EEPC INDIA :: Info Bulletin

My dear fellow exporters,

The bite of COVID is still looking menacing with no sign of subsiding in the near term. However, thanks to the Government for taking all possible measures to restore economic activities under the ‘new normal’ scenario. Partial unlocking across the strategically important segments of the industry played its role to boost up the economy and exports started to recover over the month. Merchandise exports that conceded 60.28 percent year-on-year decline in in April 2020 improved to register a much lower 12.7 percent decline in August 2020 over the same month last fiscal. Decline in engineering exports also moderated noticeably following the broader merchandise trade and even recorded a growth of 9.66 percent during July 2020. However, the month of August saw 8.03 percent decline in engineering exports from India year-on-year, but the decline was substantially lower than 63.27 percent seen in April 2020.

Other than Pandemic led by COVI-19, there have been some other impediments to smooth run of exports from India. Liquidity crunch among the exporters is the most prominent as well as damaging one. The stoppage of a substantial amount of MEIS benefit and IGST refund have put the exporters, especially from MSMEs in an extremely challenging situation where some of them have already exited business while some are facing survival threat. EEPC has already urged the government to look into the issue with the belief of maximum possible cooperation from the government.

Mahesh Desai

Amidst India’s faltering merchandise export growth and prolonged contraction in export credit growth, exporters have at least seen some silver lining as both the domestic government and the monetary regulatory authority RBI have been in consultation to ease priority sector lending norms for exports in order to ensure higher flow of credit towards export sector, according to news source. The Commerce and Industry minister has very recently held a meeting with senior public-sector bankers to push for easier and higher flow of credit disbursalfor exporters at cheaper rates. The government is expected to announce a slew of measures to boost export growth very soon while the RBI is also likely to change credit norms in favour of the exporters.

The measures to reinvigorate export credit has been the demand of the exporters as many MSME exporters have already been forced to go out of business due to excessive financial crunch and many are facing the same threat. To ensure availability of hassle-free credit to small exporters is a priority for the commerce minister.According to the latest RBI data, export credit of scheduled banks shrank as much as 36.1% year-on-year as of June 21, even on a low base of 42.7% contraction a year earlier.

The interest subvention provided to the exporters to the extent of three to five percent on bank credit has to make way for suitable alternative as WTO has raised objection to this kind of schemes on the ground of non-compliance. An alternative mechanism to facilitate export credit is desperately required. EEPC India has already suggested refund of embedded taxes for the exporters.

EEPC India, as a premiere trade and investment promotion body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, wholeheartedly thank the government for its initiative to revive exports from India.

Austria
(Source : Embassy of India, Vienna)

Significant trends in trade and investment

Trade in Goods & Services : The year on year rise in trade between India and Austria has shown an upward trend. In 2017 Austria-India bilateral trade stood at 1.79 billion USD whereas in 2018 it stood at 2.08 billion USD. In 2019, bilateral trade between India and Austria was 2.16 billion USD with an increase of about 4%.

(Sources: Statistic Austria)

Investment : The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from Austria to India stood at 754 million Euro for the year 2019. In 2018 the Austrian direct investment in India was at 645 million Euro. There has been an increase of around 17% in FDI from Austria to India in the year 2019.

Indian investments towards Austria stood at 333 million Euro for the year 2019. In 2018, FDI from India to Austria stood at 309 million Euro. There has been an increase of around 8% in the year 2019.

(Source: Austrian National Bank)

Hungary
(Source : Embassy of India, Budapest)

Potential products of imports from India

901920 Ozone therapy, oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, artificial respiration or other therapeutic respiration apparatus

Rationale : Hungary for the month imported this product from the World in the value of USD 227.4 mln, while imports from India to Hungary were nil.

851770 Parts of telephone sets, telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks and of other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, n.e.s.

Rationale : Hungary for the month imported this product from the World in the value of USD 115.8 mln, while imports from India to Hungary were nil.

Trade in Goods Hungarian imports from India

Total imports from India - The value of imports decreased by 19% in the Jan-May period of 2020 over the same period of 2019 reaching USD 177.4 mln.

8411 Turbojets, turbopropellers and other gas turbines - The product group increased by 85.8% in the Jan-May period of 2020 over the same period of 2019 to USD 9.3 mln. It represents 5.3% of Imports from India to Hungary.

8473 Parts and accessories (other than covers, carrying cases and the like) suitable for use solely or principally with machines of heading 8469 to 8472, n.e.s. - The product group fell back by 38.7% in the Jan-May period of 2020 over the same period of 2019 to USD 11.2 mln. It represents 6.3% of Imports from India to Hungary.

8708 Parts and accessories for tractors, motor vehicles for the transport of ten or more persons, motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons, motor vehicles for the transport of goods and special purpose motor vehicles of heading 8701 to 8705, n.e.s. - The product group increased by 18.8% in the Jan-May period of 2020 over the same period of 2019 to USD 6.8 mln. It represents 3.9% of Imports from India to Hungary.

Bilateral investment - State receiver pays wages at CG Electric Systems - The state receiver has paid the wages owed to employees of CG Electric Systems Hungary. The government appointed the state receiver to run the former Ganz Villamossagi Muvek on July 8, one day after a court had initiated the liquidation of the manufacturer. Indian owner Compton Greaves was no longer able to finance the company’s operations. CG Electric is planning to restart production of transformers, electric engines and generators as soon as possible, as the company is a supplier to state electric grid operator Mavir and the state nuclear power plant in Paks. CG Electric, which is competitive on the global market and manufactures unique, high value-added products, has attracted the interest of a potential investor, the state receiver said. The unnamed investor will first lease the company and intends to play an active role in financing the restart of production.

On the occasion of the 74th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of India, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán expressed his sincere greetings and best wishes to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, In his message, Mr Orbán wrote: relations between Hungary and India are traditionally close and amicable, and are based on historical events, mutual respect and common values. “Our cooperation – which has continuously intensified in recent years – has created an excellent basis for further development which I believe serves the best interests of our nations,” “I sincerely hope that I will be able to meet with you in person in order to discuss global, regional and bilateral issues of mutual interest as soon as we succeed in bringing the coronavirus pandemic under control, ”PM Orbán wrote in his celebratory greetings.

The 11th India-Hungary Joint Committee online Meeting on Science and Technology was held on July 29, 2020. The two sides discussed future cooperation possibilities and exchanged information on current joint projects and related issues. They also exchanged information on current national S&T policies & flagship programmes. Priority areas for the next joint call for proposal to be launched in 2021 were also discussed.

Thailand
(Source : Embassy of India, Bangkok)

RCEP sign in Nov
Thai Rath 25.08.2020

Ministers of ASEAN and RCEP will have a major video conference meeting from 24-29th August 2020 to update the latest economic situation in ASEAN. The RCEP is a proposed trade agreement of the 10 member states of ASEAN and six dialogue partners: China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, and New Zealand. The RCEP is expected to be signed in November 2020.

Nations still want India in RCEP
Bangkok Post published : 31 Aug 2020

Ministers from the 16 Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Participating Countries yesterday reaffirmed their commitment to signing the RCEP agreement in November, insisting they will invite India to return to the negotiating table. Vice Minister for Commerce Sansern Samalapa said yesterday the countries had reached agreements on all pending issues for 2020. The ministers confirmed their readiness to sign the RCEP agreement at the fourth RCEP summit in November 2020 and welcome back India if the country wishes to re-enter into negotiations. The vice minister said the member countries believed that India`s participation would contribute to the region`s growth.

Bangladesh

(EEPC Ref. No. DB-2441)

Project	Bangladesh: Rural Electricity Transmission and Distribution Project Loan No. : IDA-53810 Project ID No. : P129920
DB Ref. No.	WB-P552447-09/20
Issued by	Project Director, UREDS; DCSD Project Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board 6th Floor, Training Academy Building BREB, Nikunja-2, Khilkhet Dhaka-1229, Bangladesh Tel. : + 8802- 8900199 E-mail : urdsreb@gmail.com Website : www.reb.gov.bd
Bid No.	UREDS-G-10F-1
For	Supply, Installation, Testing & Commissioning of Testing equipment & Measuring Instruments at Testing Laboratory Building, Savar BREB Warehouse cum workshop complex (Lot-1, Lot-2, Lot-3 and Lot-4) : - Lot No. UREDS-G-10F/1-001 : Multifunction primary test set.; Quantity : 01; - Lot No. UREDS-G-10F/1-002 : System protection relay test set; Quantity : 01; - Lot No. UREDS-G-10F/1-003 : Partial discharge (PD) test set; Quantity : 01; - Lot No. UREDS-G-10F/1-004 : Crimping tool and Die set; Quantity : 02.
Tender cost	Non-refundable fee of equivalent US$ 50. The method of payment will be Bank Draft or Pay Order in favor of Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board, Dhaka. For overseas delivery, the bidder may obtain the bidding document by instructing any international courier service to collect the same from Office of the Project Director, UREDS; DCSD Project, Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board, 6th Floor, Training Academy Building, Nikunja-2, Khilkhet, Dhaka-1229, Bangladesh.
Bid Security	US$ 1,700 for Lot No. UREDS-G-10F/1-001; US$ 2,000 for Lot No. UREDS-G-10F/1-002; US$ 3,000 for Lot No. UREDS-G-10F/1-003 & US$ 550 for Lot No.UREDS-G-10F/1-004 or an equivalent amount in any freely convertible currency.
Bid deadline	19.10.2020

Ethiopia

(EEPC Ref. No. DB-2442)

Project	Second Ethiopia Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Project Loan No. : IDA-60070 Project ID No. : P156433
DB Ref. No.	WB-P553103-09/20
Issued by	Ministry of Water Irrigation and Energy Water Development Commission Haile Gebresilasie Avenue Room Number 114 P. O. BOX : 13/1076 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Attn. : Mr. Jagama Kebeta, Engineering, Procurement Section A/Coordinator Tel. : +251-11-663-70-18 Fax : +251-11-661-08-85 E-mail : danjag.kebeta@gmail.com
Bid No.	ET-MOWIE-181625-GO-RFB
For	Procurement of Electromechanical Equipment for COVID-19 intervention for Second Urban Water Supply & Sanitation Projects in Four Lots : - Lot 1 : Procurement of Submersible Pumps with all accessories; Quantity : 62; - Lot 2 : Procurement of Surface Pumps with all accessories; Quantity : 7; - Lot 3 : Procurement of Generating sets with all accessories; Quantity : 29; - Lot 4 : Design review, supply & installation of Surge Vessels with all accessories for Dessie Town Existing Water Supply project; Quantity : 2.
Tender cost	Non-refundable fee of ETB 500.00 (Five Hundred only) or US$ 15.00 (fifteen USD). The method of payment will be in cash. Bids must be delivered to the address above on or before 6 October, 2020 at 14:00 hours (2:00 P.M). Bidders are allowed to submit their bid by e-mail, or through their embassy or local agents in the manner provided in the bidding document. Late bids will be rejected. Bids will be publicly opened in the presence of the bidders’ designated representatives and anyone who choose to attend at the address above on 6th October, 2020 at 14:30hours (2:30 P.M.).
Bid Security	ETB 370,000.00 or US$ 10,060.00 for lot 1; ETB 83,000.00 or US$ 2,257.00 for lot 2; ETB 164,000.00 or US$ 4,460.00 for 3; and ETB 120,000.00 or US$ 3,263.00 for lot 4.
Bid deadline	*06.10.2020*

Ethiopia

(EEPC Ref. No. DB-2443)

Project	Second Ethiopia Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Project Loan No. : IDA-60070 Project ID No. : P156433
DB Ref. No.	WB-P553082-09/20
Issued by	Ministry of Water Irrigation and Energy Water Development Commission Haile Gebresilasie Avenue Room Number 114 P. O. BOX : 13/1076 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Attn. : Mr. Jagama Kebeta, Engineering, Procurement Section A/Coordinator Tel. : +251-11-663-70-18 Fax : +251-11-661-08-85 E-mail : danjag.kebeta@gmail.com
Bid No.	ET-MOWIE-181638-GO-RFB
For	Procurement of Pipes and Fittings for Covid-19 intervention in 13 Towns in Two Lots : - Lot 1 : Different types of Pipes; - Lot 2 : Different types of fittings.
Tender cost	Non-refundable fee of ETB 300.00 (Three Hundred only) or US$ 10.00 (ten USD). The method of payment will be in cash. Bids must be delivered to the address above on or before October 7, 2020 at 14:00 hours (2:00 P.M). Electronic bidding will not be permitted. Late bids will be rejected. Bids will be publicly opened in the presence of the bidders’ designated representatives and anyone who choose to attend at the address above on October 7, 2020 at 14:30hours (2:30 P.M).
Bid Security	ETB 65,000.00 (Sixty-Five Thousand Birr) for Lot one and ETB 100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Birr) for lot two or in freely convertible Currency.
Bid deadline	*07.10.2020*

Kuwait

(EEPC Ref. No. MEED-2945)

Tender No.	RFQ-2073028
Tender for	Seamless pipes
Tender details	Supply of CS seamless pipes.
Bid bond	KD 50,000
Cost of tender documents	KD 1,000
Closing date	*23.11.2020*
Issued by	Kuwait Oil Company P. O. Box 9758 Ahmadi 61008, Kuwait Tel. : (965) 23989111 E-mail : kocinfo@kockw.com Website : www.kockw.com

Kuwait

(EEPC Ref. No. MEED-2947)

Tender No.	MEW/18/2018/2019
Tender for	Secondary transformer stations
Tender details	Supply and replacement of 11/0.433kV old secondary transformer stations.
Bid bond	KD 100,000
Cost of tender documents	KD 3,500
Miscellaneous	The client is the Electricity & Water Ministry. Tender documents must be collected from the Central Tenders Committee. A pre-bid meeting will be held on 21 September. Open to prequalified contractors only.
Closing date	*13.10.2020*
Issued by	Central Tenders Committee Electricity & Water Ministry P. O. Box 1070 Safat 13011, Kuwait Tel. : (965) 2401200 Fax: (965) 2416574 E-mail : info@ctc.gov.kw Website : www.ctc.gov.kw; www.capt.gov.kw
Source	MEED.com website

Steel Market Current Report

Mandi Gobindgarh
Open Market Rates of Rerollables (September 12, 2020)

(Exclusive of GST) (Trade Terms 1% Cash Discount)

(Rate Rs. per Tonne)

Ingot
Arc/Ind. Furnace
Round quality (21x25)	32,900
Structural quality (28x30)	33,100
Low carbon (12x16)	-
Semi low carbon (18x21)	33,050
5x6 Girder quality (25x30)	-
Runners/Risers	32,700
Bones/Clean	-

Billets & Squares
50x50x63x63x65x65 mm MS	-
75x75x80x80x90x90 mm MS	33,100
100x100 mm MS2	33,200
125x125 mm MS/ Concast	-
100x100 mm Concast-Billets	33,500
100x100 Concast-SAIL DSP	33,500
H.C. Billet SAIL 150x150 mm)	-
H.C. Billet-Tisco 75x75 mm)	-

Blooms
Above 251 mm Bloom (HC)	29,900
Above 251 mm Bloom (MS)	29,900
(DSP) Bloom 160x250 mm	29,900
130/135/140 mm (Tisco) MS	-
150x150 mm Concast (DSP)	32,900
150x150 mm MS (SAIL)	33,000
Bloom Cut into pcs. (MS)	34,000
Bloom Cut into pcs. (Medium)	33,200
Bloom Cut into (Patra Pass)	33,200

Slabs
Durgapur Slabs 14"x3"	-
Durgapur Slabs	-
Bokaro Slab Heavy	-
Tata Concast Slab (Heavy)	-
Skelp Tisco	-

Rails
Untested Rail - 75 lbs.	24,600
Untested Rail - 90 lbs.	24,600
Untested Rail - 105 lbs.	24,500
Rej. Wheel (Small)	24,500
Cut Tyre (Big)	31,400
Cut Tyre (Small)	25,400

Melting Scrap (F.O.R.)
Fresh Scrap (Rolling Mill End)	24,700
Old Scrap (Godown)	21,100
Turning	20,300
Tin Tapper	22,400
Mill Scale	17,400
Sponge Iron	20,600

Pig Iron (F.O.R.)
Foundry Grade	29,800
Steel Grade	22,600
C.I. Turning	15,600
Degi Scrap	23,100
Deg Casting	35,500
Ingot Moulds (Old)	22,100
Ingot Moulds (New)	34,300
Cut Ingot Moulds	21,000

Open Market Rates of Finished Goods (September 12, 2020)
(Inclusive of GST)

(Rate per Qntl.)

M. S. Rounds	4 mm	5 mm	6 mm	8 mm	10 mm	12 mm	16/20 mm	22/25 mm
Mild	4290	4310	4310	4320	4300	4400	4460	4320
Zindi Pass (Drawing)	-	-	-	4310	4380	4380	4480	4480

Above rates of 6 mm rounds are of length up to 14’ Above 18’ = 4360

Heavy Rounds	28 to 53 mm	63 to 100 mm	110 to 125 mm	140 to 150 mm	165 mm	180 mm	200 mm
Mild	4440	4440	4460	4460	4470	4480	4360

M. S. Squares	4 mm	5 mm	6 mm	8 mm	10 mm	12 mm	16/20 mm	22/25 mm
Mild	4510	4510	4480	4540	4540	4540	4480	4470

M. S. Angles	20 mm	25 mm	32 mm	40 mm	50 mm	65 mm	75 mm	100 mm	110 mm	150 mm	200 mm
3 mm	4330	4290	4340	4410	4410	4480	-	-	-	-	-
5 mm	–	4180	4290	4410	4410	4480	4510	4410	-	-	-
6 mm	–	4310	4370	4410	4410	4480	4510	4500	-	-	-
8 mm	-	-	-	4410	4480	4480	4500	4500	-	-	-
10 mm	–	-	-	4410	4480	4480	4500	4560	4500	-	-
12 mm	–	-	-	4410	4480	4160	4480	4490	-	4580	-
16 mm	–	-	-	4410	4480	4490	4480	4560	-	-	-

M. S. Flats	20 mm	25 mm	32 mm	40 mm	50 mm	65 mm	75 mm	100 mm
3 mm	4270	4260	4270	4300	4400	4360	-	-
5 mm	4270	4260	4270	4270	4500	4560	4500	4500
6 mm	4300	4330	4270	4270	4420	4550	4500	4500
8 mm	-	-	4150	4270	4370	4510	4480	4500
10 mm	-	-	4140	4270	4370	4500	4480	4480
12/25 mm	-	-	4140	4270	4370	4500	4480	4480
18/19 Gauge	4100	4180	4350	4270	4370	4480	4480	4480

[Prices at other stockyards may vary] Source : Steel Town (Weekly), September 12, 2020]

H.O. (Cell)	REGISTERED & HEAD OFFICE
Suranjan Gupta Executive Director EEPC INDIA Vandhna (4th Floor) 11 Tolstoy Marg New Delhi 110 001 Tel.: 91-11-23353353, 23711124/25 Fax : 91-11-23310920 E-mail : eepcto@eepcindia.net URL : www.eepcindia.org	Adhip Mitra Addl. Executive Director & Secretary EEPC INDIA Vanijya Bhavan (1st Floor) International Trade Facilitation Centre 1/1 Wood Street, Kolkata 700 016 Tel.: 91-33-22890651/52/53 Fax : 91-33-22890654 E-mail : eepcho@eepcindia.net URL : www.eepcindia.org

Contents

From Chairman’s Pen

OVERSEAS SECTION

Global Business Opportunities

DOMESTIC SECTION

Highlights

Overseas Information

OVERSEAS MARKET INFORMATION

TENDER INFORMATION

TRADE ENQUIRIES

Domestic Information

PUBLIC NOTICE

STEEL PRICES

Steel Market Current Report

EEPC INDIA OFFICE BEARERS

REGIONAL CHAIRMEN / CHAIRPERSON

EEPC INDIA OFFICES

REGIONAL OFFICES

SUB-REGIONAL OFFICE

Tender No.	RFQ/1032335
Tender for	Spare parts
Tender details	Supply of spare parts for Mina al-Abdulla refinery.
Bid bond	KD 1,000
Closing date	*01.10.2020*
Issued by	Kuwait National Petroleum Company P. O. Box 70 Ahmadi 13001, Kuwait Tel. : (965) 23887794/23887792/23207793 E-mail: cwphelp@knpc.com.kw Website: http://esourcing.knpc.com