21st January 2010, New Delhi : Apparel Export Promotion Councils’ (AEPC) biggest event, the India International Garment Fair today in its 44th edition, witnessed the seasons best Autumn Winter Collection 2010 showcased by India’s leading exporters. The collection reflected the latest designs and styles in vogue in domestic & international markets. With its Indian flavor and international appeal, the collection is all set to scorch the fashion industry. The 44th IIGF is being held at the Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 20th – 22nd Jan’2010. AEPC’s flagship event, the IIGF is attended by some of the leading names in the fashion and apparel industry from across the world.

Mr. Premal Udani, Chairman, AEPC said “AEPC India provides a platform to Indian exporters to showcase their creativity to the world outside India. And, it is our continuous endeavor to introduce something new at every season of IIGF. This ramp show is an opportunity for the participants to showcase new trends and fashions , thus creating an eclectic atmosphere full of glitz, glamour and style.”

A perfect fusion of fashion, design and quality, the 44th India International Garment Fair is the ultimate destination for global fashion buffs and textile industry giants. This unique fair offers an astounding collection of garments, fabrics & fashion accessories manufactured by some of India’s premier fashion and export houses. The ramp show highlighted some exquisite, never seen creations, displayed in various colors and designs. With its fine designer collection to suit all tastes and requirements, the 44th IIGF is expected to surpass milestones from the earlier editions.

The 44th IIGF was jointly inaugurated yesterday by Smt. Panabaaka Lakshmi, Minister of State for Textiles and Shri. Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry.

Source:http://www.aepcindia.com/admin/press-pdf/44th%20iigf.pdf

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A team from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) was already on its way to Haiti within 10 hours after the devastating earthquake struck on 12 January. In the capital, Port-au-Prince, its first task was to reinforce the experts at the SDC Programme Office. In the meantime, the team in Haiti and the Dominican Republic has been expanded to more than 50 members.

The team of Swiss experts currently includes 12 doctors. To date, they have performed about 60 operations in the University Hospital and provided medical support for a dozen births. A part of the first team of doctors will be replaced at the weekend.

Swiss water specialists are currently working on restoring the water supply. After repairs have been completed, 12 drinking-water distribution centres (public tanks) will provide water to 20,000 people mainly in poorer districts. In the University Hospital, a 2.5 tonne water reservoir has been installed for the patients and is now operational.

The Humanitarian Aid of the Swiss Confederation has dispatched two freight aircrafts to the earthquake zone with aid goods including three months’ basic medical supplies for 20,000 people, essential surgical equipment, bandages, a military sanitary container (emergency operating theatre), ten tonnes multi-purpose tarpaulins for emergency shelters, 31 large tents (60 m2 each), 2,000 family kitchen sets (pans, plates, mugs, etc.), 8,300 water canisters, 12 water reservoirs including pumps and distributors. The materials carried on the first flight have already been deployed or distributed to people in need via controlled channels. A part of the medicines on board were supplied by Novartis.

Third aircraft with aid goods
A third aircraft, a Boeing 747 carrying about 95 tonnes of aid goods, is being prepared for departure on Sunday, 24 January. The bulk of its load will comprise 600 family tents, providing 20m2 of living space. In addition, there will be 20 tonnes of tarpaulins, several sterilising appliances, further essential medicines for 40,000 people, and hospital equipment. Medicines are also being supplied to the Albert-Schweitzer-Hospital.

The emergency aid kits and tents are intended to ensure the survival of several thousand people in Port-au-Prince and in the devastated area south-west of the capital. Two large tents will be set up to house 80 children at the orphanage. Three large tents are to be pitched in the grounds of the University Hospital.

The Swiss Embassy in Port-au-Prince has been able to make contact with more than 190 Swiss nationals in Haiti since the disaster hit. Of these, only three have been injured. It has not yet been possible to contact four other Swiss nationals presumed to be in Haiti. Swiss citizens wishing to leave the country are being supported by the Embassy and the FDFA crisis unit. To date, about two dozen people have been flown out or transported out of the country overland.

The Humanitarian Aid of the Swiss Confederation has made a transport helicopter available to the United Nations World Food Programme for distribution and logistical purposes in areas difficult to access. Contributions from the Confederation’s Humanitarian Aid to Haiti amount to CHF 7.5 million. This includes CHF 3 million for the Swiss Red Cross, the ICRC, the World Food Programme and OCHA (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs). Swiss aid to Haiti will continue after the emergency relief phase is over.

Source: http://www.sdc.admin.ch/en/Home/News/Close_up?itemID=185616

Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President Mr A. Sakthivel, in his Pre-Budget Memorandum to the Finance Minister, has recommended “Turnover Tax” in lieu of Income Tax for exporters. This is meant to reduce the administrative burden on exporters and creating a more conducive environment for entrepreneurs. Such a tax will dispense with all other direct taxes and exemptions including depreciation. The tax can be collected through banks at the time of receipt of foreign exchange to plug any leakage and will eliminate cost of collections.

FIEO also recommended incorporation of investment-linked tax incentives for the labour intensive MSME sector to enable investment in capital machinery and equipment. With the same objective in mind, FIEO suggested enhancing the depreciation rate from 15% to the previous level of 25%.

To provide competitive credit rate to exporters, Mr Sakthivel proposed to fix the rate for export credit at 6% without any linkage with BPLR. Similarly, export credit in foreign currency may be made available at LIBOR+ 100 basis point which was in vogue prior to the liquidity crises. FIEO has also suggested a host of measures to reduce the high transaction cost, including charges of renewal of limit fee, which should be applicable only for the enhanced limit at a rate of 0.25% with a cap of Rs 5 lakh for MSME units and Rs 10 lakh for those other than MSME units.

With regard to GST, FIEO proposed to dispense with registration for units with turnover up to Rs 1.5 crore. For customs duty Mr Sakthivel recommended that the government immediately address the inverted duty structure for a few products and provide a mechanism for refund of credit balance in the Central Excise CENVAT account emanating from reduction in excise duty.

The FIEO chief also reiterated his demand to provide exemption from service tax both to exporters as well as export promotion councils/FIEO and other export organisations.

To encourage modernization and expansion of manufacturing, Mr Sakthivel has recommended increasing the maximum investment limit in plant and machinery for medium enterprises from Rs 10 crore to Rs 25 crore.

Mr Sakthivel added that exports are entering a very crucial phase in 2010-2011 as uncertainty still looms large over the global trade on account of withdrawal of stimulus by countries which was propelling growth in the past.

http://fieo.org/view_Press_Releases_detail.php?lang=0&id=0,21&dcd=479&did=1263964842ndj2k2b5591et312gescoprsk4

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20th January 2010, New Delhi: Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) today announced the commencement of its 44th India International Garments Fair at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi inaugurated by Smt. Panabaaka Lakshmi, Minister of State for Textiles & Shri. Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry. A 3-day event, it is being held in Pragati Maidan from 20th - 22nd Jan ’10, from 10:00 A.M – 6:00 P.M.

Elated at the inaugural ceremony of IIGF, Mr. Premal Udani chairman Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) said, “It gives me immense pleasure to announce the launch of the 44th IIGF. It has become our premium property and provides a much needed platform and an opportunity to both exhibitors and buyers from across the globe to showcase their creations and interact to grow business by reaching out to more and more international markets.”

“Looking back at last year’s figures, apparel exports were down 7.07% when compared to the figures in 2008. After contracting for 13 months in a row, India’s exports have started showing some positivity since November 2009. We are very sure that the 44th IIGF will provide the much needed fillip to the Indian exporters to bridge the gap and simultaneously put in the efforts to sustain the momentum”, added the Chairman.

IIGF, organized twice a year by AEPC, acts as a medium for both exhibitors and buyers from various countries to showcase their creativity and products at a platform which is a window to bring global markets closer. The apparel export industry provides employment to 3.5 million workers directly and another 3 million indirectly, and IIGF is an initiative by AEPC to take the Indian Apparel Exports to a global platform. It has been organized by the International Garment Fair Association (IGFA), the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), the Garment Exporters Association (GEA), the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), the Apparel Exporters and Manufacturers Association (AEMA) and the Apparel and Handloom Exporters Association (AHEA).The booths by various exhibitors are spread over 4 large halls measuring 14,400 sq.

mts., with 236 national participants from locations such as Tamil Nadu, Mumbai, Bengal, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab. Following international patterns, the fair has been divided into four sections, i.e., fashion accessory, Men’s, Kid’s, Women and Knit Wear, which is further divided into casual wear and city wear, high fashion and occasional wear, lingerie, specialty garments, sportswear besides accessories and fashion jewellery.

Source: http://www.aepcindia.com/admin/press-pdf/aepc-%20final%20press%20release%2020th%20jan.pdf

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Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) under the aegis of Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India is organizing a half a day ‘Workshop on ATA Carnet - Rights & Obligations’ onTuesday, January 19, 2010 at Vainguinim Valley Resort, Goa.

The workshop aims to create and enhance awareness about ‘ATA Carnet’ among Indian exporters. The focus of the workshop will be to familiarize the industry representatives with the operational aspects of using an ATA Carnet.

Source: http://www.goachamber.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=882&Itemid=19

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An Open House Meeting on Garment Cluster was organised by the Western Regional Office of the Association at Hotel Raviraj, Pune, on November 6, 2009, at the request of the District Industrial Centre (DIC), Pune.

The Meeting was attended by the Pune Based Members of the Association.

Mr. P. B. Satam, General Manager - (DIC), Mr. Sanjay Korbu, Addl. General Manager (DIC), Mr. V. Pai, Director - Fin. MEDC and Mr. Shinde, Dev. Officer, Garment Cluster (DIC), attended the Meeting on behalf of the District Industrial Centre (DIC).

At the Meeting, the DIC Officials informed the Members of the Benefits available to the Member by establishing a Garment Cluster including Common Facilities such as a Washing unit, Auto CAD Unit, Testing Laboratory etc. under One Roof.

Source: http://www.cmai.in/News.asp

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American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) in association with The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) had organised a Seminar on International Product Safety And Restricted Substances on November 12, 2009, at Taj Connemara, Chennai, and on November 18, 2009, at The Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi, India.

The Seminar highlighted the new Product Safety Regulations and the Ban on use of Restricted Substances that are being proposed by the US & EU Authorities.

Source: http://www.cmai.in/News.asp

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The President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Professor Dr. Horst Koehler, has conferred the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany on Mr. M. Y. Noorani, founder of the renowned Zodiac Clothing Company Limited.

The German Ambassador to India, Mr. Thomas Matussek, handed over the Deed of Conferment and the insignia to Mr. Noorani at a function hosted by Mr. Walter Stechel, Consul General of Germany in Mumbai, on November 25, 2009.

Mr. Noorani headed the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) in the early ’60s, during which he opened up the German market for Indian textile manufacturers. He also initiated the participation of an increasing number of Indian companies in German textile related trade fairs. These same Indian companies also became important customers of German textile machinery suppliers.

As member of the Committee of the Indo- German Chamber of Commerce from 1992- 2000 (he was also the President of the Council of the EU Chambers of Commerce in India for two years and a member of its Committee since 1993), he played a significant role in promoting Indo-German trade and investment relations. Later his son Mr. Anees Noorani was also President of the Chamber for the period 2004-05.

His leisure activity of gardening has led to his being involved in the beautification of Mumbai, having served on the Managing Committee of ‘Bombay First’, an initiative of the Bombay Chamber of Commerce & Industry, for the development of Mumbai.

Source: http://www.cmai.in/News.asp

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New Delhi, Jan 13 – The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) said today the government’s announcement to give incentives worth Rs 500 crore for exporters contains no measures for the garment export sector which has seen significant downturn due to global economic recession.

According to AEPC estimates, apparel exports out of India totalled 6.17 billion dollars in April to December 2009-10, down 7.07 per cent from 6.64 billion dollars in the same period of last fiscal year.

“We have been urging the government for two per cent of export values to the United States and the European Union in the form of duty scrips,” said AEPC chairman Premal Udani. The scheme was discontinued in September last year.

Yesterday, commerce minister Anand Sharma said the government will offer about Rs 500 crore as incentives to exporters till this fiscal-end to push exports of 2,000 products – especially to markets in Japan and China.

The incentives under Market Linked Focus Products Scheme are for labour-intensive sectors such as hand tools, plastics, rubber, handicrafts, machinery and engineering goods, chemicals, auto components, woven fabrics of cotton and iron and steel. They will cover about 2,000 products.

Mr Udani also called for reduction in import duty on machinery used in textile and apparel manufacturing to be reduced from 7.5 to 10 per cent at present to 3 to 5 per cent. “This will expand our manufacturing capacities and make the industry globally competitive.”

He said the industry was hopeful of similar incentives for speciality fabrics to boost value-added exports.

At the same time, there should be capacity building for complying with various new legislations like the EUbacked REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical Substances). “The government should support the industry in facing new labour laws and non-tariff barriers besides helping the industry to meet new compliance-linked environment initiatives,” said Mr Udani.

The apparel export industry provides employment to 3.5 million workers directly and another 3 million indirectly.

The AEPC represents about 8,000 small, medium and large garment exporters. India exports garments worth 10 billion dollars annually and ranks as the fifth largest exporter in the world.

Source: http://www.aepcindia.com/admin/press-pdf/jan%2013%20press%20release[1].pdf

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Mr A Sakthivel, President, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) welcomed the announcement made by the Hon’ble Commerce & Industry Minister, Mr Anand Sharma today to add 112 new products in the focus product scheme and 5% special incentives for products such as Handtools, By-cycles, Nuts & Bolts, Washers, Sewing Machines, Horticulture and Agro Products which are also adversely affected due to appreciation of Indian rupee since they have virtually no import content.

FIEO Chief said that inclusion of China & Japan in the Market Linked Focus Product Scheme will help in addressing adverse trade balance with these countries which is becoming a cause of concern. Opening of warehousing in Latin America will resolve logistic issues and boost Indian exports to South America.

President, FIEO appreciated the Hon’ble Minister for taking up the issue of continuation of Interest Subvention Scheme with inclusion of the new products, availability of foreign currency credit at LIBOR+ 100 basis point and modification in crystallization of export bill with the Finance Minister which will add to competitiveness of Indian exports and will ensure availability of credit for exports at reasonable rates.

President, FIEO, however, reiterated that Government needs to extend Market Linked Focus Product Scheme to Garment sector also for export to EU and US as these markets are still not showing much improvement and Indian exporters need to continue in the market with aggressive pricing. He also added that stimulus given to export industry need to be continued in view of 14% appreciation of Indian rupee since March, 2009.

SOURCE: http://fieo.org/view_Press_Releases_detail.php?lang=0&id=0,21&dcd=474&did=12632950481v15108j3lscnro0ief31sr3e2

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