CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT-ISSUES &
INITIATIVES
Ludhiana's Knitwear Industry Gears up to be
Globally Competitive
Despite voices of global downturn and complaints of affected
business industries persisting for long, the knitwear industry
of Ludhiana is gearing up to adopt measures that will ensure
that it remains competitive. A Memorandum of Understanding
was signed between the Federation of Knitwear, Textile and
Allied Industries Association and Apex Cluster Development
Services, a cluster development consultancy, to enable Ludhiana's
knitwear industry competitive.
More…
Seven More Handloom Clusters Approved in Orissa
The Centre
has approved seven new mini-handloom clusters in Orissa, due
to which the total number of mini-clusters in the state has
reached from 16 to 23. These clusters are located in Padmapur,
Bhatli, Bhuden (Baragarh), Athamallik, Kendarapara, Narasinghpur
and Gopalpur (Jajpur). A top cooperative body of weavers,
'Boyanka', will look after the implementation of these mini-handloom
clusters and a cluster development executive will be appointed
for this by the state government.
More…
Cloud
over Auto Cluster
The ambitious
auto cluster project at Adityapur has run into rough weather
due to bickering among the members of Adityapur Small Industries
Association (ASIA). ASIA, the implementing agency of the Rs
65-crore project, is still not registered with Jharkhand but
with Bihar. A section of the association members has raised
objection to the execution of the project by the present executive
committee on the grounds that the body does not have any legal
power in the absence More…
Plan
chalked out for Tribals
Lakshmi Seva Sangam (LSS), a Siddha and Ayurveda manufacturing
unit of Gandhigram Trust, has chalked out plans for the uplift
of tribals in Sirumalai hill by enhancing their livelihood
activities. The tribal people will be roped in to collect
gall nut (Kadukkai), cinnamon and cassia that are available
in plenty on Sirumalai hill. To provide healthcare at their
doorstep, the district administration will provide funds for
construction of a common facility centre (CFC).These points
were discussed More…
Industrialists Apprised of Central Schemes
A seminar was organised by Small Scale Industries Association
in collaboration with Science and Technology Entrepreneurs
Park (STEP) on Thursday evening. The industrialists - most
of them from Shimlapuri and adjoining areas - discussed the
issue of Master Plan. The units are operating in these areas
for the past many years but the Master Plan has now declared
these areas as residential and hence they will have to move
out in the next 10 years and till then, they can More…
Dubai
Moves towards Knowledge-Based, Innovative Economy
The Dubai
Competitiveness Council, or DCC, recently organised an executive
roundtable of "Clusters and Dubai's Competitiveness" to discuss
finance, tourism, logistics, construction and real estate
and made suggestions to develop these key sectors. The purpose
of the roundtable was to create platforms for collaboration
between the private and public sector leaders and among the
players of the clusters.
More…
Development
Body Mulls Study on Agri/Fishery Products
Butuan City
- The Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) development cluster
of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East
ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) is eyeing the conduct of market
studies on agriculture or fishery-based food products, in
response to the recent BIMP-EAGA leaders' directive of making
the sub-region a food basket for the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN).
More…
Industry
Clusters Far from Certain Success
When state-backed
industry clusters first gained recognition in Connecticut
10 years ago, business leaders praised their arrival as an
important economic tool to strategically boost the state's
economy. But a decade later, history shows a mixed bag of
results - with some clusters realizing their full potential
and others, after barely getting off the ground, now defunct.
More…
MICRO SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
SIDBI
Gets $400-Million Loan from World Bank
The World
Bank inked an agreement with India on Friday to lend $400
million to Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI),
which provides low-cost finance to small and medium enterprises
(SMEs). The finance ministry, which represented the government,
said the loan would go to a project implemented by Sidbi aimed
at fostering growth and competitiveness in small and medium
enterprises, besides creating jobs.
More…
Government Allocates Rs 3 Billion for Export
Processing Zones, Reconstruction Opportunity Zones
Keeping in
view the US indication for the approval of Reconstruction
Opportunity Zones (ROZs) legislation by the US Senate soon,
the government of Pakistan has earmarked Rs 3 billion for
Export Processing Zones (EPZ) and area development, Balochistan,
including ROZs, sources revealed on Friday. To keep the country
on the path of rapid economic growth, the government considered
those projects in PSDP, which helped in reducing poverty,
achieving MDGs, enhancing pro-poor
More…
The
Recession and the South African SME
Big business
has taken a beating from the global financial crisis, but
from car manufacturers to financial institutions worldwide,
the possibility of government bailouts has provided a silver
lining. There is no such option for the small to medium enterprise,
owners of such concerns are compelled to look within their
own resource nets to weather the storm. But how prepared and
capable is the South African SME for survival? More…
INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES
UP
Government urged to set up IT park for SMEs
The information
technology industry in Uttar Pradesh has urged the government
to set up an IT park in the Lucknow Industrial Development
Authority (Lida). Since, small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
account for over 60 per cent of state industries, the industry
wants the IT Park to be dedicated to the sector. Besides,
the industry wants simpler registration process for the Software
Technology Park of India (STPI) and subsidy for IT solutions
for medium small and micro enterprises More…
CA Sees 50% Growth in India
as SMEs Seek IT Efficiency
Enterprise
IT management major Computer Associates is projecting a 50%
growth in its India business this fiscal, hoping to ride on
a buoyancy in the small and medium enterprise segment in the
country that is seeking the technology route to step up efficiencies.
CA foresees a strong growth in its core business of enterprise
IT management (ETIM), particularly in the e-governance domain.
The company is anticipating strong growth in the e-governance
space, considering the massive More…
SMEs' Lack of IT Investment
could Prolong the Downturn
Nearly a quarter of UK small businesses say that a lack of
IT investment brought about by the recession is making them
less competitive and is hampering their ability to survive
the downturn, according to research.The study by consultancy
Ardent Solutions suggest that small an dmedium-sized enterprises
(SMEs) are being hit by a variety of serious IT-related issues
due to their budget limitations. More…
Increasing Focus on Green Initiatives
- Wind energy, Green buildings and Water harvesting
For an increasing number of corporate organisations the worldover,
it is making sense to go green. India's IT sector is no exception.
The report said the biggest growth in renewable investment,
particularly in the form of wind energy, came from China,
India and other developing countries. Against this backdrop,
IT companies claim to have increased their focus on renewable
options, even as environmental watchdog organisations such
as Greenpeace have contested their claims More…
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
Himachal Carpets Being Sold Under
Kashmir Brand
The
absence of trade mark and Geographic Indication for Kashmir
Carpet is taking a heavy toll on carpet business as rugs from
Himachal Pradesh are being sold under Kashmir brand. Kashmir
carpet has an identity of its own in the world rugs market,
however, lack of discrete identification label provides room
for unscrupulous people to manipulate Kashmir name, according
to carpet dealers. The unfair practice is being followed in
Himachal Pradesh where carpets are being sold More…
Indian Tea: Still Strong at 179
The
tea industry in India is about 179 years old. India being
the largest producer as well as the largest consumer of black
tea in the world, tea has become one of the most important
commercial crops of the country. The commercial production
of tea started in India in the late 1830s, before which, the
tea plant was growing wild in the jungles of north east Assam.
The Government has been making concerted efforts to push the
Indian tea to the forefront of the plantation sector. India
More…
US Keeps Lebanon on 'Watch List' For
Piracy, Copyright Infringement
In
its annual review of the state of intellectual property rights
(IPR) protection and enforcement around the world, the Office
of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) maintained
Lebanon on the Watch List, as reported by Byblos Bank's Lebanon
This Week. The USTR placed Lebanon on the Watch List in 1999
and then downgraded it to the more critical Priority Watch
List in 2001 where it remained till 2007. It then upgraded
Lebanon to the Watch List in 2008. Piracy-related losses More…
KCCI Urges Government to Register
Geographical Indications
The
President of Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry has urged
the government for registration of geographical indications
(GIs) as certification marks by a neutral and competent authority
due to the clash of interests emanating from the private sector's
attempt in registering GIs for claim of ownership. He drew
the ministry's attention towards the promulgation of GIs law,
and establishment of GI registry in Pakistan. He highlighted
that India had previously promulgated GI law and has More…
JK Sucralose Wins IPR Battle against
US Firm
Chinese
sucralose maker, JK Sucralose Inc, has won an intellectual
property dispute in the United States, after a two-year battle.
The company has finally been cleared of the patent infringement
charges brought against it by Tate & Lyle, one of the world's
largest sugar companies. The ITC ruled on April 6 this year
that the products of JK Sucralose sold in the United States
did not infringe on the intellectual property rights of Tate
& Lyle. Section 337 Investigation of the Tariff Act of the
More…
Japan, China Set Up Working Group
on Intellectual Property Rights Protection
China
and Japan signed a memorandum and established for the first
time a working group to protect intellectual property rights
(IPR) here on Sunday. The "MOU for Intellectual Property Protection
Exchanges and Cooperation" and the working group are aimed
to create a legal framework to enforce crackdowns on violations
of intellectual property rights, according to Chinese Commerce
Minister Chen Deming. More…
India Must Curb Imitation Trade
The
annual report on alleged inadequate protection of US intellectual
property rights released this month by the Office of the US
Trade Representative evokes a mixed reaction. On the one hand
it is heralded by patent-and copyright-based industries as
a welcome step, on the other civil society groups are grossly
unhappy with it. The yearly Special 301 report unilaterally
evaluates US trading partners on the effectiveness and adequacy
of their intellectual property rights More…
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
Youth Unwilling to Take Responsibility
to Save Environment
About
85% of urban educated youth shrug off any responsibility of
saving the environment even though 90% of them believe that
small efforts at individual level could go a long way in protecting
the planet. The stark reality was exposed in a survey conducted
on the eve of the World Environment Day(WED) by CUTS-Centre
for Consumer Action Research and Training, a Jaipur-based
consumer advocacy group. The survey was conducted among people
within the age group of 18-25 More…
Energy Audits for Urban Local Bodies
Cutting
down energy consumption is welcome, especially in times of
excessive emissions. The government will take the initiative
by asking its urban local bodies to cut down on energy consumption
in a time-bound manner by conducting energy audits. At an
NGO-government meet on environment, climate and clean energy
organized by Urban Space Research Foundation and the urban
development department on Friday, urban development minister
Suresh Kumar said 213 urban More…
World Pumps in $155 B into Clean Energy
The
global economic crisis hasn't deterred the developing countries
from their green energy investments, which surged 27% in 2008
to $36.6 billion compared to the previous year. According
to a recent report of United Nation Environment Programme
(UNEP) on Global Trends in Sustainable Energy Investment,
2009, global investment in clean energy witnessed a four-fold
increase in 2008 compared to 2004. More…
Harvest Solar Power and Earn: Green
Body
You
may not know how your unutilised roof can be your major source
of energy and your income, too. According to West Bengal Green
Energy Development Corporation (WBGEDC), the city of Kolkata
has .6 million houses and 200 billion square feet of roof
space to harvest 2000 Mega Watt of solar energy. WBGEDC is
currently undertaking a UNDP -funded study. More…
EVENTS
Food, Bake & Hospitality Expo 2009
Hyderabad
Start
Date: 26-Jun-2009
End
Date: 29-Jun-2009
Venue:
NTR Stadium
City:
Hyderabad
Country:
India
Event Profile: Food, Bake & Hospitality Expo
2009 Hyderabad is a leading event dedicated to processed food
and hospitality industry. The aim of the event is to assemble
all the professionals associated to food production, processing,
storage, refrigeration, packaging, marketing and hospitality
on a common platform. Here the exhibitors More…
Automotive Electronics Components
EMS & Accesssories Expo 2009
Start
Date: 25-Jun-2009
End
Date: 27-Jun-2009
Venue:
Nimhans Convention Centre
City:
Bangalore
Country:
India
Event Profile: Automotive Electronics Embedded
Components EMS and Accessories - (AECA 2009) is a one of the
important trade event for automotive electronics and allied
products in India. AECA 2009 expo is being organized by Infinite
Expositions, at Nimhans Convention Centre, Bangalore. The
event will showcase all the advances More…
International Industrial Expo & Conferences
- Noida
Start
Date: 26-Jun-2009
End
Date: 29-Jun-2009
Venue:
Expo Centre
City:
Noida
Country:
India
Event Profile: International Industrial Expo
& Conferences - Noida 2009 is held as a mega exhibition of
industrial technology, products and services. The event targets
to display following products and technologies: automobiles,
plastic & packaging materials, electrical & electronics instruments,
machine tools, material handling equipments More…
Fifth India Innovation Summit 2009
Start
Date: 12-Jun-2009
End
Date: 13-Jun-2009
Venue:
Taj Residency
City:
Bangalore
Country:
India
Event Profile: The Fifth India Innovation
Summit 2009 aims to observe the Asian Economy and examine
the preparedness of India Inc. in challenging times and its
ability to leverage on current market opportunities innovatively.
The summit will focus on the theme ' Role of Innovation in
an Economic Downturn - The India Advantage' More…
International Conference on Computer
and Network Technology
Start
Date: 27-Jun-2009
End
Date: 29-Jun-2009
Venue:
Chennai
City:
Chennai
Country:
India
Event Profile: 2009 International Conference
on Computer and Network Technology (ICCNT 2009) will be a
nice forum for engineers, scientists and all other professionals
related to computer and network technology from India as well
as abroad. The conference will provide them an excellent opportunity
to talk on every aspect of this More…
International Conference on Software
Technology and Engineering
Start
Date: 27-Jun-2009
End
Date: 29-Jun-2009
Venue:
Chennai
City:
Chennai
Country:
India
Event Profile: 2009 International Conference
on Software Technology and Engineering (ICSTE 2009) is one
of the premium platforms for the researchers, engineers and
scientists to express their views and share research work
on software technology and engineering. Moreover, ICSTE 2009
will be a pivotal event for developing business More… |
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