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| HDFC mastercard launches card for SMEs NEW DELHI, Oct 19: HDFC bank along with mastercard international today launched credit card targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises. .................more India and
South Korea NEW DELHI, Oct 19: India and South Korea are considering cooperation in the area of stem cell research and in fighting a number of communicable and non-communicable diseases.......more Suzuki
motor open MAKUHARI, JAPAN, Oct 19: Suzuki Motor said today that it was open to joint research and development initiatives with firms other than general motors, which controls the Japanese small-car maker. ...more Nissan may
invest in its TOKYO, Oct 19: Nissan Motor Co, Japan’s second-biggest carmaker, said it will consider a plan to build its first factory in India after concluding a current three-year ....more |
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Nokia launches new phones for ‘style-conscious’ HELSINKI, Oct 19: Mobile phone giant Nokia announced three new phone models on Wednesday, saying they were being pitched at the "style-conscious" ......more Indian Sucrose increases plant capacity MUMBAI, Oct 19: Indian Sucrose Ltd today informed that the capacity of its sugar plant at Mukerian has been expanded from 3500 tcd to 5000 tcd. The plant will be operational from the current crushing season expected to start from October 25.................more Plan panel
favours zero NEW DELHI, Oct 19: Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia today favoured zero per cent import duty on coal and crude oil, besides advocating de-nationalisation of the coal sector and opening it for private investment........more Maruti ranks highest in JD Power Customer Satisfaction Survey NEW DELHI, Oct 19: Car market leader Maruti has been rated highest in customer satisfaction in India in the J D Power Asia ........more |
HDFC mastercard launches card for SMEs NEW DELHI, Oct 19: HDFC bank along with mastercard international today launched credit card targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises. The card, HDFC bank powerplus businesscard, will help facilitate payments of business expenses incurred by corporates and introduce financial inefficiencies within companies, the bank said. The card will have up to Rs 25 lakh credit facility for companies and Rs 5 lakh for an individual at 1.5 per cent rate of interest per month, the bank said in a statement here. (PTI) |
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India and South Korea to collaborate in stem cell research NEW DELHI, Oct 19: India and South Korea are considering cooperation in the area of stem cell research and in fighting a number of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, who is on a five-day visit to South Korea, would discuss these issues with his Korean counterpart Kim Greun Tae and top scientists. Ramadoss visited Dr Kang’s stem cell laboratory at the Seoul National University today. South Korea is doing pioneering research in stem cell research. He would visit the International Vaccine Institute in Seoul tomorrow and then another important stem cell research centre known as histo-stem, an official release said today. The visit assumes greater significane in the wake of India planning for new national programmes to combat a number of communicable and non-communicable diseases With the who having sounded an alarm about bird flu, the minister is looking for co-operation with such countries to develop a vaccine to check bird-flu Other possible areas of cooperation are surveillance of new and emerging infections like influenza, SARS, bird-flu, leptospirosis, Japanese encephalitis, HIV/AIDS, drug resistant TB, Hepatitis A,B,E and Measles, use of the global informations system and satellite imaging for an early warning for epidemics, pandemic preparedness and vaccine development especailly for infectious diseases. Risk exposure and assessment of arsenic and other environmental pollutant, mental health care, registries for cancer and epilepsy and nuro-sciences would also be looked into for cooperation, it said. (PTI) |
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Suzuki motor open to joint R and
D with MAKUHARI, JAPAN, Oct 19: Suzuki Motor said today that it was open to joint research and development initiatives with firms other than general motors, which controls the Japanese small-car maker. "Research and development of new technologies are a type of initiative that require time and patience. Possibilities of joint R and D must be explored actively," Osamu Suzuki, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Japenese firm told reporters at the Tokyo motor show. "We are not limiting ourselves to GM Research and Development should be done with various firms. We should think about things flexibly," he said. "Be it hybrids or fuel cell technologies, we must research various technologies," he said. The comment comes as general motors backs out of a partnership with another Japanese automaker, selling a stake in Subaru-manufacturer Fuji heavy industries to Japanese industry leader Toyota motors. Suzuki said his firm had maintained close ties with GM and he did not expect the US group to cut existing ties with Suzuki. "Our relationship is well-balanced. It is at a balance where both firms must strive to work harder and sharpen each other’s strength," Suzuki said. He shrugged off suggestions that Toyota’s move is a surreptitious helping hand for GM, which has experienced a sales slump while Japanese automakers are going from strength to strength in North America, particularly with hybrids. (AFP) |
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Nissan may invest in its first India factory TOKYO, Oct 19: Nissan Motor Co, Japan’s second-biggest carmaker, said it will consider a plan to build its first factory in India after concluding a current three-year plan to increase global sales and improve profit. Nissan’s is pushing the maker of X-trail sport-utility vehicles to cut costs by 15 per cent, sell 28 new and redesigned vehicle models globally, in a so-called value up plan ending in March 2008. "We are studying the market and see what kind of models are popular in India," Nissan Chief Operating Officer said at the Tokyo Motor Show today. "We will come up with a strategy for India and a plan for a factory after value up." India, Asia’s fourth-largest economy, is among the so-called emerging markets that nissan "still isn’t tackling," including Russia, eastern Europe and south America. Rising income and cheaper vehicle loans in India are making cars increasingly affordable in the nation of 1.1 billion people. India may match China’s current demand for cars in four years if the south Asian country’s economy grows at 8 per cent a year, according to a 2004 study by Morgan Stanley’s Asia economists. (AGENCIES) |
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Nokia launches new phones for ‘style-conscious’ HELSINKI, Oct 19: Mobile phone giant Nokia announced three new phone models on Wednesday, saying they were being pitched at the "style-conscious" market. Nokia said the new models, the 7360, 7370 and 7380, would be part of its "l’amour collection" and would go onto the market in the first quarter of 2006. The 7380 is designed with enhanced voice commands, and includes a 2-megapixel camera and an MP3 player. It is expected to retail for about 500 euros, excluding taxes and subsidies, the company said in a statement. The compact 7370 includes a 1.3-megapixel camera, colour screen and stereo speakers, and will retail for 300 euros, excluding subsidies and taxes. The 7360 will have a VGA camera and stereo FM radio, and will retail for 200 euros. (AGENCIES) |
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Indian Sucrose increases plant capacity MUMBAI, Oct 19: Indian Sucrose Ltd today informed that the capacity of its sugar plant at Mukerian has been expanded from 3500 tcd to 5000 tcd. The plant will be operational from the current crushing season expected to start from October 25. In a release to bse, the company has also informed that the plant capacity would be expanded further from 5000 tcd to 6000 tcd, which would be operational from next crushing season. (UNI) |
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Plan panel favours zero pc import duty on coal, oil NEW DELHI, Oct 19: Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia today favoured zero per cent import duty on coal and crude oil, besides advocating de-nationalisation of the coal sector and opening it for private investment. "I am in favour of zero per cent import duty on coal and crude oil if there is no argument for protection," Ahluwalia said, drawing a parallel between import of crude oil and coal to fulfil the energy requirements of the country. Referring to coal as a primary energy source of the country in view of the scarcity in availability of oil and gas, the Planning Comission Deputy Chairman said domestic coal prices should be aligned with the international price regime. "Internationally, domestic prices are always aligned with the international prices. It has to be done here also. Maybe not immediately, but sometime later as there would be huge deficit which I do not think the Finance Ministry would be willing to accomodate in the Budget," he said, addressing the inaugural session of the 'Coal Summit'. "I know, domestic players may not be happy with the end of the protection but there is no rationale to continue with it," he added. Strongly favouring import of coal, Ahluwalia said this would also put pressure on the domestic producers and a reduced import duty would help bring more efficiency to the sector, besides stabilising prices as "duties are not generally a policy consideration but a revenue consideration." On the opening of the coal sector, Ahluwalia said there was no political consensus on the issue but as the petroleum sector had been opened to bidding by private players, the same rationale should be applied on coal as well. "Like petroelum, coal is also a scarce resource. This sector has also to be opened up for all. It is a policy matter whether to continue with the present nationalised structure or do away with it," he said. "History of all commodities suggest that shifting to a changed system is difficult but is done nonetheless," Ahluwalia added. He asked the Government to create a level playing field in competition for coal blocks allocation so that greater number of private players enter the arena. He also favoured captive mining by large consumers like power major NTPC and suggested they should go for acquisition of minority stakes in coal mine companies as this was feasible within the ambit of existing laws. Seeking changes in the freight rate structure, he said passenger fares have been subsidised and the burden invariably falls on the coal sector. "This is absurd and the matter must be taken up with the Railways," he added. (PTI) |
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Maruti ranks highest in JD Power
Customer NEW DELHI, Oct 19: Car market leader Maruti has been rated highest in customer satisfaction in India in the J D Power Asia Pacific Survey, which saw seven of the 11 car makers improving post-delivery service performance. For Maruti, this is the sixth consecutive year when it has been ranked highest in customer satisfaction in the J D Power India Customer Satisfaction Index Study. Hyundai and Ford came in the second and third position in the 2005 survey where more than 4,200 owners of 33 different vehicle models participated from June to August. Outlining the parameters for judging a company's performance, JD Power said overall satisfaction with the dealer's service department was assessed on 42 attributes, grouped into seven predefined factors like problems experienced, service quality, user-friendly service, service initiation and in-service experience. "Maruti's consistent performance in the study over the past several years has resulted in a steady increase in the percentage of its customers who say they intend to remain loyal to the brand," J D Power Asia Pacific, India Director, Mohit Arora said. As per the survey, the industry improved its overall performance by three index points, with seven of the 11 nameplates ranked in 2005 showing improvements from 2004. "Mahindra emerges as the most improved nameplate in the study with an increase in score of 30 index points from 2004. Mahindra, Ford and Honda are the only three nameplates that have improved performance across all seven factors from 2004," JD Power said. It said manufacturers were now investing in customer satisfaction. The study also found that operation costs of new vehicles have risen 11 to 15 per cent for petrol and diesel vehicles respectively, from 2004. "The overall cost of operation is an aggregation of three cost components -- fuel, repair and maintenance and tyre costs. Diesel vehicle owners continue to report lower overall operating cost per kilometre than petrol vehicle owners, largely due to significantly lower fuel costs. "Yet, diesel vehicle owners report a 44 per cent higher repair and maintenance cost on a per-kilometre basis compared to petrol vehicle owners," it said. JD Power said Tata's Indica and Indigo models recorded strong performances in the diesel segment in terms of cost of operation while Maruti continued to outperform competitors in the petrol segment. The study, now in its ninth year, examines the satisfaction of new-vehicle buyers with the authorised service experience at 12-18 months of ownership. (PTI) |
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110-member Indian delegation at NEW DELHI, Oct 19: A 110-member Indian delegation, including top players of the mining and allied industries, goes to Iran next month to look for international tie-ups, joint ventures and collaboration at the 20th World Mining Congress and Expo. The 40 major players, including SAIL, NALCO, Tata Steel, Jindal Stainless Steel, Essar Group, Rashtriya Ispat Nigam, Coal India and Indian Bureau of Mines, will project their inherent strength to seek as well as offer latest technologies and new investments. The high-profile delegation, supported by the ministries of coal, mines and steel, will also include ministers and secretaries. To be inaugurated by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on November 7, the five-day Congress and Expo will attract nearly 6,000 experts from 34 countries. World leading players are axpected from the US, the UK, Russia, China, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Japan, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Poland, besides India and the host Iran. More than 150 papers would be presented at the Congress, to be organised under the auspices of International Organising Committee of the World Mining Congress with the theme 'Mining and Sustainable Development'. The concurrent Expo will be organised by the IMAG-Messe Munchen International, Germany in association with Tefcon Group, organisers of specialised trade fairs. The Expo will provide a platform for displaying some of the most advanced technologies covering various aspects of mining, and for interaction with the captains of mining and allied industries from across the globe. (UNI) |
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Workshop on energy efficient and
solar CHANDIGARH, Oct 19: The Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency (HAREDA) in collabortion with the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources is organising a one day regional workshop here on Energy Efficient and Solar Passive Building Design on October 21. Director, HAREDA and Renewable Energy Department, Haryana Sumita Misra said here today that the workshop was being organised with an objective to create awareness and sensitize the architects, town planners, real estate developers and policy makers about the need for adoption of energy efficient and Solar Passive Building Design. She said that the buildings as they were designed today, conributed to serious energy and environmental problems because of excessive consumption of resources (energy, water, land) by them during both the construction phase and use. "Studies have shown that residential and commercial sectors in India together accounted for 25 per cent of the county's total electricity consumpion, a major portion of which is used in buildings,"she said. Energy Efficient Solar Buildings were the need of the hour and solar passive architecture needed to be integrated into the planning and design process of all buildings, she said. Misra pointed out that the recent growth of urbanisatin was witnessed by the constructionof energy intensive glass boxes like structure which not only used high energy materials, but also a large amount of energy which was required tokeep these buildings opertional. A substantial saving in construction and operational costs of the buildings was possible by adoption of Energy Efficient and Solar Passive Architectural concepts, she observed. (PTI) Suzuki, Maruti to expand India's production capacity TOKYO, Oct 19: Suzuki Motor, the world's biggest maker of minicars, will increase production capacity in India with its affiliate Maruti Udyog by one third by 2010 to meet competition from Hyundai Motor and Honda Motor. Suzuki and Maruti, which sell one in every two cars in Asia's fourth-biggest automobile market, will have the capacity to make 1 million vehicles by 2010, in an expansion that may cost 470 million dollar, said Maruti's chairman Shinzo Nakanishi. "Our expansion plans need to keep pace with the growth in demand," Nakanishi said today at the Tokyo Motor Show. "We want to retain our 50 percent market share even when competition is increasing." India may match China's
current demand for cars in four years if the south Asian
economy grows at 8 percent a year, according to a 2004
study by Morgan Stanley's Asia economists. (AGENCIES) IFFCO aims to make unit pollution free BHUBANESWAR, Oct 19: Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), which recently acquired the Paradip-based fertiliser unit from the Oswals, aimed to make the unit pollution free. "Our aim is to bring down the pollution level to zero," IFFCO chairman Surinder Kumar Jhakar said here. The company will bring in the latest pollution control technology during its plan to modernise the plant to tackle the problem, he said. Frequent allegations of gas leakage from the plant earlier was a nagging problem for the administration often leading to the closure of the plant. Jhakar, who met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and sought the state government's cooperation in running the new unit yesterday, said he hoped the plant would start commercial production from January. He said the chief minister had assured the government's full cooperation in the operation of the plant. IFFCO, which acquired the plant for Rs 2180 crore, would also set up a bio-fertiliser unit there with an investment of about Rs two crore to Rs three crore. But the main thrust would be on manufacturing di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), nitrogen phosphate (NPK) and complex fertilisers, Jhakar said. IFFCO, Jhakar said, would also focus on training farmers in Orissa in modern technology. It would set up a advanced farmers' training institute in Orissa to train cultivators on judicious utilisation of fertilisers as the per hectare use of fertiliser in the state was even less than the national average, he said. There was a proposal to send leading farmers of the state to one of IFFCO's institutes at Lucknow for advanced training and the plan was to train about one lakh farmers of Orissa from all the 30 districts. Besides, the company would undertake training programme for chemical analysis of soil. It would be imparted to farmers in all districts, he said. (PTI) |
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