Indo French Chamber of Commerce and Industry

IFCCI La Lettre Newsletter July / August issue

2009-08-03T11:39:00.005+05:30

Please find the latest issue of La Lettre (July-August) on IFCCI website

Indian News Bytes - 3rd July

2009-07-06T12:19:00.002+05:30

Economy

• India’s exports fall the most in last 14 years in April 2009 by 33.2 percent – over the same month last year, while the domestic slowdown led to imports dropping by 36.6 percent in the same period. Exports dropped for the seventh month in a row this time to US$10.74 billion, in April 2009-10 from US$16.08 Billion a year ago.
• Sign of economic recovery – India’s core sector (cement, steel, coal, electricity) growth doubles to 4.3 percent in April 2009.
• Prime Minister Mr. Manmohan Singh reassures Indian businessmen that this year the growth of the Indian economy will not fall below 7 percent.
• India’s inflation dips to 3 decades low of -1.61%.

Business

• US car giant General Motors files for bankruptcy protection in New York but says that its Indian operations would not be affected.
• Japanese companies may take the route of Singapore Government funded infrastructure facilities to invest in India.
• France Telecom and Telstra of Australia and US AT&T in talks with Malaysia’s Maxis Comunications to buy a minority stake in Indian telecom operator Aircel.
• Airbus evaluating an Indian aircraft assembly line its second such unit outside Europe after China as the company seeks to reduce its production costs by at least 20-30 percent and serve the Indian market better.
• By 2010 India will have 2 companies manufacturing Helicopters , HAL and now Tata Advanced systems who have recently signed an agreement with Sikorsky, US based helicopter company to manufacture fuselagein a new Greenfield facility in Hyderabad.
• Britains Rolls Royce secured a bumper US$2.1 billion in new orders at the Paris Air Show . The company said that its engines will power planes belonging to Middleeast carriers Gulf Air and Qatar Airlines as well as Germany Condor and Royal China.
• Michelin and Cie , worlds second largest tyre manufacturer looking to invest upto Rs.7000 crores in India in a ten year period to make and market radical tyres and tubes in the country.
• French car maker Peugeot Citroen likely to set up its manufacturing facility for mid sized cars in Hyderabad or Chennai.The proposed capital expenditure could be in the range of Euro 350 million.
• US IT major Microsoft awards US $ 10 million BPO deal to India’s second largest IT company Infosys.
• German car manufacturer drawing up plans to expand its car product in India. To introduce the E Class to its Indian customers.
• German and UK based biotech companies to outsource more work, transfer technology from India in a bid to reduce costs.
• Indian handlooms and handicrafts brand, Cottage to soon start marketing its products in China.
• French veterinary company Vetoquinol is acquiring the veterinary business of pharma company Wockhardt for around Rs.175-200 crores.
• State Bank of India in talks with Indonesia based Bank Eksekutif to acquire a majority stake.
• Areva SA – France’s state controlled nuclear company plans to sell its transmission and distribution division – Areva T &D India.

IFCCI events

2009-06-11T11:19:00.002+05:30

Check all the pictures of IFCCI's latest events on our website.

India News Bytes - 29th March 2009

2009-05-29T10:53:00.001+05:30

Economy

• Moody’s Investor Service retains a stable outlook for India

• Inflation edges to a 7 week high of 0.48 percent for week ended May 2.

• India’s index of industrial production falls 2.3 percent in March 2008 its worst fall in last 16 years.

• Indian Exports and imports getting hit big time with exports declining by 33 percent in March 2009
to US$11.5 billion against US$17.2 billion for corresponding period last year.

• IMF: Indian economy to rebound near the end of the current calendar year.

• FDI worth US$11 billion flows into the country during October 2008 and March 2009.

• INR rises from 49.41/USD to 47.92 /USD, the sharpest rise in 23 years.

• The Government has cleared the way for the Navi Mumbai international airport by amending the coastal zone notification.

• Mr. Manmohan Singh sworn in as India’s Prime Minister. Mr. Pranab Mukherjee , Finance Minister, Mr. S M Krishna , External Affairs, Mr. Chidambaram, Home and Ms. Mamta Banerjee, Railways .

• Former Democratic Congressman Timothy J Roerner new US Ambassador to India.

Business

• The Korean Register of Shipping opens its first branch office in India.

• Jaguar Land Rover which has been bought over by Tata Motors to start selling their premium saloon cars and sports utility vehicles in the Indian market by 2009 year end.

• Larsen and Toubro announce the formation of a JV with EADS Defence and Security o develop and design defence electronics products, including radars, avionics and electronic warfare.

• Following the retail collapse global brands from US, UK, Thailand and Europe look to India for opening up of Franchise outlets.

• UB Group to form a strategic partnership with UK based Snow Leapard vodka.

• Tata Consultancy Services has been awarded a five year outsourcing contract by the Volkswagen group UK for IT transformation and support system across the company’s commercial vehicles and passenger car brands.

• Eveready Industries to spend Euro 10 million on buying a major stake in French firm Uniross SA.

• India’s largest tyre manufacturer Apollo Tyres acquires Dutch tyre maker Vredestein Banden.

• Bharti Enterprises Ltd. To import and sell Philippines based Del Monte Pacific Ltd’s processed food products, including packed fruits and drinks in Indian market.

Conference

2009-05-13T17:10:00.001+05:30

Legal Mobility Issues between India and France

On the 9th and the 11th of June the IFCCI is organising a conference on Legal Mobility Issues Between India and France :

“Expatrié vs Détaché Status”
“Business visas and long term stays in France for Indians”

Mr. Jean-Luc Ferrant and the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI) in association with Helma Solutions India Pvt. Ltd. invite you :
On June 9th 2009 at the Hotel Four Seasons - Hemant Room, Mumbai the seminar will be starting at 19:00 hrs. followed by a cocktail dinner. On June 11th 2009, Chennai the breakfast meeting will start at 08:30 hrs.

Helma International will be represented by Mr. Ghislain De Rengervé , CEO and Mrs. Elisa Khetty, Country Manager India .

For more information and registration, please contact-
Dr Jayashree Jakhade at 022 2206 4619 or jayashree.jakhade (at) ifcci.org.in

CEO's Interaction

2009-05-13T17:08:00.000+05:30

According to the IMF’s most recent World Economic Outlook, published in October, the world economy is “entering a major downturn” in the face of “the most dangerous shock” to rich-country financial markets since the 1930s.

To understand the situation better and to facilitate discussions on the same, the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI) is organizing a half-day Seminar on 20th May 2009 at the Hotel Trident - Lotus Room, Mumbai between 1530 – 1730 hrs. Topic is "How to consolidate during a market recession".

As this topic is of relevance to all doing business, big and small and affected by the global bleak scenario, one would get an idea and a solution as to how to tackle issues not only relating to being competitive but also of survival. There will be a Panel Discussion in which eminent CEOs will air their views and experiences on how to cope with the difficult times.

Members : INR 800
Non Members : INR 1500

For more information and registration :
Dr Jayashree Jakhade at 022 2206 4619 or email jayashree.jakhade (at) ifcci.org.in

Gala Dinner In Delhi

2009-05-13T17:07:00.004+05:30

The North Region Council of the Indo French Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised a Gala Dinner on the 11th of May 2009 at Manre, the European cuisine restaurant situated in MGF Mall in Saket, New Delhi.

This event was organised to celebrate the robust and vibrant relations that exist between the two countries.

This initiative is part of the Chamber's continued exploration and experimentation in creating new platforms to nurture convivial exchange between the captains of the Indo-French business community.

More details...

Other articles and pictures !

Employment Services

2009-05-13T15:13:00.002+05:30

If you are a french or indian citizen looking for a job, you can registered on the IFCCI database.
More Details !

The IFCCI employment services gives you access to its members professional experience along with their Human Resource Services to facilitate your search to select Employes.

More Details !

India News Bytes - 13th March 2009

2009-03-16T18:37:00.001+05:30

Economy

• Inflation rate for week ended February 28 at 2.4 percent lowest in 7 years.
• UBS upgrades India from moderate underweight to overweight as it feels that valuations have improved substantially and that the Indian economy is less affected by the global financial crisis than most other markets.
• Indian rupee touches new low of 51.93 against the USD.
• Indian exports shrink 16 percent in January 2009 to US$12.4 billion from US$14.7 billion in corresponding period last year.
• World Bank : The global economy is likely to shrink for the first time since World War 2 with growth at least 5 percentage points below potential and likely to have long term implications for developing countries .
• RBI Governor : India to likely miss the central banks 7 percent growth target as a result of the global economic slowdown.
• French Food Services giant Sodexo acquires Radhakrishna Hospitality Services Group , India’s pioneer in the food and facilities management sector for US$100 million, or roughly around Rs.520 crores.
• IT Services major Tech Mahindra in discussions to acquire Bangalore based niche telecom solutions player Sloka Telecom.
• Jubilant Organosys signed an agreement with France based Guerber for the distribution of Jubilant Organosys signd an agreement with France based Guerber for the distribution of its nuclear medicine products in Europe.
• Norwegian financial services group DnB Nor looking to expand its ship financing business in India with a representative office in Mumbai.

Business

• Air India to make Frankfurt hub for European operations, to provide seamless scissor connections between India Europe and US.
• State run oil companies lower aviation fuel by 7 percent. This is the 11th reduction in aviation turbine fuel since September 2008.
• Volkswagon, Mercedes Benz and BMW to open finance arms in India despite having financial tieups with local Indian banks.
• Elder Pharmaceuticals which controls 221 percent stake in NeutraHealth makes an offer to shareholders of the UK based company to purchase additional equity.
• Towell Piramal Sunteck Realty, a JV between Piramal Sunteck Realty and Oman’s leading business house WJ Towell group has formed a JV 51: 49 JV with Bank of Muscat for developing real estate projects in Oman.
• German car maker Volkswagen to set up manufacturing plant at Chakan in Poona in November 2009.
• L&T, Spice Group and Tech Mahindra in fray to acquire a 51 % stake in the scam hit Satyam Computers.

Interviews

2009-02-19T15:29:00.003+05:30

You will now be able to find CEOs interviews of companies member of the IFCCI on our website : www.ifcci.org.in

Expats may have to make PF payments in India

2009-02-10T11:05:00.002+05:30

An article published on www.SiliconIndia.com about a possible notification by the Indian Government to make it compulsory for expatriate workers to pay pension contribution in India.

See the full article

2008 - Bilan des exportations françaises

2009-02-09T14:11:00.002+05:30

Article publié sur le site internet des Echos le 09 Février 2009.

3000 entreprises françaises auraient renoncé à l'exportation en 2008, un bilan loin des 10 000 nouveaux exportateurs prévus par le gouvernement d'ici 2011.

Articles : "En 2008, 3.000 entreprises ont renoncé à l'exportation"

Toujours sur le site des Echos, l'étude des Douanes sur les exportateurs français en 2008 à télécharger.

India News Bytes - 23rd February 2009

2009-01-23T17:33:00.001+05:30

Economy

Inflation at 5.60 percent for week ended January 10.
INR falls to 5 year low against USD at 51.60
Based on the recommendations of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) in its meeting held on 12th September, 2008, Finance Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram has approved 12 Proposals of Foreign Direct Investment amounting to Rs. 1414.65 Crore. The proposals related to Ministries/Departments, namely, Commerce, Economic Affairs, Heavy Industry, Information & Broadcasting, Information Technology, and Telecommunications.
India and France looking at signing the civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with France when Prime Minister Mr. Manmohan Singh goes to Paris on January 30
India and EU agree to conclude a broad based trade and investment agreement by 2009 and double trade turnover to 100 billion euros in the next 5 years giving fresh impetus to strategic partnership.
Northbridge Capital : India’s retail sector is projected to grow to US$700 million while organized business is expected to be 20 % of the total market by 2010.

Business

Mahindra and Mahindra to build Special Economic Zones at in Maharashtra at Thane and Poona
Berlin based drugs and chemical group Bayer maybe facing a takeover bid from US Pharma major Pfizer.
Tata Teleservices to partner with either Japan’s NIT DOCOMO or France major France Telecom.
Tata Group close to diluting its stake for around Rs.5000 crores
Spanish firm Indra wins bid for Mumbai’s first high speed Metro rail corridor coming up between Versova – Andheri- Ghatkopar which will be operational by 2011.
Lupin acquires 60 percent stake in Pharma Dynamics, a South African generic marketing firm.
Credit Suisse, Barclays alongwith some private equity firms in race to acquire the Indian operations of Lehman Brothers.
Paris based auto major Renault choses India to provide a larger role in designing its ultra low cost car that it is developing with two wheeler major Bajaj Auto.
UAE’s telecom giant Etisalat acquires 45% stake in Indian telecom company Swan Telecom for US$900 million.
Videocon Industries in consortium with state owned refiner Bharat Petroleum acquires Brazilian oil exploration firm for US$283 million.
Japan’s Nomura Holdings to buy Asian operations of Lehman Brothers. Also emerges as front runner to buy the bankrupt bank’s business in Europe.
Booz and Company, Parthenon Group to open up consultancy firms in India.
Niraj Hans- Fiat India Purchase Head - Italian automobile company Fiat SpA will increase its component sourcing from India almost 5 times by end of 2010.
Indian government considering allowing foreign airlines to buy upto 25% stake in local carriers.
French pen and stationary manufacturer BIC picks up a 40 percent stake in Mumbai based stationery products maker Cello pens for Rs.800 crores.
Global communications major France Telecom gets Indian government approval for Internet Service Providers licence in India.

2009-01-19T11:56:00.001+05:30

Since its inception in 1977, one of the IFCCI’s main aims has been to convert each of its contacts into profitable business opportunities for the benefit of it members and the Indo-French business community. Over the years the IFCCI has developed several diverse services that allow its members to take advantage of its substantial network in order to develop their businesses.

Traditionally the IFCCI has used its website, quarterly magazine, and bi-monthly newsletter to communicate with the Indian and French entrepreneurs that are part of the Chamber. However, in this age of Web 2.0, we now have available to us more dynamic, interactive and participative platforms with which to share information with our members. Social networking sites like Facebook and LinkedIn, information sharing sites like Flickr, Emule, Youtube and blogs, forums and wikis allow for a greater participation and interconnectivity.

It is these tools of the Web 2.0 that the IFCCI will now employ in order to communicate more effectively with its members. Through these resources, we will be able to create new services that will, with greater facility, give our member’s access to our vast network and resources. Further, with instant access to feedback, we will have a better understanding of our member’s requirements and can modify our services to suit their needs. Perhaps most importantly, these platforms will allow members to communicate not just with the Chamber but also with each other.

By creating a framework for increased member-participation in the Chamber’s activities and the circulation of information within the Indo French business community, we at the IFCCI hope to further our aim of assisting our members do business in India and France.

Now available :

IFCCI Blog : www.ifcci.blogspot.com
IFCCI Netvibes Universe : http://www.netvibes.com/ifcci
IFCCI facebook group open for members, French Chamber of Commerce and Industry and official organisms: Indo French Chamber of Commerce and Industry - www.facebook.com

Here is your chance to actively communicate with the Indo French business community. The IFCCI gives you an opportunity to contribute information about your company or a sector of activity that you think might be of interest to the newly launched IFCCI blog.

Please send you contributions to Pierre Labail - pierre.labail (at) ifcci.org.in. Please note that the IFCCI reserves the right to select relevant content for the blog.

New Year 2009

2009-01-19T11:22:00.004+05:30

The IFCCI team wishes all of its members a very happy new year. Here's wishing that 2009 brings with it lots of joy and success !