India Business Insight articles from November 2008, page 2

India Business Insight archives from November 2008

INDIA TO PURCHASE PULSES FROM MYANMAR (plans to import 10 lakh tonnes of pulses to increase supply and control prices).
November 30, 2008... The Government of India plans to enter into a government-to- government pulse purchase agreement with Myanmar. India expects to gain a price advantage through such an arrangement and ensure availability of pulses at agreed prices. India plans...

US UPS INDIAN SOYAMEAL EXPORT FORECAST (by 19 percent from 4.77 MTs to 5.67 MTs).
November 30, 2008... The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has increased its estimate of soyameal export from India. In Aug 2008, USDA had estimated that the US would import 4.77 million tonnes (MTs) of soyameal from India. However, this has been increased...

THE FIRST AGRI-CREDIT AGENCY - AGRICULTURAL FINANCE CORPORATION LIMITED (preparing a package of micro-finance products and services to cater to the population below the poverty line).
November 30, 2008... The Agricultural Finance Corporation Ltd (AFCL) was set up in 1968 by the State Bank of India and other commercial banks. It has its headquarters at Mumbai, with regional offices in New Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore and branch offices at...

PREMIER IRRIGATION (company offers a wide range of irrigation products and completed systems).
November 30, 2008... Premier Irrigation was set up in 1965. It has its headquarters in Kolkata and manufacturing facilities at Kolkata and Nagpur. The company offers a wide range of irrigation products and completed systems like Premier Sprinkler Irrigation,...

KIIT SCHOOL OF RURAL MANAGEMENT (founded in 2006 at Bhubaneswar in Orissa, has launched its two-year MBA in Rural Management programme in 2007).
November 30, 2008... The KIIT School of Rural Management (KSRM) was founded in 2006 at Bhubaneswar in Orissa. The institute launched its two-year MBA in Rural Management (MRM) programme in 2007. It plans to offer a one- year Diploma in Rural Management programme...

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF FOREST MANAGEMENT (was set up in 1982 at Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh).
November 30, 2008... The Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) was set up in 1982 at Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. The institute is financed by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. It offers a two-year post-graduate diploma in...

SYMBIOSIS INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS (was established in 1992 at Pune in Maharashtra and certified by the NAAC in 2003).
November 30, 2008... The Symbiosis Institute of International Business (SIIB) was established in 1992 at Pune in Maharashtra. The institute was certified by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in 2003. It has entered into a memorandum of...

VAMNICOM (its main objective is to train professional managers to hold important positions in cooperatives).
November 30, 2008... The Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM) is located at Pune in Maharashtra. Its main objective is to train professional managers to hold important positions in cooperatives through management development,...

INSTITUTE OF AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT (has secured an International Organisation for Standardisation 9001 quality certification).
November 30, 2008... The Institute of Agribusiness Management (IABM) was founded in 2007 at Noida in the National Capital Region. It has secured an International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 9001 quality certification. It offers a two-year full-time...

XAVIER INSTITUTE OF DEVELOPMENT ACTION AND STUDIES (was set up in 1995 at Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh).
November 30, 2008... Xavier Institute of Development Action & Studies (XIDAS) was set up in 1995 at Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. It launched its Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Rural Management programme in 2000. The health care, governance and...

HORITCULTURE TRAINING CENTRE (was established in 2002 by MSAMB with an investment of Rs12 crore).
November 30, 2008... The Horticulture Training Centre (HTC) was established in 2002 by the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB) with an investment of Rs12 crore. The Practical Training Centre (PTC+) of Netherlands and the Netherlands Development...

ARVIND TO DEMERGE ITS APPAREL, RETAIL BUSINESS (apparel business to be known as Arvind Lifestyle and retail business as Arvind Retail Limited).
November 30, 2008... Arvind Limited, owners of the MegaMart brand, will demerge its apparel and retail business into wholly owned subsidiaries. The apparel business will be demerged as Arvind Lifestyle Limited and the retail business will be known as Arvind...

ESCORTS LAUNCHES NEW TRACTOR, TARGETS 18 PC GROWTH THIS FISCAL (?Powertrac 4455? is fuel-efficient and designed for specialised applications; Escorts expects to sell 55,000 tractors during Oct 2008-Sep 2009).
November 30, 2008... Escorts Limited launched its new tractor ?Powertrac 4455? in the category of 55 HP. The tractor is specially designed keeping in mind the increase in tractor usage for specialised applications and heavy-duty implements and attachments. The...

APOLLO PLANS EXPANSION (to invest Rs1,400 crore in 3-4 years on expanding operations in India in different formats).
November 30, 2008... Apollo Health and Lifestyle proposes to invest Rs1,400 crore in the next 3-4 years on expanding its operations in India with its different formats. It will invest Rs600 crore to set up 30 hospitals in Tier II cities under the brand...

HARRISON?S NOVEL WAY TO MAXIMISE OUTPUT (to involve small farmers to raise produces such as rubber and tea and utilise these along with its own to optimise plant capacity utilisation).
November 30, 2008... Harrison Malayalam Limited (HML) is to expand operations by involving small farmers to raise its produces including rubber and tea. HML is joining hands with small growers to take their produce and utilise it along with its own to...

ESPIRIT TO EXPAND (to increase the number of stores from 43 to 100).
November 30, 2008... Espirit, the global apparel retail brand, will expand its operations in India by increasing the number of its stores from the existing 43 to 100. The company will open these stores in metros and Tier-I and Tier-II cities.

RIL, 3 POWER DISCOMS IN PACT (RIL to sell solar energy to Jaipur Discom, Ajmer Discom and Jodhpur Discom in Rajasthan).
November 30, 2008... Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) signed an agreement with three power companies of Rajasthan to sell solar energy. These companies are Jaipur Discom, Ajmer Discom and Jodhpur Discom. RIL is setting up a 5-MW solar power generation unit...

NOBEL BIOCARE INTRODUCES DENTAL IMPLANT PROGRAMME (awards Fellowship in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists).
November 30, 2008... Nobel Biocare has launched the Total Implant Proficiency (TIP) Programme at Chennai. The one-year five-module programme will award Fellowship in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. The objective of the TIP programme is to...

PIRAMAL HEALTHCARE RECEIVES TWO ISO CERTIFICATES (in manufacturing and sale of In-Vitro Diagnostic Devices and kits for its plant at Pawane at Navi Mumbai).
November 30, 2008... Piramal Healthcare Ltd has secured International Organisation for Standardisation certification (ISO) in manufacturing and sale of In-Vitro Diagnostic Devices and kits for its plant at Pawane at Navi Mumbai. United Registrar of Systems Ltd...

ILS ENTERS INTO RESEARCH COLLABORATION WITH APTUIT LAURUS (will work in the field of Human Histone Deacetylase Proteins in relation to metabolic disorders).
November 30, 2008... The Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) and Aptuit Laurus have entered into an alliance for joint research collaboration to enhance drug research and discovery programmes at the institute. They will work in the field of Human Histone Deacetylase...

APOLLO CRADLE OPENS ITS THIRD FACILITY IN KOZHIKODE (centre will be spread over 30,000 square feet and is likely to be operational by Sep 2009).
November 30, 2008... Apollo Health and Lifestyle Ltd (AHLL) plans to open its third state-of-the-art birthing centre, The Cradle, at Kozhikode in Kerala in alliance with Dr Kutty Healthcare Pvt Ltd. The centre will be spread over 30,000 square feet and is likely...

MALAR HOSPITAL REPORTS 64 PERCENT QUARTER-ON-QUARTER GROWTH IN OPERATING INCOME (net profit increases by 120 percent in the quarter Jul-Sep 2008 at Rs36 lakh).
November 30, 2008... Malar Hospitals Ltd, part of the Fortis group, has registered a growth of 64 percent in operating income from Rs453 lakh in Jul- Sep 2007 to Rs745 lakh in Jul-Sep 2008. The net profit also increased by 120 percent from Rs16 lakh to Rs36 lakh....

L&T TO CONTINUE AND STRENGTHEN ITS MEDICAL EQUIPMENT BUSINESS (by establishing a contemporary manufacturing unit on a site near its existing unit at Mysore).
November 30, 2008... L&T Ltd will continue to operate its Medical Equipment & Systems (MED) unit at Mysore and introduce quality products for better health care. It plans to expand by establishing a contemporary manufacturing unit on a site near its existing...

SNEHA DIAGNOSTICS INAUGURATES FIFTH DIAGNOSTICS CENTRE IN VIJAYAWADA (first centre in Vijayawada to provide online access to patients' diagnostic test reports).
November 30, 2008... Sneha Diagnostics has opened its fifth state-of-the-art diagnostic centre at Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. The centre will provide services such as clinical referral laboratory, radiology, preventive health care, doctor consultation and...

DELHI-NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION: SIR GANGA RAM HOSPITAL (has received the International Outstanding Hospital Award in Community Care and Infection Control Practices and Community Service).
November 30, 2008... Sir Ganga Ram Hospital was set up in 1954. It has grown from a 100-bed hospital to a 650-bed hospital treating 1,500 patients per day in its out patient department. It has 500 doctors and a bed-employee ratio of 1:5. The hospital has...

DELHI-NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION: SUPER RELIGARE LABORATORIES (has a network of 40 laboratories and 850 collection centres with 10 laboratories in the Delhi-NCR region).
November 30, 2008... Super Religare Laboratories (SRL) was set up in 1995 around four zonal clinical reference laboratory set-ups at Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai and Gurgaon. SRL has a network of 40 laboratories and 850 collection centres in India with 10...

DELHI-NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION: DHARMASHILA CANCER AND RESEARCH CENTRE (has been accredited by the National Board of Examination for launching the Diplomate National Board Programme).
November 30, 2008... Dharmashila Cancer Foundation & Research Centre was set up in July 1994 with 100 beds on 3.5 acres of land at Delhi. In Oct 2007, a new 250-bed facility was inaugurated which has now grown to 350 beds. It offers state-of-the-art...

DELHI-NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION: MATA CHANAN DEVI HOSPITAL (is a 210-bed tertiary care trust hospital spread across 4.25 acres in Subhash Nagar, New Delhi).
November 30, 2008... Mata Chanan Devi Hospital (MCDH) is a 210-bed tertiary care trust hospital spread across 4.25 acres of land in Subhash Nagar, New Delhi. The hospital caters to south-west Delhi and the bordering states of Punjab and Haryana. It serves a...

ASSSAM'S FIRST PRIVATE VARSITY (Salesians of Don Bosco set up Don Bosco University at Azara in Assam).
November 30, 2008... Assam's first private university namely the Don Bosco University (DBU) at Azara was inaugurated on 31 Oct 2008. The university is promoted by Salesians of Don Bosco. To begin with, DBU will concentrate on technology, services and social...

SURVEY INDICATES POOR LEARNING OUTCOMES (more than 50 percent of Class V children could not read a simple story in Punjabi).
November 30, 2008... A survey of 11,000 children studying in Government schools in Punjab revealed poor standards in primary education in the state. According to it, more than 50 percent of Class V children could not read a simple story in Punjabi, over 25...

FOREIGN VARSITY ENTRY BILL (to regulate the affairs of foreign education providers in India).
November 30, 2008... The Government of India is poised to table a Bill in Parliament that will eventually open up India's higher education to foreign universities. The intention of the Foreign Educational Institutions (Regulation of Entry and Operations,...

EVERONN SYSTEMS CSR INITIATIVE (ESIL launches pilot programme to provide computer-aided learning).
November 30, 2008... Everonn Systems India Pvt Ltd (ESIL) has launched a pilot programme to provide computer-aided learning under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme. The students of Gandhiniketan Ashram School at T Kallupatti in Madurai...

RIGI-UKIERI PARTNERSHIP (six schools in Mumbai will work together with four schools in the UK on learning-based projects).
November 30, 2008... Under the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI), six schools belonging to the Ryan International Group of Institutions (RIGI) of Mumbai will work with four schools in the United Kingdom. They will work together on...

CORE-KSOU CONTRACT (CORE to implement FAIM software for the Karnataka State Open University).
November 30, 2008... Core Projects & Technologies Ltd (CORE) of Mumbai has bagged a contract to implement FAIM for the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU). FAIM is the admissions and examination management software system and the flagship product of Core....

SELAQUI WORLD SCHOOL, DEHRADUN (management aims to combine 21st century education with ancient Indian academic and cultural heritage).
November 30, 2008... SelaQui World School (SWS) of Dehradun is run by the Gurukul Trust. It is a CISCE and IBO affiliated school with 250 students between classes V-XII. The school has a 1:8 pupil-teacher ratio and a maximum permitted class strength of 25...

FERTILISER SCENE (nitrogen production grew 3.2% to 0.968 million tonnes in Sep 2008 from that in Sep 2007).
November 30, 2008... Nitrogen production grew 3.2 percent to 0.968 million tonnes in Sep 2008 from that in Sep 2007. Production of phosphorus pentoxide fell 7.4 percent to 0.303 million tonnes. Production of urea grew 4.8 percent, while that of NP/NPKs...

PARLE AGRO LAUNCHES FRUIT JUICE BRAND SAINT JUICE (for the health-conscious urban consumers).
November 30, 2008... Parle Agro has launched fruit juice brand, Saint Juice for the health-conscious urban consumers. The juice will be available in one litre and 200 millilitre (ml) packs with orange, grape and mixed fruit variants. The price of one litre packs...

APEDA ACT TO BE AMENDED FOR PROTECTING FARM PRODUCT PATENTS (through the use of the mechanism of geographical indications).
November 30, 2008... The Council of Ministers of the Government of India has cleared an amendment in the Agriculture Products Export Promotion Agency (APEDA) Act, which will empower the APEDA to register India's farm products including basmati rice for protection...

CENTRE ANNOUNCES OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR ABATTOIRS (sanctions Rs32.50 crore for setting up 10 abattoirs during 2008-2009).
November 30, 2008... The Government of India has announced operational guidelines for modernisation scheme of abattoirs during the 11th Five Year Plan. It has also sanctioned Rs32.50 crore for setting up 10 abattoirs during 2008-2009. The scheme will include...

CCEA CLEARS TEN MEGA FOOD PARKS (which will have modern infrastructure to produce processed food items).
November 30, 2008... The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has cleared scheme for establishing ten mega food parks at a cost of Rs500 crore. The food parks will have modern infrastructure to produce processed food items. The Government of India...

TULLEEHO LAUNCHES BARTENDING ACADEMY (through tie-up with MS Ramaiah College of Hotel Management at investment of Rs6 lakh).
November 30, 2008... Tulleeho Bartending Academy (TBA) has launched its academy in Bengaluru through a tie-up with MS Ramaiah College of Hotel Management with an investment of Rs6 lakh. MS Ramaiah College of Hotel Management will provide the premises for the...

AMUL TO SET UP 1,000 DDFs BY 2009 (is also planning to set up 5,000 DDFs by 2010).
November 30, 2008... Amul Dairy has decided to set up 1,000 dairy demonstration farms (DDFs) by 2009. The company is also planning to set up 5,000 DDFs by 2010 against the current 511 to enhance milk procurement. It will execute the project in phases at a...

WADHAWAN FOOD PLANS TO LAUNCH FIVE NEW PRIVATE LABELS (in food and non food categories by 2009).
November 30, 2008... Wadhawan Food Retail Ltd is considering launching five private labels in food and non food categories by 2009. Currently, the company has private labels in 10 categories including staples, spices and rice. Private labels account for 10-15...

SPAR LAUNCHES ITS SUPERMARKET IN HYDERABAD (has state-of-the-art technology to keep the products fresh even in storage).
November 30, 2008... SPAR has opened its 20,000-square feet supermarket in Hyderabad. It already has an outlet in Bengaluru. SPAR supermarket provides range of fruits, vegetables, fish and meat, bakery, dairy products, takeaway foods, poultry, alcoholic beverage...

ALCAN PACKAGING ACQUIRES PHARMACEUTICAL FLEXIBLE PACKAGING FACILITY (acquires packaging unit from Associated Capsules Pvt Ltd).
November 30, 2008... Alcan Global Pharmaceutical Packaging (Alcan) has acquired a flexible packaging plant from Associated Capsules Pvt Ltd of India. Associated's flexible packaging unit is located at Chakan near Pune and has annual sales of $3.6 million. It...

COSMO TO INVEST Rs2.2 BN FOR CAPEX (company to expand capacity of both BOPP and thermal films).
November 30, 2008... Cosmo Films Ltd proposes to invest Rs2.2 billion by Mar 2010 for capacity expansion. The capacity of bi-axially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) will be taken from 58,000 metric tonne to 1,38,000 metric tonne. The capacity of thermal...

PCL UNDERTAKES $110 MILLION POLYMER FILMS PROJECT (capacity of polyester chips to be raised to 57,600 tonne per year).
November 30, 2008... Polyplex Corp Ltd (PCL) is implementing a $110 million polymer film expansion project in phases. The capacity of polyester chips will be raised to 57,600 tonnes per year from 45,500 tonnes per year. The higher capacity will cater to the...

INDIA LOOKS FOR GREATER ACCESS TO BRAZILIAN OIL FIELDS (ONGC Videsh has acquired three offshore exploration blocks in Brazil).
November 30, 2008... India has sought greater access to oilfields in Brazil to cater to the growing demand for fuel at home. Bharat Petroleum Corp has acquired Brazilian oil company EnCana Brasil Petroleo Limitada for $165 million. ONGC Videsh, the offshore arm...

RPL'S SECOND REFINERY TO GO ON STREAM (has a capacity to process 5,80,000 barrels per day of crude oil).
November 30, 2008... The second refinery of Reliance Petroleum Ltd (RPL) at Jamnagar is set to be commissioned by mid Nov 2008. The export-oriented refinery has a capacity to process 5,80,000 barrels per day of crude oil. It is being set up at a cost of Rs27,000...

JAIN IRRIGATION TO INVEST Rs350 CRORE FOR EXPANSION (is increasing the capacity of PVC, PE and PVC sheet manufacturing at its Jalagaon unit).
November 30, 2008... Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd has drawn up expansion plans requiring investment of Rs350 crore during 2008-2009. The company is increasing the capacity of poly vinyl chloride (PVC) & polyethylene (PE) pipes and PVC sheet manufacturing to...

NEW INJECTION MOULDING FACILITY AT HSCI (unit to manufacture a range of plastic parts like instrument panels and bumpers).
November 30, 2008... Honda Siel Cars India Ltd (HSCL) is setting up a new injection moulding facility to manufacture a range of plastic parts. These parts will be used in instrument panels, bumpers and others. The plastic parts will be used in the car models...

BCPL FINALISES TECHNOLOGY LICENSORS FOR PETROCHEMICALS PROJECT (INEOS Technology of UK is the licensor for LLDPE/HDPE swing unit).
November 30, 2008... The Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Ltd (BCPL) is setting up a petrochemicals plant at Dibrugarh in Assam. It recently finalised the technology licensors for PE and PP products for the plant. While INEOS Technology, UK is the licensor for...

NAHAR POLY FILMS TO SET UP A NEW BOPP PLANT IN MADHYA PRADESH (plant to have a capacity of 33,400 tonnes of BOPP packaging film per annum).
November 30, 2008... Nahar Poly Films Ltd of Ludhiana proposes to set up new bi-axially oriented poly propylene (BOPP) film plant at Manideep in Madhya Pradesh. Nahar envisages an investment of Rs3 billion in the polymers processing facility. The unit...

COMMISSIONING OF DAHEJ DUAL-FEED CRACKER DEFERRED (from Feb 2012 to Oct 2012).
November 30, 2008... ONGC Petro-additions Ltd (OPaL) has postponed the commissioning of the $2.7 billion dual-feed cracker complex at Dahej in Gujarat. The commissioning has been deferred from Feb 2012 to Oct 2012. OPaL is in the meanwhile evaluating...

INDIA'S FIRST PC PLANT TO BE SET UP IN HALDIA (AKC will provide the technology that uses non-hazardous CO2 as the starting material for the production of PC resins).
November 30, 2008... South Asian Petrochem Ltd (SAPL) has entered into an exclusive agreement with Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation (AKC) of Japan. The agreement envisages technology transfer of polycarbonate (PC) production to set up manufacturing facility....

SINTEX INDUSTRIES ANNOUNCES Q2 RESULTS (PBIT doubles to Rs1 billion in the second quarter of 2008-2009).
November 30, 2008... The plastics division of Sintex Industries Ltd has doubled its second quarter profit before interest and tax (PBIT). The PBIT has surged to Rs1 billion in the second quarter of 2008-2009, from Rs548 million in the first quarter. The net...

SCANDINAVIAN CARRIER LAUNCHES DELHI ROUTE (from Oct 2008).
November 30, 2008... Scandinavian carrier SAS launched three weekly flights to Delhi from Oct 2008. SAS has commenced operations with A340-300 aircraft from Copenhagen to Delhi. The plane has economy, economy extra and business class cabins. The flights...

THAI FOOT SPA CHAIN OPENS IN MUMBAI (adopts age old relaxing massage practices along with healing art of Reflexology).
November 30, 2008... Aroma Thai Foot Spa has opened three outlets in Mumbai. It has adopted age-old relaxing massage practices along with healing art of Reflexology for feet therapy. Each therapy session will be for 35-90 minutes.

WORLD'S FIRST SOUL SPA IN INDIA (at Our Native Village, a resort near Bangalore).
November 30, 2008... Our Native Village, a resort on 12 acres of farm in Hessargatta about 40 kilometres from Bangalore has launched world's first spa for the soul. Techniques of music therapy, food regimes, silence sessions, nature walks, meditation and yoga are...

EMIRATES PLANS EXPANSION (from 132 flights to 163 flights by Feb 2009).
November 30, 2008... Emirates airline is planning to operate 163 flights from India by Feb 2009. The airline currently operates 132 flights from cities in India like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kochi. Emirates airline is offering special fares for the winter...

NYC AND COMPANY OPENS TRAVEL AND TOURISM OFFICE IN INDIA (to increase more Indian travellers to New York).
November 30, 2008... New York City (NYC) and Company has opened its 18th tourism and marketing office in Mumbai, India to increase more Indian travellers to New York. The company has also launched the NYC Online Training Academy for the Indian travel and trade...

ANANDA SPA AND ISTA JOIN PREFERRED HOTEL GROUP (as Preferred Hotel Group seeks to expand its presence in India).
November 30, 2008... Ananda Spa and The ISTA group of luxury, business and leisure hotels, which operates in Bangalore and Hyderabad, have jointed Preferred Hotel Group. Preferred Hotel Group has over 650 hotels and resorts in the world and is planning to expand...

NOVOTEL OPENS ANOTHER HOTEL IN HYDERABAD (near GMR Hyderabad International Airport).
November 30, 2008... Novotel opened another hotel, Novotel Hyderabad Airport, in Hyderabad near GMR Hyderabad International Airport. The property has 305 rooms with a conference room that can accommodate 450 people. Other facilities at the hotel include...

HEIDELBERG INAUGURATES PRINT MEDIA ACADEMY IN INDIA (at a cost of Rs10 crore).
November 30, 2008... Heidelberg India inaugurated its first print media academy in Chennai to upgrade the skills of the print personnel in India. The academy was established at a cost of Rs10 crore. It will focus on training prepress, press and post press...

CANON OPENS LARGEST IMAGE & BUSINESS SOLUTION LOUNGE (in Mumbai).
November 30, 2008... Canon India Pvt Ltd, digital imaging company, opened its largest image and business solution lounge, Canon Image & Business Solution Lounge, in Mumbai. The showroom will display the company's range of products in a non-selling...

EDALE ENTERS IN THE INDIAN MARKET AGAIN (to offer specialised application machinery for printing and integration in narrow web format).
November 30, 2008... Edale of UK, maker of high quality machinery for the flexo and label printing industry, is once again entering the Indian market. It will offer specialised application machinery for printing and integration in narrow web format. It has...

NHPC TO BUILD TWO PROJECTS IN MYANMAR (and will transmit the power generated from the projects to India through Manipur).
November 30, 2008... NHPC Ltd will be developing two hydropower projects on the Chindwin River in Myanmar. It signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the department of power, Government of Myanmar for this purpose. Under the Mou, NHPC along with the...

ADB GRANTS $420 MILLION LOAN TO BIHAR HIGHWAY PROJECT (for upgradation and expansion).
November 30, 2008... The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has sanctioned a loan of $420 million to Government of Bihar for upgradation and expansion of highways in the state. The loan will improve about 820 kilometres of roads under the government's Highway...

EMIRATES INCREASES CAPACITY TO 163 FLIGHTS PER WEEK TO INDIA (will be adding 31 weekly flights to its existing service in India by 1 Feb 2009).
November 30, 2008... Emirates will be adding 31 weekly flights to its existing service in India by 1 Feb 2009. This will increase its frequency to India to 163 weekly flights per week. Emirates will increase frequencies from Dubai to Mumbai, New Delhi,...

SAS CARGO LAUNCHES NEW COPENHAGEN-DELHI FLIGHT (from 23 Oct 2008).
November 30, 2008... S SAS Cargo has started the Copenhagen (Scandinavia) to Delhi route from 23 Oct 2008. SAS International is operating the three weekly round trips on the route with a A340/330 aircraft. The flight leaves Copenhagen for Delhi on Mondays,...

ACTL STARTS RAIL SIDE OPERATIONS (located in its own inland container depot at Faridabad).
November 30, 2008... Associated Container Terminals Ltd (ACTL) has started operations from its railway siding located in its own inland container depot at Faridabad. The rail siding provides direct connectivity to and from gateway ports. ACTL is a group of...

BRITISH PORT MAJOR SIGNS INTO INDIAN WATERS (PD Ports appoints Federal Shipping Agencies (Mumbai) as its Indian representative).
November 30, 2008... PD Ports, a port owner and operator based in the UK, has appointed Federal Shipping Agencies (Mumbai) as its Indian representative. The appointment of Federal Shipping is aimed at improving PD Ports' profile in the Indian shipping market and...

L&T MEDICAL TO START NEW MANUFACTURING FACILITY (the facility is expected to be ready by the end of 2008- 2009).
November 30, 2008... Larsen & Toubro's (L&T) Medical Equipment & Systems business unit is setting up a manufacturing facility close to its existing unit on its Mysore campus. The facility, which is expected to be ready by the end of 2008-2009, will produce a...

METROPOLIS GETS SANAS ACCREDITATION (the first and only Indian diagnostic laboratory to receive accreditation from SANAS).
November 30, 2008... Metropolis Health Service has become the first and only Indian diagnostic laboratory to receive accreditation from the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS). With this accreditation, Metropolis now has the largest number of...

TCS ENTERS BIOMEDICAL SECTOR (is starting an open source initiative to mine the multiple genomic databases in the public domain).
November 30, 2008... Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS), which had clinched some impressive pharmaceutical deals in the last two years, is now entering one of the fastest growing biomedical sectors - genetic diagnostics and medicine. TCS is starting an open...

FORTIS TO INVEST Rs100 CRORE IN MEDICAL INSTITUTE (in Punjab).
November 30, 2008... Fortis Healthcare, a medical service provider, plans to make an initial investment of Rs100 crore to set up an institute, which will also house a cancer research hospital, in Punjab. The hospital will have a capacity of 100-250 beds. The...

GUARDIAN LIFECARE TO LAUNCH NON-TOBACCO HERBAL CIGARETTES (in Mumbai shortly).
November 30, 2008... Guardian Lifecare has launched its Honeyrose range of herbal cigarettes at Guardian stores in North India. The company plans to launch these herbal cigarettes in Mumbai shortly. The Honeyrose range of herbal cigarettes and smoking...

FORTIS HEALTHCARE EYES MORE ACQUISITIONS (is in discussions with more than two companies in south and west India).
November 30, 2008... Fortis Healthcare is in discussions with more than two companies in south and west India for acquisition, and expects to close these transactions during 2008-2009. At present, Fortis has 2,600 beds in 22 hospitals and plans to add 150 beds in...

ULTRA MOTORS INDIA EYES TWO LIGHT ELECTRIC VEHICLE CITIES (expects to register a turnover of Rs22 million by Mar 2009 and Rs58 million by Mar 2010).
November 30, 2008... Ultra Motors India plans to launch its light electric vehicle (LEV) project in two Indian cities, one each in north and south India, and has approached several Governments in the country. The company plans to set up charging stations where...

FORD INDIA HOPES TO TIDE OVER THE SLUMP (plans to honour its commitment to the Indian market by implementing projects and investments as scheduled).
November 30, 2008... Ford India has introduced the DuraTorq TDCi Ikon, a diesel version priced at Rs5.19 lakh (ex-Delhi) in addition to the 1.3 petrol model priced at Rs4.59 lakh. The car comes with a two- year/1,00,000 kilometre warranty. The company is...

AUDI R8 ARRIVES ON INDIAN TURF (at a price of Rs1.17 crore, ex-Delhi, all of which have been sold).
November 30, 2008... Audi has introduced 15 units of its rear mid-ship sports car R8 in India at a price of Rs1.17 crore (ex-Delhi), all of which have been sold. The company also sold 884 cars during Jan-Oct 2008 as compared to 292 in Jan-Oct 2007, registering a...

TATA MOTORS ALTERS OVERSEAS FUNDING PLANS, SHUTS FACILITIES (records a decline in profit by 34 percent from Rs5.27 billion to Rs3.46 billion during Jul-Sep 2008).
November 30, 2008... Tata Motors has recorded a year-on-year decline in profit by 34 percent from Rs5.27 billion to Rs3.46 billion during Jul-Sep 2008. However, it recorded a 4.39 percent growth in total sales from 71,112 units to 74,237 units. While...

CONTINENTAL AUTO COMPONENTS CONSOLIDATE PRESENCE IN INDIA, POST SIEMENS TAKEOVER (to offer critical multiplexing solutions for buses).
November 30, 2008... Continental Auto Components (CAC), a division of Continental AG in India, has taken over Siemens VDO and plans to offer multiplexing solutions for onboard electronics to original equipment manufacturers (OEM) in the commercial vehicle...

APOLLO TYRES EYE LARGER EUROPEAN MARKET (plans to establish a manufacturing unit in Hungary or Slovakia in Eastern Europe).
November 30, 2008... Apollo Tyres has appointed a distributor, Philip-White Tyres, in Northern Ireland and plans to establish a manufacturing unit in Hungary or Slovakia in Eastern Europe. The unit will be operational in the second half of 2010. It also...