NRDC WORKING ON FEASIBILITY FOR SETTING UP OF NATIONAL PATENT EXCHANGE, ALREADY OBTAINED IN PRINCIPLE APPROVAL OF ITS ADMINISTRATIVE MINISTRY, SAYS ITS CMD

National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) is working on the feasibility of setting up of National Patent Exchange which will emerge as a leading platform to trade patented knowledge for commercialization in MSMEs and other segments of industries, according to its Chairman and Managing Director, Dr. H Purushotham.

Inaugurating a National Conference on Technology Transfer at MSME Clusters, National and Institutional Levels under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, Dr. Purushotham informed in principle approval for setting up of national patent exchange from Ministry of Science and Technology has already been obtained.

According to him, the NRDC that has been mandated with the task of creation of the proposed national patent exchange is in talks with similar exchanges in Hong Kong, UK and other such countries and is also currently engaged with an exercise of collecting necessary data and information on patents filed worldwide on multiple technologies, pre-dominantly on agri and allied sector so that the patented knowledge is traded for its optimum commercialization among stakeholders concerned.

Referring to total cost involved in its creation, Dr. Purushotham informed that the entire cost exercise to this effect won’t exceed Rs.2 crores.

He also informed that besides being engaged with its assigned duties on technological transfer in MSMEs segment, the Corporation has also been asked by the government to make recommendations for enjoying tax incentives for start-ups that wish to launch their own enterprises.

In the recent past NRDC was referred close to 1,000 applications from DIPP to evaluate and short list their detailed proposals for tax incentives and after due diligence the NRDC has recommended the cases of 30 start-ups to the government for the intended purpose.

Among other speakers who emphasized the need for technology transfer in the emerging world for MSMEs in more than a documented form consisted of Sr. Vice President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Anil Khaitan; CEO, Agrinnovate India Ltd., Mr. Ravinderjit Singh; Chairmen of Innovation Committee and MSME Committee of the PHD Chamber, Mr. Deepak Pahwa and Mr. Mohit Jain including its Sr. Secretary, Dr. Jatinder Singh.

IN ITS TOTAL PROCUREMENTS OF $500 BL, GOVT. ROUGHLY SAVES $25 BL THROUGH E-TENDERING: DR. AJAY KUMAR

Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Dr. Ajay Kumar on Wednesday asked SMEs to judiciously adopt Industry 4.0 systems to increase their productivity and efficiency in emerging world of technologies, highlighting that when government can embrace digital technologies in its traditional tendering processes and save roughly $25 billion per annum of its total procurements of $500 billion, why can’t the SMEs espouse the cutting edge phenomena to save their cost.

Inaugurating Industry 4.0: Opportunities and Challenges for the Indian Workforce under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and International Computer Driving licence(ICDL), Dr. Kumar felt that large sized companies and corporations adopt new technologies through consultancies ways to save on their costs and increase production processes, the medium sized and small scale companies should make sincere attempts for adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies.

After mechanization (Industry 1.0), mass production (Industry 2.0) and automation (Industry 3.0), now the internet of things, artificial intelligence and robotics are becoming an integral part of manufacturing. Industry 4.0 technologies have the potential to create extraordinary growth opportunities and competitive advantages for Germany as a business location. Experts forecast that businesses will be able to increase their productivity by about 30 percent using Industry 4.0 technologies.

He also informed that six new working group has been set up in the ministry to establish solutions so that efficiencies are inserted in the production processes in sectors such as manufacturing, power and host of such others.  He invited PHD Chamber to be the part of consultative process.

In his welcome address Co-Chairman, Innovation Committee, PHD Chamber, Dr. Harish Ahuja felt that start-ups and emerging entrepreneurs are quick and agile in adopting and adapting emerging technologies so that they do better and with increasing robotics and artificial intelligence, it has become much more imperative for industry to go in for automation with human face.

Among others, who also spoke on the occasion comprised Mr. Damien O’ Sullivan (Ireland), CEO, ICDL Foundation and Dr. Jatinder Singh, Sr. Secretary, PHD Chamber.

PHD CHAMBER SEEKS LENIENCY ON COMPLETE GST COMPLIANCE IN THE FIRST PHASE

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday urged the GST Council to accord immunity and even leniency to industry so far as compliance to GST Rules and Regulations is concerned in the first phase of its implementation since a great deal of issues are still erupting for seeking solutions and clarifications on GST as a whole.

The aforesaid observation was made by its Sr. Vice President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Anil Khaitan, who was addressing a Seminar on “GST: One Nation One Tax Regime – Benefits and Impact on Indian Economy” under the aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in which the Chief Guest was Additional Commissioner of Service Tax (Delhi-IV), CBEC, Mr. Sachin Jain here today.

“Since GST is a major indirect tax reform of Independent India and which to be rolled out from July 1, 2017, a large segment of industry especially SMEs and the like are gradually gearing up to hug the GST and therefore, the logic demands that it should be given sufficient time for the nitty-gritty of GST regulations in the initial period and could be through a bit of compromise on compliance front”, Mr. Khaitan argued.

He further contended that on multiple issues, the government clarifications relating to GST rules and regulations are either flocking up or on some front clarifications and detailing are yet to come up and therefore, in such a situation, insistence on hundred per cent compliance are required to be shunned in good faith so long as both the government and industry see eye to eye as regards to compliance factor.

Responding to the argument extended by Mr. Khaitan on the aforesaid front, Mr. Jain, however, allayed fears of the PHD Chamber and its members on compliance factor replied categorically stating that returns filed by industry after GST execution with malafide intent will only attract penalties whereas those filed with bonafide intention will receive no such threats from government functionaries.

According to him, on couple of unaddressed minor issues that industry is currently confronting with for want of clarifications on GST rules and regulations, series of notifications will follow as the government is trying its best to address the pending issues before GST is implemented.

Among others who spoke on the occasion comprised Chairman, Young Business Leaders Forum, PHD Chamber, Mr. Saket Dalmia; Chairman, Indirect Taxes Committee, PHD Chamber, Mr. Bimal Jain; Partner, PWC, Mr. Amit Bhagat; Faculty & Industrial Trainer, Indirect Taxes, Mr. S P Rao.

GABON FOREIGN MINISTER INVITES INDIA INC’S INVESTMENTS AT PHD CHAMBER

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Gabon, Mr. Pacome Moubelet-Boubeya invited India Inc. to invest in his country heavily in areas of agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, minerals, e-commerce and host of other such areas.

Addressing an Interactive Session with members of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry with a High Level Business Delegation from Gabon, the Minister emphasized  that the Government of Gabon is creating Special Economic Zones to attract investors especially foreign to undertake their business expansion in which Gabon would be incentivising the prospective investors with free exit policies.

“It’s a small country in which ease of doing business is of significant space, the economy of which has been growing at an average rate of 5.5% and offers huge opportunities for investors to conduct their businesses and become part of Africa and its bounties especially those of central African countries”, said Mr. Boubeya.

 “I have come to visit India and explore possibilities of investments in host of areas with the help of Indian businessmen who are already present in my country following invitation from Indian External Affairs Minister, Mrs. Sushma Swaraj and the trip is going to prove quite fruitful”, felt the Minister.

Ambassador of Gabon in India, Mr. Desire Koumba who also spoke on the occasion stressed that Gabon and India are having economic cooperation for the last 20 years the scope of which expansion is unique and both the sides should strive to realize it to its full potential, given the good diplomatic relations that both India and Gabon enjoy.

Among others who spoke on the occasion comprised First Counsellor, Ms. Josephine Patricia Ntyam Ehya; Counsellor, Mr. Serge Thierry Mandoukou Ombegue; Economic Counsellor, Mr. Remy Ndjokounda, Embassy of Gabon including Chairman, International Affairs Committee for Africa & Middle East, PHD Chamber, Mr. Ranjeet Chaturvedi and its Secretary General, Mr. Saurabh Sanyal.

PERSISTING CYBER CRIMES AS A RESULT OF POOR TRAINING AND POORER INFRASTRUCTURE: PHD CHAMBER

A seminar on “Cyber Security, Crime & Insurance: Current Scenario and Way Forward” held here on Friday under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry has revealed that India Inc. even now is barely prepared to combat the repeated onslaught of persistent cyber crimes and thus needs to be sufficiently awakened to plug consequences of such crimes with adequate training to its IT and security personnel with plenty of infrastructure pertaining to tools, equipment and devices.

It has also concluded that in the absence of stringent laws and even suitable legislations, the cyber crimes are persisting with little remedies since law enforcing agencies are unable to tackle such acts with sufficient prosecution and conviction, the primary reason attributed to this failure is lack of either awakening or adequate training.

The fallouts and repercussions of this scenario have not allowed the cyber insurance sector to evolve with positivity or objectivity.  The awareness of the threats facing industry and trade due to the seriously growing cyber crime must percolate down the order and reach all general insurance companies, routed through IRDA & SEBI.  The insurance companies need to put more coverage emphasis with the industry clients and the Chamber shall encourage this objective and facilitate betterment of the industry’s risk mitigation and protection.

Those who made the aforesaid observations during the seminar comprised Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Cell), Delhi, Dr. Madan Mohan Oberoi; Managing Director, Ace Insurance Brokers (P) Limited, Mr. Anil Arora; Dy. Director General, International Institute of Security & Safety Management, Maj. Gen. Rajesh Arya, VSM & BAR (Retd.); Sr. Vice President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Anil Khaitan including Co-Chairman, Insurance Committee, PHD Chamber, Mr. S K Sethi and its Director, Mr. Debjit Talapatra.

Not only India lacks the required laws and regulations to strangulate the origin of cyber crimes, it and its industry has yet to arouse themselves to plug the loopholes in the cyber crimes which today concern each and every Indian whose data could be stolen by hackers as they are step ahead from the monitoring agencies.  This is the situation that prevails largely in developing world though the developed world is equally threatened with this menace.

The Seminar was organized keeping in view the criticalities arising out of cyber crimes that have threatened the entire world and the way forward suggested was adoption and adaption of technologies by the masses with sufficient precaution and equally through cementing cooperation of all countries world over.

‘KICK START LOANS’ FOR DEVELOPERS & ‘SOFT LOANS’ @ 6% FOR BUYERS ARE SOLUTIONS FOR TAKE OFF OF STUCK UP REAL ESTATE PROJECTS

Vice President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Rajeev Talwar on Thursday appealed to the government to come out with a concept of ‘kick start loans’ for real estate developers, especially for those whose projects are stuck up as also make a provisioning of a loan at the rate of 6% for buyers that have invested their hard earned money in such projects so that their re-launch becomes conclusive.

Speaking at a RERA Reality Conference for Making New India under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, Mr. Talwar held that two reforms namely GST and RERA that have happened in post independence history of India are critical for India’s higher GDP which will also ensure prosperity and employment for large chunk of its people.

Mr. Talwar appreciated and welcomed efforts that led to creation of RERA as it would induct transparency in the real estate and construction sector, especially the beneficiary would be the consumer and builders that indulge in malpractices be punished severely.

The Vice President of the Chamber, who is also the CEO & Whole-Time Director of DLF Ltd. said that with ‘kick start loans’, the stuck up projects in the real estate sector could be re-launched with additional liquidity as many of them are held up for want of money for which the suggested loans could be of great use.

He also mooted the idea that buyers who have poured in their money in such projects should be given loans at the rate of 6% as a vast number of them have already spent their money on stuck up projects and paying off large EMIs on them.  The soft loan for them would come as a great relief and the builders would be able to generate liquidity to finish off construction in such projects.

Speaking on the occasion ED, RERA, Haryana, Mr. Dilbag Singh Sihag and Director, RERA, NCT of Delhi, Mr. Vivin Ahuja praised the RERA legislation driving home the point that its violation would attract harsher penalties and would lead to a win-win situation for both developers and buyers.

Senior BJP Leader, Mr. R P Singh who presided over the conference in which the Secretary General of the PHD Chamber, Mr. Saurabh Sanyal and Editor, Reality & More, Mr. Palash Roy were also present, however, praised the initiative of the PHD Chamber for organizing such a conference.

GST is an economic transformation - Ms. V Sangeeta

India is on the verge of implementing the long awaited Tax Reform - the Goods and Services Tax (GST). GST is India's most significant Indirect Tax reform in decades. It is expected to usher in a harmonized national market of goods and services and lead to a simplified, assessee-friendly tax administration system.

The govt. is making all efforts for ushering in this new regime of IndirectTaxation. It has been time and again reiterated by the Govt. that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) would be implemented from July 1, 2017 as planned to boost economic growth while asserting that GST would help in creating lot of jobs for young generation.

 With a view to sensitise industry on the latest developments under GST and the discussing the industry and Govt.’s preparedness for GST regime, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry jointly with Gurgaon Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) & Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) today organized a “Seminar on Moving towards Goods and Services Tax: Recent Developments, Issues & Industry Preparedness” at Hotel Taj..Gurgaon.

Mr. Bimal jain..Chairman, PHD Committee on Indirect Taxation,  in his theme representation highlighted that  multilpicity of taxes will go away. It is the biggest step in bringing ease of compliance for the industry sector. He focused on dual concurrent GST Model that is followed in Brazil & Canada. He emphasized that GST backbone is on Automisation under the GST Regime. GST will help in bringing seamless glow of credit.

Ms. V Sangeeta, Commissioner,Central Excise, Gurgaon,  mentioned that GST is the biggest reform in Indirect Tax System. She opined that it is an economic transformation and will bring many changes with it. She highlighted various issues that are faced by traders with the coming of GST. She emphasized on the input tax credit under GST law. She apprised that transitional provision will help to reduce transactional cost and remove cascading of effects.

ANGOLA INVITES INDIAN INVESTMENTS AT A SESSION WITH PHD CHAMBER

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday organized an Interactive Session with a High-Level Delegation from Angola in which Minister of Economy, The Republic of Angola, Dr. Abrahao Gourgel sought Indian investments into his country in areas of agriculture, energy, infrastructure, mining and transport.

Jointly Presiding over the meeting held under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry with its President, Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka in which vote of thanks was offered by Chamber’s Secretary General, Mr. Saurabh Sanyal, Dr. Gourgel informed that the Republic of Angola has been growing at an average rate of 4.37% since 2010 until 2016 which offered a unique opportunity for Indian investors to take advantage of business opportunities emerging in it.

“In the recent times, the Republic of Angola has brought in laws and regulations that softened its earlier statute and the new ones are such as to attract sufficient investments because the new measures would lead to improving the ease of doing business in the Republic of Angola”, he said.

According to him, the new rules and regulations though will take some more time to be implemented but assured the prospective investors to take optimum benefits of these laws which are encouraging inbound investments.

The Minister was also of the view that the Republic of Angola even now encourages investments in public private partnership spirit as some regulations are there through which foreign investors can set up their businesses in the Republic of Angola by way of shedding a stake of 35% to their domestic partners as such business would sustain within total investments of USD 10 million.  However, for large businesses, exceeding USD 100 million, the aforesaid condition is not applicable, clarified the Minister.

In his welcome remarks, President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka felt that now time has come when both India and Angola should come closer to jointly working together for the better well being of the two countries.

PHD Chamber launches 2nd edition ‘AERO EXPO INDIA’ and India’s First HELI EXPO

This year Expo will focus on Bridging Aviation & Tourism by Enhancing Connectivity

Showcasing new initiatives in 4 days exposition with India’s First  ‘Heli-Expo’

India’s leading National Industry and apex organization PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry  organizing its second edition of the Aviation exposition -AERO EXPO INDIA-2017 on November 2nd-5th, 2017 in the Capital after the runaway success of the first ever AERO exposition organized at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi last year with the patronage of the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

With this announcement today Mr .K.N.Rao, Chairman, Civil Aviation Committee, PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry said that “After a successful launch of India’s first AERO EXPO last year we are proud to announce the 2nd edition of AERO EXPO-2017 in the month of November this year. The Aero Expo has no doubt helped to bring a major boost to regional air connectivity in line with PM’s recently announced ‘UDAAN’ plans and policies in India are noteworthy.  India is already the fastest growing aviation market in the world and the move to improve regional air connectivity is expected to further boost the industry by providing a new set of growth opportunities to both domestic and international airlines alike along with a new lease to the allied aviation services & skilling industries. With this note of confidence, I warmly welcome you to AERO EXPO INDIA-2017 and I am sure that you will benefit from the show again.”

With an overwhelming positive feedback from all stakeholders this year the 4 day long AERO EXPO is also going to witness India’s first  ‘HELI-EXPO’ at the Pawan Hans Heliport in Rohini on 4TH & 5th of November.

Group Captain Retd. Rajbir Singh Saharan, Head of Rohini Heliport, while speaking at the PHD Chamber press meet, added that this Heliport is India’s first  dedicated heliport for flying in and out of Delhi to nearby areas in Choppers. He said this is a Rs 100 crore project and will be an integrated one with a chopper maintenance, repair and overhaul unit as part of the Rohini complex. Owned by Pawan Hans Helicopter Limited, this Heliport will have a large number of parking bays and an AC passenger terminal with car parking.

He said the Heliport will bring choppers within the reach of common man. Taking off the load from IGI Airport, the Rohini Heliport will be a dedicated one, making chopper movement easier. .

To promote regional air connectivity Pawan Hans has also prepared a road map to connect major destinations from the Rohini Heliport to Shimla, Haridwar, Dehradun, Mathura, Agra, Meerut and industrial hubs such as Manesar and Bahardurgarh etc.

At the forthcoming Aero Expo, Global think tanks of the Aviation & Tourism sector will congregate to suggest measures and way outs to transform it to the scale of economies as also give further impetus to Make in India & Skilling India initiatives of the government .

2nd Aero- Expo India-2017 aspires to provide an exclusive platform for the new opportunities available in both the International and National market with showcasing of State-Of-The-Art technology & the collective strength in terms of capabilities, products and services in the Civil Aviation, Tourism & Infrastructure sector. A dedicated Rotary Wing Exposition on the side-lines – HELI-EXPO 2017 shall also be organized.

“The parallel sessions alongside the expo would deliberate on a host of issues, requirements of modern and emerging times so as to bridge the gap between Aviation & Tourism by Enhancing Connectivity-aviation expands, diversifies and multiplies including modernization to the best satisfaction of all stakeholders involved in its growth,” said Mr.Anil Khaitan Sr. Vice President ,PHDCCI

The Expo will also host policy makers, government officials and other such relevant personalities who would also join the convention-cum-exhibition for Aviation, Tourism; Infrastructure; Aero-Space and Rotary Wings with their counterparts representing various sets of the industry to further sensitize its growth for capital creation with sufficient infrastructural facilities including creation of additional employment.

“As with every air show, AERO EXPO INDIA-2017- A 4 day display of the best and upcoming in the industry poses a tremendous opportunity to reaffirm the industry’s faith and support of the Ministry of Civil aviation. We are working diligently with our industry partners, relevant ministries & stakeholders & the community to make the exposition show even more grandeur and beneficial to all the stakeholders and truly Enhance Connectivity,” Mr. Bhupesh Joshi, Co- Chairman Civil Aviation Committee PHDCCI.

The conclave-cum-exhibition will also seek to boost the status of India as a leading global hub of Aviation & Rotary Services to enhance connectivity resulting in the growth of tourism in our country.

“Our Endeavour with this Aero-Show is to bring along the allied industries together and make the best of the exposition and attain positive results for the growth of this vital industry” Mr. Vipin Vohra, Co- Chairman Civil Aviation Committee PHDCCI.

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ABOUT AERO EXPO INDIA :  The first edition of AERO EXPO INDIA-2016 has set a new milestone for being the first ever Aviation Exposition to be organised the capital city of New Delhi having made a niche for itself in this vital industry. In addition to the opportunities at the show floor, there were equally interesting and focused line up of Panel Discussions conducted on the side-lines of the exposition.

The focused parallel conventions graced by the industry experts (national & international) deliberated on the latest issues related to Enhancing Regional & Remote Air Connectivity; Skilling India for the growing Aviation Industry; Project Finance, Insurance & Leasing Opportunities for the Aviation Industry, Air Navigation Services and Industry promotion.

AERO EXPO INDIA-2016 became one of the upcoming annual endeavour in the general aviation trade expo of India. This flagship programme was graced by Mr. Ashok Gajapati Raju Pusapati, Hon’ble Union Minister of Civil Aviation; Mr Jayant Sinha, Hon’ble Minister of State for Civil Aviation; Mr Rajiv Nayan Choubey,IAS, Secretary Ministry of Civil Aviation and the other officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation along with Ambassadors of different countries.

The first edition of AERO EXPO hosted over 50 brand participations for the first time with an entire spectrum of general aviation, ranging from the unique Gyroplane to State of the Art Training organizations , India’s first ever regional airline to smaller airlines, OEM’s  and much more in New Delhi.

Rate cut was expected to boost industrial activity: PHD Chamber

While welcoming the RBI’s status quo move in Second Bi-monthly Monetary Policy of 2017-18, Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that a rate cut was expected from the RBI as inflation is in the comfortable zone and supply side is expected to improve with a good monsoon on the cards as forecasted by India Meteorological Department (IMD).

RBI has kept the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) unchanged at 6.25% in Second Bi-monthly Monetary Policy of 2017-18, the reverse repo rate under the LAF at 6% and marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate at 6.5%.

However, reduction in the risk weight on certain categories of housing loans sanctioned on and after today would encourage the housing sector demand, said Mr. Jiwarajka.

The growth in industry output, as measured in terms of IIP at 5% (FY2017) needs to be accelerated to the level of 9-10% with vital measures for the employment generation in the economy, said Mr. Jiwarajka.

Going ahead, we expect repo rate to the level of 5.75% by the end of December 2017 and adequate availability of credit to the industry especially to the MSMEs sector, he said.