Radio Taiwan International to meet its listeners in India in Feb

Radio Taiwan International will hold Listeners’ Club Meetings in India

Schedule*

February 23, 2008 (Saturday) –limited to 35 listeners

Time: 11:00 AM-14:30, Chennai (Madras)

February 24, 2008 (Sunday)-limited to 70 listeners

Time: 11:00AM-14:30, Kolkata (Calcutta)

March 1, 2008 (Saturday)-limited to 35 listeners

Time: 11:00 AM-14:30, New Delhi

Qualifications:

1. Please write an email and state which meeting you would like to attend by writing “Chennai”, “Kolkata” or “New Delhi” in the email “subject”.

2. In the email, please state your name, address, telephone number, your ID number and how many years you have listened to RTI.

3. Only listeners with passes will be allowed entry.

4. Attire: casual, but proper as requested by the management of the venue.

5. Please send your email to rti@rti.org.tw  by January 25, 2008

P.S.

1. Priority will be given to listeners with RTI ID since we have received a number of letters stating their interest in attending the meeting(s).

2.  RTI will not be responsible for any transportation/lodging and other expenses

*Venues will be announced later

Kinetic signs pact with Taiwan firm

                    The board of directors of Kinetic Motor Company has recommended a preferential allotment of equity shares to Taiwan-based Sanyang Industry Co. Ltd. (SYM). Kinetic will issue 20.65 lakh shares at a price of Rs. 66 per share aggregating Rs. 13.63 crore as per Securities and Exchange Board of India guidelines amounting to SYM holding about 11.1 per cent stake in the enhanced capital of Kinetic Motor. Kinetic has also entered into collaboration with SYM for technology and manufacturing of the latter's models in India, according to a release.

Date:14/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/14/stories/2006011407641800.htm

A New Perspective on Taiwan-India Exchanges

         There is huge room for cooperation between India and Taiwan. Strategically speaking, the geographic position and the military force of India play an important role in ensuring Taiwan's security and in balancing the power distribution in Asia. In terms of economy, ever since the 1991 economic reform, India has become one of the major economic entities in the world. The middle-class population of more than 2 million could thus be seen as a market worthy of long-term exploration. Lastly, from the perspective of politics, India is the most populated democratic country that shares a common value with Taiwan. It would be appropriate for the two countries to share their experiences in democratic governance as well.

The Establishment of the Taiwan-India Cooperation Council (TICC)

         In 2005,Taiwan Thinktank held the "India-Japan-Taiwan Trialogue: Prospects for Democratic Cooperation" conference for the cause of reflecting on the integral development in the Asia-Pacific region and calling for India to play a more active participation in East-Asian affairs. The then Minster Yu, Shyi-Kun of the Executive Yuan granted Taiwan Thinktank to establish the Taiwan-India Cooperation Council as a medium for information exchanges between the two countries. After Mr. Yu made such statement, people in India have been anticipating its establishment, while Taiwan Thinktank undertook several meetings on pertinent details. Meanwhile, the Executive Yuan urged to accelerate the foundation of a preparatory committee, and suggested that trade and economic cooperation between India and Taiwan must be put on top of the agenda. Following the Trialogue from last year, representatives from Taiwan Thinktank visited South India in mid-May to further the establishment of the TICC. The experience gained from the trip and its report would be an important reference for establishing the Council.

Rising Stars in South India: Bangalore and Chennai

         The economic growth in India has increased swiftly in recent years. Last year, the industrial growth rate in India was 7.4%, while the economic growth rate reached 8%. In India, the human resource in the field of technology is surplus, yet exceeds the demand. Indian engineers get 12% less paid every month than China's engineers, which equals to three days' wages paid to those in developed European countries and the US. It is also noteworthy that China has become India's second biggest business partner. In 2004, the trade value between India and Taiwan was less than 10% of that between India and China, which reached 136 million $USD. Yet China is not the only one; South Korea and Singapore have also become significant trading partners of India.

         It is the right moment for Taiwan to invest in the Indian market. With the grand landscape and a variety of cultures in India, it is a must for Taiwan to start the investment in the places where have fully-equipped facility. The most significant growth lies in the information technology industry, which bases in South India, instead of the political center in the North. Taiwan Thinktank therefore chose to visit the two major cities in South India: Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka, and Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu.

         Bangalore, the Silicon Valley of India, is the fifth largest city in the nation where two famous software companies, Infosys and Wipro, were both established. Due to the development of IT industry, India has experienced a rapid urbanization, which results in the lack of power supply and the need to improve infrastructure in Bangalore. However, foreign investment continues to flood into the city, which shows the local IT industry still poses a fatal attraction for investors.

         Chennai, originally named Madras, is the capital of Tamil Nadu in the region of southeast India and a newly-risen market as well. Being the fourth largest city in India, Chennai is developing its industry in a steady pace. The first science-based industrial park was set up in 1991 in Chennai; moreover, Chennai has transformed into a BPO center in recent years. Nevertheless, compared with Bangalore, the software export market for Chennai could still be improved. Additionally, Chennai is also nicknamed "the Detroit of India," exhibiting its prosperous automobile industry with Ford, Hyundai and Mitsubishi Motors factories. With the promise of local officials assuring that the infrastructure and power supply would gradually improve, Chennai would eventually become as competitive as Bangalore.

The Road toward Bilateral Collaboration

         Due to the differences in language and culture as well as the stereotypes of Indian culture, the exchange between India and Taiwan is far less frequent than that of India between other countries. Encouraging the mutual understanding and seeking for the common interests, consequently, should be the first priority.

1) Economic and Trade Exchange

         Economy and international trade compose the foundation for Taiwan, while diplomatic clout and rich human resource as that of India. Under current condition there is a great need for the two countries to eliminate barriers in trades and to hold conferences on investment aids.

2) Exchange of Information Technology

         Taiwan excels in hardware manufacturing and marketing, while India outstands in software programming and design. India has been expecting the establishment of a research center based on reciprocal principles as a product for bilateral collaboration. Yet when Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited India days ago, he mentioned the complementary role China and India play in IT industry, without acknowledging the fact that the hardware manufacturing ability China has now should give credits to the experiences from Taiwan. In view of this, Taiwan should be more alarmed, so as to prevent the marginalization of the coming Taiwan-India cooperation.

3) Exchange of Technology Professionals

         Both Hsin-Chu Science Park and Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology have recruited several technology professionals from India, who have been gradually forming an Indian community in Taiwan. The exchange of technology specialists should thus be thoroughly planned as a major base for collaboration.

4) Academia Exchange

         Both Taiwan and India put much emphasis on higher education. Granted that the exchange in academic and educational fields is enhanced, both parties could have a better mutual understanding, which would set the cornerstone for other forms of exchanges.

5) Exchange of Cultural Industries and NGOs

         Introducing the rich Indian culture to Taiwan would certainly raise awareness and interests of India among Taiwanese societies. In addition, NGOs in Taiwan could also be actively involved in issues concerning Indian peasants, women, poverty and its social welfare.

Looking Ahead

         Following the visit to South India in May, 2005. Taiwan Thinktank is planning to attend a bilateral conference this fall, aiming to consolidate the foundation for the Taiwan-India Cooperation Council. As an NGO, the TICC is expected to act as a medium connecting human resource, information, know-how and market research. It would further find out both individual and common leverage between governments and private sectors, so as to encourage bilateral exchanges in various fields. This way, the Council would contribute greatly to the strategic union between both parties and to guiding the path toward collaboration. 

04/11/2006

Author Soong Yun-wen

Source Taiwan Thinktank Communicator No.17

 

Taiwan cos looking to invest in Chennai

         Two of Taiwan's largest companies - ASUSTeK Computer Inc, a computer hardware manufacturer, and Formosa Plastics Group, with diversified interests including petrochemicals and energy, are committed to investing in Tamil Nadu, according to Mr Chuang Suo-Hang, Legislator from Taiwan.

         Mr Chuang, who is leading an industry delegation to India, told reporters here that ASUSTeK Computer is one of the largest players with a more than 50 per cent market share globally. They are looking at setting up a manufacturing facility in India. A presence here would help them more easily access the markets in Europe, West Asia and Africa.

         Similarly, Formosa Plastics Group, the largest private sector player in Taiwan, is looking at setting up a power plant in Chennai and examining the options. These companies are part of a 61-member delegation that is in Tamil Nadu to examine opportunities for investments here.

`Taiwan Desk' requested

         He said that Taiwan has represented to the Tamil Nadu Government that they would need a `Taiwan Desk,' single window clearance facility for the paper work and an exclusive SEZ region for the small and medium enterprises from Taiwan investing here.

         Earlier, addressing the Indo-Taiwan Bi-lateral Trade Relationship meeting organised by the Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, the Tamil Nadu Industries Secretary, Mr Sakthikanta Das, said the State Government would consider the request to ensure `concrete progress.' Mr Berton B.C. Chiu, Director General, Department of Investment Services, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan, said that Taiwan had identified seven industries that would look at investing in India.

 

TN plans Taiwan Eco Zone near Chennai

         The Tamil Nadu government is looking at creating a separate Taiwan Economic Zone near Chennai.  The zone, spread over 500 acres, is planned to attract investments from Taiwanese small and medium enterprises, according to Tamil Nadu industries secretary Shaktikanta Das. Das said the state government was exploring possibilities of earmarking 500 acres for the proposed zone out of two locations in Tamil Nadu — Tidco’s SEZ in Ennore and SIPCOT’s industrial complex in Cheyyar.

         According to a Business Standard report, the decision to carve out a separate Taiwanese zone comes on the heels of increased interest among Taiwanese companies to invest in India, particularly Tamil Nadu. Taiwanese entrepreneurs recognise India as a powerful economic opportunity and are keen to explore investment opportunities here.

TN may be Taiwan's biz destination choice

Taiwan investors and manufacturers would look at Tamil Nadu as a business destination in the near future as a way to de-risk the country's external trade and investment, according to Dr Chi Su, leader of a Legislator delegation from Taiwan and member of the KMT political party, Taiwan.

         Speaking at a meeting held by the South Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he said that with the political climate between Taiwan and China being uncertain, it was important for Taiwan to look at other options without `looking over the shoulder to see if the big man is watching'.

         Dr Steve Hsieh, Director, Department of Technology and Economy, National Policy Foundation, Taiwan, corroborated saying that 80 per cent of Taiwan's investment in foreign countries was in China. He said that from India's point of view, the best option would be to adopt the `cluster' method - attract the flagship brands in manufacturing and the ancillary supply chain would come automatically. Mr Shaktikanta Das, Tamil Nadu Industries Secretary, said stable political climate in India made it a favourable destination for investors and industries.

         The quality of manpower in Tamil Nadu, with 250 engineering colleges producing 80,000 engineering graduates every year, as well as the quality of physical infrastructure made the State an even more favourable destination, he said.

Taiwan identifies India for trade promotion

Taiwan has identified India as this year's target country for trade promotion and investment, Yuen-Chuan Chao, president and Chief Executive Officer of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), has said. Addressing presspersons after signing a memorandum of understanding with the Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) here on Saturday, Mr. Chao said Taiwan had short-listed information and communication technology, autoparts, textiles, food processing and pharmaceutical and biotechnology to be promoted in India.

         The total Taiwanese investment in India now stood at around $110 million as against billions of investment in relatively smaller economies such as Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia. The volume in India was all set to grow manifold soon, he said A delegation, comprising exporters, purchasers and investors representing 70 Taiwan companies, would visit Chennai on May 15, Mr. Chao said. Chennai would also have an exclusive Taiwan machinery centre soon.

         He said the MoU, Taiwan's fourth with an Indian business chamber, would help in exchange of trade information and product promotion between the two regions. SICCI president S. Ramanathan said the MoU was a good beginning of a successful partnership and offered the SICCI premises for being used as a provisional base for the TAITRA, which was setting up its own office in Chennai.

"Taiwanese investment in India will grow manifold"

Tamil Nadu plans Nanotech park on Taiwan model

The Tamil Nadu government is proposing a nanotechnology park, similar to the highly successful Hsinchu Science Park in Taiwan. The park, likely to come up near Chennai, will focus on hi-tech manufacturing in semiconductor foundries, chip assembly and testing, optoelectronics, solar cell technologies and nanotechnology.   

         The nanotechnology park will require co-operation between governments, industry associations, companies, and research institutes and universities. It is a part of the state’s efforts to achieve ICT Vision 2011, which will see Tamil Nadu’s information and communication technology (ICT) industry growing to $30-33 billion from the current $6 billion. 

         Recently, a Taiwanese team led by a top official of Hsinchu Science Park visited Chennai as part of the Indo-Taiwan bilateral cooperation efforts. The team, which met with business community and top officials of the state government, had proposed the “science park” concept. A detailed project report in consultation with the authorities of Hsinchu Science Park will be prepared for the proposed Nanotech park, according to a top government official. 

         While an investment-friendly environment will be created to attract investments into the park, the state government will also explore the public-private partnership option for developing it. SIPCOT, the state nodal agency for land development, has been asked to identify land for the park within a radius of 70-80 km from Chennai, as access to the major city airport is seen as a critical factor for the project. The government is proposing to set up the park over 2,000 acres. 

         To foster co-operation programmes between research and development (R&D) institutes and companies, two or three engineering and management universities would be co-located within the nanotechnology park, which would be equipped with a social infrastructure. A meeting with Anna University and IIT-Madras has already been held for co-operation in creating an ecosystem in the park. 

         Complete product cycle companies such as R&D, design, marketing, and sales and service will also be encouraged to set up operations in the park. A separate location for companies in venture funding, component manufacturing, component distribution and office services like HR, legal, and finance and banking has been suggested. A delegation of power to the nanotech park administration committee for “one-stop operations” has also been proposed. 

         The 1,430-acre Hsinchu Science Park, which is known as Taiwan’s Silicon Valley, has been rated as one of the highly successful models to emulate hi-tech product development and manufacturing when compared with other models such as Eureka in Europe and Silicon Valley in the US, said the government official. 

         The Hsinchu Science Park has close co-operation between the government and other stakeholders like industry bodies, companies and academic and research institutions. It was established by the Taiwanese government in 1980 to create a Silicon Valley-like environment, lure back the expatriate talent pool, facilitate investment environment and build a strong ecosystem between universities, development institutes and companies in the park. 

         The Hsinchu Science Park currently has about 400 high-tech companies, including some of the big names, engaged in semiconductor, computer, telecommunciation and optoelectronic industries, aiding in transforming Taiwan into a high technology powerhouse. The park employs over 115,000 people and the turnover was about $30 billion in 2005. Companies in the park have to invest at least 4 per cent of their annual revenues towards R&D and product development

Taiwanese entrepreneurs in India

          The Tamilnadu state Government is considering establishment of a 200-acre Special Economic Zone in Tamil Nadu to attract investments from Taiwan’s entrepreneurs and business houses. ‘TAITRONICS India 2007’, an industry-oriented B2B electronics show featuring 80 Taiwan companies, 120 pavilions and 200 businessmen, Mr. Das said the Taiwan SEZ would open up a slot for small and medium enterprises to compete alongside big business houses. A single window mechanism will also be established to expedite necessary clearances to set up industry in Tamil Nadu..

Direct flight

          The modalities of introducing a direct flight between Chennai and Taipei were being worked out at various levels. Mr. Das said there were already several Taiwanese businesses operating in Chennai and “we expect many more to set up shop.” The committed investment of Taiwan companies in Tamil Nadu was to the tune of $500 million. This is merely the beginning and more investments were bound to flow in, he added.

          Chun-Fang Hsu, Deputy Director-General, Bureau of Foreign Trade, Taiwan Ministry of Economic Affairs, said her country saw India as an important trade partner in future in the context of the South Asian market. Bilateral trade had registered an upswing in recent years, with the aggregate touching $2.71 billion in 2006, up 11 per cent over 2005. The Taiwan External Trade Development Council, which had an overseas Indian office in Mumbai, is opening one in Chennai to shepherd investors in industries as diverse as electronics and pharmaceuticals to textiles and food processing.

          Andrew Li-Yan Hsia, Ambassador, Taipei Economic and Culture Centre, New Delhi, said a synergy of India’s young and talented human resource pool and Taiwan’s hardworking business community would benefit both economies. Walter Yeh, executive vice-president, Taiwan External Trade Development Council, said Taiwan’s Bureau of Foreign trade ranked India as the 20th largest trading partner. Bilateral trade till June, 2007, had increased by 68 per cent over that achieved during the same phase the previous year.

Win-win proposition

          S. Mahalingam, chairman of ‘Connect 2007’, said an Indo-Taiwan trade relationship symbolised a win-win proposition for both sides. As a sideshow to ‘Connect,’ which brought in different countries, technologies and industry professionals each year, the Taiwan expo provided an opportunity to discover Tamil Nadu’s attributes as an investment destination, he said. Gopal Srinivasan, director, TVS Electronics, said if India was “incredible” as a tourism destination, it sought to be “credible” as a business partner. Noting that information about Taiwan was lacking among the business community in India and vice-versa, he said it was time for aggressive promotion of the ‘Brand Taiwan.’

Committed investment of Taiwanese firms in Tamil Nadu is to the tune of $500 million

Bilateral trade stood at $2.71 billion in 2006

 

Proud to be a Coimbatorian

THE industrial and textile city of Coimbatore is in the throes of a big change. For the past three years, it has witnessed ceaseless activity in every area – real estate, foundry, engineering industry, civil aviation, information technology, textiles, hospitality, health care, education and poultry farming. However, the resulting economic boom has brought in its wake a host of problems, and the optimistic mood that prevailed earlier is now tempered with caution.

If the six-laning of the arterial Avanashi Road and the cutting down of hundreds of trees lining the road for this purpose are the most visible form of activity, there are numerous entrepreneurial activities taking place quietly. For instance, the construction of a massive Trade Fair Complex with five halls and with a total built-up area of 30,000 square metres. Two halls, big enough to hold industrial exhibitions, and a food court of international standards are the latest additions. The Trade Fair Complex is the flagship project of the Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (CODISSIA). It is gearing up to host the biennial Industrial Technological Fair from February 1 to 6. About 450 participants are expected to showcase different types of CNC machines, hydraulic presses, general engineering machinery, welding machinery, construction equipment, gearboxes, motor pumps, and so on. Fourteen foreign countries are also participating.

C. Muthusami, the low-profile president of the association, said: “CODISSIA is the first district association in India to own a trade fair complex. The complex is spread over 40 acres. The entire complex has been built without any assistance from the government. The first phase, which involved the construction of three gigantic halls, was completed in just 155 days.”

In April, Suguna Kalyana Mandapam will host a “Made in Coimbatore” exhibition organised by the Lions Club of Coimbatore Gems. The city has pioneered many products – wet grinders, household appliances and domestic and irrigation pumps, to name a few.

“What is not made in Coimbatore?” asked N.S. Kumar, chairman, Yenyeskey Machine Tools, Coimbatore, who is striving to make the exhibition a success. “The people of Coimbatore themselves do not know the range of products made here. Wet grinders were first made here. Different types of textile machinery have their origins in Coimbatore.” If there was hype about Coimbatore being the second information technology hub in Tamil Nadu after Chennai, it is becoming a reality. After a delay of about 15 months, the first steps have been taken for the construction of TIDEL Park, Coimbatore (TPCL). It is a joint venture of the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), the Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu (ELCOT), the TIDEL Park and the Software Technology Park of India (STPI). The success of the TIDEL Park in Chennai has encouraged its promoters to build a second TIDEL Park, in Coimbatore, which will be a massive plug-and-pay building complex for IT companies. It will have three basements, ground floor and four upper floors, a total built-up area of 1,61,500 sq m. Bids have been invited for building this sophisticated complex with civil and allied works at an estimated cost of Rs.140 crore. The complex will come up at ELCOT’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for IT at Vilankurichi.

The upshot is that Coimbatore is a small city and it is receiving a massive dose of unexpected development, almost suffocating it. The many-sided development looks like a virtual assault on it. But it is a self-made city and its residents have self-confidence. All industrial activities in the city are in the private sector. The entrepreneurs here, be it C. Muthusami, who manufactures electric motors in the brand name of “Monark”; R. Mylsamy, managing director of M.M. Gears Private Limited, which manufactures gears and gearboxes; N.S. Kumar, whose Yenyeskey Machine Tools manufactures machinery for making paper bags, among other things; are all self-made men. V.S. Prakasam Kummar, managing director of Arrya Hi-Tech Energy, says, “Discipline is important here. People here don’t feel comfortable discussing politics.”

K. Thangaraj, chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (southern region), Coimbatore, said: “We are back on the rails. We are going through a gestation period. We will grow. The momentum will pick up in the next 12 months. All investments will sink in.” He, however, makes it clear that Coimbatoreans “do not want a Bangalore-type situation”. Thangaraj, who is the managing director of AGT Electronics Limited, said: “We want growth without pain. We want planned growth. The CII is coordinating with the government in this matter.”

Although he estimated that Coimbatore was seeing “reasonable activity on all fronts”, he was “not so sure whether these activities are as per our expectations”. The efforts aimed at propagating Coimbatore’s virtues and projecting it as an IT hub had until now met with only partial success. This could be owing to the absence of ready-to-occupy IT parks. “You need to have a supply of built-up IT space. But we are catching up,” Thangaraj said.

Cognizant Technology Solutions has a fast-growing software unit at an IT park set up by KG Information Systems Private Limited (KGISL). Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has located a unit in Coimbatore. The government has offered land to both TCS and WIPRO at the SEZ at Vilankurichi.

In the engineering sector, Larsen & Toubro, the engineering, technology and construction major, has relocated to Coimbatore in a big way. In 2007, three L&T units, for manufacturing switchgears, high-precision tool parts and petrol dispensing pumps, went into production. These units have come up on a 300-acre site at Malumichampatti. Audco India Limited has already started manufacturing high-end industrial valves in this composite facility. Audco is a joint venture of L&T and Flowserve Corporation, United States. L&T chose Coimbatore because of its engineering base and skill. Besides, it has several thousand small and medium enterprises. Audco is reportedly sourcing materials worth Rs.250 crore every year from Coimbatore.

Robert Bosch India Limited (RBIL) has leased 21.88 acres in the SEZ at Saravanampatti from Coimbatore Hi-Tech Infrastructure Private Limited, which is part of the KG group. About Rs.250 crore will go into the making of the first phase of the Bosch facility, which will go on stream in 2009. The facility will tap opportunities in IT and IT-enabled services. Bosch associates will work on advanced technologies to design a new electric control unit for diesel and gasoline engines and other automotive applications such as portable navigation systems and AUTOSAR, the new automotive software architecture. RBIL has already established a development centre in a rented building at the KGISL facility.

Belgium-based Hansen Transmissions International NV is investing 170 million euros to manufacture gearboxes for wind turbines; the project will come up at Karumathampatti by the end of 2008. D. Balasundaram, president, of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, “Coimbatore is getting recognised as a major centre for high-quality engineering products, high-quality yarn, textiles, and garments.”

          The State government’s Industrial Policy for 2007 has proposed an SEZ on 250 acres near Coimbatore for manufacturing engineering goods such as pumps and motors and foundry products. The SEZ will be executed as a public-private partnership by local industry and the State Industries’ Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT). While the government has allotted land for this SEZ at Perunthurai as part of an existing industrial complex on the SIPCOT campus, Balasundaram and CODISSIA representatives are keen that the SEZ should be established in Coimbatore, and not at Perunthurai, which is 70 km away.

          If the domination of industrial houses’ guest house culture was a disincentive to posh hotels coming up in Coimbatore all these years, hotel chains are now making a beeline for the city with the arrival of multinational and IT companies. The Tata group is building a hotel on Race Course Road and Le Meridien is building its own on Avanashi Road. Coimbatore-based Pricol Property Development Limited and Pune-based Vascon Engineers Limited have teamed up to promote a joint venture company to build a hotel and residential-cum-commercial complex. On the infrastructure side, the six-laning of Avanashi Road from Uppilipalayam flyover to L&T bypass is under way.

Coimbatore soon will have world-class infrastructure