The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Patil pitches for India as investment destination Geetanjali Gayatri IN ABU DHABI Tribune news service India’s economic aspirations and strong growth make it an ideal destination for foreign investment, President Pratibha Patil told members of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce at an engagement in on Tuesday. She underlined that India had embarked on an ambitious programme of disinvestment in public sector. Highlighting the large number of Special Economic Zones being set up in India, she invited investment in the infrastructure sector as well. The head of the business delegation accompanying the President on her visit, VRS Natrajan suggested that long-term visa should be provided to Indian investors as incentive to invest in Dubai. He added that relations between investors of the two countries should be strengthened by closer cooperation and greater interaction. All religions of the world unite- this was the President’s second message in Abu Dhabi. At an interaction with students of Indian schools from the UAE at the Abu Dhabi Indian School, the President advised them to build friendships and develop the ability to work constructively as a team. She opined that education was not merely necessary to secure a job but an investment into the future and a way to imbibe the concepts of peace, harmony and tolerance. Inaugurating the Indian Islamic Centre, the President said that it was a tribute to the collective efforts of the Indian diaspora and would serve as a cultural bridge between India and the UAE. She urged the members of the Centre to highlight among the community the close and friendly ties between the two nations. The foundation stone for the Centre was laid by India’s prime minister late Indira Gandhi in 1982. Patil said “unity in diversity” was the hallmark of both the societies. The President then arrived in Dubai to a grand reception given by the Indian community. She also launched a long-awaited 24-hour helpline for distressed Indian workers facing problems with their employers or contracts.
	US cos cancel garment orders 20% of orders withdrawn on child labour concerns Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, November 23 Garment export units in Ludhiana are staring at cancellation of orders from American companies after reports that these units employed child labour. Nearly 20 per cent of orders have already been withdrawn at the last minute. Recently, several Indian companies were served show-cause notices from their American clients pertaining to the employment of child labour in their units. Reacting to the cancellation of orders, the commerce ministry has given an undertaking to the US labour department that children are not employed in manufacturing. “We have lost almost 20 per cent orders this year. Manufacturers in neighbouring countries like China and Bangladesh are engaging in propaganda against us that we employ child labour,” said a manufacturer. Major international retail chains like Levis, Adidas, Wall Mart, Gap, Diesel, and Tommy Hilfiger are slowly drifting away from India. Monika Goyal, director, Goyal Knitwears, Ludhiana said for getting orders from US companies, the manufacturer has to agree to various clauses and not employing child labor is one of the major clause included in it. “It is also very tough to get the approval from the America's labour department. Our customers visit the unit personally to know the state of conditions. While in the neighbouring countries like China, unit owners have set up different small units which are shown to the customers. Whereas the main unit where the production is carried out is never shown,” she said. Vinod Thapar, president, Knitwear Club, said: “The main consideration of American companies is that workers making garments should have a healthy lifestyle and children should not be involved during production,” added Thapar.
	Punjab Technical University plans textile, food technology institutes KS Chawla Ludhiana, November 23 The Punjab Technical University will soon set up two new institutions — a Textile technology and research institute, and a Food technology and research institute. The colleges would offer graduate as well as post graduate programmes. Principal Secretary Technical Education Punjab Suresh Kumar said the decision was taken last month in a meeting chaired by chief minister Prakash Singh Badal. PTU will fund these institutes. Suresh Kumar said that 20 acres for the Textile institute was allotted by the CM at Ladowal farm near Ludhiana. Another 22 acres was available at village Sanghera in Barnala district, where the Food technology institute would be located, he added. The secretary added a steering committee headed by Vardhman Group Chairman SP Oswal had been set up to prepare the curriculum for the Textile technology institute. The steering committee for the food technology institute would be set up at the next meeting of PTU’s governing Board. SP Oswal told The Tribune that the establishment of the Textile Institute would add a huge dimension to Punjab’s textile industry.He added Punjab was a large raw material supplier (cotton) to the textile industry. The textile industry employs 35 per cent of the total industry manpower in the state. The industry contributes 21 per cent to industrial output and 41 per cent to the state’s exports. The textile institute is expected to cater to the research and development requirements of the industry, keep track of the latest developments in textile fibre and textile technology and provide competent textile engineers. Punjab lacks facilities for processing of the food grain. The establishment of the Food Technology and Research Institute will provide a fillip to food processing industry. The PTU vice-chancellor could not be contacted for comments.
	Modi woos investors to set up shop in Gujarat New Delhi, November 23 Wooing national and international investors here, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today showcased the state as an ideal investment destination and invited business leaders to participate in the prestigious programme 'Vibrant Gujarat'. "I invite you to this event with your ideas, initiatives, ambitions, aspirations, plans and projects...Our aim is to make Gujarat a global hub and globally preferred place to do business," Modi said here. The biennial event which would be held on January 12-13 in Gandhinagar is aimed at attracting business leaders and investors. "The biggest objective (of the event) is to do a global networking for knowledge and technology sharing, learn the best practices; involve and encourage other people to think big and take up challenging projects," Modi said. He said huge opportunities were available for investors in the sectors like tourism, education, infrastructure, shipping, healthcare and renewable energy. At the fifth chapter of the event, besides national and international investors, other states have also been invited to participate. "We will help them to do business and technology tie-ups and agreements for the respective locations," he added. Highlighting the states' contribution to the country's economy, Modi said that Gujarat contributed to 16 per cent of India’s industrial output, 22 per cent of exports and 62 per cent of petrochemical production. The state registered 12.8 per cent agriculture growth in the last five years against the national average of two per cent, he added. Talking about special investments regions (SIRs) that are to be developed on the lines of Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), he said that those regions would acts as global hubs for economic activity. "After special economic zones, we are moving towards SIRs. These are going to be very big in size and scale. They will be developed as global hubs of economic activity with world class infrastructure, civic amenities and exemplary policy framework," Modi said. The last event was held in 2009 at a time when major economies were facing the heat of global economic crisis. "This event, which was held in the backdrop of global recession surprised everyone with investment agreement of $240 billion," he said. — PTI
	Nokia launches messaging service for small businesses New Delhi, November 23 Nokia today launched a messaging service in partnership with US-based Intuit, under which small businesses can send SMS' to their customers about their products and services. The service is being launched as a pilot in Delhi and Chandigarh, Nokia expects to roll out ‘GoConnect’ across the country by early 2011. Aimed at small businesses with up to 10 employees, the ‘GoConnect’ service will help companies send information on products and other details to their customers in a personalised manner. “Small businesses can deepen their relationships through targetted communication, which results in increased repeat visit from customers,” Nokia India Sales Director Vipul Sabharwal said. Sabharwal added, “This is targeted at small businesses, for example, a florist, who has a dedicated clientele and the messages sent out are more personalised.” The Intuit GoConnect service is based on a subscription model, which would be available through Nokia Priority dealers. The service will cost Rs 2,400 for six months (10,000 SMS') and Rs 3,600 for a year (20,000 messages). "In case, the company finishes the SMS' given to him as part of the package, he can get it recharged through various tariff plans," Intuit Global Small Business VP and General Manager Terry Hicks said. — PTI
	AI Express plans low-cost domestic ops New Delhi, November 23 Air India Express, a subsidiary of national carrier Air India, is looking to launch low cost domestic operations and is trying to ascertain the viability of routes to be operated, Parliament was informed today. "Air India Express is considering launching of low cost operations. The commercial viability of the sectors to be operated are being ascertained, after which the sector would be identified," Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. Air India Express currently operates as low-cost carrier of the Air India on international routes, mainly offering services to and from the Gulf countries. Patel also said that Air India may initiate a feasibility study to start operations and maintenance of smaller capacity aircraft to Tier-IV cities. He was replying to a question on whether the government is planning to revive Vayudoot, which used to fly smaller aircraft in the 1980s to increase connectivity in smaller cities across the country. The loss-making airline, which was merged with the then Indian Airlines in 1993, was originally conceived to serve the north-east region of the country. Later, it had started operations from 100 destinations. Replying to a separate question, the minister said that Airport Authority of India has sought compensation for revenue loss suffered due to the closure of commercial operations at Hyderabad and Bangalore. — PTI
	Kingfisher, American Airlines enter into code share agreement Mumbai, November 23 Kingfisher Airlines today said it has entered into a code sharing and frequent flyer agreement with American Airlines, which will be effective from 2011. "The code share on American Airline’s flight to Chicago will mark the first time ever that Kingfisher Airlines will place its code on any flight operating into the US,” Executive VP-Commercial, Kingfisher Airlines Manoj Chacko said. In aviation business, code sharing means selling space on the same flights, where a seat can be purchased on one airline, but is actually operated by a cooperating airline under a different flight number or code. Kingfisher will place its code on American Airline's daily flight between New Delhi and Chicago, and on selected other flights between the US and London’s Heathrow airport, the company said. On the other hand, the American Airlines can place its code on Kingfisher's flights from London Heathrow to both New Delhi and Mumbai, and its domestic network, the statement added. American Airlines' Chief Commercial Officer Virasb Vahidi said: “We look forward to strengthening further our partnership as Kingfisher completes the process of joining the Oneworld alliance.” Kingfisher, which operates on 8 international destinations including London, Hong Kong and Singapore, is a member-elect of Oneworld - an alliance of international airlines, while American Airlines is among the founder members of the alliance. — PTI
	Coal India H1 net up 29% to Rs 4,020 crore New Delhi, November 23 State-run Coal India today reported 29.06 per cent growth in net profit at Rs 4,020 crore during the the first half this fiscal. Net sales rose 16.9 per cent to Rs 22,525.53 crore from Rs 19,269.52 crore in the same period the previous fiscal. The Navratna company, which got listed on November 4 with a premium of 17 per cent, has been looking to acquire coal mines abroad and has earmarked Rs 6,000 crore for the purpose this fiscal. The company has shortlisted US firms Massey Energy and Peabody Energy, besides Indonesian Novem/ Sinarma, for a possible partnership for their respective mines in Australia, Indonesia and the US. — PTI
	M&M to buy 70% in Ssangyong for Rs 2,105 crore New Delhi, November 23 Mahindra & Mahindra today said it has signed a definitive agreement with Ssangyong Motor Company (SYMC) to acquire 70 per cent in the ailing South Korean auto maker for $463 million (about Rs 2,105 crore). The company expects the deal to be concluded by March 2011. Of the total cost of acquisition, $378 million will be in in new stocks and $85 million in corporate bonds, M&M added. "The coming together of Mahindra and Ssangyong will result in a competitive global UV player. Together with its financial capability, Mahindra offers competence in sourcing and marketing strategy, while Ssangyong has strong capabilities in technology," M&M President, Automotive & Farm Equipment Sectors, Pawan Goenka said. — PTI