MP Baijayant Panda heads an Indian Parliamentary Delegation team to Japan

Senior BJD leader and Kendrapara Loksabha MP Shri Baijayant Panda has left yesterday for Japan heading with an Indian Parliamentary delegation team to participate on a dialogue called ‘India-Japan Relations: Opportunities and Challenges’. The theme for this year dialogue is infrastructure and urban development. The dialogue has been organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) with support from the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan.


During the visit, the Indian Parliamentary Delegation team is scheduled to visit the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism to understand the infrastructure initiatives (public transport, road and port) are being undertaken in Japan. The delegation team will also meet with the other officials to study the construction and operation of the Metro Rail running system in Japan, the waste disposal and recycling systems in Japan and the initiatives in disaster management.

MP Shri Panda will deliver a public lecture on India - Japan bilateral relations on the 9th of October at Japan and will focus on the Infrastructure and Urban Development. Japanese counterpart Mr. Toshihiro Nikai, MP, Chairman, Comprehensive Research Commission on the Establishment of Disaster Resilient Japan, and Mr. Nobutaka Machimura, Chairman of the Japan-India Parliamentary Friendship League will meet and share thoughts with the Indian delegates.
Other members of the Indian Parliamentary Delegation team include Dr. Ajay Kumar (Lok Sabha, Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (P)), Mr. Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo (Lok Sabha, Biju Janata Dal) and Mr. Viswanathan Perumal (Lok Sabha, Indian National Congress).

India and Japan to collaborate on information and communication technology

India and Japan have decided to set up a working group to identify specific areas in information and communication technology (ICT) where they can collaborate - in areas such as cyber security.

Masahiro Yoshizaki, vice minister for policy coordination, ministry of internal affairs and communications, Japan, and Anil Kaushal, member of Telecom Commission of India, signed a joint statement Thursday, which said the thrust area would be development of technology and standards.

"We wish to cover many topics in ICT under this partnership. The working group will implement the intent of the joint statement," Kondo Masanori, Director for International Cooperation Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan, told IANS in an interview.

Masanori said each country has its own expertise and they are looking at a mutual collaboration.
"Basically we have identified three key areas of specific work - cyber security, disaster management and capacity building," added Kaushal.
Masanori said Japan would look forward to Indian collaboration in combating cyber attacks. "Every day there are numerous cyber attacks. We are looking forward to combating those."
Talking separately to IANS, Kaushal said Japan is much ahead in broadband technology compared to India. "We have much to learn from them."

There are over 50 Japanese companies in India in the ICT filed. Some renowned names include Fujitsu India, Olympus (India), Ricoh India, Panasonic Industrial Asia, Sony India and Sumitomo Electric Industries.
There are also many Indian companies operating in Japan, mostly in software development.

Both the countries are keen on private sector collaboration as well, he said.
Talking about the importance of ICT in disaster management, Masanori said India has evinced interest to learn disaster mitigation through ICT from Japan. " The Indian government is keen to adopt our disaster mitigation strategy through ICT. We are also ready to cooperate and share."

Japan, which is very prone to earthquake, manages to mitigate natural disaster to an extent using ICT. It collects data through censor-linked function, do data analysis and sends out alert to people. "Data dissemination is very important. We have to build the entire eco-system."

Kaushal said it is important for India to learn disaster management, especially after the Uttarakhand floods in which thousands died.

The two countries will also look forward to mutually beneficial collaboration on international platforms like the International Telecommunication Union and the Asia Pacific Telecommunity.

Line hopes to reach 20 million users in India by end of 2014

The Japanese Internet company that launched the cross messaging application Line in India last year, has stated that they will double its app users in India, from 10 to 20 million by the end of this year. Also, Line will now be endorsed by B-Town's leggy lass Katrina Kaif, making the app all the more popular. The ad showing Kat will be featured this week.

Currently, more than 10 million users have already registered the application in India. The application allows the user to make voice calls, instant messaging, share video, audio, photographs and stickers.

Line Corporation CEO Akira Morikawa said, "The focus this year is on increasing the number of users. We are confident of crossing the 20 million-mark before this year-end."

Not revealing much about the additional features of Line, the CEO said that they would soon bring e-commerce service and music to the app.

Talking about the user base of Line, it has 230 million users globally, with 20 per cent users in Japan itself. Also, the corporate has huge markets in Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia and Spain.

Talking about the growth of Line in India, Akira said, "We have already invested about one billion yen (Rs. 62.98 crore) in India on various campaigns and setting up base Mumbai. We are in discussions for partnerships with telecom operators and handset makers for our service. We haven't experienced such rapid growth in any other country to date like we have in India and we will continue to focus here."           

India invites Japanese firms to invest in healthcare

Aiming at becoming one of the global manufacturing hubs, besides being a large healthcare market, India has invited Japanese companies to invest in country's healthcare sector, according to a report published by news agency Press Trust of India (PTI). "I will urge the Japanese industry in the area of healthcare services to actually look at innovation in India and set up those innovation hubs in India and manufacture devices in India, which will serve not only the 1.2 billion population in India, but you also have access to world market," said Communications & IT Minister of India Mr Kapil Sibal, while addressing a India-Japan seminar on medical equipment and services in the country's capital. "You can serve Africa from here, you can serve Middle East from here and you can also serve the West," he said. "Within my ministry we have provided lot of incentives in this area. If you want to set up clusters, you can get 50 percent subsidy," Mr Sibal was reported as saying by PTI. Under the Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (MSIPS), India will provide up to $1.61 billion (Rs 10,000 crore) in benefits to the industry during the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) for promoting production of electronics products and components. To woo foreign investors, MSIPS will also provide incentives for relocation of units from abroad. Mr Sibal also informed the Japanese participants that the Indian government will move a legislation in the Parliament, which will look at providing ISO certification for medical devices aiding devices made in India to be sold globally, PTI reported. Japan was represented by its Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Mr Toshimitsu Motegi at the event. Also, both the countries have agreed on setting up a joint working group, which will meet in November this year. - See more at: http://www.biospectrumasia.com/biospectrum/news/197605/india-invites-japanese-firms-invest-healthcare#.UlKlzRBr_h4

Read more at: http://www.biospectrumasia.com/biospectrum/news/197605/india-invites-japanese-firms-invest-healthcare#.UlKlzRBr_h4

Under the Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme, India will provide up to $1.61 billion (Rs 10,000 crore) in benefits to the industry during the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) for promoting production of electronics products and components.
 
Aiming at becoming one of the global manufacturing hubs, besides being a large healthcare market, India has invited Japanese companies to invest in country's healthcare sector, according to a report published by news agency Press Trust of India (PTI). "I will urge the Japanese industry in the area of healthcare services to actually look at innovation in India and set up those innovation hubs in India and manufacture devices in India, which will serve not only the 1.2 billion population in India, but you also have access to world market," said Communications & IT Minister of India Mr Kapil Sibal, while addressing a India-Japan seminar on medical equipment and services in the country's capital.
 
"You can serve Africa from here, you can serve Middle East from here and you can also serve the West," he said. "Within my ministry we have provided lot of incentives in this area. If you want to set up clusters, you can get 50 percent subsidy," Mr Sibal was reported as saying by PTI. Under the Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (MSIPS), India will provide up to $1.61 billion (Rs 10,000 crore) in benefits to the industry during the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) for promoting production of electronics products and components. To woo foreign investors, MSIPS will also provide incentives for relocation of units from abroad.
 
Mr Sibal also informed the Japanese participants that the Indian government will move a legislation in the Parliament, which will look at providing ISO certification for medical devices aiding devices made in India to be sold globally, PTI reported. Japan was represented by its Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Mr Toshimitsu Motegi at the event. Also, both the countries have agreed on setting up a joint working group, which will meet in November this year.
 

Reliance mega-cement plant to start in MP

Reliance Infra's first five million tonnes per annum capacity cement plant will be commissioned this month in Madhya Pradesh, a company statement said here Monday.

The mega-project was commissioned in a record 22 months, five months ahead of schedule, offering state-of-the-art next-gen facility to serve the central, eastern and northern cement markets.

It has been implemented at a capital outlay of approximately Rs.3,000 crore, setting a new benchmark in terms of capex efficiency, nearly 25 percent lower than comparable recent transaction values.

 

"We are delighted to add the cement business to our portfolio of high growth infrastructure businesses, serving the long term needs of our country. Reliance Cement will add the manufacturing mix to our existing range of annuity infrastructure businesses across power, roads and metro rail systems," said Reliance Infrastructure Ltd. Chairman Anil D. Ambani on the new project which is expected to contribute annual revenues of around Rs.3,000 crore.

Reliance Cement will deliver a next-gen experience to customers in terms of product quality and customer services with processes like manufacturing, sales and distribution, customer service and administration fully automated to ensure high product and service quality.

 

The project is conceptualized with waste heat recovery system right from the start - generating over 10MW power from the heat that would be otherwise wasted.

The cement plant is designed and built at par with the international standards to make it one of the most energy efficient plants in the country with highest environmental standards.

Last year, Reliance Cement launched in the Maharashtra markets with supplies from its Buribori plant which has a capacity of half million metric tonnes per annum. It has already established itself as a favoured brand in a short span.

With the new plant in Madhya Pradesh, Reliance Cement plans to expand its presence in the central, eastern and northern India markets.

 

Among the unique features of the Reliance Cement are introducing Uniform Particle Size Distribution technology which produces cement with a high fineness and rapid setting property.

This is turn helps build homes faster as cement setting time is usually the main cause of delay. Reliance Cement sets faster than other cements and simultaneously is stronger.

Coming in 50 kg Laminated Polypropylene bags, Reliance Cement bags have special seal which makes it impossible to tamper. This also ensures no wastage and the cement is moisture free and fresh irrespective of the weather conditions.

Toyota India sales during September 2013 see increase of 10 percent

During the last month, the company sold a total of 15,795 units, as against 14,291 units in September 2012. Exports during the past month stood at 3,780 units which primarily constituted the Etios series. In domestic markets the picture was much the same. The company sales reached a pitch of 12,015 units as against 12,115 units in September 2012.
These sales results were due to severe sluggish auto markets which have been experiencing falling sales since the start of this year. Higher import costs, a depreciating rupee and other relentless economic constraints are all having an adverse effect on sales both within the country and where exports are concerned. The company is however optimistic of the upcoming festive season to add some cheer to their sales charts.
Commenting on the sales in Sept 2013, Mr. Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, Marketing and Commercial said “The market continues to be sluggish. We hope that the market will improve with the upcoming festive season.”

Read more at http://www.rushlane.com/toyota-india-sales-during-sep-1291386.html#7uWitr3Zu3igqSB8.99

Toyota Kirloskar Motors Private Limited, a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation of Japan has registered a 10% increase in total sales during the past month of September 2013.During the last month, the company sold a total of 15,795 units, as against 14,291 units in September 2012. Exports during the past month stood at 3,780 units which primarily constituted the Etios series. In domestic markets the picture was much the same. The company sales reached a pitch of 12,015 units as against 12,115 units in September 2012.
 
These sales results were due to severe sluggish auto markets which have been experiencing falling sales since the start of this year. Higher import costs, a depreciating rupee and other relentless economic constraints are all having an adverse effect on sales both within the country and where exports are concerned. The company is however optimistic of the upcoming festive season to add some cheer to their sales charts.
 
Commenting on the sales in Sept 2013, Mr. Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, Marketing and Commercial said “The market continues to be sluggish. We hope that the market will improve with the upcoming festive season.”

JNU prof to be honoured for promoting India-Japan ties

Lalima Varma, Professor of Japanese Studies at Jawharlal Nehru University here will be conferred Japan Foreign Minister's commendation tomorrow for promoting mutual understanding between the two countries.

Japan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida will felicitate Varma at a function at the Japanese Embassy here, a statement from the Embassy said.

Varma has studied and researched for more than 30 years on India-Japan relations, Japanese diplomacy, history, social affairs and problems, it said.

The Foreign Minister's Commendations are awarded to individuals and groups for outstanding achievements in international fields to acknowledge their contributions in promoting friendship between Japan and other countries.