- Who We Are
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EBTC's Mission is to assist the Business, Science and Research Community - in Europe and India.
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- What We Do
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All our activities at EBTC are geared towards generating new business opportunities and technology transfer.
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- Focus Sectors
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EBTC is working hand in hand with existing networks, initiatives, partners, and institutions both in Europe and India
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- Media
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We recognize the importance of providing timely, relevant information about our programme
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News
Is India ready for a green drive?
Three lakh electric vehicles on the roads by 2020 would mean a reduction of over 16 lakh metric tons of pollution and savings of over Rs 3,700 crore in foreign exchange over the same period.
Go Green’ is the motto for all leading economies of the world, as reflected by the increasing focus on electric vehicles.
Almost 17 European Union nations including UK, France, Belgium, Italy and Spain provide specific tax rebates to promote usage of electric cars. However in India, we are still testing the waters to understand the sustainability of these vehicles in the long run.
By 2020, India’s population in cities is expected to grow manifold to a staggering 200 million while pollution is expected to grow by five times as compared to 2010. With this tremendous growth has emerged a very critical issue of keeping air and noise pollution in urban areas under control. It is desired to have 3 lakh electric vehicles on the roads by 2020, including three-wheelers, cars, and scooters which could result in a reduction of over 16 lakh metric tons of pollution by 2020, savings of over Rs 3,700 crore in foreign exchange and significant health costs savings.
Government initiatives are going to be one of the major drivers for bridging the gaps between consumers and electric cars manufacturers. Reduction in cost of vehicles and providing special benefits of parking, charging infrastructure and rebates would boost the adoption of these vehicles in future. Various companies are also taking initiatives to promote electric vehicles as a part of their corporate social responsibility. All leading manufacturers are eyeing India as a key market for the electric vehicles provided the government implements favorable policies. Consumers are also gradually becoming conscious about the use of cleaner technologies with the key question now being, “Are we ready to bring about the green wave of change?”
Courtesy: www.business-standard.com
INTERVIEW: Micol Martinelli, Senior Advisor at Eurochambres, explains how the European Business and Technology Centre helps European SMEs transfer their innovations to India
The European Business and Technology Centre (EBTC) was launched in 2008 to promote European clean technologies in India. It is co-funded by the EU, implemented by Eurochambres, and counts 16 other European partners. It started taking European business and research representatives across to India a year later. Senior Advisor International Affairs Micol Martinelli, based in Brussels at Eurochambres which runs the EBTC, explains what it is’s all about.
What is the EBTC?
It finds its raison d’être in the Small Business Act. On the one hand, it’s about helping European companies and research institutes in the field of clean technology enter the Indian market. On the other, it’s about helping India fight climate change.
We have identified four priority sectors: environment, energy, transport and biotechnology. There are tremendous opportunities in India, particularly in these sectors, where the growth rates are even higher than India’s average.
Where in particular do you see interest from EU companies?
There’s a lot of attention for energy and transport, although the others are not neglected. Indian transport infrastructure has not been able to keep up with the recent growth in trade and India’s rapid industrialisation means that cities are demanding water and waste water treatment infrastructure.
This translates into great opportunities for European companies. There is a clear link to the environment and climate change because poor infrastructure means higher pollution.
What are the main obstacles in doing business in India?
The classic ones range from cultural differences and slow administrative procedures to a lack of intellectual property law enforcement and issues around custom duties. In the World Bank’s ranking of how easy is it to do business, India ranked 133 out of 183 last year.
How do you find companies to invest in India?
That’s our biggest challenge! It makes no sense having offices over there if you don’t have the awareness here in Europe.
On the one hand we operate through our network of Chambers of Commerce and on the other we have 16 European partners which help us promote and recruit for the delegations we take to India. These are a mix of local business associations and research institutes.
It’s mostly companies from countries without business representation in India that come to us: all the new Member States and smaller countries. Even firms from big Member States participate, because the EBTC is unique in its sectoral focus.
PRESS RELEASE
BRUSSELS / BENGALURU 21st November 2011
Rejuvenating and restoring India's lakes and water bodies: Enzen Water Solutions sign a MoU with France based Tech Sub post the EBTC environment mission held in Bengaluru.
The European Business and Technology Centre (EBTC)’s two-pronged approach of liaising with both Indian and EU businesses and researchers to connect before, as well as during the delegation, has proved fruitful, with a second Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed after the ‘EBTC Environment Business & Research Delegation to Bengaluru – India.’
Bangalore based energy & environment consulting company, Enzen Water Solutions and France based Tech Sub have agreed to jointly evaluate the opportunity of rejuvenation and restoration of lakes and water bodies in India. EBTC took the first steps and identified an opportunity, matched partners and introduced the two companies to each other. EBTC also facilitated in building this relationship that resulted in the joint agreement signed over the weekend.
This MoU will allow Enzen Water Solutions and Tech Sub to share and promote technologies and solutions thereby implementing support programs for water quality improvement and conserving water bodies on an exclusive basis at select locations across the country.
Enzen Water Solutions, and Tech Sub being equipped with the best standards for resource management and following the eco-friendly methods of restoration, will be able to counter the eutrophisation of aquatic environments using renewable energies through this venture. The restoration of water bodies requires a sound knowledge of the environment and the ecosystem. This project will bring together all of the required skills to rehabilitate water bodies, ensuring complete, effective and long lasting solutions. The best practices will help in conceptualizing and designing some of the excellent concepts for a better ecosystem approach in future.
Download: Press Release
PRESS RELEASE
BRUSSELS / BENGALURU 15th November 2011
Bringing floating solar PV technology to India: Ciel et Terre from France, signs an MoU with Bangalore based Enzen Global, at the European Business and Technology Centre (EBTC) Environment Business & Research delegation to India.
To address the severe power shortages currently being experienced in India, Bangalore based energy and environment consultancy, Enzen Global Solutions Pvt. Ltd. has entered into an agreement with France based, Ciel et Terre to jointly develop projects utilizing the vast water surface areas available in India for utility scale floating PV power generation from 1 to 50 MWp.
The issue of land availability is a global concern, and Ciel et Terre in their search for alternative solutions found that there were many unused water bodies. The floating solar PV system developed as a result, is an innovative approach that does not require valuable land for setting up solar power projects, as well as the added advantage of the attached aeration system treating and cleaning the water bodies. Dr Uma Rajarathnam, Associate VP of Enzen Global Solutions, Pvt. Ltd said that “we are facing an energy crisis with the gap between supply and demand growing day by day, and we need to explore alternative sources. The patented technology by C&T is innovative, combining solar power generation with water treatment. Vast water resources such as water ponds, industrial reservoirs can be used, and the technology can also improve the quality of water.”
The EBTC is an initiative co-funded by the European Union, and coordinated by EUROCHAMBRES, and the MoU was made possible due to EBTC’s approach of liaising with companies in both India and Europe well in advance of the delegation visit to India, as well as during. EBTC facilitated the partnership, and consequently, EU and Indian counterparts have been able to build a relationship prior to the event. Mr. Bernard Prouvost, CEO of Ciel et Terre said at the event that “being based in France, it isn’t possible to find a partner in India, and with the assistance of the European Business and Technology Centre (EBTC), we were introduced to Enzen Global and swiftly developed a co-operation, leading to the signing of this MoU in just a few weeks. We are looking forward to deploying our technology solution in India.”
Download: Press Release
PRESS RELEASE
BRUSSELS / BENGALURU 14th November 2011
Discovering India's untapped environmental industries: EU delegates descend on Bangalore for the European Business and Technology Centre's 'Environment Business & Research Delegation.'
Despite ongoing global socio-economic turbulence across industries, India’s vast environmental technology market is estimated to be valued at around €8 billion, with overall growth exceeding 15% in sync with India’s robust economic growth as well as increasing recognition of environmental challenges. The three largest sectors of the environmental market in India are energy efficiency, solid waste management, and water and wastewater treatment, and with demand for innovative technologies only predicted to increase, EU countries – with knowledge, expertise and experience in the sector- are starting to tap into opportunities.
The European Business and Technology Centre (EBTC), along with partners – Finpro, Lyon Chamber of Commerce, IVL Swedish Environment Ltd, and the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC), have organised the five day ‘EBTC Environment Business & Research Delegation to Bangalore – India,’ from the 14th -18th November 2011.’ The event brings together delegates from across the EU including France; Finland; Germany; Italy; Portugal; Spain, and Sweden, as well as a host of Indian counterparts from government, business and research.
EBTC has adopted a two-pronged approach by liaising with both Indian and EU businesses and researchers to connect before, as well as during the delegation. EU and Indian counterparts have been able to build a relationship prior to the event and agreements are in the pipeline for discussion during the delegation visit.
“EBTC, for the first time, planned to bring succinct Indian project and partnership opportunities in the environment sector to the fore for EU companies to consider in advance of this mission. We are pleased to see many EU-India relationships develop and mature before the event, and we are now accompanying them until the point of success” - Poul V. Jensen, Director of EBTC.
One such success will be seen during the event in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony to be held between Bangalore based energy and environment consultancy, M/s Enzen Global Solutions Pvt. Ltd. and Ciel et Terre, from France, for setting up floating photovoltaic projects in selected states of India.
As part of the event, a two-day conference on the 15th -16th November will focus on Indian project opportunities in the public and private sector and European clean technologies identified from the field of clean air; water and waste water, bio-fuels, solar and energy efficiency. Companies such as Ciel et Terre, Techsub-Aquago, Global Green, Jarven EcoTech, Aqua-Q AB, Gestamp Solar India Pvt Ltd, and Sintrol will present their technologies for the Indian market. Opportunities for collaboration in business and research will be covered, and crucially for innovation - EU-India research priorities and opportunities covering the commercialization of new technologies, as well as a session on financing for cleantech projects and research, where the focus will be on available instruments for organizations to tap.
As a bridge between business, research and government, EBTC is working very closely with the Government of Karnataka and Government of India in introducing innovative EU clean technologies to the State of Karnataka, as well as across India, with a number of projects on the horizon. Eminent representatives from both local and national state nodal agencies will be speaking during the event including the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Agency (KREDL), Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency (WBREDA), Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Limited (RREC), Bangalore Water Supply & Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA).
Download: Press Release
Govt approves regional centre for biotechnology training and education
In a bid to drive innovation and create more jobs in the area of biotechnology, the government on Wednesday approved legislation to establish a regional centre for biotechnology training and education.
The decision to set up the centre, under UNESCO, was taken in the cabinet meeting headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
According to a statement, the step was taken keeping in mind that modern biotechnology has been recognised globally as a rapidly advancing science where molecular techniques and process are employed to develop healthcare solutions for human and animal sector, for agriculture and environment technologies.
Courtesy: The Economic Times
Stress on green energy to meet increasing demand
It was decided at a seminar on energy conservation Due to dwindling coal reserve, at least 40 % of thermal power will have to be replaced by non-conventional energy and nuclear energy by 2035. It was decided at the meeting (and India Vision Plan 2035 organised by the Union ministry of science and technology) that in 2035 about 900,000 MW of electricity will be required across the nation. At present, the total generation of power is 1.75 lakh MW.
The green energy will fill in the gap between power generation and the demand by 2035. Mr SP Gon Chowdhury, a solar energy expert, said: "At least 50,000 MW of solar energy generation is required across the nation to meet the increasing demand." It was decided at the meeting that the ministry would concentrate more on development of green energy, green buildings and manufacture of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamps.
Courtesy: The Statesman
India to grow faster than China with 9% economic expansion in 2013: E&Y
Bolstered by industrialisation, India is projected to grow at a faster clip than neighbouring China with a 9 per cent economic expansion in 2013, says a report by global consultancy firm Ernst & Young. "The forecast pegs India's real GDP growth rate to be the highest among all the Rapid Growth Markets (RGMs) starting in CY 2013, when the economy is expected to growth 9.5 per cent, followed by China at 9 per cent," it said.
Courtesy: The Economic Times
Low-Carbon plans key to 'liveable' cities
By delivering energy savings, low-carbon techniques will also deliver economic and social benefits, says Jitesh Brahmkshatriya, head of environmental planning at Atkins. The British engineering and design firm along with the All India Institute of Local Self Governance is working with the urban development and new and renewable energy ministries on the project. AIILSG will be responsible for the city-level coordination of the project while an Atkins team will provide technical expertise. The project is funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office under its Prosperity Fund Programme.
Courtesy: The Economic Times
China and India have begun to outstrip developed world in adding new turbine capacity
Last year was a turning point in the global race to develop clean technology. It marked the first time that more new wind power generating capacity was installed in developing countries than in the rich world.
India showed strong growth, in line with the government target of adding more than 10GW of new capacity by 2012, and there are industry estimates that 100GW is possible. According to GWEC, the growth illustrates the advantages of investing in green power.
The rapid growth of wind energy in emerging economies also shows how power is shifting in the clean technology world. India boasts 17 companies making wind power equipment, the biggest and best known being Suzlon. By 2013, according to estimates for the World Institute for Sustainable Energy, Indian companies will be making turbines to produce 17GW a year, many to be exported around the world.
Courtesy: www.guardian.co.uk
Private Equity investments in clean tech projects on the rise
With Government policies and incentives in place for renewable energy, the number of private equity investments in the clean technologies sector is increasing. Investors say that the sector looks attractive and could see a lot of growth.
Courtesy: www.thehindubusinessline.com
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) releases guidelines for developing R&D / Technology demonstration projects in Geothermal Energy, and considers funding support of up to 50%.
There are about 340 hot springs spread over different parts of India, with studies revealing the presence of about 10,000 MW potential of geothermal energy in India under these hot spring areas. Recognising that India is an energy starved economy dependent on imports for meeting its energy needs, the MNRE is extending support to encourage the development of the geothermal industry.
Geothermal energy has the potential of changing the energy scenario. With an estimated 10,000 MW potential, the opportunity of setting up geothermal energy based power generation simultaneously in several parts of the country is vast. Thermal energy can be exploited for different geothermal applications from power generation to non-electrical utilizations such as space heating and green house heating, and so on. And can not only cater to the local needs of remote areas through small-scale power generation, but also feed the industry on a larger scale.
Green energy with minimal environmental impact and almost infinite energy source with minimal exploration risk. There is a need to harness large geothermal provinces and 350 geothermal energy locations identified in the country. However, there is a lack of suitable technology, serious project executors and source of funding. Technologies for assessment and exploitation also need to be absorbed.
A Committee formed by the MNRE has released guidelines to invite ‘Requests for Proposals (RFP) / Bids’ for the implementation of R&D / technology demonstration and resource validation multi-purpose projects for power and energy generation from geo-thermal energy resources in India.
MNRE will consider providing financial support up to 50% of cost of projects, including private sector projects for harnessing geo-thermal energy in the country. R&D projects under taken through government institutions and organizations would be provided a financial support up to 100% in accordance with the R&D Policy guidelines of the Ministry.
Please download the below PDF for further details. Experienced European companies and researchers interested in this opportunity in India, EBTC can help develop this opportunity for you. Please contact bengaluru@ebtc.eu for more information.
Download: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Geo-thermal Energy Division (PDF, Size-802 KB)
Indian Biofuel sector: in the context of National Biofuel Policy
Ingo Karsten, Consul-General of the Federal Republic of Germany says that German companies could make significant contribution to India in areas such as renewable energy, infrastructure, and health care.
He believes that the high capital investment in offshore wind farms would be offset by long-term cost benefit and yield. Germany, with its commitment to capping all nuclear power plants by 2020, had made remarkable achievements in tapping renewable sources, including wind and solar energy. Mr. Karsten said Kerala and Germany could benefit from mutual collaboration spanning the fields of biotechnology, waste management, scientific research, infrastructure, and IT.
"I see vast scope for cooperation with Kerala. I am trying to find opportunities for German business to invest here."
Courtesy: www.thehindu.com
German help offered to set up wind farms
Ingo Karsten, Consul-General of the Federal Republic of Germany says that German companies could make significant contribution to India in areas such as renewable energy, infrastructure, and health care.
He believes that the high capital investment in offshore wind farms would be offset by long-term cost benefit and yield. Germany, with its commitment to capping all nuclear power plants by 2020, had made remarkable achievements in tapping renewable sources, including wind and solar energy. Mr. Karsten said Kerala and Germany could benefit from mutual collaboration spanning the fields of biotechnology, waste management, scientific research, infrastructure, and IT.
"I see vast scope for cooperation with Kerala. I am trying to find opportunities for German business to invest here."
Courtesy: www.thehindu.com
Economic growth to be around 8% this fiscal: Montek Singh Ahluwalia
Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia today said the Indian economy will grow by around 8 per cent this fiscal.
"This year, at the Planning Commission, we expect growth rate will be around 8 per cent. We are not expecting 9 per cent in the year 2011-12," Ahluwalia said while speaking at the convocation ceremony at Vijna Jyothy Institute of Management here.
He said the economic crisis in the Eurozone has led to revision of growth forecast by many countries. "We must remember that the current financial year is very unusual year for the world economies. And the euro zone crisis has made virtually every country revise its growth rate downwards," Ahluwalia said.
Courtesy: The Economic Times
Global economy will turn around very soon
David Frigstad, chairman at consultant Frost & Sullivan, believes the global economy will turn around very soon and countries with good infrastructure for growth and a culture of innovation will reap the benefits. The European crisis is blown out of proportion, he tells ET's Atmadip Ray in an interview. It will be a race among BRIC nations to lead.
Frigstad also highlights that "emerging technologies and new business models will continue to accelerate growth and development in the region. This is where all the action will be in the next decade."
Courtesy: The Economic Times
Assocham plan on new industrial clusters in West Bengal soon; signs MoU with UNIDO
ASSOCHAM will soon unveil a strategy to set up industrial clusters in West Bengal for small and medium enterprises involved in food processing, handicrafts, renewable energy and information technology to generate three lakh direct and indirect jobs over the next three years and help in inclusive growth.
The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to establish clusters of small and medium enterprises in two districts of the state.
They will be identified during a day-long summit titled Rising Bengal - The Land of Opportunities being organised by the chamber's Eastern Region Development Council in Kolkata on October 15. Nearly 350 industry leaders, policy-makers, investors and other stakeholders will attend the meet that will identify potential areas of development and new business opportunities.
Courtesy: www.fnbnews.com
A medical milestone – The first stem cell trial gets the go-ahead in Europe
The first clinical trial using human embryonic stem cells will be carried out at the Moorfields Eye hospital in London. Doctors will inject retinal cells into the eyes of 12 patients with Stargardt's macular dystrophy, a disease which causes progressive sight loss.
Whilst principally a safety study, it will undoubted significantly add to the growing core of knowledge on cell therapies, thus helping advance the entire field", said Chris Mason, Chair of Regenerative Medicine Bioprocessing at the University College London.
Courtesy: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Sanofi bets €220m on vaccines in India
Sanofi Aventis believes in India. The pharmaceutical company announced the opening a state-of-the-art vaccine manufacturing facility, believed to be Asia's biggest, in March 2012. In the coming years Sanofi will invest €220m in Shantha Biotechnics, which it acquired for €550 million in July 2009, to produce affordable vaccines for global markets. Vaccines are among the six growth platforms identified by the company. The other five are diabetes solutions, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, innovative products and animal healthcare.
Courtesy: www.eurobiotechnews.eu
Indo-German Max Planck center on lipid research inaugurated
Two strong partners join forces to achieve two goals: the generation of new insights in a research area with great forward-looking potential and the creation of optimal funding conditions for young scientists in both Germany and India.
The Indo-German Max Planck Center on Lipid Research is a collaboration between National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in Bangalore and Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG) in Dresden.
Scientists today believe that lipidomics, as it is known, could develop very soon into a key tool in cell and developmental biology, molecular medicine and nutritional science. The centre's start-up phase will extend over a five year period, during which a research group will be set up in Dresden and Berlin. The group will be involved in the biochemical and biophysical analysis of biological membranes and the genetic analysis of lipid metabolic processes in various animal model systems. In Bangalore, an established research group will also be included in the work and a new group will be established that will focus on lipid research.
India is an important research partner for the Max Planck Society, and one of the two biggest partner countries of the Max Planck Society. One in ten foreign doctoral students currently at Max Planck institutes comes from India. Many of them are engaged in research at an International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS). In addition, almost 50 project cooperation programmes exist between Max Planck institutes and research institutes in India. Other programmes, such as partner groups and Max Planck India Fellowships, are also evolving successfully.
Courtesy: biospectrumasia.com
Govt plans tech acquisition fund for MSMEs
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has granted a EUR 200 million loan to ICICI Bank of India for projects in the renewable energy sector supporting climate change mitigation.
The main objective of this climate change framework loan is to make long-term finance available for investments in renewable energy projects that mitigate climate change by contributing to the avoidance or reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. This is a framework loan that will finance a number of different projects in the renewable energy sector. The operation will focus on electricity generating projects only, especially solar photovoltaic, biomass and onshore wind. The project will be located in India and will be implemented by private sector companies.
The framework loan will support the EU-India Strategic Partnership, which provides for cooperation in curbing climate change. The sub-schemes eligible for financing will bring economic benefits to the region through the production of energy from renewable resources, the displacement of imported fuel costs, the expanded use of domestic resources and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and other airborne pollutants. The EIB will ensure that all projects are economically and financially viable, technically adequate and in compliance with the Bank's environmental and social requirements.
This loan is being provided under the EUR 4.5bn Energy Sustainability and Security of Supply Facility (ESF). This will be the first operation structured under the ESF in India and the first EIB operation with ICICI Bank, India's second largest commercial bank and the largest in the private sector.
Courtesy: The European Investment Bank
India: EUR 200 million loan for climate change mitigation projects
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has granted a EUR 200 million loan to ICICI Bank of India for projects in the renewable energy sector supporting climate change mitigation.
The main objective of this climate change framework loan is to make long-term finance available for investments in renewable energy projects that mitigate climate change by contributing to the avoidance or reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. This is a framework loan that will finance a number of different projects in the renewable energy sector. The operation will focus on electricity generating projects only, especially solar photovoltaic, biomass and onshore wind. The project will be located in India and will be implemented by private sector companies.
The framework loan will support the EU-India Strategic Partnership, which provides for cooperation in curbing climate change. The sub-schemes eligible for financing will bring economic benefits to the region through the production of energy from renewable resources, the displacement of imported fuel costs, the expanded use of domestic resources and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and other airborne pollutants. The EIB will ensure that all projects are economically and financially viable, technically adequate and in compliance with the Bank's environmental and social requirements.
This loan is being provided under the EUR 4.5bn Energy Sustainability and Security of Supply Facility (ESF). This will be the first operation structured under the ESF in India and the first EIB operation with ICICI Bank, India's second largest commercial bank and the largest in the private sector.
Courtesy: The European Investment Bank
EBTC provides technical and business development expertise to Hari Machines Ltd and RAFAKO
EBTC has recently successfully provided technical and business development expertise to facilitate a European-Indian cooperation which resulted in an agreement signed between Kolkata based Hari Machines Ltd. (India) and RAFAKO (Poland) for the delivery of 'Circulating Fluidised Bed Boilers.'
The agreement was recently unveiled on the 25th of August 2011 at a press conference held in Kolkata, West Bengal, during the pan-European Business & Research Delegation, held during the 'Environment & Energy Conclave 2011.'
About RAFAKO
Poland based RAFAKO is a leader in the European power generation equipment market and one of the largest European boiler manufacturers in Europe. Offering design and manufacturing of a wide range of boilers, RAFAKO supplies industrial and power boilers, as well as environmental systems, and more. The organisation is not only interested in adapting and delivering their products to the Indian market, but also in modernization, up-grading and optimisation of their products.
About Hari Machines Ltd.
Hari Machines Ltd. has been catering to the needs of various core sector industries for the last four decades by manufacturing, exporting and supplying world class heavy industrial machinery and equipment. The company has interests in heavy engineering and manufacturing, mineral processing solutions, boilers for power & process Plants.
Consistency in maintaining international quality standards, reliable after sales service and customer satisfaction has earned the company repute and respect among industrial giants at home and abroad.
Solar parks to get high priority: Farooq Abdullah
NEW DELHI: The government plans to accord high priority to developing large "solar parks", or clusters of units that can generate a total of up to 5,000 megawatts, to help cut costs, Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah said on Wednesday.
Solar parks would be built in the second phase of the National Solar Mission. The mission aims to generate 20,000 mw of power from sunlight in the next decade. Speaking at The Energy and Resources Institute, Abdullah said that solar parks would comprise 25% of the total target capacity under the second phase of the mission. India plans to add 4,000 mw of gridconnected solar power in the second phase between 2013 and 2017.
A 'solar park' is a concentrated zone of solar energy development, targeting 3,000-5,000 mw of generation over time, facilitating reduction in costs of the nascent technology.
The ministry plans to launch a scheme providing central financial assistance to the states for site and soil survey, preparing detailed engineering reports as well as infrastructure development including evacuation facilities.
The minister emphasised on the need to bring down the cost of solar power to be competitive with coal-fired power plants. "For this to happen , solar plants have to be built at an adequately large scale and in clusters, deployed in sufficient volume to spawn a local equipment and manufacturing industry, and receive initial financing at lower than current commercial rates, "said Abdullah, on the sidelines of an event organized by TERI.
He added the need to provide intelligently designed subsidies and a policy framework facilitating large initial deployment of technology and cost reduction.
The World Energy Policy Summit, Delhi, September 6th-7th 2011
The World Energy Policy Summit (WEPS) is a new international annual conference to encourage discussion, debate, and direction. It seeks to bring together diverse views on various issues and developments that influence shaping policy by governments, companies, and other entities as well as the community pertaining to oil and gas, coal, nuclear, solar, wind, and renewable energy, as well as all other energy sources.
WEPS emphasizes that we live in an inter-dependent world that demands better complementarity and compatibility between policies of various entities and societies around the world. WEPS aims to play a key and dynamic role in that development.
Accordingly, the World Energy Policy Summit is exhaustive, all- encompassing, and interaction oriented. Top policy and law makers, companies, industry leaders and executives, bankers, diplomats, academics, thinkers, and opinion leaders are invited to the first independent meet of its kind in the world.
The conference is open to the media on a strictly by-invitation basis.
WEPS is designed to be one of the foremost conferencing and international energy policy-shaping platforms in the world.
Event Date: SEPTEMBER 6 & 7, 2011
Event Venue: THE ITC MAURYA,
NEW DELHI, INDIA
Website: www.worldenergypolicysummit.com
Government to invite bids for Rs 3,000-cr solar power projects in August
The government will invite bids for 3,000-crore solar power projects with a capacity of 300 mw under the National Solar Mission in the first week of August. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is looking to tweak some guidelines for the second round of bidding likely to take place in the first week of August.
The projects would be awarded by the end of this year and the power purchase agreements would be signed in January 2012. In the first round of bidding, the government had awarded 30 solar photovoltaic (pv) projects of 5 mw each having a total capacity of 150 mw and seven solar thermal projects of 470 mw.
It had received applications for developing 1,740 mw of PV projects, compared to the target of 150 mw in the first batch of Phase-I. For solar thermal, it received applications for developing 1,000 mw, against 500 mw. This time around, the government is looking to increase the size of the projects from 5 mw and may allot higher capacity to the project developers. There is also an active consideration on banning the import of cells for the next round of bidding.
Currently companies not being able to arrange the funding by a stipulated date must forfeit their permits and bank guarantees. The government is mulling to tweak this by bringing in the condition of imposing a partial penalty in such condition and give more time to developers to arrange funding for the projects. Instead of forfeiture of bank guarantees, the government wants to provide slight leeway to companies to arrange funding during the construction of the project.
The MNRE may get the approval for the changes to be made in the guidelines by the end of this month
Courtesy: The Economic Times
"Small Business, Big World
- a new partnership to help SMEs seize global opportunities"
Challenges faced when a business attempts to move from their home market to an international market, are exacerbated for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs') that have limited resources at their disposal and face difficulties identifying and developing opportunities offered by markets abroad. SMEs' need assistance when taking the first steps in entering the international market. While significant public resources are already devoted to SME support and a number of organisations and programmes exist at various levels, their impact can be increased by greater visibility and more effective co-operation.
'Small Business, Big World - a new partnership to help SMEs seize global opportunities" is a consultation document targeted at SMEs,' public authorities, business support organisations (including business associations), Chambers of Commerce, Trade promotion organisations, public and private agencies, consultancies, trade unions, NGOs, workers' and employers' federations and other relevant stakeholders.
Recommendations suggested by the European Commission include mapping the existing services in priority markets, the implementation of an online 'International Business Portal' to ensure that information is readily available to SMEs,' detailed and focused co-operation and synergy between service providers through networks and clusters. Principles and priorities are suggested to guide future actions, and facilitate a co-ordinated and more efficient way to support SMEs in markets outside the EU in the short and long-term.
The consultation provides a list of EU business support in markets outside the EU, as well as other business support programmes. Policies relating to clusters and networks are illustrated, as are tools to develop the SMEs' market access strategy, and more. Details of the current consultation are published at http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/international/listening-stakeholders/public-consultation-sme-support/index_en.htm
Downloads:
Consultation Document: "Small Business, Big World - a new partnership to help SMEs seize global opportunities"
Consultation Annex 1: EU BUSINESS SUPPORT IN MARKETS OUTSIDE THE EU
Talks on importing European clean technologies on
The European Business and Technology Centre (EBTC), Bangalore, has initiated dialogue with Indian biotech companies to explore the areas of collaboration with European companies to import European clean technologies with the focus on tackling climate change issues, Leena Piche Thomas, Regional Manager, EBTC said on Sunday.
Inaugurating the four-day international symposium on ‘Bioprocess: Industry Academia Interaction' organised by the Centre for Bioseparation Technology (CBST) at the VIT University, Ms. Thomas said that the European Union (EU) believes that people should actually engineer research to produce what is needed by the society. The EBTC supported the EU clean technology companies and researchers to collaborate with Indian Research & Development (R&D) and science and technology institutions seeking to develop R&D programmes in clean technology. “Our focus is also on providing biotechnology solutions to meet climate change issues,” she said.
The Regional Manager said that the EBTC is currently identifying Indian industry/institutions/academics/researchers seeking collaboration with EU for research and innovation. The centre is having an active dialogue with the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India for EU-India Innovation Collaboration, EU-India Research Collaboration/Applied Research/Technology/Commercialisation, Technology Incubation Centres and EU-India cluster helpdesk. It was also working closely with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India for EU CSP (Concentrated Solar Power) technology demonstration and clean energy access to remote areas. The EBTC is looking at avenues for collaboration in technology development with the VIT University for result-oriented applied research and technology demonstration projects, she said.
V. Raju, Vice-Chancellor of VIT, said that the increasing population of India, which is expected to reach nine billion by 2050 and the current levels of malnutrition which is 850 million people constitute some of the challenges to the future of biotechnology in India. Other challenges include the expected doubling of the food requirement of India by 2050, water shortage and the depletion of groundwater and aquifers, and a minimum of three-fold increase in the demand for energy. “We have to produce more food in the next 50 years than what we produced in the previous 2000 years,” he said.
M.A. Vijayalakshmi, Director, CBST said that the symposium aims at an interface between academia and industries in order to help them interact in a win-win situation.
Courtesy: www.thehindu.com
Goa looks at Navarra in Spain for lessons in renewable energy
Goa could now be the region that pioneers this technology in India in the interest of sustainable tourism.
One doesn't need to look far to spot a windmill in the gusty regions of Navarra in Spain. The same could be the case with Goa. A pioneering region in renewable energy specially wind energy, Navarra leads Europe in its use of renewable energy technology. Goa could now be the region that pioneers this technology in India in the interest of sustainable tourism.
Goa Tourism is keen on establishing links with the town to study its success in renewable energy, waste management and environment friendly tourism practices. A team from Goa including Tourism Director Swapnil Naik and Director of Science and Technology Michael D’souza, will be visiting the Spanish region soon to activate the process.
The department of tourism also plans to collaborate with Spanish town Navarra, situated at the northernmost tip of Spain to promote cross-regional tourism and eco-friendly tourism initiatives. Navarra which is the birth place of St. Francis Xavier, has shown keen interest in Goa due to its emotional ties with the tourist destination.
Courtesy: www.indiainfoline.com
India among top 5 renewable energy capacity countries: Farooq Abdullah
India has an installed renewable energy base of about 20 GW, which is around 11 per cent of the country's total power capacity and accounts for 4 per cent of the electricity mix, Minister of New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah has said at a forum in Abu Dhabi.
At a high-level consultative forum in Abu Dhabi, Abdullah said India today stands among the top five countries of the world in terms of its renewable energy capacity. He also noted that India recently launched a unique and ambitious National Solar Mission, which seeks to facilitate the generation of 20,000 MW of solar power by 2022.
Courtesy: The Economic Times
Demand for renewable units picks up
As the first quarter of the current fiscal draws to an end, trading in renewable energy certificates (REC) has started gaining momentum. The latest REC trading not only saw an increase in volumes, but also rise in buyers' interest. The June 29 trade saw a volume increase of 14 per cent over the previous one. A total of 15,902 RECs were traded and the price discovered was Rs 1,505 for each certificate, which was marginally higher than the previous three months.
The increased interest could be attributed to the company's working out their finances in the new fiscal to meet their renewable purchase obligations. The power producers and the distribution entities, that do not have enough green component in their energy mix, are expected to meet their obligations through purchase of RECs. Interestingly, companies have started purchasing RECs as part of their corporate social responsibility also.
In the latest trade, bids to purchase non-solar certificates saw a whopping increase to 414 per cent at 72,002 units. Major buyers included companies such as Knowledge Infrastructure Systems Private Ltd, Manikaran Power Ltd, Reliance Energy Trading Ltd (RETL), PTC India Ltd, REConnect Energy Solutions Private Ltd and Shree Cement Ltd.
The sell bids registered an increase of around 40 per cent to 21,331 units.
Courtesy: www.thehindubusinessline.com
22 GW of solar opportunities in India
India’s first national solar policy is targeting 22 GW of installed solar capacity by 2022, 2 GW of which will be off-grid while the remaining 20 GW will be grid-connected.
The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (NSM) has mapped out a three-phase strategy of achieving the 22 GW target, says Rabobank’s report titled When will the clouds clear over Indian’s solar power sector?
The grid-connected solar power will be equally divided between solar photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP).
Phase I will be carried out from January 2010 to March 2013, in two batches, and will aim at installing 1.3 GW of solar power. Phase II will commence from April 2013 and will look to install 3.7 GW of solar power by March 2017. Phase III will be the longest and largest in terms of capacity, with 17 GW of solar power installation scheduled to be installed between April 2017 and March 2022.
Rabobank’s report highlights the efforts of theIndian Government to ensure the target is achieved, and also presents the challenges facing the Indian solar industry. One of the Government’s first moves was to offer a 25-year feed-in tariff (FiT) for solar developers during Phase I to provide them with the security of a stable cash flow.
The NSM provides vast financing opportunities with the capital expenditure expected to reach INR147 billion (€2.2bn) over the next three years for grid-connected projects, according to the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).
The above opportunities are offset by policy weaknesses and a lack of clear planning for Phases II and III, says the report. Additionally, a weak power purchase agreement (PPA) pricing could also hamper the progress of Indian solar initiative. The policy weakness and a general lack of transparency have hurt investors’ confidence. On the installation front, CSP installations face a relatively low quality of the transmission and distribution network, and water scarcity issues. With the Government aiming for a strict auctioning, developers might face problems in securing finance.
Industry insiders are also concerned by the fact that the developers for Phase I were chosen for their discounts on the feed-in tariff rather than their experience in handling such projects.
The primary scarecrow for Indian and foreign investors and technology providers is that the low margins could force developers to go for lower quality components.
Courtesy: www.renewableenergyfocus.com
Gujarat's wind power capacity grows 500% in six years
With 2,175 Mw, the state holds 15.36 per cent of India's total wind power generation capacity.
In what can be called as a quantum leap for Gujarat's renewable energy sector, the wind power generation capacities have seen a sharp increase since 2006 from 338 Megawatt (Mw) to 2175.5 Mw in 2011. The share of Gujarat in the country's total wind power generation capacities has jumped from mere 6.32 per cent in 2006 to a respectable 15.36 per cent in 2011.
While Gujarat has shown a growth of over 545 per cent in wind power capacities in past six years, the country's wind power generation capacities have grown by 165 per cent from 5341 Mw in 2006 to 14,158 Mw by March 2011.
"Gujarat has enormous potential for wind power generation. The average velocity of wind in the state is just less than seven meters per second, which is very much suitable for wind power generation. Besides this, the state has the longest coast-line in the country and a desert in Kutch. This makes land availability for the wind power projects," said Anil Kane, president, World Wind Energy Association (WWEA).
According to industry experts, wind velocity in the range of 6-7 meters per second is best suitable for the wind power generation. Winds blowing from Arabian sea and winds in desert area of Kutch are believed to be favouring wind energy sector.
Though the cost of generation is high for wind power projects, more and more players are setting up wind power generation units. "The initial investment is high at around Rs 6 crore per Mw but the environmental benefits accrued to the wind power generation are also high," said Kane adding that technological innovations would improve the wind power generation in the country.
Against the solar power, which requires very high initial investments, wind power is seen as most preferred green energy source in India. "Wind power constitutes about 70 per cent of India's total renewable energy generation. States like Gujarat, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu are most promising to develop wind power units, especially due to their geographical locations," said K S Popli, director, Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA).
"Financing is also not a major concern now for the wind power projects. Although the returns from the wind power generation could be slightly lower compared to other conventional projects. Wind power gives stable energy compare to solar. We expect that this growth will continue for the wind power sector," Popli added.
The data provided by the Indian Wind Energy Association (IWEA) showed that Gujarat has shown impressive growth in the wind power generation capacities. Some of the leading states in wind power generation in India include Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
While Tamil Nadu held more than half of wind power generation capacities in India in 2006 with 54 per cent share, the share of Maharashtra stood at around 18.74 per cent. But now their share has been on a decline as Tamil Nadu holds about 41.7 per cent share and Maharashtra has about 16.32 per cent share to the country's total wind power generation capacities.
Courtesy: www.business-standard.com
India seen helping wean Germany off N-power
Indian industry would see many opportunities with the Fukushima nuclear disaster making the whole world develops cold feet on nuclear energy. Germany, which has now set itself a target of weaning itself off nuclear energy by 2022, instead of the initial target of 2040, believes that Indian industry could play a major role in helping Germany switch to alternate energy.
“It is an opportunity for India as Germany phases out nuclear energy by 2022,” said Rolf Saligmann, consul general, Federal Republic of Germany. It is the technologies for alternate energy that would be in demand, and with many of these technologies developed in the West unable to deliver power at a remunerative price, it falls on the low-cost Rs countries to help the developed world find alternative sources that would come cheap, he said.
Germany, which is among the leading exporters in the world, wants to continue to keep its status and also remain a manufacturing power house. The country, said Saligmann, wants to lead in alternate energies. The cheaper energy technology would act as an export bonus for Germany. This is the time for India to be more creative, he said while speaking at a seminar organised by the Bangalore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCIC) in Bangalore on Thursday.
Courtesy: www.business-standard.com
Renewable energy sector welcomes diesel price hike!
Kolkata, June 25 (IANS) The hiked fuel prices may have enraged the political parties, people and India Inc but there is a section that welcomes the move. The renewable energy sector believes this will give a boost to the usage of alternate energy sources.
"The real pricing of fossil based resources will make stake-holders understand the need for renewable energy (RE) which is misinterpreted to be cost lier than conventional sources," said S. P. Gon Chaudhuri, adviser on renewable energy to the West Bengal government. Chaudhuri was speaking at the launch meeting of 'Demand Side Management and Renewable Energy Capacity Building programme which was organised by consumer forum CUTS International. According to Chaudhuri, while the government has increased the diesel price by Rs.3 per litre, it shells out Rs.27 per litre as subsidiary, which makes the usage of fossil fuel more cheaper via-a-vis renewable energy.
Chaudhuri's views were supported by Malay Kumar De, the state's power secretary, who said that more renewable energy resources should be used in the power sector, which may experience an electricity price hike, as coal becomes costlier. "The price of coal is expected to increase at a rate higher than the inflation. This is bound to manifest as increased electricity tariff."
Meanwhile, other speakers at the conference stressed on the need for a proper policy framework to make renewable energy more efficient and sustainable energy source for the people.
Courtesy: www.mangalorean.com
India important for EU: Diplomats
Stressing on the flourishing relations between India and the European Union (EU), the 34th annual general meeting of the Bangalore Chamber of Industry & Commerce (BCIC), on Thursday, recognised the huge market potential EU provided for India, playing a vital role in integrating the latter into the world economy.
“At the same time with a sizeable and growing market and a growth rate of around 9 and 10 per cent, India continues to be an important trading partner for the EU,” said BCIC President Shekar Viswanathan, in the presence of the Consul Generals of Switzerland and Germany.
Viswanathan further said that with the several rounds of negotiations being completed for reaching Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with EU since 2007 and almost 90 per cent of the bilateral trade in goods and services being covered under the pact. It is hoped that FTA will lead to increased market access in goods and services for each other.
Viswanathan added that BCIC has undertaken an initiative to sign an MoU with European Business and Technology Centre (EBTC) with a view to focus on areas such as clean energy, environment and transport.
Indo-German trade touched around $22 billion in 2010, which was an increase of 18 per cent over the previous year. According to Consul General of Germany Rolf Saligmann: “One of the main supporting factors for the comprehensive and growing trade exchange is the wide spectrum of direct investment of German companies in India and Indian companies in Germany.”
Saligmann said in terms of investment in alternative energy sources the German government is prepared to support efforts of the Indian government to promote the same and to modernise transport infrastructure.
Courtesy: www.deccanherald.com
Sunny India needs German solar technology
During her day’s sojourn in India earlier this month on the invitation of the Indian Prime Minister Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, held inter-governmental consultations, quite unusually, at the cabinet level. Such cabinet-level discussions are held with very few countries. India is the first Asian country with which such discussions have been held. About half a dozen ministers accompanied her with the intentions of further expanding and intensifying economic cooperation between the two countries. Germany is the largest trading partner of India in the European Union.
Although, the discussions were slated to be held on cooperation in building up and modernising India's infrastructure, development of renewable and conventional energy, etc., the two countries signed pacts for cooperation in the areas of education, research and nuclear physics. India did not, apparently, seek cooperation in solar energy, currently a strong point of German industry. The Chancellor utilised the trip for canvassing for support for Christine Lagarde, the French Finance Minister, for appointment to the top IMF post and pushing for multi-million dollar deal on the sale of 126 Eurofighter Typhoon jets to India.
While she was in India a report appeared in the newspapers that Germany had decided to phase out all its 17 nuclear power plants by 2022. This happened to be in glaring contrast to the statement of India’s Prime Minister that by 2020 the country expected to raise the installed nuclear power capacity to 20000 MW (as against the current around 6000 MW) in an effort to “meet its emission targets”. India has been going hard at negotiating agreements with various countries for establishment of nuclear power plants after it signed the US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement. However, post Fukushima many rich and industrialised countries, including those in the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), are having a re-think about nuclear power. Angela Merkel, herself a nuclear power enthusiast, after Fukushima has, apparently, heeded the very widely shared concern in Germany about the hazards of nuclear power and has gone by the recommendations of a panel she appointed to consider the question in depth. Presumably on India’s insistence, however, the German Chancellor agreed to help India in areas relating to nuclear safety. The Chancellor also said that her country would ensure that the safety standards of Indian nuclear power plants are of world class. She went on to add that Germany would help India achieve a “broad energy base” and help in development of renewable energy.
Courtesy: www.groundreport.com
EU campaign in India on research to start in Jodhopur
The European Union (EU) and its member states will organise an information seminar at IIT Jodhpur on Monday as part of their India-wide road show to showcase opportunities they can offer to Indian researchers and innovators for cooperation.
Similar information seminars will be held in 27 Indian cities and will culminate on June 24.
The flagship scheme of EU the 7th Research Framework Programme (FP7) which is open to researchers and companies from all over the world, including India, will also be part of the road show. So far, the FP7 (2007-2013) has funded 127 projects with Indian participation and has involved 218 Indian research institutions.
Awareness on EU's upcoming initiatives (calls for proposals) under FP7, inviting bids from research organisations, universities and industry as well as SMEs forming consortia of partners from Europe and across the world will also be made during the show.
Job openings for sectoral experts in EBTC
Due to substantial growth EBTC is pleased to post new job openings for sectoral experts in the following fields: Biotechnology, Energy, Environment and Transport. All interested candidates are requested to have a closer look at the job descriptions (here for download) and shall send their resumes to delhi@ebtc.eu until July 15th.
Download:
Job Description -
Biotechnology Expert
Job Description -
Energy Expert
Job Description -
Environment Expert
Job Description -
Transport Expert
India world's 4th most entrepreneur-friendly nation
India, along with the United States, Canada and Australia, has been ranked among the nations with the best cultures in the world for people to start a new business, a new global poll has showed.
While India finds itself bracketed with the better ranked countries, Colombia, Egypt, Turkey, Italy and Russia are the least friendly to innovation and entrepreneurship, showed results of the 24-country BBC World Service poll.
India Immersion Newsletter - Issue No.7 released
India Immersion Newsletter is a joint initiative by European Business and Technology Centre (EBTC) and the Institute for Competitiveness India (IFC). The India Immersion newsletter is being released in the second week of every month. Every Issue contains insights from business thought leaders or government official, article on recent development in the Indo-European business space (including policy changes), Sector watch: Highlighting business/ research opportunities in India, News: A compilation of relevant news from India for European companies, Culture shock: A snippet about Indian business culture and Fast fact: An interesting statistic about India
Click here to view the latest Issue #7. Subscribe now to get up-to-date, usable insight on doing business in India.
European Union Awareness Raising and Information campaign in India, 13 – 24 June, 2011
The European Union and its Member States are organising together a series of information seminars throughout India to raise awareness among Indian research stakeholders about the opportunities that they can offer for research and innovation cooperation, including mobility schemes for Indian students and researchers.
23 European S&T counsellors and representatives of research organisations from Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, as well as from the Delegation of the European Union, will make 100 presentations in 27 key research and innovation hot spots in India over a two-week period.
Such an unprecedented information campaign aims at addressing at the appropriate level and ambition the dynamic research and innovation cooperation between Europe with India.
To register please go to: http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/india/st_awereness_campaign/index_en.htm
For more information please contact:
Dr Indraneel Ghose
Science and Technology Analyst
Delegation of the European Union to India
E-mail: delegation-india-st@eeas.europa.eu
EBTC extends its presence in India – inaugurating 2 new offices
On 16th February, the EBTC regional office in Kolkata was officially inaugurated by H.E. Danièle Smadja, Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union to India. During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, EUROCHAMBRES' President Alessandro Barberis expressed his appreciation for the support that the EBTC is offering to European cleantech companies and researchers wishing to explore opportunities in the Indian market. Guests included high-level representatives from India's leading industry and sectoral associations, as well as representatives from EBTC's 'European partners' in Kolkata, the EU Member States' Consulates and the Bilateral Chambers of Commerce. As part of the inaugural celebrations, EBTC joined hands with the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) to hold a half-day seminar on 'Perspectives on Climate Negotiations and Clean Technologies'. The EBTC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BCCI to further enhance collaboration opportunities between Europe and India, with special focus on the East. Main beneficiaries will be organisations and firms located in Europe and India willing to develop strategic business alliances and joint research projects, and interested in sourcing cutting-edge technologies and related competences which are not available in their locality. According to Poul V. Jensen, Director, EBTC, "the EBTC stands ready with pragmatic initiatives to contribute to a closer interaction between Indian and European partners – the first one being the opening of the EBTC office in Kolkata to help actively live up to the obligations set out in the MoU".
Within 24 hours after the opening of the Kolkata office, H.E. Danièle Smadja, Ambassador and Head of the European Union Delegation to India officially inaugurated EBTC's third regional office, located in Bangalore. "In today's world economy, going international is often the optimal way to remain competitive for European companies that have developed innovative clean technologies. With EBTC and its services – now accessible from several locations in India – we help them put the theory into practice," said Mr Barberis during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Following the official inauguration ceremony, the EBTC also signed a MoU with The Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce. This MoU represents a shared commitment to further enhance collaboration opportunities between Europe and Southern India, and pledges strengthened cooperation between both organizations in knowledge sharing, promotion and networking activities. Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony during the conference on "EU-Funding Opportunities", Poul V. Jensen expects European companies and researchers to greatly benefit from EBTC's presence in Bangalore, India's Biotechnology hub. In tune with EBTC's larger objective of becoming a key reference point for promoting European clean technologies all across India, EBTC is now present in 4 locations, with headquarter in New Delhi and regional offices in Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore – a crucial step to ensure close links to the regional and local Business and Research Communities in India and to effectively match EU cleantech solutions with demand in India.
Job opening for Junior Executive in EBTC Bangalore office
Job opening for Senior Executive in EBTC Bangalore office
"India Immersion" - Issue 2
EBTC expands reach across India
In tune with EBTC's objective of becoming a key reference point for promoting European clean technologies all across India, EBTC opened two further offices in Bangalore and Kolkata in December 2010. The regional offices will offer the entire range of services to support EU cleantech companies and researchers on their first steps into the Indian market. With its head office in New Delhi and regional offices in Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata, EBTC is now present in 4 key locations across India – a crucial step to ensure close links to the local Indian Business and Research Communities and to effectively match EU clean technology solutions with Indian demand.
Contact
EBTC Mumbai Office
Balarama Building, 5th floor
Bandra Kurla Centre, Bandra (East)
Mumbai 400 051
E-mail: mumbai@ebtc.eu
Regional Manager: Mr. Shrikar Dole
E-mail: dole@ebtc.eu
Mob: +91 98 330 65881
EBTC Bangalore Office
Prestige Meridian Tower II, 9th floor
No. 30, M.G. Road
Bangalore 560 001
E-mail: bangalore@ebtc.eu
Regional Manager: Ms. Leena Pishe Thomas
E-mail: pishe@ebtc.eu
Mob: +91 98 450 10271
EBTC Kolkata Office
ICC Building, 6th floor
No. 4, India Exchange Place
Kolkata 700 001
E-mail: kolkata@ebtc.eu
Regional Manager: Mr. Suman Lahiri
E-mail: lahiri@ebtc.eu
Mob: +91 98 306 44608
Job opportunity – EU company looking for biotech expert in India
Cluster cooperation between EU and India to gain momentum
EBTC and the Institute for Competitiveness India launch "India Immersion" Newsletter
Climate Change and India: A 4x4 Assessment - A Sectoral And Regional Analysis For 2030s, Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment
EBTC expands its reach with launch of Mumbai office
'Building on the Copenhagen Conference of the Parties in determining future direction for business'; Poul V. Jensen in World Sustainable Development Forum-newsletter
Conference on "India – EU and Member States Partnership for a Strategic Roadmap in Research and Innovation", 11-12 November 2010
New Calls for Proposals from the European Union's Research Framework Programme
Indian biotech industry grew 17 percent in 2009-10: Survey
India's bio-tech industry clocked a 17 percent growth with revenues of Rs.137 billion ($3 billion) in the 2009-10 financial year over the previous fiscal, according to a survey.
Bio-pharma was the biggest contributor generating 60 percent of the industry's growth at Rs.8,829 crore, followed by bio-services at Rs.2,639 crore and bio-agri at Rs.1,936 crore, said the survey by the association of biotechnology led enterprises (ABLE) and the BioSpectrum journal.
Call for expression of Interest
Call for "expression of Interest from enterprises to provide solutions for Water Challenges under Technology Mission: Winning, Augmentation and Renovation for Water (Phase-II)."
India will soon meet 20% of global LCV demand
Thursday June 24 Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Ltd is bullish on the Indian market. It plans to launch at least a dozen products to take on the established players, Ashok Leyland (ASHOKLEY.NS : 62.45 -0.05) and Tata Motors (TATAMOTORS.BO : 779.25 -5.7). It is creating its own infrastructure human resources (both management and workers base), vendors, dealers and agents to ensure a smooth entry into the Indian market. In an interview with R Ravichandran of FE, Marc Llistosella, managing director and CEO, is forthcoming on the company's overall strategy.
Job Opportunity with EU delegation in India
The European Commission will soon set up and fund Euraxess-Links India, a network of European researchers, scientists, and scholars based in India or commuting between Europe and India.
A Network for European Researchers in India
An online survey (February – April 2010) of European researchers in India, including "commuters" between Europe and India was launched to identify ways of developing a network for European researchers in India and the types of information and services that would be useful to them.
India all set to establish an academy for scientific and innovative research
Bangalore, June 22, 2010: The Government of India, on June 18, 2010, approved a proposal of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for setting up of an Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) in the country.
Emerging patent trends in biopharma market
Bangalore, May 3, 2010: With the advent of globalization, more Indian biopharma companies started looking at the western markets in general and the US market in particular as their target for expansion. This has led to the need for the companies to seek patent protection for their inventions in those countries besides making a foothold there.
Innovating in India? Interview with Poul V. Jensen, Director, EBTC
European companies which see an innovation potential in India are now able to are now able to use the services of the European Business and Technology Centre.
European businesses eyeing India's green growth - Interview with Poul V. Jensen, Director, EBTC
A burgeoning middle class and expanding green industries make India an attractive proposition for expanding European firms. However, understanding local business culture and laws is the difference between success and failure, Poul V. Jensen, director of the European Business and Technology Centre in India, told EurActiv in an interview.
Indian auto industry in top gear despite global gloom
Even as global auto majors went into reverse gear in 2009, the Indian industry largely bucked the trend, launching new models for the domestic market and registering significant growth in exports.
India to invest Rs 74,000 cr in CO2 emission cutbacks
India to invest Rs 74,000 cr in CO2 emission cutbacks- India is planning to invest over Rs 74,000 crore (Rs 740 billion) within the next five years to improve energy efficiency and cut carbon emissions from its power sector. Coal-based power generation plants account for around 60 per cent of India's [ Images ] total carbon emissions.
3rd India Energy Summit, 20 November 2009, Hotel Hyatt Regency, New Delhi
The Summit would try to assess the progress made by india power sector and would try to identify the bottlenecks for planned and on going projects in the sector. the summit would also try to suggest a pro industry oriented strategy and actionable agenda to meet the energy requirement of the country.
2nd Indian Counterparts Committee (ICC) meeting held in New Delhi on 29 September 2009.
The second ICC meeting of the European Business and Technology Centre gave the opportunity to provide the ICC members with an update of the EBTC activities and allow an exchange of views on how EBTC and the ICC can even closer cooperate on future activities and events.
The ICC is a high level group of Indian Counterparts – leading business, sectoral and industry associations – which acts in an advisory capacity for EBTC. The ICC meets twice a year and regularly provides support to the Centre. Thanks to this fruitful partnership with the Indian community, EBTC gains access to a network that stretches across the entire Indian sub-continent.
2nd EU Member States’ Service Providers Pool (SPP) meeting held in New Delhi on 29 September 2009
The second SPP meeting of the European Business and Technology Centre was organized to provide the SPP members with an update of the EBTC activities as well as to get their input for the planned activities in year 2. The meeting focused on identifying areas for closer cooperation between the EU Member States and the EBTC.
The SPP is made up of the existing Service Providers in India, i.e. bilateral Chambers of Commerce of the EU Member States, their commercial and science & technology departments as well as regional trade promotion agencies, which are already present in India and have developed excellent expertise over the years. EBTC is tapping into that resource, identifying synergies and creating added value by making "complemenarity" the guiding principle for all of EBTC’s activities.
India-EU trade seen flat this year
BANGALORE: The year 2009 could turn out to be a total contrast to the previous one as far as bilateral trade between India and the European Union (EU) is concerned.After registering a 37% year-on-year (yoy) growth to €77 billion in 2008, the global economic slowdown will result in flattish growth in bilateral trade this year, said a top official from the delegation of the European Commission to India.
Doing business still not easy in India
NEW DELHI: India remained consistent in carrying out economic reforms but slipped a notch to 133rd rank among 188 countries in the ease of doing business arena as other nations reformed their business environment in more ways, the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation’s annual Doing Business Report 2010 has said.
Gujarat to set up renewable energy equipment manufacturing SEZ
One on the most investor friendly states in India, Gujrat is planning to set up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) dedicated to the manufacturing of renewable energy equipment, covering the three core areas of solar, wind and bio-mass energy.
Himachal Pradesh to set up two Solar Cities and Two Energy Parks
The central government has decided to develop two Himachal Pradesh towns as solar cities and two educational institutes as energy parks.
Rejected watermelons valuable source of energy
WASHINGTON: Juice from rejected watermelons is a potential source of biofuel as it can be fermented into ethanol, says a new study.Wayne Fish worked with researchers at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) lab in Lane, Oklahoma, to evaluate the biofuel potential of juice from 'cull' watermelons -- those not sold due to cosmetic imperfections.
July 2009 hottest for oceans since past 130 years
The average water temperature worldwide in July was 62.6 degrees, according to the National Climatic Data Center, the branch of the U.S. government that keeps world weather records. June was only slightly cooler, while August could set another record, scientists say.
Multi Billion Dollar opportunity for Solar Energy in India
The Indian government has okayed a $19.4 billion plan to scale up solar power generation from virtually nothing at present to 20,000 MW in just 11 years, and 10 times that by 2050.
India Likely to Invest 1 Trillion Rupees in Renewable Energy by 2012
India expects 1 trillion rupees ($21 billion) of investments over a five-year period ending March 2012 for renewable-power generation, according to the chairman of Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd.
India’s youth unite to combat climate change
Green has never been so hot. On 5 June, World Environment Day, climate change negotiations are heating up in Bonn and the groundwork for an international climate change deal to be sealed in Copenhagen later this year is being laid.
How big is your carbon footprint?
Manvel Alur, 41, is a passionate votary of the green cause. She runs a Bangalore-based consultancy firm that advises businesses on minimizing their environmental impact.
