Volume 58
:::: IN THIS ISSUE ::::

OUR INITIATIVES
  • Seminar on "Export marketing"

KNOW YOUR CLUSTER

  • Bellary Jeans Cluster
INFORMATION SHARING CORNER
  • Patent
CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT-ISSUES AND POLICIES
  • SIDBI disbursement of Rs 420 crore benefits 14,744 units
  • The Minister of MSME Holds Interactive Meeting with State Ministers and Secretaries (MSME) on MSME Task Force Recommendations
  • Handloom Cluster project opens in Imphal
  • Govt for cluster development of sericulture
  • Top-Down Tech Clusters Often Lack Key Ingredients

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT ISSUES

  • Coal allocation policy likely to be tweaked
  • Fears over Kakadu uranium mine pollution
  • No oil spills with the nuclear option
  • Nation that leads in clean energy would lead global economy: Barack Obama
  • Energy conservation is smart business
  • Environment Responsive Solutions For Hospitality
  • The place of alternative energy in Nigeria's search for efficient power supply

INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICTs)

  • Microsoft Welcomes the "Digital Agenda for Europe"
  • Stakeholders Canvass National ICT Plan
  • ICT solutions to transform healthcare, bridge India's rural-urban health divide
  • Microsoft Takes Supercomputing To The Cloud

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPR)

  • IPR Protection in Action
  • EU assures FTA won't lead to costlier life-saving drugs
  • U.S. to raise IPR issues with China
  • Sensitisation workshop organised on Intellectual Property Rights
  • Punjab scientists tip innovators on protecting intellectual property

MICRO, SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (MSMEs)

  • 'Ensure 20% procurement from MSMEs for public sector projects'
  • SPIC urges MSME minister to take initiative to allow loss making units to avail CLCSS scheme
  • PM to oversee policy guidelines for MSME sector
  • Needed: A culture of enterprise among youths
  • Finance Minister: The MSME sector requires a lot more to develop
  • German industry bodies tie up with MSME agencies

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

  • 9th Machine Tools and Auto Components Exhibition 2010
  • AUTOCOMP 2010
  • Fabrics & Accessories Trade Show 2010
  • All Food Tech 2010
  • Food Scope 2010
- EDITORIAL SUPPORT -

• Minakshi Mehra

• B P Singh

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT - ISSUES & POLICIES

::: IN FOCUS :::
SIDBI disbursement of Rs 420 crore benefits 14,744 units

SIDBI has made a cumulative disbursement of Rs 420 crore benefitting 14,744 units in the North East region.

SIDBI Chairman cum Managing Director R M Malla told reporters here on Saturday that the bank's credit assistance in the region has increased to Rs 44 crore in the financial year 2010 against Rs 15 crore during 2007.

Under the micro-credit scheme till March 31, 2010, the cumulative disbursement was to the tune of Rs 104 crore chanellised through various NGOs and Micro Finance Institutions (MFI), Malla said.

Altogether 3,75,00 beneficiaries, mostly women have been supported by SIDBI and the NGOs and MFIs have been provided capacity building grant of Rs 3.44 crore with various activities like bamboo craft, weaving, tailoring and handloom, and handicrafts were covered.

The bank has also taken up micro-finance initiatives by setting up special cell for development of the region and a dedicated micro finance branch has been set up in the region last year, Malla pointed out. more

The Minister of MSME Holds Interactive Meeting with State Ministers and Secretaries (MSME) on MSME Task Force Recommendations :-
...............................................................................
An interactive day long meeting with the State Ministers and Secretaries (Industries/MSME) under the Chairmanship of Shri Dinsha Patel, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) was held in New Delhi today. The meeting discussed the modalities of implementation of the State related recommendations of the Task Force on MSMEs. more...

Handloom Cluster project opens in Imphal :-
...............................................................................
A Handloom Development Cluster Project has recently been launched, under the Integrated Handloom Development Scheme. The District Industries Centre
(DIC) of Imphal East organized the inaugural ceremony of the project in association with the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. more...

Govt for cluster development of sericulture :-
...............................................................................
The two day state-level workshop cum exhibition on sericulture came to a close on April 28. Commissioner and Secretary Thangi Manen expressed hope it would
pave way for better prospects of sericulture in Nagaland. more...


Top-Down Tech Clusters Often Lack Key Ingredients :-
...............................................................................
Russia recently announced a government-planned "science city," to be located outside Moscow, that it hopes will one day rival Silicon Valley's creative engine. The country plans to spend $200 million to turn a muddy field of birch groves and warehouses into a technology hub bursting with innovation and competitive companies. The government will dole out money to companies that it selects, powerful oligarchs will develop real estate, and government-appointed administrators will run it. more

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT ISSUES

Coal allocation policy likely to be tweaked :-
...............................................................................
The government plans changes in coal allocation policy to offer alternate coal blocks to companies that are denied such blocks by the environment and forests ministry, a move that will remove uncertainty over several infrastructure projects. more...

Fears over Kakadu uranium mine pollution :-
...............................................................................
Environmentalists and traditional owners are complaining mining giant Energy Resources Australia (ERA) has failed to properly report a potential
contamination leak in the heritage-listed Kakadu National Park.The Environment Centre of the Northern Territory says a significant leak of sulphate detected outside the uranium lease in Kakadu last month is evidence of ongoing problems with the Ranger mine. more...

No oil spills with the nuclear option :-
...............................................................................
Nuclear power is a safer, more environmentally friendly source of electricity. So why does the US still rely on coal and oil instead? more...

Nation that leads in clean energy would lead global economy: Barack Obama :-
...............................................................................
US President Barack Obama on Friday ordered his government to prepare fuel efficiency standards for many years from now and renew its focus on electric-powered vehicles. more...

Energy conservation is smart business :-
...............................................................................
The Chairman of Wipro, Azim Premji, said energy and water conservation was not only a moral imperative but made sound business sense and was highly profitable too. more...

Environment Responsive Solutions For Hospitality :-
...............................................................................
This article focuses on methods that may be employed by hotels to be more environment friendly in their operations. With its close connections to the environment and climate itself, travel and tourism is considered to be a highly climate-sensitive economic sector. more...

The place of alternative energy in Nigeria's search for efficient power supply :-
...............................................................................
As the clamour for alternative energy resources continues to gain ground globally, IKECHUKWU EZE and ALEX CHIEJINA write that Nigeria, blessed with abundant sunshine, stand a better chance of solving the riddle of its perennial poor power supply by investing in solar systems to harvest the sun's abundant energy. more...

INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

Microsoft Welcomes the "Digital Agenda for Europe" :-
...............................................................................
Microsoft welcomes the "Digital Agenda for Europe," announced earlier this week by European Commission Vice-President for the Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes, as a bold roadmap for action. We share the Commission's view that technology is an enabler for economic growth, job creation, sustainability and social inclusion. As a company, we are fully committed to working with the European Commission and governments to realize the potential of Europe's digital future. more

Stakeholders Canvass National ICT Plan :-
...............................................................................
For Vision 20-2020 to succeed, the Federal Government has been told that it should muster the needed political will for implementation of the National ICT4D Plan. This was the consensus of participants at the three-day e-Nigeria 2010 Summit which ended yesterday in Abuja. more...

ICT solutions to transform healthcare, bridge India's rural-urban health divide :-
...............................................................................
Apollo Hospitals, Asia's largest health care provider, and Cisco today announced an alliance to help transform health care through information and communications technology (ICT). more

Microsoft Takes Supercomputing To The Cloud :-
...............................................................................
Buried beneath the bland verbiage announcing Microsoft's Technical Computing Initiative on Monday is some really exciting stuff. As Bill Hilf, Redmond's general manager of technical computing, explained it to me, Microsoft is bringing burst- and cluster-computing capability to its Windows Azure platform. more

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPRs)

IPR Protection in Action :-
...............................................................................
Human ingenuity is on display at the World Expo. Creativity is showcased in many eye-catching pavilions, exhibition items and techniques, live
performances, the emblems...and even foods served at the Expo site in Shanghai. These creative works have been patented or copyrighted, which means that they can not be used without permission. more

EU assures FTA won't lead to costlier life-saving drugs :-
...............................................................................
The European Commission has said the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with India will not affect production of cheap life-saving medicines in the country. more

U.S. to raise IPR issues with China :-
...............................................................................
The United States will continue to pressure China on strengthening its intellectual property rights (IPR) protection and adjusting some industrial policies during the bilateral talks, U.S. Trade representative Ronald Kirk said on Tuesday in Washington DC.   more...

Sensitisation workshop organised on Intellectual Property Rights :-
...............................................................................
To enhance awareness on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) among Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sectors to take measures for protecting their ideas and business strategies, the Centre has allocated Rs.50 crore. However, there are few takers, lamented MSME-Development Institute Director S. Sivagnanam on Friday. more..

Punjab scientists tip innovators on protecting intellectual property :-
...............................................................................
Manufactuires of farm equipment in Moga come up with unique technologies, but do not know how to protect and cash in on their intellectual property. A case in point is the paddy straw reaper that leaves very little residue in the soil so that the next crop can be planted with ease, and is customised according to the need of Punjab farmers. more..

MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (MSMEs)

'Ensure 20% procurement from MSMEs for public sector projects' :-
...............................................................................
The Union Ministry for MSME today said it had asked the Centre to ensure that all government departments, public sector undertakings and government-funded infrastructure projects procure 20 per cent of their requirements from Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). more

SPIC urges MSME minister to take initiative to allow loss making units to avail CLCSS scheme :-
...............................................................................
The SME Pharma Industries Confederation (SPIC), an apex body of thousands of small pharma units spread across the country, has asked union minister for micro, small and medium enterprises Dinsha Patel to convene a joint meeting of concerned ministries to ensure that the Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (CLCSS) is allowed to the loss making units also to upgrade their units as per GMP norms. more...

PM to oversee policy guidelines for MSME sector :-
...............................................................................
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today set up a council under his chairmanship to lay down broad policy guidelines and review the development of small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) which employ 6 crore people.   more...

Needed: A culture of enterprise among youths :-
...............................................................................
IF Jamaica is to move forward and experience real economic growth, Government must incorporate "a culture of enterprise" among youths in the education system.   more...

Finance Minister: The MSME sector requires a lot more to develop :-
...............................................................................
Pranab Mukherjee, the finance minister expressed that a lot more needs to be done for the development of the small, micro and medium enterprises.   more...

German industry bodies tie up with MSME agencies :-
...............................................................................
Two German industry bodies have tied up with five Indian micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) representative agencies to usher in professionalism and expertise in their management, and improve their access to services.   more...

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

  • 9th Machine Tools and Auto Components Exhibition 2010 | more |
  • AUTOCOMP 2010 | more |
  • Fabrics & Accessories Trade Show 2010 | more |
  • All Food Tech 2010 | more |
  • Food Scope 2010 | more |


    		•
     
    :::: OUR INITIATIVES ::::

    Seminar on "Export marketing"

    Work shop on Fashion Forcast

    With the objective to promote export at Pune Fruit and Vegetable Processing Cluster, a seminar on Export Marketing was organised under the SIDBI's Cluster Development Program "Implementing BDS for MSMEs" on March 20, 2010.

    The seminar was organised in collaboration with Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA). The major areas covered were Present status of Processed Food Export and Introduction to HACCP & SPS Standards, Export marketing research, Export marketing entry, Getting ready for Exports and international trade procedures (regulatory frame work, documentation, incentives available for exports of processed food), Opportunities for innovation in Processed Fruits and Vegetables Products for exports, Export Opportunities and New markets for Food Products, etc.

    Experts who provided information were Ms. Tamanna Chaturvedi, IIFT, Shri R. G. Vaidya, Director, Synergy Research, Shri Vaibhav Nagarkar, Director, Generation Next Business Consulting, Mr. Amendra Mahamuni, Private Consultant & Mr. Vinay Oswal, Director, NAFARI.

    Around 50 participants attended the seminar and it was followed with question answer session.

     
    :::: KNOW YOUR CLUSTER ::::
    Bellary Jeans Cluster
    Bellary, popularly known as Jean capital of India is situated at 320 kms from the state capital of Karnataka, Bangalore. Agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and mining, paddy processing are the other important economic activities at Bellary other than garment manufacturing. Bellary is the second important center for manufacture of ready-made garments in Karnataka.

    History of garment industry in Bellary dates back to First World War period. Darji" community with its native skill in tailoring migrated from Maharastra to stitch uniforms for the soldiers stationed at Bellary. After the withdrawal of troops, they started manufacturing uniforms to the school children, which was once famous for its perfection all over the country. With the change in fashion and dress culture of men in India, they started manufacturing trousers for men mainly Jeans during early 70's.The industry took the noticeable growth only during last two decades.

    The cluster mainly manufactures men's casuals like jeans and formals made of Khakis, Chinos, Gabardine Cordrayal and polyester / cotton / viscose blends and half pants for boys. Very few manufacture pants for ladies and girls. Garments manufactured at Bellary have got very poor image for its quality, design and finishing. Because of its inherent deficiencies it is unable to get reasonable price in the market.

    Merchant Manufacturers procure order for the trousers and then get manufactured through various sub-contractors. They purchase fabrics required for making the trousers either from the local fabric suppliers or from the sub-dealers in Bombay and give it to the garment-stitching units after cutting the fabric as per the patterns available with them for the different sizes. Very few have merchant manufacturers have the in house manufacturing facilities. But it is not sufficient to meet at least 50% of their requirements. Others are only outsourcing their entire requirements. Trousers received are sent for washing or bleaching and dyeing as per the requirements. Washed / dyed garments are sent back for ironing after trimming the threads. Ironed garments are labeled and packed by these merchant manufacturers, after inspection before dispatching them to their customers. Even ironing of the trousers is outsourced by most of the merchant manufacturers. It is estimated that there are around 160 merchant manufacturers in the cluster.

    Core cluster actors include Merchant Manufacturers, Sub - Contractors for garment making, Washer and Dyers and Finishers. Other Cluster actor includes Fabric suppliers, Accessory Suppliers, Dyestuff and Chemical Suppliers, Machinery Suppliers and Machinery Repair Service provider. Institutes providing training in cluster are District Industries Centre (DIC), Centre for Entrepreneurship Development of Karnataka (CEDOK), Department of Handlooms and Textiles, Syndicate Institute of Rural Entrepreneurship Development (SIRD), Bellary District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BDCCI) and The Bellary KIADB Industries Association (BKIA), Bellary Dress Manufacturers' Association (BDMA) and Bellary Jean Washers Association (BJWA).

    Problems currently faced by the cluster are in production field are Inconsistency in quality, Low productivity level, Poor washing and dyeing technologies, Poor finishing and packing facilities, Attitude of the workforce like Indiscipline at the workplaces, lack of commitment in work, lack of skill and non-availability of supervisory level workers. Problems related to marketing are Seasonality in demand, Undercutting among the fellow merchant manufacturers, Competition from other clusters. Other issues are Excise Duty and Labor welfare regulations and interference from the government agencies, Poor raw material qualities, Limited production capacity, Inability to keep delivery schedule, Longer production cycle, Non diversification of product, No new design or product development, Lack of awareness about the need for testing and quality control, Non availability of quality accessories locally, Absence of system in operation for production and material control, Old and obsolete machineries, non availability of proper infrastructure and many more related to environment, energy and marketing.

    The cluster is growing in terms of value and quantity. But it is slow as compared to the over all growth of the industry because of its inability to exploit the market potential. They are able maintain the profit level by increasing their turnover. The annual turnover of the cluster is estimated around Rs. 100 Corers ( US $ 3 million) and it provide employment for 10, 000 people. Merchant manufacturers are contended with their performance and achievements in the business. Because of such attitude the cluster is unable to grow, compete and innovate. Although opportunities exist for the cluster to execute volume orders for the exporters at Bangalore and to make direct export, it has not been exploited.
     
    :::: INFO CORNER ::::
    Patent

    A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention, which is a product or a process that provides, in general, a new way of doing something, or offers a new technical solution to a problem. In order to be patentable, the invention must fulfill certain conditions like it must be of practical use; it must show an element of novelty, that is, some new characteristic which is not known in the body of existing knowledge in its technical field. This body of existing knowledge is called "prior art". The invention must show an inventive step which could not be deduced by a person with average knowledge of the technical field. Finally, its subject matter must be accepted as "patentable" under law.

    A patent provides protection for the invention to the owner of the patent. The protection is granted for a limited period, generally 20 years. Patent protection means that the invention cannot be commercially made, used, distributed or sold without the patent owner's consent. These patent rights are usually enforced in a court, which, in most systems, holds the authority to stop patent infringement. Conversely, a court can also declare a patent invalid upon a successful challenge by a third party.

    A patent is granted by a national patent office or by a regional office that does the work for a number of countries. Under such regional systems, an applicant requests protection for the invention in one or more countries, and each country decides as to whether to offer patent protection within its borders. The WIPO-administered Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) provides for the filing of a single international patent application which has the same effect as national applications filed in the designated countries. An applicant seeking protection may file one application and request protection in as many signatory states as needed.

    Source: WIPO

    		 

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