ISSUE NO. 1 ; Vol. XX Website: http://www.indembassysuriname.com/ February 2011

2 February 2011

E-NEWSLETTER OF THE EMBASSY OF INDIA, PARAMARIBO

Contents

News about India

Report: Bigger opportunity in India's smaller cities

Economy & Investment Update

Doing Business with India Sectoral Profile Highlights of Union Budget 2011-2012

Feature: Green Productivity for Sustainable

Energy and Environment:

Need of the Hour

ICC Events News in Hindi Trade Enquiries

NEWS ABOUT INDIA

First India- Least Developed Countries Ministerial Conference Government of India organized an India-Least Developed Countries Ministerial meeting on Harnessing the Positive Contribution of South-South Cooperation for Development of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in New Delhi on February 18-19, 2011. Foreign Ministers from 48 LDCs were invited to participate in this event along with their Permanent Representatives to the United Nations in New York. It is the first Conference of its kind in India that brought together the entire community of LDCs to India in pursuit of mutually beneficial bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The Conference was co-sponsored by the United Nations High Representative for Least Developed Countries and the Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS). India has a substantive development cooperation programme with Least Developed Countries. India extended a comprehensive scheme for Duty Free Quota Free treatment to imports from the Least Developed Countries. The core thrust of Indian development partnership with Least Developed Countries has been capacity building. In this regard, the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme merits mention. The cumulative value of our Lines of Credit to Least Developed Countries since 2003 is US$ 4.3 billion, a significant part of which has already been utilized. But more significantly, the total investment by Indian public and private companies in the Least Developed Countries now stands at about US$ 35 billion. Indias annual imports from Least Developed Countries are over US$ 10 billion. During the Conference, the Minister of External Affairs, MR. SM Krishna made the following additional announcements for the Least Developed Countries: (i) Additional 5 scholarships every year under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme for each Least Developed Country. (ii) A special fund of US$ 5 million over the next five years for the follow up to UN LDC Four. (iii) US$ 500 million credit line facility over the next five years to be used specifically for projects and programmes of Least Developed Countries. Inaugural Address by EAM at India-Least Developed Countries (LDCs) Ministerial Conference

Delhi Sustainable Development Summit 2011 The 11th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS) organised by The Energy & Resource Institute (TERI) was inaugurated on 3rd February in New Delhi. The DSDS this year was themed on Tapping Local Initiatives and Tackling Global Inertia. The summit envisaged the presence of various stakeholders, multilateral and bilateral development organizations, non-government sector, corporate houses and various research and academic institutions. DSDS 2011 was inaugurated by the Honble Prime Minister of

India Dr. Manmohan Singh in gracious presence of H.E. Dr. Leonel Fernandez, President of Dominican Republic; H.E. Mr. James Alix Michel, President Seychelles; H.E. Mr. Hamid Karzai, President Afghanistan; Mr. Jairam Ramesh, Honble Minister for Environment and Forests, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Honble Minister for New & Renewable Energy among others. In his address, Prime Minister Singh said, While we focus on specific actions related to dealing with climate change, we have to be guided by the overall imperative of moving global society in the direction of sustainability in growth and development. I am optimistic that this august gathering will not only highlight India's role as a responsible and enlightened member of the international community, but will also contribute towards

finding a solution to the global challenge, which impacts humanity as a whole. The Prime Minister informed that the broad objective that has been set is to reduce the emissions intensity of GDP by 20% between 2005 and 2020. The seven missions in this regard, viz. energy efficiency, solar energy, sustainable habitat, water, sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem, agriculture and strategic knowledge for climate change were also shared by the PM. We will shortly launch the last of the 8 National Missions under the Plan, which is called Green India, which will result in the regeneration of 6 million hectares of degraded forest land. The PM also informed that the Twelfth Five Year Plan, which will cover the period of 2012-2107, will focus on specific initiatives which are needed to be put our development on a path consistent with low carbon growth. TEXT OF PRIME MINISTERS SPEECH AT THE DELHI SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT

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Economy & Investment Growth may return to 9% in 2011-12

Business Standard: Recovery will enable Government to continue with fiscal consolidation. The finance ministry expects the Indian economy to break a three-year hiatus caused by the global financial crisis by returning to the nine per cent growth path from the next financial year on a sustained basis. At the same time, it maintains that ongoing political crises in West Asia, an uncertain global recovery and any abnormal weather condition may spoil the exuberance. An economic recovery will also enable the government to continue with its fiscal consolidation process, as fiscal deficit stands revised at 4.8 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) for the current financial year against the Budget estimates of 5.5 per cent, says the Economic Survey for 2010-11. This may enable the government to further prune fiscal deficit below the target of 4.8 per cent in the next financial year, set by the Thirteenth Finance Commission. The survey pegged the 9 per cent growth with a rider that global developments and adverse weather conditions could drag it down by 0.25 percentage points, while positive factors could push it up further by the same margin. The finance ministry expects the Indian economy to do better in the years to come, as the rates of investments and savings will rise after the government further pulls out of stimulus gradually. However, it noted that skilled training of the workforce and the countrys innovative capacity was of much greater importance to Indian growth at this point of time than investment and savings rates. But, Shanto Ghosh, principal economist with Deloitte India, wanted that the survey should have dealt with the issue of skill development more adequately. The survey also did not indicate when the barrier for sustained 10 per cent growth would be breached, as Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee wanted. It should also be noted that the ministry had revised its projections for economic growth to 8.75 per cent for the current financial year from earlier 8.5 per cent. But according to advance estimates, the growth is likely to be 8.6 per cent. The survey said the projections were always subject to error and hence it gave a range for the projections.

Focus: Gems & Jewellery

India's gems and jewellery exports are estimated to rise 17.8 per cent to touch US$ 33 billion in 2010-11, according to Rajiv Jain, Chairman, Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). Significantly, luxury conglomerate LVMH, through its private equity arm L Capital, is set to acquire a significant minority stake in Gitanjali Gems' proposed subsidiary that will control its branded jewellery and retail businesses. The deal, worth US$ 100-125 million, is aimed at bringing the world's best know-how, expand aggressively in the domestic market and take Gitanjali Gems to global scale.

India ratifies double taxation avoidance pacts with SAARC

The Economic Times: India has ratified the new Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements with SAARC nations taking forward its efforts to track and unearth black money. The revised treaties will come into effect from next fiscal, according to a government notification. "The central government hereby directs that all the provisions of the said agreement shall be given effect to in the Union of India with effect from 1st day of April, 2011," the official government Gazette notification said. According to the notification, the new agreement will apply to persons who are residents of one or more member states. However, the notification said SAARC limited multilateral agreement on avoidance of double taxation and mutual administrative assistance in tax matters shall be applicable only in the member states where an adequate direct tax structure is in place. "In case of a member state where such a structure is not in place, this agreement shall become effective from the date on which such a member state introduces a proper direct tax structure and notifies the SAARC secretariat to this effect," the gazette notification said. India is in the process of negotiating DTAA with 65 countries. This is to broaden the scope of article concerning exchange of information, specifically regarding banking and taxpayers not covered earlier. Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee had recently unveiled a five pronged strategy to check and curb black money in the country. He said DTAA and Exchange of Taxation Information Agreement are two instruments under which information can be obtained and that the government has already amended pacts with 23 countries to get information from various banks.

India, Japan target $25-bn trade by '14 Business Standard: India and Japan have set a target of achieving $25 billion worth of bilateral trade by 2014 from the present $10.3 billion even as both countries have signed the much-awaited Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa) that will see about 94 per cent tariff reduction in goods ranging from cars to shrimps and easier movement of nurses and chefs. The deal was signed between Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma and Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara in Tokyo. It was formally agreed upon by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Japanese counterpart Naoto Kan last year in October. India stands to gain significantly through this agreement and 90 per cent of tariff lines are covered while Japan has covered 5 per cent more lines than India. The agreement has ensured that the sensitive sectors for India are fully protected. These include agriculture, fruits, spices, wheat, basmati rice, edible oils, wines and spirits and also certain categories of industrial products such as auto and auto parts, said an official statement by the ministry of commerce and industry. On a trade value basis, while Japan has agreed to 97 per cent tariff reduction in trade in goods, India has consented for 90 per cent duty abolition, according to the Embassy of Japans communiqu. The number of Japanese firms in India has doubled in last three years taking the total investments from Japan to India to more than 800 billion Yen, according to Japanese official data. (More)

Bigger opportunity in

India's smaller cities Business Standard : Smaller cities are scoring over metros in terms of growing urbanisation, and cities such as Jalandhar, Aurangabad, Bhubhaneshwar, Agra and Raipur are believed to be the next cities of opportunities. According to the latest Morgan Stanley research report, AlphaWise City Vibrancy Index: A Guide to Indias Urbanization, households in these cities earn more than Indias average urban household. Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) pegs the quarterly average household income at about Rs 45,000 per urban household, whereas in cities such as Jalandhar, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati and Aurangabad have a quarterly average household income of above Rs 65,000. The report measures the key drivers of urbanisation such as physical infrastructure, financial penetration, consumer services and job listings in the top 200 cities (by population) in India. The vibrancy index is aimed at helping investors evaluate companies strategic positioning in urban centers and monitor sector trends. Urbanisation is important to the process of city formation and building Indias competitive strength in the global markets, feels Ridham Desai, head of India research and India strategist at Morgan Stanley. The relative performance of components of the vibrancy index could give us insight into potential for urbanisation. For example, a citys rate of urbanisation may be low but it may be (that) financial penetration may be high. This gives us potential for consumer services or job creation in that city, says Desai. Bangalore, Hyderabad and Pune are the most vibrant cities among the top 50 cities in India on the AlphaWise City Vibrancy Index. Tier-II cities like Mysore and Meerut rank in the top 10. Ironically, the countrys financial capital, Mumbai, ranks 21st among Indias top 50 cities.

4 February 2011

E-NEWSLETTER OF THE EMBASSY OF INDIA, PARAMARIBO

'Computer market grew 30% in 2010' The Economic Times: India's personal computer market grew 30% in 2010 the highest since 2007, research firm IDC revealed. Hewlett Packard emerged the top company in India, leading in both notebook and desktop categories. HP regained market leadership after two quarters with a 17.3% market share, taking the pole position from Dell Inc that got 14.2% of the market. Taiwans Acer followed the two with 11.5% market share. Notebooks were the hottest selling category with sales growing by 49% between October and December 2010 compared to the previous year. More than 10 lakh notebooks were sold in the 2010 fourth quarter. HP grabbed the largest market share of 26.2% while Dell and Acer secured second and third places. Nearly 25 lakh personal computers were shipped to Indian consumers, pushing up the overall sales by 26%. IDC Indias lead PC analyst Sumanta Mukherjee noted sales in 2010 to be far better than dismal 2009. Consumers are the main architects of this recovery, supported by renewed buying sentiments displayed by the SMB and government segments, he said. But warned that sales of Atom processor-based mini notebooks could come under increasing pressure, as competitive offerings of rivals start becoming available in March 2011. Emergence of media tablets will also impact this category in the long run, he said. Around 14.5 lakh desktop PC units were sold in the fourth quarter last calender year, a 14% increase over 2009. HP held the lead in desktop PC sales with 10.86% of the market, followed by HCL with 10.78% and Acer at the third spot.

EU seeks R&D tieups with SMEs Business Standard : The European Business and Technology Centre (EBTC), which supports cleantech companies and researchers from the European Union (EU), is planning to bring EU companies into Indian market. The EU body facilitates tieups ups with Indian companies that are into clean technology industries. According to EBTC, it is in talks with Wipro and two other companies for tieups. The other companies are Bangalore-based OB Energy and i2india, the Indian arm of Imperial Innovations, Plc, UK, the technology commercialisation venture of Imperial College London. i2india aims to fill the gap of product innovation in India by creating an eco-system for early stage technology commercialisation. EBTC is an initiative co-founded by the European Union and co-ordinated by the Eurochambres, which assists the business, science and research community, both in Europe and India, to work together for generating new business opportunities in clean technology transfer. EBTC has set up a centre in Bangalore to promote business, research and technological co-operation in the energy and environmental fields. This is the fourth centre for EBTC in the country, after Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. For setting up the centres, EBTC has a budget of 16 million. The centre will build synergies among the chambers of commerce of EU member states that are already established in the region and work together with the existing European business associations in India and Europe. It will also interface between public policy makers and private players, raising awareness on the existing European programmes in the fields of science and technology as well as business and industrial cooperation. We expect the centre to further foster links between European and Indian businesses as well as between science and technology actors to promote the EU and respond to demands of the Indian market. The centre will promote sustainable clean technologies in India, and particularly south India, said Daniele Smadja, ambassador, head of delegation of the European Union to India, said. EBTC also signed a MoU with the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce to increase collaboration opportunities between Europe and Southern India. According to Poul V Jensen, director EBTC, the main beneficiaries will be organisations and firms in Europe and India willing to develop strategic business alliances and joint research projects, and those interested in sourcing cutting-edge technologies and related competencies which are not available in their locality.

India's longest rail bridge in Kerala The Times of India: The scenic Kerala backwaters can now boast of an engineering marvel the longest rail bridge in the country at 4.62km. The bridge is part of a 8.6-km railway link connecting Idapalli to Vallarpadam in Kochi, where the shipping ministry has constructed the International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT). Built by the Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd at Rs 200 crore, the bridge came up in a record 28 months. The rail link between Idapalli railway station and ICTT can also boast green technology to address environmental concerns. The alignment cuts through densely populated habitations and backwaters. "We used minimum cement to reduce greenhouse effect," said a rail official. Land acquisition being a sensitive issue in Kerala, RVNL took an elevated route a 40m-long girder erected at a curve of 2.5 degrees to cut down on land use in densely populated areas and also go across the backwaters. "This led to the conceptualization of a 4.62km-long elevated structure," RVNL managing director Satish Agnihotri told TOI. The land was acquired in densely populated areas, thanks to an "out-of-box" solution. The compensation package did not pinch the displaced. Current market price of houses -- without any depreciation of the properties -- was offered. Also, a plot of similar size was allotted to the displaced in an equally or better developed area. Each family was paid rent for six months till the new house came up. The project, which will serve as the first SEZ port in the country, will eliminate transhipment of goods from Colombo port to Indian ports. Mega mother ships and Panamax vessels can directly reach Vallarpadam. It will also save the cost of transportation by $300 per container, making export and import cheaper. "The work had to be completed fast as the rail connectivity to the container terminal was a time-bound exercise being monitored by the Prime Minister`s Office," an official said. The new bridge eclipses Dehri-on-Sone's record as the longest rail bridge in the country. The three-km-long bridge on the Sone River was constructed by the East India Railway in 1900.

Focus: Environment Sustainability As part of its integrated business strategy, Lanco Solar is setting up India's first integrated Solar PV manufacturing Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project in Rajnandgaon district of Chhatisgarh. The SEZ project is being developed in phases and will have integrated facilities for manufacture of Polysilicon, Ingots, wafers, PV Cells and PV modules with capacities of 250 MW/year equivalent. First phase of the project with an investment of Rs. 1,370 crores (US$ 299.36 million), consisting of Polysilicon, Ingots & Wafers, will be fully operational by 2012. Significantly, Reliance Power's Rs 16,000-crore (US$ 3.49 billion) ultra mega power project at Sasan has qualified for carbon credits, which will help it earn over Rs 2,000 crore (US$ 437.43 million), or 40 per cent of its equity in the next decade. The 4,000-MW coalfired Sasan power project using supercritical technology has been registered with clean development mechanism executive board of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, according to the company. Further, the proposed Biodiversity Project (BDP) in Pune is likely to get a boost with the Union government announcing Green India Mission to improve the quality of forests in India with help from local governing bodies.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"In the foreseeable

future I see India

joining the premium

league. India will be

amongst the top 3-4

markets along with

Germany, United

States and China"

Peter Honegg

Managing Director

BMW

DOING BUSINESS WITH INDIA

Indian Economy- Highlights of Union Budget 2011-2012 NEW DELHI: Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on 28th February 2011 presented to Parliament India's budget for the coming financial year beginning in April. Following are the highlights of the budget: TAXES ( Read full story on taxes ) * Standard rate of excise duty held at 10 percent; no change in CENVAT rates * Personal income tax exemption limit raised to Rs 180,000 from Rs 160,000 for individual tax payers *For senior citizens, the qualifying age reduced to 60 years and exemption limit raised to Rs 2.50 lakh. *Citizens over 80 years to have exemption limit of Rs 5 lakh. * To reduce surcharge on domestic companies to 5 percent from 7.5 percent. * A new revised income tax return form 'Sugam' to be introduced for small tax papers. * To raise minimum alternate tax to 18.5 percent from 18 percent ( Read story ) * Direct tax proposals to cause 115 billion rupees in revenue loss * Service tax rate kept at 10 percent * Customs and excise proposals to result in net revenue gain of 73 billion rupees * Iron ore export duty raised to 20 percent *Nominal one per cent central excise duty on 130 items entering the tax net. Basic food and fuel and precious stones, gold and silver jewellery will be exempted. *Peak rate of customs duty maintained at 10 per cent in view of the global economic situation. *Basic customs duty on agricultural machinery reduced to 4.5 per cent from 5 per cent. *Service tax widened to cover hotel accommodation above Rs 1,000 per day, A/C restaurants serving liquor, some category of hospitals, diagnostic tests. *Service tax on air travel increased by Rs 50 for domestic travel and Rs 250 for international travel in economy class. On higher classes, it will be ten per cent flat. * Electronic filing of TDS returns at source stabilised; simplified forms to be introduced for small taxpayers. * Works of art exempt from customs when imported for exhibition in state-run institutions; this now extended to private institutions. SUBSIDIES ( Read: Direct cash subsidy on fuel, fertilizers by March, 2012 ) * Subsidy bill in 2011-12 seen at 1.44 trillion rupees * Food subsidy bill in 2011-12 seen at 605.7 billion rupees * Revised food subsidy bill for 2010-11 at 606 billion rupees * Fertiliser subsidy bill in 2011-12 seen at 500 billion rupees * Revised fertiliser subsidy bill for 2010-11 at 550 billion rupees * Petroleum subsidy bill in 2011-12 seen at 236.4 billion rupees * Revised petroleum subsidy bill in 2010-11 at 384 billion rupees * State-run oil retailers to be provided with 200 billion rupee cash subsidy in 2011-12 FISCAL DEFICIT ( Read full story ) * Fiscal deficit seen at 5.1 percent of GDP in 2010-11 * Fiscal deficit seen at 4.6 percent of GDP in 2011-12 * Fiscal deficit seen at 3.5 percent of GDP in 2013-14 SPENDING * Total expenditure in 2011-12 seen at 12.58 trillion rupees * Plan expenditure seen at 4.41 trillion rupees in 2011-12, up 18.3 percent REVENUE * Gross tax receipts seen at 9.32 trillion rupees in 2011-12 * Non-tax revenue seen at 1.25 trillion rupees in 2011-12 * Corporate tax receipts seen at 3.6 trillion rupees in 2011-12 * Tax-to-GDP ratio seen at 10.4 percent in 2011-12; seen at 10.8 percent in 2012-13 * Customs revenue seen at 1.52 trillion rupees in 2011-12 * Factory gate duties seen at 1.64 trillion rupees in 2011-12 *Service tax receipts seen at 820 billion rupees in 2011-12 * Revenue gain from indirect tax proposals seen at 113 billion rupees in 2011-12 * Service tax proposals to result in net revenue gain of 40 billion rupees in 2011-12 GROWTH, INFLATION EXPECTATIONS ( Read: Inflation remains principal concern ) * Economy expected to grow at 9 percent in 2012, plus or minus 0.25 percent * Inflation seen lower in the financial year 2011-12 DISINVESTMENT * Disinvestment in 2011-12 seen at 400 billion rupees * Government committed to retaining 51 percent stake in public sector enterprises. BORROWING * Net market borrowing for 2011-12 seen at 3.43 trillion rupees, down from 3.45 trillion rupees in 2010-11 * Gross market borrowing for 2011-12 seen at 4.17 trillion rupees * Revised gross market borrowing for 2010-11 at 4.47 trillion rupees POLICY REFORMS

6 February 2011

E-NEWSLETTER OF THE EMABASSY OF INDIA, PARAMARIBO

* To create infrastructure debt funds * FDI policy being liberalised. * To boost infrastructure development with tax-free bonds of 300 billion rupees * Food security bill to be introduced this year * To permit SEBI registered mutual funds to access subscriptions from foreign investments * Raised foreign institutional investor limit in 5-year corporate bonds for investment in infrastructure by $20 billion * Setting up independent debt management office; Public debt bill to be introduced in parliament soon * Bills on insurance, pension funds, banking to be introduced. *Constitution Amendment Bill for introduction of GST regime in this session. *New Companies Bill to be introduced in current session SECTOR SPENDING * To allocate more than 1.64 trillion rupees to defence sector in 2011-12 (Read: 11% hike in defence allocation ) * Corpus of rural infrastructure development fund raised to 180 billion rupees in 2011-12 * To provide 201.5 billion rupees capital infusion in state-run banks in 2011-12 * To allocate 520.5 billion rupees for the education sector. Rs.21,000 crore for Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. ( Read full story ) * To raise health sector allocation to 267.6 billion rupees (Read: 20% hike in health budget ) * Rs.500 crore more for national skill development fund. * Rs.54 crore each for AMU (Aligarh Muslim University) centres at Murshidabad and Mallapuram. * Rs.58,000 crore for Bharat Nirman; increase of Rs.10,000 crore. * Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme wage rates linked to consumer price index; will rise from existing Rs.100 per day. * Increased outlay on social sector schemes. ( Read: Social sector allocation up by 17%) * Infrastructure critical for development; 23 percent higher allocation in 2011-12. ( Read: Rs 2,14,000 cr allocated for infrastructure sector ) AGRICULTURE ( Read: Farm loans at 4 per cent ) * Removal of supply bottlenecks in the food sector will be in focus in 2011-12 * Agriculture growth key to development: Green Revolution waiting to happen in eastern region. * To raise target of credit flow to agriculture sector to 4.75 trillion rupees * Gives 3 percent interest subsidy to farmers in 2011-12 * Cold storage chains to be given infrastructure status * Capitalisation of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) of 30 billion rupees in a phased manner * To provide 3 billion rupees for 60,000 hectares under palm oil plantation * Actively considering new fertiliser policy for urea * Food storage capacity to be augmented - 15 more mega food parks to be set up in 2011-12; of 30 sanctioned in previous fiscal, 15 set up. * Comprehensive policy on further developing PPP (public-private-partnership) model. * Farmers need access to affordable credit. * Moving to improve nutritional security. * Necessary to accelerate production of fodder. ON THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY ( Read: Pranab on economy ) * "Fiscal consolidation has been impressive. This year has also seen significant progress in those critical institutional reforms that will pave the way for double digit growth in the near future." * "At times the biggest reforms are not the ones that make headlines, but the ones concerned with details of governance which affect the everyday life of aam aadmi (common man). In preparing this year's budget, I have been deeply conscious of this fact." * Food inflation remains a concern * Current account deficit situation poses some concern * Must ensure that private investment is sustained * "The economy has shown remarkable resilience." * Setting tone for newer, vibrant economy. * Economy back to pre-crisis trajectory. * Development needs to be more inclusive. ON GOVERNANCE * "Certain events in the past few months may have created an impression of drift in governance and a gap in public accountability ... such an impression is misplaced." * Corruption is a problem, must fight it collectively MORE *Govt to move towards direct transfer of cash subsidy for kerosene, LPG and fertilisers. *Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission, to be headed by former Supreme Court judge B Srikrishna, to complete its work in 24 months; to overhaul financial regulations. * Five-fold strategy against black money; 13 new double taxation avoidance agreements; foreign tax division of CTBT strengthened; strength of Enforcement Directorate increased three-fold. * Bill to be introduced to review Indian Stamp Act. * New coins carrying new rupee symbol to be issued. * Anganwadi workers salary raised from Rs.1,500 to Rs.3,000. * Mortgage risk guarantee fund to be created for economically weaker sections. * Housing loan limit for priority sector lending raised to Rs.25 lakh. ( Read full story on Union Budget 2011-2012 )

FEATURE: Green Productivity for Sustainable Energy and Environment:

Need of the Hour Sameer Pushp*

The process of Industrial growth plays a vital role in economic development, but any Industrial growth seems to go hand-in-hand with environmental deterioration. Several decades of applying the conventional methods to reduce environmental damage has proved to be just treating the symptoms, the world is suffering from disease of environmental damage and a fear of getting it chronic is a possibility. It is high time to combine technological solutions to overcome urgent pollution problems with ways to prevent wastes from being generated or to reuse their valuable material. We, in India, are mindful of this growing problem and have started interventions in form of awareness and practical solutions to reduce the impact of environmental degradation. To reinforce this belief, National Productivity Council, under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, is celebrating Productivity Week from 12th to 18th February, 2011 with a theme Green Productivity for Sustainable Energy and Environment. The Productivity Week will revolve around the core concept of Green Productivity (GP). A New Paradigm

Green Productivity is a new paradigm in sustainable manufacturing where resource conservation and waste minimization constitute the strategy in simultaneously enhancing environmental performance and productivity. This productivity approach to the sustainability of industries requires the adoption of clean production technology and the development of appropriate indicators and instruments to measure environmental performance in a continuous improvement strategy that focuses on the manufacturing stage of the product life cycle. The analysis may be expanded to include the entire life cycle with increasing details on impacts, improvement strategies and indicators.

Green Productivity is the well-rounded socio-economic development that emphasizes on sustainable improvement in the quality of human life with minimum or no damage to the environment. It is the combined application of appropriate productivity and environmental management tools, techniques and technologies that reduce the environmental impact of an organizations activities, products and services while enhancing profitability and competitive advantage.

Green Growth Dynamism

The thrust of the productivity week is to focus on generating awareness on the eco-efficiency considerations and energy efficiency perspectives, which will be supported by principles of ecological economics and impinged by equations of eco-financing and investments and returns cycles. Strategic action by firms and stakeholders including consumers are increasingly focused on eco-design initiatives including product improvement, productredesign. The aim is to explore future scope in harvesting green consumerism and green growth dynamics and emergence of eco-cities and eco-industrial parks that would foster an eco-culture across boundaries on our planet.

Green Productivity as a principle and strategy has gained wider understanding, stronger support and eventually being applied

for enhancing productivity and environmental performance for sustainable socio-economic development. Exploitation of non-

renewable energy sources on one hand resulted in depleting the natural energy reservoirs while on the other hand, due to

excessive and imbalanced use, it made the world face one of the toughest challenges, Global Warming. Rise in sea levels,

fluctuations in the rainfall and frequent droughts are some of the impacts of the environmental damage. All these concerns made

us introspect on the situation and this led to the incubation of the concept of Green Productivity for sustainable development.

Substantial Gains

Traditional focus of the productivity was to ensure cost-effectiveness through cost reduction, the quality drive and the customer satisfaction. Now, along with these, productivity improvement programs are also required to integrate environment issues. GP helps company increase its productivity and it is applicable not only to manufacturing, but also to the service, information, and agricultural sectors, more so to government and community economic development. By picking up the baton of quality, productivity has metamorphosed to incorporate environmental protection and community enhancement as a means to increase prosperity.

The challenges of shifting to a pathway of sustainable development embracing the energy & environmental issues are substantial. Improvements in energy management and pollution-reduction technologies will offset some of the problems associated with projected future growth in population. Therefore, Green productivity was launched with the prime objectives to address the issues of increasing profitability, improvement in health and safety, making quality products, promotion of environmental protection, regulatory compliance, building up companys image and raise employees morale which will subsequently lead to holistic growth and development.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, Nature is enough to satisfy mans need but not sufficient for mans greed. In this fierce race of globalization, countries of the world have lost the faculty to decipher the difference between need and greed. They are rapidly being trapped into the sands of materialism and thus failing to draw the line. This blurred distinction has consequently resulted boom to the consumerist concept leading to the crude display of extravagance and has thus ushered mindless production of goods and services.

Productivity and competitiveness are the two faces of a same coin. Competitiveness of a nation is linked to the productivity growth and ability of a nation to improve its competitiveness is measured by its environmental performance in addition to more traditional economic criteria. This makes the concept of Green Productivity a simple but elegant solution - to make environmental protection a core business principle instead of an isolated cost element. Green Productivity for sustainable Energy and Environment as a chosen theme for the Productivity Week-20ll is the need of the hour. (PIB Features) *Freelance Writer

Disclaimer: The writer is a freelance journalist and the views expressed by the author in this feature are entirely his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of PIB.

8 February 2011

E-NEWSLETTER OF THE EMABASSY OF INDIA, PARAMARIBO

EVENTS

Indian Cultural Centre, Paramaribo INDIAN CULTURAL

CENTRE,

PARAMARIBO

CALENDAR

FOR March, 2011

MUSIC CLASSES AT IOL (Deptt. of Music, University

of Suriname) Tuesdays, 1st , 8th, 15th, 22nd

& 29th of March 2011 Venue: IOL, University of

Suriname, Paramaribo

PRANAYAM, MEDITATION & CHANTING

SESSION (On Maha Shivratari)

Thursday 3rd March 2011 (1900 hrs onward)

Venue: Ramlakhan

Mandir, Saramacca

MOVIE CLUB BOLLYWOOD

MOVIE THODA PYAR THODA

MAGIC Under THE Indian Movie Club, on 2 January, Hindi movie Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic was screened at the local Theatre Paarl Movies, Suit, J.A. Pengelstraat, Paramaribo.

TALK ON AYODHYA KAND RAMAYANA A talk on Ayodhya Kand

Ramayana was delivered by Dr. S.K. Jha, Hindi Teacher, ICC on 14 and 28 January, 2011. Around 45 students and Pandits attended the

programme which included recitation of Hanuman Chalisa, Chaupaiyans, Ram Bhajans and Dohas, short stories on moral values being narrated to propagate good values. Poetic pronunciations of Shlokas (mantra) were taught to the students by Dr. S.K. Jha, Hindi Teacher.

AYODHYA KAND RAMAYANA

Friday, 4th & 25th March 2011 (1700 to 1830 hrs.) Venue: Hindi Class, ICC,

Paramaribo

PAINTING ON T-SHIRT (On the occasion of

Phagwa) Saturday, 5th March 2011

(1000 to 1200 hrs.) Venue: Dance Hall, ICC,

Paramaribo

IN COLLABORATION WITH BRAHMA KUMARI

ON SHIVRATARI - A CULTURAL PROGRAMME Sunday, 6th March 2011

(1800 to 1900 hrs.) Venue: Yoga Hall, ICC,

Paramaribo

VISHWA HINDI DIVAS CELEBRATIONS In connection with Vishwa Hindi Divas celebrations, Hindi competitions like: Sulekh, Kavita Wachan, Ramayan Gayan & Kahani Wachan, Ramayan Gayan,. etc. were conducted in various districts of Suriname - Wanica on 8 January while in Paramaribo on 10 January and on 16 January at Commewinje. About three hundred and fifty students & teachers from five districts of took part in the Hindi Competitions. Vishwa Hindi Divas was celebrated on Monday, 17th January 2011 at Theatre Thalia in which activities of ICC were showcased with performances of Vocal Music, Dance, Tabla, Poetry Recitation, Recitation of Ramayanas Chaupayian & Yoga. H.E. Mrs. Wonnie Boedhoe the Minister of Finance, Republic of Suriname was the Chief Guest on this occasion along with H.E. Drs. (Mrs.) Jennifer Geerlings Simons, Speaker of the National Assembly, Republic of Suriname. Besides the cultural programme, the winners from four districts were awarded prizes. The concert was recorded and telecasted by SKY TV and watched by the thousands of viewers. Around five hundreds peoples were present.

IN COLLABORATION WITH

WINst 100 YEARS OF

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN

DAY

(LECTURE BY ICC YOGA

TEACHER)

Tuesday, 8th March 2011 (1800 to 2100 hrs.)

Venue: Yoga Hall, ICC,

Paramaribo

LECTURE ON ARTHRITIS A workshop on Arthritis was conducted on 11 January in which the Yoga Teacher, ICC explained different kinds of Arthritis, causes and symptoms. Yoga Teacher Ms. Suchint Kaur Sodhi also demonstrated the yoga practices and explained precautions for the prevention of arthritis.

WORKSHOP ON YOGA AND HEALTH Yoga Teacher Ms. Suchint Kaur Sodhi conducted a workshop on Yoga and Health in Saramacca. Jagran

Mandal. There were 35 elderly persons and 30 students

of the age of 13 to 17 years who participated in the

workshop. During the workshop, a detailed explanation

was given about how yoga and food can keep them

healthy.

MAHINDER KAPOOR

RUNNING TROPHY

(Grand Finale) Sunday, 13th March 2011

(1900 hrs. onward) Venue: Theatre Thalia,

J.F. Nassylaan #4,

Paramaribo

INDIAN COOKERY CLASS (Ghiye/ Loki ka Halwa)

A demonstration of an Indian dish Ghiye/ Loki ka Halwa was given at the monthly cookery class organized at the Indian Cultural Centre on 19 January. Around 50 local ladies attended the class and appreciated the preparation. The recipe and method of preparation were explained and after that dish was served to all the invitees.

WORKSHOP ON TUNING THE

TABLA A Workshop on tuning the Tabla was conducted at Tabla class ICC by Tabla Teacher, Shri Shailendra Madari on 21st January 2011. Around 20 students participated in above workshop.

YOGA LECTURE CUM SESSION SENIOR GROUP

(Holistic Health and Meditation)

Wednesday, 16th March (0830 to 1000 hrs. & 1645

to 1815 hrs.) Venue: Yoga Hall, ICC,

Paramaribo

YOGA LECTURE-CUM-SESSION

A lecture-cum-session on different yoga techniques was conducted by Yoga Teacher Ms. Suchint Kaur Sodhi on 25 January on relaxation and a deep relaxation session was practised by the students. The participants were also made aware about alternate methods of relaxation like massage, music, clause, aroma, taichi, laughter, mantra, exercise, etc. therapies which are helpful for relaxation if they use them correctly.

INDIAN COOKERY CLASS Tofu in Indian style and

Indian Roti Wednesday 16th March

(1700 to 1800 hrs.) Venue: ICC , Paramaribo

TO CELEBRATE PHAGWA AT NICKERIE

Friday 18th March 2011 (1930 to 2130 hrs.)

Venue: CCN Hall, Nickerie

MEDITATION SESSION IN COLLABORATION WITH

JAGRAN MANDAL Saturday 19th March 2011

(0600 to 0700 hrs.) Venue: Independent

Square, Paramaribo

HOLI MILAN Sunday, 20th March 2011

(1000 to 1230 hrs.) Venue: Embassy

Residence, Paramaribo

IN COLLABORATION WITH SURINAME HINDI

PARISHAD MAHADEVI VERMA

PARICHARCHA

Grant distribution by Embassy of India to local

School/Teachers Saturday, 26th March 2011

(1800 to 1930 hrs.) Venue: Suriname Hindi

Parishad, Paramaribo

WORKSHOP ON HINDI VARTALAAP

(Daily Conversation) Wednesday, 30th March

2011 (1900 to 2000 hrs.) Venue: Yoga Hall ICC,

Paramaribo

CELEBRATIONS OF 61ST ANNIVERSARY OF INDIAN REPUBLIC DAY

On the occasion of the 61ST anniversary of Indias Republic day, a flag hoisting function was held at the Embassy premises in the morning of 26th January 2011. Some patriotic songs were sung by the India-based staff of the Embassy / ICC and senior students of the ICC. Ambassador also read out the Message of the President of India. Light refreshments were served to the guests.

In the evening a reception was held at the Embassy Residence wherein the ICCs Music students gave a short cultural programme. The Vice President of Suriname, Mr. Robert Ameerali was the Chief Guest on the occasion. A number of cabinet Ministers, diplomats, Members of the Parliament, Prominent businessmen were among those who attended the reception. Shri K J S Sodhi, Ambassador of India, in his address, greeted the members of Indian community and friends of India. The Vice - President of Suriname, in his address, congratulated the people and the Government of India.

Ambassador KJS Sodhi giving speech Vice President of Suriname ICC Students performances

H.E. Mr. Robert Ameerali and

Mrs. Ameerali

Dignitaries at the Reception

YOGA LECTURE CUM SESSION JUNIOR GROUP (Difference between Asnas

& Exercise) Thursday 31st March 2011

(1630 to 1800 hrs.) Venue: Yoga Hall, ICC,

Paramaribo

YOGA LECTURE CUM SESSION

Thursday 31st March 2011 (1830 to 1930 hrs.)

Venue: Yoga Niketan

Centre, Paramaribo

GANDHI PUNYA TITHI (Martyrs Day)

Martyrs Day was observed on 30 January in the heart of the Paramaribo city near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at 1100 hrs. Two Ram Bhajans were rendered by the ICC students. The Vice President of Suriname H.E. Mr. Robert Ameerali was also present to pay tribute to the father of the nation.

10 February 2011

E-NEWSLETTER OF THE EMABASSY OF INDIA, PARAMARIBO

NOTICE

DUE TO UNAVOIDABLE REASONS, THERE WILL BE NO SCREENING OF BOLLYWOOD MOVIE CLUB MOVIE

ON 6 March, 2011 AT THE DE PAARL THEATRE, PARAMARIBO

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TRADE ENQUIRIES

List of Commercial Inquiries Received from India, in January 2011

Name of the Company Product

1. Prabha Gupta

Ganpati Traders D-5,Ganesh Marg,Bapunagar,Jaipur.302015 Mob.: +91-9351429848 E-mail: ganpatitraders_mfgtd@yahoo.com/ ganpatitraders_mfgtd@hotmail.com/ ganpatitraders_mfgtd@rediffmail.com

Coloured Gemstones, Both Precious and Semi Precious, Cut Gemstone Beads, Carvings and Jewellery

2. Prasham Doshi. Devandrakirti Silk Mills Pvt Ltd. Mob.: +91-9930210008/ 9324002400 E-mail: prasham@textiletrendsetters.com Website: www.textiletrendsetters.com

Textiles

3. Prakash Garg Director Vogel Corporation Pvt. Ltd., G-1, Ganpati Tower, Nursery Circle, Vaishali Nagar, Jaipur 302021 Tele/fax: +91-141-4045610 E-mail: info@vogelcorporation.com/ prakash@vogelcorporation.com Website: www.vogelcorporation.com

All Kind of Organic Food.

4. A. Jayaprakash Rakash Traders No.1/555, Sivasamy nagar, Kannarapalayam, Karamadai, Coimbatore Dist, Pin-641104. Tamilnadu E-mail: prakashtraders.ind@gmail.com

Paper Plates, Paper Cups, Candles, Etc. / Fruits, Vegetables/ Garments, Textiles, Chapels, Shoes/ Wood Furnitures & Metal FurnitureEtc.

5. Jimish Shah Head - International Business Champion Agro Limited Tel.: +91-2827-252233 Fax: +91-2827-252275 Mob:+91-99099-93822 E-mail: exports@championagro.com Skype :shah.jimish79 Website: www.championagro.com

Food Grains, Pulses and Other Animal Feed

6. J. B Sanghvi. Director Ratnamani Healthcare Pvt. Ltd Survey No.750/1, Ahmedabad Mehsana Highway,Village Indrad, Chhatral-382721, Ta.Kadi, Dist.Mehsana Tel.: +91-2764-233651/ 233652 E-mail: info@rhc9.in Website: www.ratnamanihealthcare.com

Pharmaceuticals

7. Mohan Manager - Exports Chand International, No.113, St.No.1, Teddi Road, New Shimplapuri, Ludhiana 141 003 (Punjab) Tel.: +91-161-5036380 Mob: +91-9646098097 E-mail: deltaludhiana@gmail.com Website: www.deltaludhiana.com

Sewing Machines ,Bag Closers, Over Lock Machines Etc.

8. Chatterjee International Centre, 33A, Jawahar Lal Nehru Road Kolkata - 700 071 E-mail: expoasi@anajansteel.net

Railways Turnouts, Railway Track Fittings

12 February 2011

E-NEWSLETTER OF THE EMABASSY OF INDIA, PARAMARIBO

Website: www.anjanasteel.net

9. YOGIN Sayona Group of Companies 201,202 University Plaza Vijay Char Rasta , Navrnagpura Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380 006 Tel.: +91-79-6631-4147/ 48 Mob: 9099055460 E-Mail: sayona16@gmail.com

Pharmaceutical Formulations

10. Kishore R Mirpuri Fountain Head Exports D 35 Silver Valley 1; Shivaji Nagar, Vakola Santacruz East; Mumbai 400 055 E-mail: kishore.mirpuri@gmail.com

Garments in Mens, Ladies and Childrens Wear

11. R.K.Satla Deputy General Manager Agro Produce Uniphos Agro Industries Limited, Ready money Terrace, 167, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai 400018 Tel.: +91-22-6123-3558/ 3500 Fax: +91-22-6660-6689; Mob: 91-99201-20216 E-mail: satlark@uniphos.com Website: www.uplonline.com/ www.uniphosagroindustries.com

Agro-Commodities Like Yellow & White Maize, Basmati Rice, Turmeric (Fingers & Powder), Chilly ( Dried & Powder ) Soya - Rapeseed Meal (SBM & RSM) and other Agro-Based Products for Animal Feed as Well as for Human Consumption

12. Nikunj Karnia Manashwin Enterprises E-mail: manashwin.enterprises@gmail.com

Cosmetics

13. Mohammad Chasmawala Lens & Spects Chasmawala House, B/h Vihar Cinema, Pratap nagar Road, Vadodara - 390 004 Tel.: +91-265-2439006/ 2420649 Fax: +91-265-2439005 E-mail: vision@lensnspects.com Website: www.lensnspects.com

Optical and Ophthalmic lenses

14. Tijaria Polypipes Ltd Jaipur, Rajasthan E-mail: tijaria.pipesltd@gmail.com

APET Sheets

15. Bachu Raj (Bombay) A To Z Laboratory Chemicals & Equipments E-mail: broker_india94@yahoo.com

Laboratory Chemicals and Equipment

16. Kashyap J. Patel Shree Siddhi Vinayak Exports Tel.: +91-99094-26575 E-mail: kashyappatel84@gmail.com

Chemical Dyes and Intermediates

17. East International / Oriental Gems 10th Floor, Avdhesh House, Near A.E.C Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway, Ahmedabad, Gujarat-380054 Tel.: +91-79-2685-1913/ 4929/ 3011 Fax: +91-79-2685-4965/ 4926 E-mail: eastad1@gmail.com

Gemstones & Silver findings and Components

18. Uday Sahni Director Omega Remedies Pvt. Ltd. Sco 172-173, Sector 9c, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh-160009 Mob: +91-9646925000 E-mail: omegaremedies@gmail.com Website: www.omegaremedies.com

Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic products

19. Vishnu G. Dev, Oil and Petroleum Refineries.

General Manager (Exports), INDU CORPORATION PVT. LTD., NISHUVI, 75, Dr. A.B. Road, Worli, Mumbai 400018, Tel.: +91-22-43005100. Fax: +91-22-43005105. Mob: +91-98706 50734 E-Mail : vishnudev@inducorp.co.in Website: www.inducorporation.com

20. Paresh B. Shah - Proprietor D.D.International B/205, Samruddhi, Opp. Hdfc Bank, Marve Road, (Orlem), Malad (West), Mumbai 400 064 Tel/Fax : +91-22-2802-0458 Mob: +91-98700-33301 E-Mail: pareshbshah@vsnl.net/ ddint@gmail.com Skype : pareshbhupendrashah

Knitted Fabric; School Notebooks such as Exercise Books, Composition Books , PP Plastic Files, Folders Etc 100% Cotton Towels- Beach Towels, Kitchen & Bath Towels

Embassy of India

Address: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat No. 221,

Post Box No.1329, Paramaribo, Suriname

Tel: (0597) 498344/531448/531449 (General)

Telefax: (0597) 491106/499382

Email: ambindia@sr.net;

amb.paramaribo@mea.gov.in

hoc.paramaribo@mea.gov.in

Business Hours:

The Embassy is open from 0800 hours till 1630 hours from Monday to Friday (except on holidays)

and is closed on Saturday and Sunday. The Consular & Visa Section of the Embassy is open

from 0900-1200 hours from Monday-Friday and is closed on Saturday and Sunday.