EEPC INDIA :: Info Bulletin

Mr. Arun Kumar Garodia, Vice Chairman, EEPC India lighting the lamp at the inauguration of 50th edition of EEPC India National Awards ceremony held on 10th December, 2019 in New Delhi. The dignitaries present are, Mr. Hardeep Singh Puri, Hon`ble Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Government of India (4th from left with the red Turban); To his right - Mr. Mahesh K. Desai, Sr. Vice Chairman, EEPC India; Mr. B S Bhalla, Addl. Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India (2nd from left); Mr. Ravi Sehgal, Chairman, EEPC India and to his left - Mrs. Kamna Raj Aggarwalla, Regional Chairman (NR), EEPC India. Mr. Suranjan Gupta, Executive Director, EEPC India is Looking from behind
Mr. P K Shah, Managing Director, NIPHA Exports receiving Top Exporter - Gold Trophy, Medium Enteprise, from Hon`ble Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Mr Hardeep Singh Puri (4th from left with the red Turban) at the 50th edition of EEPC India National Awards ceremony held on 10th December, 2019 in New Delhi. The dignitaries on the dais are (L to R) - Mrs. Kamna Raj Aggarwalla, Regional Chairman (NR), EEPC India; Mr. Mahesh K. Desai, Sr. Vice Chairman, EEPC India; Mr. Ravi Sehgal, Chairman, EEPC India; Mr. B S Bhalla, Addl. Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India (at the left of Hon`ble Minister); Mr. Arun Kumar Garodia, Vice Chairman, EEPC India (at the left of Mr. Bhalla) and Mr. Suranjan Gupta, Executive Director, EEPC India (extreme right)
Mr. Ravi Sehgal, Chairman, EEPC India presenting EEPC India Memento to Mr. Hardeep Singh Puri, Hon`ble Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Government of India at the 50th edition of EEPC India National Awards ceremony held on 10th December, 2019 in New Delhi. To his left, Mr. B S Bhalla, Addl. Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India is seen
Mr. Mahesh K Desai, Sr. Vice Chairman, EEPC India is discussing with the Governor of Telangana H.E. Ms. Tamilisai Soundarajan at the Raj Bhawan at Hyderabad, Telangana on 29th November, 2019
EEPC India Sr. Vice Chairman, Mr. Mahesh K Desai (2nd from right) is presenting a flower bouquet to the Governor of Telangana H.E. Ms Tamilisai Soundarajan during his visit to the Raj Bhawan at Hyderabad, Telangana along with Mr. D Narayana Rao, Dy. Regional Chairman (SR) (extreme right); Mr. C H Nadiger, Regional Director (SR) (2nd from left) and Mr. V C Ravish, Assistant Director (extreme left) all from EEPC India

My dear fellow exporters,

In line with India’s target to achieve USD 5 trillion GDP by 2024, the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India has set an export target of USD 1 trillion and the groundwork towards achieving the same has already been started. The Union Commerce Minister had recently called all the Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) and Commodity Boards in a meeting last week to discuss steps to be taken to boost exports significantly and to seek for inputs from EPCs in this connection. Almost all aspects of exports were covered in the meeting including feedbacks from EPCs on FTAs/PTAs and on various initiatives adopted by the ministry to ease lending and increase credit availability to exporters.

Each and every challenges faced by the EPCs were considered in the meeting including identification of “risky exporters”, issues on non-tariff barriers, flawless utilization of NIRVIK (Niryat Rin Vikas Yojana) scheme designed to facilitate easy lending and enhanced loan availability for the exporters, and how to negotiate in new FTAs/PTAs among others. Special emphasis was given on increasing the shares of India’s major exported products in global exports and moving up in the global value chain faster by increasing the share of high technology products in India’s export basket. The meeting ended with a unanimous decision by all the participating bodies to meet again after the Budget 2020 in February to review the tasks achieved and discuss the actions pending.

Overall, it was a very effective as well as meaningful combined move by the government and export promotion bodies towards eliminating the hurdles of shipments and enhancing exports from India in turn. EEPC India is extremely hopeful that these sorts of moves will definitely facilitate exports to a large extent and thanks the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India for such a brilliant initiative.

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.

Saudi Arabia
(Source : Embassy of India, Riyadh)

Significant trends in trade and investment (Sources : DGFT )

Trade in Goods –

India Saudi bilateral Trade during FY 2018-19 has reached US$ 34,040.93 million from 27,480.66 Million in FY 2017-18 (Bilateral trade during Apr.-Oct.2019 is marked US$ 15.50bn).

Analysis - The bilateral trade during FY 2017-18 was 27,480.66 Million. There is a positive growth of 23.87 Percent in bilateral trade during 2018-19 (showing an increase of 29.04 percent in our import and 2.79 Percent growth in our export to Saudi Arabia.

Investment - Indian FDI in Saudi Arabia is US$ 1.4 billion up to Dec. 2017 (Source Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority). Saudi FDI in India US$ 228.87 million from April 2000 to June 2019 (Source: DIPP.

Saudi Arabia is in the phase of fast economic and social transitional reforms/development under the ambitious ‘Saudi Vision 2030’ initiative. A number of multi- billion mega projects like US$ 500 billion estimated Neom project and other mega multi billion projects like Red sea project, Al Qidya projects, Amala tourism project etc. are under progress. There are a number of opportunities for the Indian infrastructural, engineering, IT, service companies etc. to participate in these projects.

Switzerland
(Source : Embassy of India, Berne)

Potential products of imports from India –

Commodity : Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons, incl. station wagons and racing cars, with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine of a cylinder capacity > 1.500 cm3 but <=3.000 cm3 (excl. bus of heading 8702 and special motor vehicles of heading 8703.10) [HS Code 8703.23].

Rationale : Comparison between India’s exports to the world, India’s export to Switzerland and Switzerland’s imports from the world at 6 digit HS Code in September 2019.

Commodity : Heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen hetero-atom[s] only, n.e.s. [HS Code 2933.99].

Rationale : Comparison between India’s exports to the world, India’s export to Switzerland and Switzerland’s imports from the world at 6 digit HS Code in September 2019.

Commodity : Energy/ Renewable

Rationale : Switzerland is expanding its green energy basket, thus providing complementarity with India’s trade and investment basket in this sector.

Trade & Goods

Details of significant trends - The total export products to Switzerland registered a decrease of -3.35% (USD Million 173) in September 2019, as compared to Aug 2019 (179 USD million).

The increase in exports in September 2019 was particularly seen in the field – Heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen hetero-atom[s] only, n.e.s. [HS Code 2933.99], Diamonds, worked, but not mounted or set (excl. industrial diamonds) [HS Code 7102.39], Organic derivatives of hydrazine or of hydroxylamine) [HS Code 2928.00] The total import from Switzerland registered a decrease of -12% (USD 887 Million) in September 2019, as compared to August 2019 (USD 1008 million). The decrease in imports was particularly seen in the field of Gold, incl. gold plated with platinum, in semi-manufactured forms, for nonmonetary purposes] [HS Code 7108.13]; and Gold, incl. gold plated with platinum, unwrought, for non-monetary purposes (excl. gold in powder form) [included in the special trade since 1.1.2012] [HS Code 7108.12].

Analysis : Both Export and Imports between India and Switzerland have been rising with India’s trade with Switzerland from January-September 2019 accounting for 3.56% of Switzerland’s total trade.

Trade in services

Details of significant trends - The Service-related data is available on the Swiss side only on quarterly basis. In comparison to the 1^st quarter of 2019, in the 2nd quarter of 2019, the Services exports from India to Switzerland saw increase in Tourism sector (28.8%) followed by Consulting Services (19.5%). The Services imports from Switzerland saw increase in: Tourism (61.8); Insurance & Pension Services (55.6%); Financial Services (21%); Technical, trade-related, and other business services (20.1%). Overall the Services trade was in favour of India.

Analysis : Overall the trade in Services is in favor of India. License Fees [IPR related] expectedly is in favour of Switzerland.

Investment

Details of significant trends – As per DIPP, the FDI from Switzerland to India from April 2000 to March 2019 stood at USD 4633.35 million, making 1.1% of the total FDI Equity inflow. As per RBI figures, the total ODI from India to Switzerland during July 2019 was USD 101.24 million compared to USD 7.86 million in June 2019.

Analysis - The investments from India to Switzerland are largely in field of Manufacturing, Financial, Insurance, and Business services, and Wholesale, Retail Trade, Restaurants. And Hotel.

Bilateral Visit

Swiss Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga Working visit to India: On 21 Oct. 2019, Swiss Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga met the Minister of Power and New and Renewable Energy, the Minister of Civil Aviation and the Minister of Railways during the Working visit to India. Swiss Federal Councillor Sommaruga was accompanied by representatives from various Swiss companies active in the areas of energy and cleantech as well as the railway industry. Swiss Federal Councillor Sommaruga also met Minister of Civil Aviation and discussed developments with regard to drones, and Switzerland’s experience with risk-based regulation.

India Business Information Center in Zurich

The Embassy of India, Berne, organised an India Business Information Center in Zurich, which focused on promoting and disseminating information regarding business opportunities in India among Swiss companies and entrepreneurs. India Business Information Center in Zurich, also facilitates the MISSP (Momentum in India: Swiss SMEs Program), which the Mission is currently executing.

On 19th October, 2019, the Embassy of India, Berne, organised an India Business Information Center in Zurich, which focused on promoting and disseminating information regarding business opportunities in India among Swiss companies and entrepreneurs. India Business Information Center in Zurich, also facilitates the MISSP (Momentum in India: Swiss SMEs Program), which the Mission is currently executing.

Interactive session with senior business executives and Swiss industry representatives

On 07 October, 2019, Ambassador Sibi George hosted an interactive session with senior business executives and Swiss industry representatives in new & renewable energy and railways sectors at India House, Bern.

Thailand
(Source : Embassy of India, Bangkok)

Commerce Ministry holds workshop to train product-service produce
Money Life Today 28.11.2019

Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) joined hands with Thai – India Business Council to hold a workshop to share knowledge to entrepreneurs in product and service groups which involve with real estate business. Director-General of DITP revealed that the department held the hospitality and building solution workshop to support the entrepreneurs to penetrate Indian market. The department will hold a project to lead the executive teams of Ministry of Commerce and private organizations to visit Bengaluru and Hyderabad in India during 15-19 January 2019. Only 2 toxic banned.

SME Business
Thunhoon 04.12.2019

The India retail sector is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world with a value of over $950 billion. India’s economy is also one of the fastest-growing economies in the world as well. In 2018, the economy expanded up to over 6.8 percent with over 1.373 billion populations. Its population income raised up to around $2,016 dollar per person per year (Thailand is now at approximately $7,084 per person per year). The continuous growth in the India market is a great investment opportunity for Thai SMEs.

Belarus

(EEPC Ref. No. DB-2394)

Project	Transit Corridor Improvement Project Loan No. : IBRD-84590 Project ID No. : P149697 Loan from IBRD
DB Ref. No.	WB-P444368-12/19
Issued by	RUE “Minskavtodor-Center” Officer : Roman O. Akinfeev 8, Lieutenant Kizhevatovastr 220099 Minsk, Belarus Tel. : +375 17 228 08 49 Fax : +375 17 259 85 55 E-mail : akinfeev.r@maddor.by
Bid No.	TCIP/ICB 002/2019
For	Detailed design, supply, installation, integration, testing, commissioning, training and maintenance of a Traffic and Road Safety Coordination Center (TRSCC) and other Intelligent Transportation System components (ITS) in the Republic of Belarus.
Tender cost	BYN 246.00. The method of payment will be bank transfer on the account of RUE “Minskavtodor-Center” or payment over the bank counter. Upon payment receipt the bidding documents can be received in the office of RUE “Minskavtodor-Center”.
Bid deadline	*30.01.2020*

Kuwait

(EEPC Ref. No. MEED-2813)

Tender No.	MEW/77/2018/2019
Tender for	Cable maintenance (north)
Tender details	Maintenance and repair of cables of up to 300kV in the north.
Bid bond	KD 45,000
Cost of tender documents	KD 1,000
Closing date	*19.01.2020*
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

Kuwait

(EEPC Ref. No. MEED-2815)

Tender No.	S/MQA/21/2018/2019
Tender for	Health centre
Tender details	Demolition, construction, completion and maintenance for the South Hawally health centre.
Bid bond	KD 100,000
Cost of tender documents	KD 3,500
Closing date	*21.01.2020*
Issued by	Central Tenders Committee Health 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 (December 21, 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)	29,150
5x6 Girder quality (25x30)	-
Runners/Risers	29,250
Bones/Clean	-

Billets & Squares
50x50x63x63x65x65 mm MS	-
75x75x80x80x90x90 mm MS	29,400
100x100 mm MS	29,400
125x125 mm MS/ Concast	-
100x100 mm Concast-Billets	29,400
100x100 Concast-SAIL DSP	29,400
H.C. Billet SAIL 150x150 mm)	-
H.C. Billet-Tisco 75x75 mm)	-

Blooms
Above 251 mm Bloom (HC)	25,900
Above 251 mm Bloom (MS)	25,900
(DSP) Bloom 160x250 mm	25,900
130/135/140 mm (Tisco) MS	-
150x150 mm Concast (DSP)	28,900
150x150 mm MS (SAIL)	28,900
Bloom Cut into pcs. (MS)	29,900
Bloom Cut into pcs. (Medium)	29,100
Bloom Cut into (Patra Pass)	29,100

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

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

Melting Scrap (F.O.R.)
Fresh Scrap (Rolling Mill End)	25,700
Old Scrap (Godown)	21,600
Turning	21,000
Tin Tapper	23,400
Mill Scale	18,500
Sponge Iron	21,400

Pig Iron (F.O.R.)
Foundry Grade	29,900
Steel Grade	22,700
C.I. Turning	15,700
Degi Scrap	23,700
Deg Casting	35,600
Ingot Moulds (Old)	22,100
Ingot Moulds (New)	34,200
Cut Ingot Moulds	21,000

Open Market Rates of Finished Goods (December 21, 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	4230	4230	4250	4260	4230	4330	4390	4260
Zindi Pass (Drawing)	-	-	-	4330	4400	4400	4500	4500

Above rates of 6 mm rounds are of length up to 14’ Above 18’ = 4290

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	4350	4350	4400	4400	4410	4430	4300

M. S. Squares	4 mm	5 mm	6 mm	8 mm	10 mm	12 mm	16/20 mm	22/25 mm
Mild	4450	4450	4440	4480	4480	4480	4440	4410

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	4270	4230	4280	4350	4450	4440	-	-	-	-	-
5 mm	–	4120	4230	4350	4450	4440	4450	4450	-	-	-
6 mm	–	4310	4310	4350	4350	4440	4450	4440	-	-	-
8 mm	-	-	-	4320	4420	4440	4440	4440	-	-	-
10 mm	–	-	-	4320	4420	4440	4440	4500	4440	-	-
12 mm	–	-	-	4320	4420	4100	4420	4420	-	4520	-
16 mm	–	-	-	4320	4420	4430	4420	4490	-	-	-

M. S. Flats	20 mm	25 mm	32 mm	40 mm	50 mm	65 mm	75 mm	100 mm
3 mm	4240	4230	4240	4280	4380	4290	-	-
5 mm	4240	4230	4240	4240	4480	4490	4480	4480
6 mm	4280	4300	4240	4240	4390	4480	4480	4480
8 mm	-	-	4120	4240	4340	4440	4450	4480
10 mm	-	-	4110	4240	4340	4440	4450	4450
12/25 mm	-	-	4110	4240	4340	4440	4450	4450
18/19 Gauge	4090	4180	4360	4240	4340	4450	4450	4450

[Prices at other stockyards may vary] Source : Steel Town (Weekly), December 21, 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

EXPORT FINANCE

STEEL PRICES

Steel Market Current Report

EEPC INDIA OFFICE BEARERS

REGIONAL CHAIRMEN / CHAIRPERSON

EEPC INDIA OFFICES

REGIONAL OFFICES

SUB-REGIONAL OFFICE

Project	Greater Mekong Subregion Health Security Project Loan No. : 3464-CAM (COL) Loan from ADB
DB Ref. No.	ADB-P445373-12/19
Issued by	Greater Mekong Subregion Health Security Project Prof. Eng Huot Project Director Ministry of Health No. 18, Street No. 118 Sangkat Mittapheap, Khan 7 Makara Phnom Penh, Cambodia Tel. : +855-23 998 549, 722 103 E-mail : enghuot@online.com.kh
Bid No.	ICB 2
For	Procurement of Laboratory Analysis Equipment, Lab Consumables and lab Furniture & Utility Equipment : - Lot-1 : Laboratory Analysis Equipment & Associated Consumables; - Lot-2 : Microbiology Laboratory Equipment and Laboratory Associated Consumable; - Lot-3 : Laboratory Supportive Analysis Equipment and Associated Consumables; - Lot-4 : Other Laboratory Consumables; - Lot-5 : Hospital/Laboratory Furniture and Utility/Hygiene Equipment.
Tender cost	Non-refundable fee of US$ 100 or its equivalent in Cambodian Riel 410,000.00. The method of payment will be in cash or deposit to Bank Account No. 000000016940 of National Bank of Cambodia.
Bid deadline	*31.01.2020*
Source	UN Development Business Website

Tender No.	MEW/78/2018/2019
Tender for	Cable maintenance (south)
Tender details	Maintenance and repair of cables of up to 300kV in the south.
Bid bond	KD 45,000
Cost of tender documents	KD 1,000
Closing date	*19.01.2020*
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

Tender No.	MEW/89/2018/2019
Tender for	Diesel generator works
Tender details	Maintenance and repair of power diesel generators.
Bid bond	KD 23,000
Cost of tender documents	KD 1,000
Closing date	*12.01.2020*
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