The Railway Minister Sri Dinesh Trivedi has presented a bold budget

The Railway Minister Sri Dinesh Trivedi has presented a bold budget. The budget appears to set a direction in terms of restructuring the railway board level management by proposing to add two members, one for PPP and the other for safety; in terms of improving operational performance by 10persentage points, which though appears to be deficits, yet a desirable one as it sets a tone for improving the productivity; in terms of bringing in some innovative majors for safety logistics up gradation of stations average speeds of the trains etc.

However the railways are losing out to road trance port which is reflected by a lower goods and passengers transportation. Nearly 30% increase in overall freight rates the railway budget will trigger inflationary trend in the economy as goods transport cost will increase the proposals to introduce Indian railway station development corporation, logistics corporation and other projects in PPP mode are welcome moves.

Bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and India in 2010 is C$4.2 billion

The Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) in association with Trade Commission, Belgium organized Interactive Meeting on “India-Canada Bilateral Trade & Growing Market” on 14th March 2013 at Federation House, Red Hills, Hyderabad. Ms. Sara Wilshaw Minister (Commercial) and Senior Trade Commissioner of Canada was the chief guest for this occasion.

Mr. V.S. Raju, President, FAPCCI, Mr. Vikram Jain, Trade Adviser, Canadian Trade Office, Hyderabad, Mr. Devendra Surana, Senior Vice President, Mr. Srinivas Ayyadevara, Vice President, Mr. Shyam Sunder Pasari, Chairman, International Trade Committee, Mr. Hari Haran, Co Chairman, International Trade Committee and Mr. M.V. Rajeshwara Rao, Secretary General are the other speakers at the occasion.

Ms. Sara Wilshaw said in his key note address is that the India is a vital trade partner for Canada. Canada’s commerce strategy for India involves the coordination of efforts by Canada's missions in India, federal government departments, provinces, and the private sector. This strategy has defined priority sectors to increase two-way trade, investment and technology partnerships. These priority sectors include: education, clean technologies like renewable energy etc and information and communications technology and infrastructure.

According to Statistics Canada, bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and India in 2010 is C$4.2 billion, an increase of 46.6 percent since 2005. While Canadian merchandise exports to India in 2010 is C$2.1 billion, imports from India reached C$2.1 billion. Despite the small decrease in Canadian exports to India in 2010, exports to India have increased by 92.2 percent since 2005.

Top Canadian exports to India include vegetables, fertilizers, paper and paperboard, machinery, wood pulp, precious stones, and iron and steel. Canadian imports from India include organic chemicals, precious stones and metals, knit apparel, woven apparel, machinery, and iron and steel.

Canada and India signed a Canada-India Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation in November 2005 to foster greater bilateral Science & Technology collaboration in five priority areas like nano-science and nano-medicine; information and communications technology; biotechnology, health research and medical devices; sustainable and alternative energy and environmental technologies; and earth sciences and disaster management. From 2005 to 2010, joint funding from Canada and India for S&T collaboration is C$13.5 million Ms. Sara Wilshaw said.

Mr. V.S. Raju said that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) will be finalized by 2013 and trade between both the countries is set to touch $15 billion by 2015. The proposed CEPA between India and Canada will further the trade and would provide a considerable boost to the trade and investment flows between the two countries. The Industry and Trade thank the Govt. of Canada for opening its Trade Office in Hyderabad, for giving special impetus in improving the business with Andhra Pradesh.

Belgium 4th Country for Foreign Investment

The Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) in association with Trade Commission, Belgium organized Interactive Meeting on “Business Opportunities’ in Flanders, Belgium” on 13th March 2013 at Federation House, Red Hills, Hyderabad. Ms. Jayant Nadigar, Trade Commissioner of Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels Region of Belgium was the chief guest for this occasion.

Mr. V.S. Raju, President, FAPCCI, Mr. Hari Haran, Co Chairman, International Trade Committee and Mr. M.V. Rajeshwara Rao, Secretary General are the other speakers at the occasion.

Ms. Jayant Nadigar said in his key note address is that the according to a recent report by UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development), foreign direct investment in Belgium rose by more than 50% from 2009 to almost $62 billion in 2010. Foreign direct investment worldwide increased by 5%, so Belgium definitely outpaced the global trend. Belgium is ranked as the fourth most attractive country for foreign direct investment, after the United States ($228 billion), China ($106 billion) and Hong Kong ($69 billion). Belgium was also 10th in the world ranking for outgoing direct investment ($38 billion).

He also said that the Belgium is the second largest trading partner of India in the European Union with annual bilateral trade turnover amounting to 10.4 billion Euro in 2010. India is the 5th largest exporter to Belgium (after USA, China, Japan and Russia) and 2nd largest importer of Belgian products in 2010 (after USA). Belgium has emerged as the 23rd largest investor in India worldwide and the 9th largest within the EU. The major items of Indian exports to Belgium are - Precious stones; Textiles and garments; Iron and steel; Chemical products; Mineral products; Organic chemicals; Machinery and Electrical Equipments etc. The major items of Indian imports from Belgium are- Precious stones; Iron and steel; Machinery and mechanical appliances; Chemical products; boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances & parts thereof: Organic chemicals; Plastic and rubber; Plastics and articles thereof; Pharmaceutical products etc.

The Flanders Investment & Trade agency is the government agency promoting sustainable international entrepreneurship, involving outward trade as well as inward investments, requires not only a thorough knowledge of the Flemish economic tissue, but also an extensive network outside of Flanders. Flanders Investment & Trade has a worldwide network of economic and trade representatives to help you source the quality products and services you require. Our experienced representatives provide personalized advice and answer your questions about Flemish goods and services. Travelling throughout their base countries, they pro-actively seek out business opportunities and strategic export partners Mr Jayant said.

Mr. V.S. Raju said that the Trade Commissioner of Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels Region of Belgium and is responsible for South India, for promoting exports, technology, products and services. The Trade Commissioner Office helps to connect with the Belgium companies, sourcing products or services from Belgium or seeking new business partnerships ranging from joint ventures to technology transfers. The Office also assists foreign businesses seeking to set up or expand in Flanders, viz. production or R&D facilities, contact centers, headquarters or logistics operations - or a combination of any of these - it provides the right kind of advice and guidance free of charge.

Agricultural development plays a vital role in Nation’s economic development

The Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) in association with Alabama University, Alabama, organized Women’s Day Celebrations on 9^th March 2013 at Federation House, Red Hills, Hyderabad. Mr. William Batchelor, Dean, College of Agriculture, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama was the chief guest for this occasion.

Mr. William Batchelor said in his key note address is that the agricultural development makes a critical contribution to overall economic growth in many developing countries. As farmers’ incomes rise, so does their demand both for farm inputs and services, and for non-farm goods. Increased agricultural production also leads to increased demand for processing facilities. Rapid growth Agricultural growth and development require investment and technology. With them huge productivity gains are possible. Over the past 20 years, increases in government spending on agriculture in East and South Asia have been clearly linked to rapid growth in agriculture and to progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

In developing countries, it has all too often bypassed the most needy farmers, offering solutions that are beyond their reach or simply inappropriate to their livelihoods. The challenge is to develop technology in a way that is relevant to small farmers and to create the conditions they need to transform their small plots into viable small businesses that make a vital contribution to local and national economies Mr. William Batchelor said.

Mr. V.S. Raju said that the Andhra Pradesh has bountiful natural resources endowed with fertile land, water and conducive agro-climatic conditions. It is an agriculturally-prosperous State and largest producer of rice in India. The State is also the leading producer of cash crops like Tobacco, Groundnut, Chillies, Turmeric, Oilseeds, Cotton, Sugar and Jute. It produces some of the finest fruit varieties of mango, grapes, guava, sapota, papaya and bananas.

The Government has taken many policy initiatives and missions to strengthen the farm credit delivery system for providing credit at affordable rates of interest to support the resource requirements of the agricultural sector. The emphasis of these initiatives is to provide timely and adequate credit support to farmers with particular focus on small and marginal farmers. The initiatives strive to enable and motivate the farmers to adopt modern technology and improved agricultural practices for increasing agricultural production and productivity.

FAPCCI Delegation participated at Holi Celebrations at Raj Bhavan

FAPCCI delegation consisting Mr. V.S. Raju, President, Mr. Devendra Surana, Senior Vice President, Mr. Shekhar Agarwal, Past president, Mr. V. Anil Reddy, Chairman, Energy Committee, Mr. O.P. Tibrewala, Past President, Mr. Nitin K Parekh, Chairman, Trade and Commerce Committee, Mr. Abhay Kumar Jain, Chairman, Direct Taxes Committee, Mr. Shyam Sunder Pasari, Chairman, International Trade Relations Committee, Mr. Ravindra Modi, Chairman, Tourism Committee, Mr. Radha Krishna Agarwal ,Co Chairman, Tourism Committee, Mr. V.V. Sanyasi Rao, Chairman, Rural Development Committee, Mr. Hari Haran, Co Chairman, International Trade Relations Committee, Mr. Ramakanth Inani, Managing Committee Member have participated at Holi Celebrations, at Raj Bhavan, Hyderabad, organized by His Excellency Mr. ESL Narasimhan, Hon’ble Governor of Andhra Pradesh.

In this occasion FAPCCI delegation also celebrated Holi with Commissioner of Police Mr. A.K. Khan, IPS.

Women’s Day Celebrations at FAPCCI

The Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) organized Women’s Day Celebrations on 8^th March 2013 at Federation House, Red Hills, Hyderabad. Mrs. Swaroopa Rani, State Secretary General, AIDWA was the chief guest for this occasion.

Mr. V.S. Raju, President, FAPCCI, Mrs. Rajam Ganeshan, Mrs. Karuna, Secretary, ALEAP and many other women entrepreneurs have the key speakers at the occasion.

Banks playing significant role in Nation economic development

The Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce & Industry in association with Matrusri Institute of Post Graduate Studies organized a Seminar on “Emerging Trends in Banking and Insurance” on 5^th March 2012 at Surana Udyog Auditorium, Red Hills, Hyderabad. Mr. Radhakrishnan Nair, Member, IRDA was the chief guest for this occasion.

Mr. V S Raju, President, FAPCCI, Mr. B. Krishna Reddy, Head, DBM, Osmania University, Prof. M. Basavaraja, Principal-MIPGS, Mr. Srinivas Ayyadevara, Vice President, FAPCCI, Mr. Shiv Kumar Rungta, Chairman, Banking, Finance & Insurance Committee, Mr. Lakshmikanth Inani, Co-Chairman, Banking, Finance & Insurance Committee, Mr. M.V. Rajeshwara rao, Secretary General, FAPCCI are the key speakers at the occasion.

Mr. Radhakrishnan Nair said in his key note address is that the Banks over the years have become a significant aspect of an economy. With the ongoing financial depression, the position of banks have become all the more important in the course of working of the money market and hence the economy of a nation. The banking sectors forming apportion of the financial sector primarily works as a financial intermediary generating money supply. From the different macro economic models, banks have been found to be a part of the supply side of the economy. However, over time banks have transformed from merely money generating organizations to a multi tasking entity.

He also said that In India, as in many developing countries, the commercial banking sector has been the dominant element in the country’s financial system. The sector has performed the key functions of providing liquidity and payment services to the real sector and has accounted for the Bulk of the financial intermediation process. Besides institutionalizing savings, the banking sector has contributed to the process of economic development by serving as a major source of credit to households, government, and business and to weaker sectors of the economy like village and small scale industries and agriculture. Over the years, over 30-40% of gross household savings, have been in the form of bank deposits and around 60% of the assets of all financial institutions accounted for by commercial banks.

Mr. V.S Raju said that the need for Financial Literacy is felt in all the countries alike. In developed countries the increasing number and complexity of financial products, the continuing shift in responsibility by governments on providing social security and avenues to provide individual retirement plans makes it imperative to step up financial literacy. In addition, the substantial growth of international transaction during the last decade, resulting from new technologies and growing international mobility of individuals, makes the improvement of Financial Literacy, increasingly an international concern. From a regulatory perspective, this attempt empowers the common person, reduces the burden of protecting the common person from the elements of market failure attributable to information asymmetries. The emphasis of market discipline, as one of the three pillars of banking regulation, especially under Basel II, is best served by participation of Financially Literate Bank Customers in the financial markets. Financial Literacy makes a different in quality of life that an individual can afford, but also regulates integrity and quality of markets. Educated customers, can benefit the economy, encourage genuine competition, forcing service providers to innovate and improve their efficiency levels.