India Business Insight articles from April 2008

India Business Insight archives from April 2008

FARM COST PANEL MOOTS MINIMUM REMUNERATIVE PRICE FOR CROPS (recommends an increase of 34-35 percent for paddy and maize crops).
April 30, 2008... The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) has recommended increases in the minimum statutory prices (MSP) of different crops. The commission has recommended an increase of 34- 35 percent for Paddy and maize crops, 40-53...

SABOL TO ENTER SOFT DRINKS, READY-TO-EAT FOODS MARKET (targets to earn turnover of Rs100 crore per annum).
April 30, 2008... Sabol Associates (Sabol) of Coimbatore has forayed into the soft drinks sector. The company targets to become a full-fledged food products company and to extend its reach across South India during 2008. The company will then expand to other...

RUCHI SOYA ON A GROWTH TRAJECTORY (to double crushing capacity in western Maharashtra to 3,000 tonnes per day).
April 30, 2008... Ruchi Soya (Ruchi) plans to double its crushing capacity in western Maharashtra from 1,500 to 3,000 tonnes per day. The company is currently expanding the capacity of its existing plant and is setting up a new one. Ruchi which has...

NON-ALCOHOLIC BEER FROM RADEBERGER (expects sales of Rs6.5 crore in first year of operations).
April 30, 2008... Radeberger of Germany has associated with Dalmia Continental (Dalmia) to launch a non-alcoholic beer, Clausthaler. The company plans to invest Rs11 crore in branding and promotions of the beverage. Clausthaler contains half the amount of...

BEER GARDENS: CELEBRATIONS FOR BEER GUZZLERS (Rockman Group to invest Rs100 crore to launch first Beer Garden in India).
April 30, 2008... The Government of Haryana has granted permission to companies to set up micro beer brewery pubs. Rockman Group will invest over Rs100 crore to launch the first Beer Garden in India at Gurgaon, in a joint venture with Lowenbrau Buttenheim...

TITAN ANNUAL JEWELLERY SALES TOUCH $506 MILLION (sales of Gold Plus jewellery at over Rs2 billion in 2007- 2008).
April 30, 2008... Titan Industries Ltd has reported a 57 percent rise in jewellery sales at Rs20.28 billion and profit of Rs1.503 billion for 2007- 2008. Gold Plus jewellery accounted for sales of over Rs2 billion. The company has a network of 20 Gold Plus...

PORT PERFORMANCE-LAID BACK GROWTH: KANDLA PORT (port handled 28.54 million tonnes of crude in 2007-2008).
April 30, 2008... Kandla Port handled 64.89 million tonnes of cargo during 2007- 2008, which is 22.48 percent higher than cargo handled in 2006- 2007. The crude throughput at 28.54 million tonnes (mt) for 2007- 2008 was the highest ever handled by an Indian...

PORT PERFORMANCE-LAID BACK GROWTH: VISAKHAPATNAM PORT (port records traffic growth of 8.21 million tonnes in 2007- 2008).
April 30, 2008... Visakhapatnam Port achieved a traffic growth of 8.21 million tonnes, an all-time high for the port. This is against 5.6 million tonnes in 2005-2006. The high traffic growth is attributed to iron ore and pellets. The port handled...

PORT PERFORMANCE-LAID BACK GROWTH: JAWAHARLAL NEHRU PORT (JNP) (it handled 4.06 million TEUs for 2007-2008).
April 30, 2008... Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNP) is a major container port of the country. It handled a total of 4.06 million TEUs for 2007-2008. This is a growth of 23 percent. In 2006-2007, it achieved a total throughput of 3.30 million TEUs. JNP has three...

PORT PERFORMANCE-LAID BACK GROWTH: KOLKATA PORT (container throughput grew by 22.84% during 2007-2008).
April 30, 2008... Kolkata Port achieved a container throughput of 3,87,724 twenty- foot equivalent units (TEU) during 2007-2008, which is a growth of 22.84 percent. It handled 3,15,631 TEUs in 2006-2007. Of the total, Kolkata Dock System handled 56,752 TEUs (a...

PORT PERFORMANCE-LAID BACK GROWTH: PARADIP PORT (records growth of 10.18% in throughput during 2007-2008).
April 30, 2008... Paradip Port recorded a growth of 10.18 percent in the throughput handled at 42.44 million tonnes (mt) during 2007-2008. Paradip was able to achieve this traffic throughput because of thermal coal and iron ore. Thermal coal throughput...

PORT PERFORMANCE-LAID BACK GROWTH: CHENNAI PORT (port holds the leading position in car exports).
April 30, 2008... One of the oldest city ports, Chennai Port handled 57.15 million tonnes (mt) throughput during 2007-2008. This is a growth of seven percent over the 53.41 mt handled in 2006-2007. Exports accounted for 24.31 mt of the total throughput...

PROLOGIS JOINS K RAHEJA (propose to develop 7.5 million square feet by 2011).
April 30, 2008... ProLogis one of the worlds largest logistics housing developers of the US, has forayed into India with a 50:50 joint venture with real estate developer, K Raheja Group. The two companies through the joint venture plan to develop warehousing...

GARWARE OFFSHORE TO BUY 5 VESSELS (plans to buy three AHTSVs and PSVs).
April 30, 2008... Garware Offshore Services of Mumbai is a dedicated offshore services provider. The company has contracted to buy three anchor handling tugs-cum-supply vessels (AHTSVs) for nearly $15 million each. It also plans to buy two platform support...

GREATSHIP TAKES DELIVERY OF ANOTHER AHTSV (vessel has a maximum bollard pull of 96 tonnes).
April 30, 2008... Greatship India Limited (GIL) recently took delivery of a newly- built anchor handling tug-cum supply vessel (AHTSV). The vessel has a maximum bollard pull of 96 tonnes. The company currently has three PSVs and two AHTSVs in the water.

GE SHIPPING DELIVERS PANAMAX DRY BULK CARRIER (company currently has a fleet size of 43 vessels).
April 30, 2008... Great Eastern Shipping Company (GE Shipping) delivered its Panamax dry bulk carrier to the buyers. The ship weighs 73,350 dead weight tonnages (dwt) and was built in 1994. The companys current fleet size stands at 43 vessels. Its new building...

HIND TERMINAL FLAGS OFF BANGALORE-NHAVA SHEVA SERVICE (new service operated with support from Indian Railways and other organisations).
April 30, 2008... Hind Terminals is extending its container box service across the country. The company flagged off its Nhava Sheva-Bangalore-Nhava Sheva Express service from Bangalore in Mar 2008. The new service is operated with support from Indian...

MAXICON LAUNCHES MYANMAR-INDIA-BANGLADESH DIRECT SERVICE (launches two vessels connecting east and west coast of India).
April 30, 2008... Maxicon Container Line has launched a direct Myanmar India- Bangladesh service with its vessel the 852 twenty tonnes equivalent unit (TEU) capacity, MV Marina Star 2. This service links Yangon with Chennai. MV Marina Star provides thrice a...

DPW TO INVEST IN ICDS IN GUJARAT (plans to invest $60 million in setting up two ICDs at Ahmedabad and Vadodara).
April 30, 2008... Dubai Port World (DPW) the global port and terminal operator, plans to invest about $60 million in setting up two dry ports or inland cargo depots (ICDs) in Gujarat. The ICDs will be located at Ahmedabad and Vadodara. DPW has port facilities...

INDIA TO HELP UPGRADE MYANMAR PORT (to upgrade the Sittwe Port and make the Kaladan River navigable).
April 30, 2008... The Government of India has approved a multi-modal transit transport project to upgrade its transportation system. This is under the Aid to Myanmar initiative. India will upgrade the Sittwe Port and make the Kaladan River navigable up to...

VISAKHAPATNAM PORT, HINDUSTAN PETRO SIGN MOU (VPT to donate land to enable HPCs doubling of refining capacity).
April 30, 2008... Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to facilitate HPCs expansion plans. As per the agreement, VPT will provide 384 acres of land to the company, which is...

GLOBALINK SELECTS KALES FREIGHT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (solution to streamline Globalinks ocean, air and freight operations).
April 30, 2008... Glabalink Transportation & Logistics of Dubai is a leading international freight forwarder having operations in Dubai, Europe and the Middle East. It has picked on the web-enabled freight management solution of Kale Consultants of Pune. ...

NAGPUR BAGS BOEINGS MRO FACILITY (Boeing to invest $100 million in the Nagpur facility).
April 30, 2008... Boeing Corporation has zeroed in on Nagpur to establish its regional maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility. Boeing will invest $100 million in the Nagpur facility, which will help consolidate Indias air transport infrastructure....

UNITEX SETS UP SHOP IN INDIA (the company has its headquarters in Chennai).
April 30, 2008... Unitex International Forwarding of Hong Kong has opened its office in India with headquarters in Chennai. It operates branch offices in Mumbai, New Delhi and Bangalore. The company currently has a market share of 31 percent and it plans to...

RELIANCE POWER UNVEILS ITS SHIPPING COMPANY PLANS (plans to float shipping subsidiary with investment of $1.2 billion).
April 30, 2008... Reliance Power has decided to float a shipping subsidiary with an investment of $1.2 billion initially. The company requires ships to transport coal for its power projects that it will implement. It plans to acquire a fleet 12 vessels by...

DEDICATED FREIGHT CORRIDOR WORK TO BEGIN IN NOV (Japan to fund corridor from Delhi to Jawaharlal Nehru Port).
April 30, 2008... Work on the eastern and western dedicated rail freight corridors is expected to commence in October/November. The funding pattern is as follows - Japan will fund the western corridor from Delhi to Jawaharlal Nehru Port. A number of agencies...

JAWAHAR CUSTOMS POST RECORD REVENUES (gross revenue collection is 23.57% higher in 2007-2008).
April 30, 2008... The gross revenue collection of Jawaharlal Nehru Customs House in 2007-2008 is 23.57 percent higher at Rs20,549.83 crore than that collected during 2006-2007. The net revenue realisations for 2007- 2008 was at Rs19,660.36 crore as...

KoPT PLANS TO LEASE OUT 2 HALDIA BERTHS (private contractors will have to assure cargo of 1.5 mt per berth a year).
April 30, 2008... The Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) has decided to lease out two berths at Haldia to private operators. Haldias berth no 2 and 8, which handle steel cargo are likely to be reserved for private contractors. The private contractors however will have...

DOLLAR IMPACT ON TEXTILE EXPORT (exports down 2.9% to Rs6,0352.09 crore in Apr-Dec 2007).
April 30, 2008... The overall textile exports during the period Apr-Dec 2007 increased by 9.33 percent at $14,935.69 million over the corresponding period of 2006-2007. In rupee terms the exports declined by 2.9 percent to Rs60,351.09 crore over the...

RLYS CUT IRON ORE FREIGHT CHARGES (charges on iron ore meant for domestic use down six%).
April 30, 2008... In a bid to control inflationary measures, the Government of India and the Indian Railways have reduced freight charges on iron ore meant for domestic use by six percent with effect from 1 May 2008. The subcharge on iron ore for domestic...

TRAFFIC HANDLED BY MAJOR PORTS (traffic handled by ports at 49,790 thousand tonnes in Mar 2008).
April 30, 2008... The following is a glance of the total traffic handled by the 13 major Indian ports at various times. The total traffic handled by major Indian ports in Mar 2008 was at 49,790 thousand tonnes (45,296 thousand tonnes in Mar 2007). During the...

MDLR: COMMANDING THE SKIES (MDLR group is first ever in India to opt for 4-engine AVRO RJ 70 jets).
April 30, 2008... The MDLR Group began as an infrastructure organisation in 2004 but has now diversified into many verticals. The flagship company is MDLR Developers and Promoters Private Limited. The group is now into real estate development, high-value...

SYNTEL: A PASSION FOR PERFECTION (net income rose by 23% to $62.9 million in 2006-2007).
April 30, 2008... Syntel is one of the worlds largest information technology (IT) and knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) firms. Its software research and development centres are focussing on proprietary technologies, device/embedded systems, tools and...

ISBM: GROOMING TOMORROWS BUSINESS LEADERS (accredited by the Council of Distance Learning in India).
April 30, 2008... The Indian School of Business Management and Administration (ISBM) is among the top ten distance learning B-schools in the country. It operates centres in Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Gwalior, Bangalore, Chennai and Bangalore. It offers...

THE PALMS OPENS ITS 5-STAR URBAN VILLAS (located at Goregaon near Mumbai and has 106 villas).
April 30, 2008... The Royal Palms Group is a major name in the hospitality sector. It recently opened its second five star business hotel in Mumbai, named the Palms. Royal Palms has tied up with the Great Hotels of the World. Located in Goregaon, the Palms is...

SALES PERFORMANCES OF COIR BHAVANS DURING YEAR 2007-2008 (eight Coir Bhavans achieve their targets for 2007-2008).
April 30, 2008... The 30 Coir Bhavans under the Coir Board of India have recorded a sales of Rs1,030.18 lakh in 2007-2008 as against a target of Rs1,300 lakh. In 2006-2007, the Coir Bhavans registered sales of Rs780.95 lakh as against a target of Rs1,280 lakh....

SUMMARY OF EXPORTS OF COIR PRODUCTS MAR 2008 (exports register a year-on-year decline).
April 30, 2008... The total exports of coir products declined from 19,755.36 tonnes valued at Rs649.816 million in Mar 2007 to 15,868.13 tonnes valued at Rs516.823 million in Mar 2008. While the exports of handloom mats declined from 3,905.03 tonnes valued at...

SUMMARY OF EXPORT OF COIR PRODUCTS (exports of coir pith at 83,613.24 tonnes in 2007-2008).
April 30, 2008... The exports of coir products from India increased from 1,68,754.75 tonnes valued at Rs6,051.659 million in 2006-2007 to 1,87,566.70 tonnes valued at Rs5,928.808 million in 2007-2008. While the exports of handloom mats declined from 42,986.07...

CELEBRATION TIME FOR WINE INDUSTRY (industry to grow by 25-30 percent from the current $62 million by 2010).
April 30, 2008... The Governments of Maharashtra, Chandigarh and Karnataka are introducing consumer friendly policies, which would benefit the wine industry. The Government of Maharashtra has classified wineries under food processing industry instead of...

FDI IN FOOD PROCESSING TO TREBLE BY 2009 (FDI in the sector to touch Rs1,300 crore during 2009).
April 30, 2008... The Government of India expects foreign direct investment to increase from Rs174 crore in 2005 to Rs441 crore over the next two years. The government estimates that foreign direct investment in the sector will be Rs1,300 crore during...

GOVERNMENT TO HELP FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY GROW (steps to organise packing and storage facilities).
April 30, 2008... The Ministry of Food processing Industries, Government of India, plans to take necessary action to assist the growth of the sector. The sector is currently growing by 18 percent (eight percent during 2004). The ministry plans to set up...

MAA FRUITS TAKEN OVER BY CAVIN KARE (company plans to double capacity of Maa Fruits).
April 30, 2008... Cavin Kare (CK) has acquired stake in Maa Fruits (MF), a fruit drinks company. MF has a portfolio of mango, pineapple apple and pink guava range of fruit drinks. CK plans to double the capacity of the company. The foray into packaged fruit...

GODFREY PHILLIPS ENTERS CONFECTIONERY MARKET WITH FUNDA-MINT (it has launched Funda-Mint in Ahmedabad and Jaipur).
April 30, 2008... Godfrey Phillips (GP) has launched a confectionery, the Funda- Mint. The product has been launched in Ahmedabad and Jaipur and will be followed by other places across India. GP plans to leverage on its distribution network to launch...

INDIA CUTS IMPORT DUTY ON EDIBLE OILS (second largest buyer of vegetable oil in global markets).
April 30, 2008... The Government of India has cut import taxes on edible oils and rice to control rising inflation. The import tax on crude palm oil and palmolein has been reduced from 45 to 20 percent while duties on refined palm oil and RBD palmolein have...

ITC TO REVIVE MILLET CULTIVATION THRU CHOUPALS (acreage of millets has reduced to 9 million hectares).
April 30, 2008... ITC Choupals plans to experiment with a model to revive cultivation of millets in the food chain of India. The acreage of millets has reduced from 18 million a few years back, to 9 million hectares currently. The International Business...

BRIT TECHNOLOGY USER: GAMMA-AGRO MEDICAL PROCESSINGS (a multi-purpose product facility irradiation plant at Hyderabad).
April 30, 2008... Parameshwar Kaginally has set up Gamma Agro-Medical Processings (GAMP), a multi-purpose product facility irradiation plant at Hyderabad. The facility will come up at the Export Promotion Industrial Park at Pashamylaram, at a cost of Rs70...

HERO HONDA: RIGHT TIME TO RIDE IT (operating profit margin rises by 260 bps to 13.9% for Apr- Dec 2007).
April 30, 2008... Hero Honda Motor Ltd (HHML) is a joint venture between Hero Group of India and Honda Motor Co of Japan. The company has performed well in spite of the slowdown in the two-wheeler industry. The company reported 31 percent growth in net...

SUNIL HI-TECH ENGINEERS - PACKED WITH POWER (order book position at Rs800 crore as on 31 Jan 2008).
April 30, 2008... Sunil Hi-Tech Engineers Ltd (SHEL) is engaged in fabricating, erecting, testing and commissioning thermal power plants. The company reported 121 percent year-on-year rise in revenue at Rs79.10 crore for Oct-Dec 2007. Profit after tax...

JYOTI: BRIGHT PROSPECTS (order book position at Rs450 crore as on 31 Dec 2007).
April 30, 2008... Jyoti is a diversified company and a manufacturer of hydroelectric systems, wind generators, turbines, rotating electrical machines, motors, switchgears, electronic and control systems. The company caters to power, agriculture, water...

OIL & NATURAL GAS CORPORATION: NEW FINDS TO DRIVE GROWTH (enhances oil recovery and revamps old infrastructure at its oil fields).
April 30, 2008... Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC), a public sector undertaking, is exploring new avenues to drive growth. The company proposes to enhance oil recovery by improved techniques and revamp its old infrastructure at its oil fields....

LUFTHANSA EXPANDS FLIGHT SERVICES TO INDIA (from May 2008, will operate three weekly flights between Mumbai and Munich).
April 30, 2008... Lufthansa plans to expand its flight services to India. From May 2008, the airline will operate three weekly flights between Mumbai and Munich, complementing its existing daily service between Mumbai and Frankfurt. From Jun 2008, Lufthansa...

TAJ GETS FIRST MICHELIN STAR FOR LONDON RESTAURANT (for Quilon, the only South Indian restaurant in the country to win the accolade).
April 30, 2008... Quilon, the flagship property of the Taj Group in the UK, has won a Michelin star. The ultimate culinary award is the first for the hotel group. With this award, the restaurant, which is located at 51, Buckingham Gate, becomes the fifth...

AIR ARABIA LAUNCHES NEW DELHI-SHARJAH SERVICE (initially for four times a week).
April 30, 2008... Air Arabia has introduced flights between New Delhi and Sharjah from 31 Mar 2008. The service, which has initially been launched for four times a week, will become a daily service from May 2008. The low-cost carrier in the Middle East and...

GoAIR OFFERS TATA-AIG TRAVEL INSURANCE TO PASSENGERS (passengers will be compensated up to Rs10,500, in case of flight delays over a specified duration).
April 30, 2008... GoAir has tied up with Tata-AIG to provide travel insurance cover to GoAir passengers who book their tickets through www.GoAir.in. Under the scheme, the passengers have the option of buying insurance cover paying a premium of Rs129. In case...

WELCOMHERITAGE ADDS THREE MORE PROPERTIES TO THE LIST (now has a total of 56 properties).
April 30, 2008... WelcomGroup has added three more properties across India to its existing list of properties. The properties are Chalets Naldehra, near Shimla, Bijay Niwas Palace in Rajasthans Ajmer district and Calve in Pondicherry. WelcomHeritage, which is...

AIR INDIA FLIES NON-STOP TO NEW YORK IN NEW BOEING AIRCRAFT (new Boeing B777-200-LR with increased size of seats).
April 30, 2008... Air India has begun direct service between Delhi and New York from Feb 2008 in a new Boeing B777-200-LR. The aircraft has increased the size of the seats, thereby reducing the number of seats. The carrier now has eight seats in first...

US FDA INSPECTS NATCO PHARMAS API FACILITY (located at Mekaguda village in Mahaboobnagar district of Andhra Pradesh).
April 30, 2008... The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has successfully inspected an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) facility of Natco Pharma Ltd (Natco) of Hyderabad. The facility is located at Mekaguda village in Mahaboobnagar district of Andhra...

STRIDES APCOLAB RECEIVES ANDA AND USFDA APPROVAL (approval for unit in Bangalore to manufacture products for exports to USA).
April 30, 2008... Strides Arcolab has obtained US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its penicillin sterile facility located in Bangalore to manufacture products for exports to USA. Strides Arcolab is one of the leading exporters of branded...

RANBAXY GETS US FDA APPROVAL FOR LAMIVUDINE (indicated for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus infection).
April 30, 2008... Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd (RIL) has obtained US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to manufacture and market lamivudine tablets in the regulated markets of USA. The tablets are indicated for the treatment of human immunodeficiency...

GLENMARK LAUNCHES CLOBETASOL FROM ITS NICHE DERMATOLOGY PIPELINE (five clobetasol propionate skin products in the regulated markets of USA).
April 30, 2008... Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd (GPL), a leading pharmaceutical company in India, has started marketing five clobetasol propionate skin products in the regulated markets of USA. GPL launched the products through its fully-owned subsidiary in...

GLENMARK PHARMA REORGANIZES BUSINESS (to focus on the individual entities as separate verticals).
April 30, 2008... Glenmark Pharmaceuticals (GP), a leading pharmaceutical company in India, has restructured its business into two separate entities, specialty and generics as both had grown rapidly and attained critical mass. GP now aims to focus on the...

PIRAMAL GROUP WITH NEW CORPORATE IDENTITY (plans to change the name NPIL to Piramal Healthcare).
April 30, 2008... The Piramal Group of Mumbai is planning to launch a new corporate identity with three mission values adopted by it since 2006, knowledge, action and care. Nicholas Piramal India Ltd (NPIL), its flagship firm, completes 20 years of operations...

SOLREX PHARMA UPS STAKE IN ORCHID CHEM TO 8% (promoter of Orchid Chemicals holds 17% in the company).
April 30, 2008... Solrex Pharmaceuticals (SP) has acquired 2,20,000 shares in Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals (Orchid Chemicals) of Chennai, increasing its stake to 8.06 percent. The promoter of Orchid Chemicals holds a 17 percent stake in the company....

SUN PHARMACEUTICAL ANNOUNCES USFDA APPROVAL (for three of its generic abbreviated new drug applications).
April 30, 2008... Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd (Sun) has obtained approval from US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for three of its generic abbreviated new drug applications (ANDA). The ANDA has been received for amifostine for injection 500...

BACFO PHARMA TO EXPAND ITS DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS (in countries like Qatar, UAE and other West Asian markets).
April 30, 2008... BACFO Pharmaceutical India Ltd (BACFO) of Noida in Uttar Pradesh is planning to expand in India as well as overseas in countries like Qatar, UAE and other West Asian markets. BACFO is a producer of research-based herbal (ayurvedic)...

AVESTHAGEN BEGINS PHASE III STUDIES (to jointly conduct studies for diabetes management).
April 30, 2008... Avesthagen Ltd (Avesthagen) of Bangalore has commenced phase-III trials on its newly launched Avesta brand of botanical bioActives in association with Manipal AcuNova Ltd (MAL) of Bangalore. Avesthagen is a leading knowledge-based systems...

MSN LABORATORIES (to establish a contract research and manufacturing facility for new chemical entities).
April 30, 2008... MSN Laboratories intends to establish a contract research and manufacturing facility for new chemical entities at Pashamylaram in Medak district of Andhra Pradesh. The facility will be built at a cost of Rs40-50 crore and accommodate around...

GUARDIAN LIFECARE PRIVATE LTD (to set up 108 retail pharmacy stores in north India by Mar 2009).
April 30, 2008... Guardian Lifecare Pvt Ltd (Guardian Lifecare) of Gurgaon is planning to set up 108 retail pharmacy stores in north India by Mar 2009. Guardian Lifecare is a leading retail pharmacy chain in Haryana. The project envisages an investment of...

DEEPAM HOSPITALS (to build a tertiary care hospital on Radial road at Chennai).
April 30, 2008... Deepam Hospitals is planning to set up a joint venture (JV) with KMH Group of Japan. Deepam Hospitals proposes to build a tertiary care hospital on Radial road at Chennai through the JV. The 200- bedded hospital will occupy 1.5 acres and have...

EISAI PHARMA TECHNOLOGY (to set up unit for bulk drugs and tablets in Vishakhapatnam district).
April 30, 2008... Eisai Pharma Technology (EPT) plans to establish a production unit for bulk drugs and tablets at Parwada in Vishakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh by Apr 2010. The facility will have an annual production capacity of 30 tonnes of bulk drugs...

ALPA LABORATORIES (to set up a new production plant in Madhya Pradesh).
April 30, 2008... Alpa Laboratories (AL) of Indore is planning to set up a new production plant at Pigdamber near Indore in Madhya Pradesh at a cost of Rs60 crore. The facility will follow US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) norms. The facility will...

ESS DEE ALUMINIUM LTD (EDAL) (to develop new anti-counterfeit packaging solutions).
April 30, 2008... Ess Dee Aluminium Ltd (EDAL) is planning to develop new anti- counterfeit packaging solutions for Indian and overseas markets at a cost of Rs125 crore. EDAL of Mumbai is a specialist packaging company. EDAL expects to introduce its...

SANKARA EYE INSTITUTIONS (to harness corporate-individual philanthropy to set up hospitals).
April 30, 2008... Sankara Eye Institutions is planning to set up 20 eye hospitals across India by 2020. Sankara Eye Institutions are the promoters of the Sankara Eye Care Institution and Sankara Eye Foundation. The institution has devised a model to harness...

KASEB HEALTHCARE (to set up a formulations plant at Vasanthapura in Tumkur district).
April 30, 2008... Kaseb Healthcare is planning to set up a pharmaceutical formulation plant at Vasanthapura in Tumkur district of Karnataka. Polestar Medichem of Chennai will supply the raw materials. The company envisages an expenditure of Rs15-25 crore...

BIONEEDS LABORATORY ANIMALS & PRECLINICAL SERVICES (to take up expansion at a cost of $8 million).
April 30, 2008... Bioneeds Laboratory Animals & Preclinical Services (Bioneeds) is planning to expand its infrastructure to 60,000 square feet from 27,324 square feet at a cost of $8 million. Bioneeds is a contract research organisation (CRO) focusing on...

THE ADVANCED ENZYME TECHNOLOGIES LTD (AETL) (to launch its chewable lactase enzyme tablet by Oct 2008).
April 30, 2008... The Advanced Enzyme Technologies Ltd (AETL) of Mumbai is planning to establish a new production facility for producing pharmaceutical enzymes at a cost of Rs60 crore in the first phase. AETL is a company specializing in enzyme research...

BIOCON ACQUIRES 70 PERCENT STAKE IN GERMAN PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY (a marketing and distribution services provider with an ISO: 9001 certification).
April 30, 2008... Biocon, a leading biotechnology company in India, has announced of an agreement to acquire 70 percent stake in pharmaceutical company, AxiCorp GmbH (AxiCorp) of Germany for euro30 million. AxiCorp is a marketing and distribution services...

SHANKARA PIPES INDIA: WILL IT DELIVER RETURNS? (92% of its revenue comes from south India).
April 30, 2008... Shankara Pipes India Ltd (SPIL), a distributor of steel tubes, pipes and related products recorded a turnover of Rs5 billion and 1,22,000 million tonnes per annum for 2006-2007. The company is a dominant player in south India, with 92 percent...

WOCKHARDT - ACQUISITIONS TO BOOST TOP LINE (acquires its overseas subsidiaries).
April 30, 2008... Wockhardt, a leading pharmaceutical company in India, reported 53 percent growth in consolidated sales to Rs2,653 crore for 2006- 2007. The company expects 30-32 percent increase in turnover as well as 24.1 percent rise in operating...

BLUE STAR - MOVING AHEAD COOLLY (reports 44% growth in total income at Rs1,526 crore for Apr- Dec 2007).
April 30, 2008... Blue Star, a leading manufacturer and supplier of air- conditioning (AC) systems, anticipates a huge demand for its products from the infrastructure and construction sectors. Blue Star reported 44 percent year-on-year growth in total...

COSMO FILMS - STRESS ON VALUE ADDITION (infuses capex of Rs125 crore in 2008-2009).
April 30, 2008... Cosmo Films is a manufacturer of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) products. The company proposes to infuse a capital expenditure (capex) of Rs125 crore in 2008-2009 for various expansion activities. The company intends to enhance...

NAKODA TEXTILE INDUSTRIES - GROWTH PLAN ON COURSE (turnover increases by 65% to Rs582.11 crore).
April 30, 2008... Nakoda Textile Industries (NIS) has reported 65 percent rise in its turnover to Rs582.11 crore, with net profit rising by 59 percent to Rs9.76 crore for Jan-Dec 2007. NIS is engaged in the production of POY and FDY, texturising of yarn as...

LOK HOUSING AND CONSTRUCTIONS: BANKING ON LAND BANK (owns land bank of 1,222 acres in India).
April 30, 2008... Lok Housing and Constructions (LHC) of Mumbai is the flagship company of the Lok Group. The company is a real estate company with a large land bank of 1,222 acres in India, with development potential of 62.5 million square feet. LHC reported...

INDIA'S FIRST PENSION PLAN (LIC launches two pension schemes).
April 30, 2008... Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) Pension Fund, the first pension fund in India, will offer two schemes. The first scheme offers 100 percent investment in Government of India securities. The second offers 85 percent investment in debt...