EEPC INDIA :: Info Bulletin

Mr. C H Nadiger, Regional Director (SR), EEPC India is welcoming the participants at Workshop on Export & Import Customs Procedure organised by EEPC India (RO), Chennai on 31st October, 2019
Mr. B D Agarwal, Regional Chairman (ER), EEPC India delivering the welcome address at Niryat Bandhu Workshop and Session on Efficient Logistics Management, Online Digital Platform & Smart Financing held on 31st October, 2019 in Kolkata. On the dais (R-L) : Mr. G K Madhogaria, Dy. Regional Chairman (ER), EEPC India; Mr. Anand Mishra, Dy. DGFT, Kolkata; Mr. Ravi Sehgal, Chairman, EEPC India; Mr. Arun Kumar Garodia, Vice Chairman, EEPC India; Dr. Deepankar Sinha, Professor - Trade Operations and Logistics, IIFT Kolkata & Mr. Adhip Mitra, AED & Secretary, EEPC India are seen
Niryat Bandhu Workshop and Session on Efficient Logistics Management, Online Digital Platform & Smart Financing held on 31st October, 2019 in Kolkata. Mr. Ravi Sehgal, Chairman, EEPC India moderating the session
Mr. Anand Mishra, Dy. DGFT, Kolkata addressing the audience at Niryat Bandhu Workshop and Session on Efficient Logistics Management, Online Digital Platform & Smart Financing held on 31st October, 2019 in Kolkata
Dr. Deepankar Sinha, Professor - Trade Operations and Logistics, IIFT Kolkata taking the session on logistics management on 31st October, 2019 in Kolkata
Mr. S S Chouhan, Dy. Director, Export Inspection Agency, Kolkata addressing on Online Digital Platform launched by Govt. of India on 31st October, 2019 in Kolkata
Mr. Siddhartha Mukherjee, Zonal Head - ECG - East, IndusInd Bank Ltd, addressing on smart financing options for MSME Exporters on 31st October, 2019 in Kolkata. On the dais : (L-R) Mrs. Anima Pandey, Regional Director (ER) & Director (Membership), EEPC India; Dr. Deepankar Sinha, Professor- Trade Operations and Logistics, IIFT Kolkata; Mr. B D Agarwal, Regional Chairman (ER), EEPC India and Mr. Arun Kumar Garodia, Vice Chairman, EEPC India, are also seen

My dear fellow exporters,

After four months of decline, engineering shipment from India managed to grow marginally in October 2019 over the same month last fiscal. Engineering exports from India recorded 1.66 percent growth during October 2019 driven by higher exports of Electrical machinery, Iron and steel, Medical and scientific instruments, and several segments of Industrial machinery. Shipments during the said month went up to US$ 6.25 billion from US$ 6.15 billion in the same month last fiscal. After May 2019, this was the second monthly year-on-yearincrease in engineering exports in the ongoing fiscal.

However, higher year-on-year engineering exports for a single month could not be considered as an early indication of trend reversal as broader merchandise exports continued to decline for the third straight month to October and global economic as well as political adversities are yet to be stabilized. Ripple effects of major external impediments like US-China tariff war, protectionist policies adopted by several developed regions like Europe and the US, withdrawal of GSP benefit to Indian exporters by the US and growing geopolitical disputes in the Middle East among others are apprehended to weigh on Indian exports at least in the near term.

Ravi Sehgal

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.

Greece
(Source : Embassy of India, Athens)

India Participated as ‘Honored Country’ in the 84th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), the largest annual commercial exposition of Greece, and also the largest in Southeast Europe and the Balkans from September 7-15, 2019 (India was also the ‘Honored Country in 2009). High powered Indian business delegation led by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri. New India Pavilion was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the MoS Shri Hardeep Singh Puri on 7th September 2019. During the visit, MoS for C&I also held meeting with PM Mitsotakis, and breakfast B2G meeting with CEOs, and the Minister of Economic Development & Investments. The fair was attended by officials of Indian Government from the Ministries of Commerce and Industry, Electronics & Information Technology, Social Justice and Empowerment, Tourism, MSME and officers of Embassy of India in Greece, ITPO, IBEF and CII as well as prominent Indian entrepreneurs. Around 60 exhibitors participated, included ISRO, NTPC, APEDA, NSIC and companies from the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, etc. Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji conveyed acceptance of India’s participation as ‘Honored Country’ during his visit to Greece in June 2018. The US, China and Russia participated as the Honored Country in TIF 2018, 2017, and 2016 respectively and Germany will be in 2020.

Important Indian related statements of commercial significance by political leaders, think tanks, chambers, associations, etc:

Various articles/ references/ statements/ interviews about India’s participation in the 84th TIF (Thessaloniki International Fair) from 7-15 September 2019 as the “Honoured country”, under the moto “New India” by officials and reporters. References and detailed articles on the visit of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to India’s pavilion and inauguration of the pavilion by the Greek PM together with the Indian Minister of State for Commerce & Industry Hardeep Singh Puri, important statements by Greek PM regarding the close relations Greece has with India, underlining the significant possibilities for the two countries to further strengthen ties, and interviews of the Indian Minister, stating that India is aiming to increase bilateral trade with Greece at USD 1 billion by 2021. Important statements and interviews by Greek officials, ministers, chambers and associations (Federation of Greek Industries-SEV, Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry-TCCI, Greek Exporters Association of Northern Greece-SEVE etc.) about the “emerging’ giant- India- and new prospects of cooperation with the Indian market. Presentation of Indian companies, like Hinduja Group, UPL, GMR Group, Britannia, Tata Group, Malhotra Productions, Switz Group etc. Reports about MoU of cooperation signed between the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) and the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII). Reports about GMR interested in 23 regional airports in Greece. (More than 90 clippings enclosed) The Ambassador of India in Greece described the goals of the Indian presence at TIF 2019; Interview. (“Praktoreio” free press, 05 Sept. 2019). Interview of Ambassador of India in Greece, presenting the “New India”. (“Oikonomiki Epitheorisi” monthly magazine, Sept. 2019).

The Greek government is open to building partnerships between Greece and India in various productive sectors, including agriculture, logistics and technology, according to Greek Minister for Development and Investment Adonis Georgiadis. In a meeting in Thessaloniki on 8 Sept. 2019 with India’s Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Mr. Georgiadis discussed the prospects for economic, trade and investment opportunities between Greece and India. During the meeting, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri noted that relations of the two countries are marked by a long friendship and cooperation, which can be further expanded. He also referred to the prospects for the growth of Indian businesses in the wider area of South East Europe. Also present at the meeting was Greece’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Konstantinos Fragogiannis who underlined that the development of tourism, shipbuilding and IT services are just some of the potential areas of joint cooperation between the two countries. India has already expressed interest in investing in Greece. In 2016 the GMR Airports Limited (GAL) became part of the consortium selected to construct and operate the Euro 850 million Kastelli airport in Heraklion, Crete Island. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 84th Thessaloniki International Fair. According to TIF-Helexpo, the size of India’s economy is expected to reach $5 trillion in 2025 and Greece, a European Union and Eurozone member country that is located at the crossroads of three continents, could serve as a base for the presence of Indian enterprises in Europe. Indian companies have been internationally distinguished in recent years in key areas such as aerospace, pharmaceuticals, energy, shipping, tourism, metal mining and food. (Based on various articles in the Greek Press).

“The spirit of Thessaloniki travels to India”, “The Indian student wants to become the tourism ambassador of Thessaloniki”. A 26-year old Indian student (Kushal S Mehta) from Jaisalmer at the International University of Greece wants to make Thessaloniki known to rest of the world and so, with a team of 15 persons from Greece and abroad they created an electronic issue on the subject of Thessaloniki which so far was read by few thousands of people in 62 countries. (“Star Press”, 02 Sept. 2019, www.newsit.gr, 02 Sept. 2019, www.voria.gr 01 Sept. 2019).

Thailand
(Source : Embassy of India, Bangkok)

Clean energy
Daily News 25.10.2019

India has come up with the plans for “Megaproject” which is related to solar energy and wind energy. The related departments will study the possibility of these projects with the capacity of at least 30KW in Gujarat and at least 25KW in Rajasthan.

Bangladesh

(EEPC Ref. No. DB-2380)

Project	Rural Electricity Transmission and Distribution Project Loan No. : IDA-53810 Project ID No. : P129920
DB Ref. No.	WB11963-11/19
Issued by	DebasishChakrabortty 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-25
For	Procurement of SPC Poles.
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$ 75,000 or an equivalent amount in any freely convertible currency.
Bid deadline	*24.12.2019*

Bahrain

(EEPC Ref. No. MEED-2783)

Tender No.	RFP20193924217039 (2019-138-PP-ETD)
Tender for	Over current/earth fault relays
Tender details	Supply of over current/earth fault relays for retrofitting at the Sitra village and Seef primary stations.
Bid bond	BD 500
Cost of tender documents	BD 15
Closing date	*04.12.2019*
Issued by	Electricity & Water Authority Directorate of Central Stores Room 21-4, Ground Floor P. O. Box 5325 Sitra, Bahrain Tel. : (973) 17995555 Website : www.tenderboard.gov.bh

Bahrain

(EEPC Ref. No. MEED-2785)

Tender No.	RFP/EDU/2019/334 (M/28/2019)
Tender for	Furniture
Tender details	Supply of furniture comprising desks and chairs for students in government schools for three school levels.
Bid bond	BD 4,000
Cost of tender documents	BD 100
Closing date	*04.12.2019*
Issued by	Education Ministry Directorate of Materials Purchasing & Agreements Department P. O. Box 43 Manama, Bahrain Tel. : (973) 17873333 E-mail : moe@moe.gov.bh Website : www.moe.gov.bh

Jordan

(EEPC Ref. No. MEED-2787)

Tender No.	IFB-201903753/MK
Tender for	Carbon steel pipes
Tender details	Supply of 12,000 metres of 12-inch carbon steel pipes for harvester lines.
Bid bond	JD 33,000
Cost of tender documents	JD 290
Closing date	*08.12.2019*
Issued by	Arab Potash Company Al-Jahez Street, Shmeisani Amman, Jordan Tel. : (9626) 5200520 Fax: (9626) 5200295 Website : www.arabpotash.com

Kuwait

(EEPC Ref. No. MEED-2789)

Tender No.	MEW/66/2017/2018
Tender for	Power and communications cables
Tender details	Supply and extension of 300kV ground power cables insulated with cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) and communications cables with accessories.
Bid bond	KD 45,000
Cost of tender documents	KD 1,000
Closing date	*15.12.2019*
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

Steel Market Current Report

Mandi Gobindgarh
Open Market Rates of Rerollables (November 16, 2019)

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

(Rate Rs. per Tonne)

Ingot
Arc/Ind. Furnace
Round quality (21x25)	29,200
Structural quality (28x30)	29,200
Low carbon (12x16)	-
Semi low carbon (18x21)	29,700
5x6 Girder quality (25x30)	-
Runners/Risers	29,700
Bones/Clean	-

Billets & Squares
50x50x63x63x65x65 mm MS	-
75x75x80x80x90x90 mm MS	30,800
100x100 mm MS	30,800
125x125 mm MS/ Concast	-
100x100 mm Concast-Billets	30,800
100x100 Concast-SAIL DSP	30,400
H.C. Billet SAIL 150x150 mm)	-
H.C. Billet-Tisco 75x75 mm)	-

Blooms
Above 251 mm Bloom (HC)	30,350
Above 251 mm Bloom (MS)	29,350
(DSP) Bloom 160x250 mm	29,450
130/135/140 mm (Tisco) MS	-
150x150 mm Concast (DSP)	29,450
150x150 mm MS (SAIL)	29,450
Bloom Cut into pcs. (MS)	29,350
Bloom Cut into pcs. (Medium)	29,350
Bloom Cut into (Patra Pass)	29,450

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

Rails
Untested Rail - 75 lbs.	26,300
Untested Rail - 90 lbs.	25,900
Untested Rail - 105 lbs.	26,400
Rej. Wheel (Big)	-
Rej. Wheel (Small)	26,900
Cut Tyre (Big)	32,300
Cut Tyre (Small)	27,300

Melting Scrap (F.O.R.)
Fresh Scrap (Rolling Mill End)	26,850
Old Scrap (Godown)	22,700
Turning	22,100
Tin Tapper	23,600
Sponge Iron	23,100

Pig Iron (F.O.R.)
Foundry Grade	30,500
Steel Grade	27,200
C.I. Turning	13,900
Degi Scrap	21,900
Deg Casting	31,200
Ingot Moulds (Old)	22,200
Ingot Moulds (New)	32,300
Cut Ingot Moulds	20,000

Open Market Rates of Finished Goods (November 16, 2019)
(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	4240	4220	4230	4260	4230	4230	4410	4570
Zindi Pass (Drawing)	-	-	-	4250	4220	4120	4410	4430

Above rates of 6 mm rounds are of length up to 14’ Above 18’ = 4240

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	4380	4420	4420	4420	4420	4450	4450

M. S. Squares	4 mm	5 mm	6 mm	8 mm	10 mm	12 mm	16/20 mm	22/25 mm
Mild	4470	4470	4440	4500	4500	4510	4460	4430

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	4290	4270	4380	4370	4490	4420	-	-	-	-	-
5 mm	–	4320	4320	4370	4490	4460	4470	4470	-	-	-
6 mm	–	4310	4300	4470	4490	4460	4470	4470	-	-	-
8 mm	-	-	-	4340	4340	4460	4440	4440	-	-	-
10 mm	–	-	-	4340	4340	4460	4440	4510	4510	-	-
12 mm	–	-	-	4340	4340	4460	4440	4510	-	4540	-
16 mm	–	-	-	4340	4340	4460	4440	4510	-	-	-

M. S. Flats	20 mm	25 mm	32 mm	40 mm	50 mm	65 mm	75 mm	100 mm
3 mm	4210	4220	4320	4260	4370	4370	-	-
5 mm	4200	4220	4220	4200	4370	4460	4460	4460
6 mm	4190	4210	4220	4200	4370	4470	4460	4460
8 mm	-	-	4100	4220	4330	4430	4430	4440
10 mm	-	-	4100	4230	4330	4430	4430	4430
12/25 mm	-	-	4100	4230	4330	4430	4230	4450
18/19 Gauge	4180	4160	4210	4230	4330	4430	4430	4450

[Prices at other stockyards may vary] Source : Steel Town (Weekly), November 16, 2019]

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

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

Project	Uganda Rural Electricity Access Project Loan No. : 2000130014082 Loan from AfDB
DB Ref. No.	AfDB1564-11/19
Issued by	Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Plot 10 Windsor Loop Kololo 2nd Floor, House of Hope P. O. Box : 7317 Kampala, Uganda Tel. : No. +256-312-318100 Fax : +256-414-346013 E-mail : procurement@rea.or.ug
Bid No.	REA-AfDB/SUPLS/18-19/00655
For	Supply of connection materials, ready-boards and Pre-paid meters to intensify the last mile connections for new customers near to the existing grid in project areas (LOT 9A, 9B & and 9C).
Tender cost	Non-refundable fee of Five Hundred Thousand Uganda Shillings (UGX 500,000) or in a freely convertible currency.
Bid Security	- Lot 9A : US$ 110,000; - Lot 9B : US$ 125,000; - Lot 9C : US$ 35,000.
Bid deadline	23.12.2019
Source	UN Development Business Website

Tender No.	RFP20193924218520 (2019-159-PP-EDD)
Tender for	Distribution substation automation network
Tender details	Design, engineering, supply and construction of a private communications network for the automation of 11kV distribution substations. The automation system of 450 11kV distribution substations will be connected using a private LT system and 50 11kV distribution substations will be connected using fiber optics (IP-MPLS).
Bid bond	BD 4,000
Cost of tender documents	BD 100
Closing date	*04.12.2019*
Issued by	Electricity & Water Authority Directorate of Central Stores Room 21-4, Ground Floor P. O. Box 5325 Sitra, Bahrain Tel. : (973) 17995555 Website : www.tenderboard.gov.bh

Tender No.	CSD-866 (TC/SH/PT-162/10/2019)
Tender for	Joint kits
Tender details	Supply of pre-mold joint kits.
Bid bond	BD 500
Cost of tender documents	BD 15
Closing date	*04.12.2019*
Issued by	Electricity & Water Authority Directorate of Central Stores Room 21-4, Ground Floor P. O. Box 5325 Sitra, Bahrain Tel. : (973) 17995555 Website : www.tenderboard.gov.bh

Tender No.	IFB-201903704/MK
Tender for	Hot brine and mud settling tank materials
Tender details	Supply of Inconel plates, pipes, fittings and welding materials for a hot brine and mud settling tank construction project.
Bid bond	JD 28,000
Cost of tender documents	JD 145
Closing date	*01.12.2019*
Issued by	Arab Potash Company Al-Jahez Street, Shmeisani Amman, Jordan Tel. : (9626) 5200520 Fax: (9626) 5200295 Website : www.arabpotash.com

Tender No.	RFX-2131900036
Tender for	Optical ground wire
Tender details	Supply, installation, testing and commissioning of new 1-by-96 optical ground wire (OPGW) for the NHDA-HSTA 400kV overhead line (OHL) circuits and carrying out associated works.
Bid bond	5 per cent of tender price
Cost of tender documents	AED 1,050
Closing date	*11.12.2019*
Issued by	Dubai Electricity & Water Authority Office of the Contracts Manager Zabeel East, P. O. Box 564 Dubai, UAE Tel. : (9714) 3244444 Fax: (9714) 3248111 E-mail: contracts@dewa.gov.ae Website :www.dewa.gov.ae; https://srm.dewa.gov.ae
Source	MEED.com website