.S. Boosts IPR Enforcement in China

Washington - U.S. government is committed to stopping intellectual property theft in China to protect the rights of American businesses and innovators. Govt. also to review the comprehensive set of commitments that the Chinese government made in the 2005 JCCT meeting.
More...

SMEDAN ( Nigeria ) unfolds strategies for enterprise promotion in clusters

SMEDAN continues to open Business Information Centres (BICs) around the country in partnership with the relevant stakeholders to deliver information in print and electronic forms. Also engaged the services of Business Development Services Providers (BDSPs) for identifying and raising new crops of entrepreneurs and fill capacity gaps. More..

Bangladesh & Pakistan to boost industry cluster cooperation

ISLAMABAD - Bangladesh and Pakistan decide to finalise Pakistan-Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by September this year to boost annual trade to $ 1 billion on the back of negotiations. More...

Scottish Enterprise to refocus on six key industry clusters

SCOTTISH Enterprise (SE), to focus on six key industry sectors with most potential to generate economic growth. Six key sectors to be selected after consultation with the business community include tourism, food and drink, energy, life sciences, financial services and electronic markets. More...

Events

Seminar to be organized by patnerships4competitiveness

Seminar organized by patnerships4competitiveness to be held on Wednesday 22 March, 2006 in University of Ghana , Legon. Initiative to be a platform for development and initiation of innovative and tangible collaborations with productive outcomes. Registrations for the event can be made till 15 March. More...

Clusters Conference in Czech Republic

Czech Republic , Brno : A Conference will be held on 4-5th May on "The role of Innovation in Growing Competitive Clusters.E event aims to be highly interactive and English/Czech simultaneous translation will be available for all key sessions with international speakers present. More...

TCI invites for Papers / Speakers for its 9th annual conference

Ninth Annual Global Conference of The Competitiveness Institute ( TCI ), to be held on October 9th-13th 2006 in Lyon , France . "Governance and business involvement in cluster initiatives" to be the main theme. Original submissions of papers, demonstrations, posters, or workshops invited and ones accepted papers will be presented and published later.
More...

Article

IDRC's Business Development Services

The article talks about the upcoming trends of increased attention being devoted to such services ( BDS ) for micro- and small enterprises (MSEs). In 1995, a Committee of Donor Agencies for Small Enterprise Development agreed on an influential framework for donor support of microfinance. IDRC has provided funding to bring together representatives of five major NGOs engaged in providing business development services to small producers, and covered the research expenses. More...

South African auto clusters gear up for competition: Analysis

This analysis focuses on the emerging state of South African automotive industry that has little protection from imports and has to therefore compete on a fairly level playing field with the most competitive manufacturers globally. In line with the sales it talks about the back- logs and the opportunities for the industry. More...

Clustering is an environmental hazard: CHITVAN GILL

Chitvan Gill essays concerns over ecologically hindered industrialization along with giving brief instances from of the tragedies and massive destructions. We must set in motion a pattern of development that took the West centuries to recover from. Clustering may be beneficial for the economy but the ecology and populace is in constant danger. More...

Do you know Maharashtra Artisanal Clusters????

A rtisanal C lusters in M aharashtra

Maharashtra is regarded amongst one of the most progressive states of India . With the latest strategies and best facilities of marketing and finance, the state leaves behind a lot to be looked upon. Maharashtra is India 's economic and industrial powerhouse. Since 1991, Maharashtra has attracted the highest investment both domestic and foreign. 52 of 100 top Indian companies are based in Maharashtra . Largest economy in the country, with a high per capita income

Textile Clusters constitutes 22% of the total artisanal clusters in the state at present, thus having a key role in its growth. This sector is the single largest employer. It singly contributes 27% of total exports in India and thus holds enormous prospects in global markets predominantly in ready-to-wear and garments. Maharashtra accounts for about 65 million kg of cotton production which is 25% of the country's total. Traditionally, Maharashtra as a region has a strong textile history and has several different types of saris or materials that a typical of a particular part or region, such as Kolhapur , Pune and Paithan.

Production of cotton yarn in the state alone is that of 272 million kg which is 12% of total in the country. Further, it has an installed capacity of 16.6 laks spindles that is 17% of country's total. Located 28 Km from Nagpur , second capital of the state that is well connected to major cities of India , with facility of Cargo Hub.

Accessory Clusters constitute 14% of the total artisanal clusters in the state. Accessory Clusters constitute 14% of the total artisanal clusters in the state. The Jewellery from Kolhapur is well- known, especially for it's beautifully crafted with delicate embossing and workmanship. 'Kolhapuri Saaj", a special type of necklace is popular. Jewellery patterns of the Marathas and the Peshwas are still very much in vogue. A favorite with all, is the nose ring or nath, usually with pearls and red and white stones apart from malas and hars or necklaces Cane and Bamboo Clusters form 12% of the total artisanal clusters in Maharashtra. The state is well- known for articles such as chairs, tabletops, Bamboo baskets, etc.

Earthenware Clusters take 10% of the total share of artisanal clusters in the state.

Leather Clusters constitute 9% of the total artisanal clusters in Maharashtra . It is anticipated that the state will play a significant role in increasing India 's share of international leather trade and the sector is poised for major growth in future. Also, because of globalization, numerous opportunities are available for the state's sustained growth in this sector.

Most of the leather and product industries in Maharashtra are centered around Mumbai. Some of the inherent strengths of sector being that of a comfortable raw material base, skilled labor and the already well established leather/ leather goods industry. To add silver touch, there are of visible signs of international leather industries shifting their manufacturing bases from Europe to Asia that is imminent, a ttractive government incentives for value addition and enthusiasm amongst large industrial houses to invest in the sector.

A leather complex, Additional Ambernath Export Promotion Leather Complex Zone is expected to come up, 90 minutes away from Mumbai at a distance of 65 km and admeasuring about 80 Hectares. The complex is spread across 507 hectares, of which 80 hectares is allotted to the leather complex and the remaining area has been given to knitwear and hosiery export units.

Kolhapur is of course most famous for its hand-made leather slippers or chappals that are popular throughout the world for their simple styles, quality of leather and design. They footwear is considered ideal to complement ethnic designer wear.

M etalware, W oodwork and M usical I nstrument C lusters, constitute 8% each of the total artisanal clusters in Maharashtra . Bidri ware, another one of ancient crafts, is made from a combination of zinc and copper. It usually involves intricate workmanship of pure silver, embossed, overlaid or inlaid on the metal surface. Originally, Bidri ware items were used as hookahs or paan daans. Nowadays they are more often sold as souvenirs.

Woodwork can be broadly divided into three categories. Firstly, turned lacquer ware which is the craft of applying colored lacquer on an object which is turning on a lathe, and then polishing and buffing it by means of a kewda leaf. Secondly, painting of floral borders and motifs on surfaces of objects and thirdly, the painting of mythological figures on various surfaces.

Further, T oys and D olls Clusters constitute 5% of the total artisanal clusters in the state.

P ainting C lusters constitute 3% of the total artisanal clusters in the state. The state is known for t ribal art- Warli, a form of wall painting is the typical human figures. These paintings are a vivid expression of daily and social events of the Warli tribe of Maharashtra . Women are mainly engaged in the creation of these paintings. Although, there are no records of the exact origins of this art, its roots may be traced to as early as the 10th century A.D. This art form is simple in comparison to the vibrant paintings from Madhubani.

Today, Warli paintings on paper have become popular and sold all over India . Today they are provided into a marketable commodity when the Indian Handicrafts and Handlooms Board provided the poor Warlis with brown paper and white paint.