Hyderabad :

The US city of Indianapolis has called upon Indian companies in the information technology and pharmaceuticals business to consider setting up their bases offering support.

A high-powered business delegation headed by Greg Ballard, Mayor of City of Indianapolis, capital city of the US State of Indiana, today interacted with industrialists at an event hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry, Andhra Pradesh.

Sharing the initiatives taken by Indianapolis, the Mayor said they have accorded priority for power generation through renewable energy sources. “We have huge wind farms and now solar photovoltaic units are being set up. There is potential for sharing knowhow for their implementation,” he said.

Raju Chinthala, President, Indianapolis Hyderabad Sister Committee, said Hyderabad was chosen for association amidst competition from Bangalore and Pune. There is a strong local community and more than 10,000 Indian families live there. This provides opportunities for collaboration.

“We are looking at student exchange programmes where those pursuing higher studies can come to Hyderabad for few weeks and train here. Likewise Indian students could experience the same in Indianapolis. This could cover higher education areas and even school children,” he said.

Traditionally, businesses tend to pick up some cities in the US and miss out on others with similar or even better opportunities. It is therefore, right time to consider Indianapolis. Indianapolis is strong in agriculture sector and is home for Dow Agro Sciences and Purdue Research, he said.

So far, two IT firms from Indianapolis have set up bases in Hyderabad. There is potential to share knowledge on agriculture practices and learning from research in Agriculture University here and Purdue. Hyderabad and Indianapolis have interesting similarities. Like outer ring road in Hyderabad, it has 465, a road network connecting airport, Raju said.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> News> National /  by The Hindu  Bureau   rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in  / Hyderabad – April 16th, 2013

Beltek Canadian Water Limited has introduced vitamin enriched ‘Wild Water’ for the first time in Andhra Pradesh. The vitamin enriched Wild Water promises to nourish people with all the necessary vitamins like Vitamin A, B & C along minerals like Zinc.

The demand for pure water with all ingredients is growing in Andhra Pradesh. There are numerous tiny water plants that have mushroomed in every street doing crores of rupees of business annually. Many are unregistered and follow no proper quality and safety measures.

Having realised the growing demand for enriched water, Beltek Canadian Water Limited has introduced this life style beverage which promises to nourish with natural flavours, natural colours, and the goodness of Vitamins.

The Wild Water is available in three flavours which include Tropical citrus, flavoured energise, lemon flavoured reload and dragon fruit flavoured Immunity. Wild Water has no preservatives, has low sugar and focuses on tasty hydration thus meeting the needs of calorie-conscious consumers. With no seasonality factor the all weather lifestyle drink Wild-Water not only provides a dose of vitamins it is also prepared with finest ingredients from USA, contains mouth-watering flavours that shine through as well as maintains International Quality Standard.

Steve Verma, Director, Beltek Canadian Water Limited said, “Till now Vitamin Enriched Water has only been available outside India. Wild Water with its goodness is an entirely new category in the Rs. 300 Crore (excluding energy drink) Indian functional drink arena. The Natural flavoured water with the goodness of Vitamins is the best thing people can get today even internationally.”

While Tropical Citrus flavoured energise comes with the benefit of Vitamins C & B along with Guarana extracts, Lemonade flavoured reload is available with the benefits of Vitamins A, B & C along with electrolytes and the Dragon Fruit flavoured Immunity with Vitamin B, C & Zinc.

Available at an attractive price of Rs. 70, Wild Water is already present in leading stores of Delhi/ NCR and soon will be entering other Indian cities. The company has signed upcoming Indian film and stage actor Shazahn Padamsee as the brand ambassador to promote Wild Water.

Each batch of Wild Water undergoes a rigorous test procedure to maintain International Standard quality and excellence. The concoction has been formulated with the least possible amount of Pure Cane Sugar, is an excellent healthy alternative to sweetened juices, colas and fizzy drinks.

source: http://www.pharmabiz.com / PharmaBiz / Home> Top News> Product Launches / by the PharmaBiz Bureau team / Hyderabad, Tuesday – April 09th, 2013

Visakhapatnam : 

Visakhapatnam, as a fast-developing city, can look to Switzerland and the local companies can form joint ventures with Swiss companies in many sectors to mutual advantage, Bangalore-based Consulate General of Switzerland Rolf Frei has said.

He was interacting with local industrialists and investors at a session organised here on Wednesday evening by the Vizagapatam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

On his maiden visit to the city, he said that he was very impressed with the facilities and the beauty of the city.

“The way I am being received is quite amazing. The city and its people are very warm and beautiful. When my flight was landing, I was thrilled to see the panoramic view of the blue waters of Bay of Bengal and the hills,” he said.

He said the Switzerland Government was looking at strengthening the bilateral ties in trade and commerce. The Consulate office was opened in Bangalore two years ago recognising the immense investment potential in and from South India.

Frei said the Government was looking at investment opportunities in tourism, infrastructure, information and communication technology, retail, life-sciences, clean technologies, research and development and education.

“Many from South India are investing in Switzerland because it’s the gateway to Europe and has excellent infrastructure and tax incentives,” he stated.

Biotech and IT offices have been opened with an investment of $1 billion by Indians in Switzerland. The Swiss investment in India is of the order of $4 billion. “We have made a big Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India,” he said.

Thirty Indian companies with interest in Europe have so far opened their offices in Switzerland. “We have stable political environment, skilled manpower and excellent infrastructure. Low taxes are the main attraction,” he said.

Frei said 20 to 30 per cent of foreign tourists, who visit Switzerland every year, were from India. “Our tourist spots, round the year particularly in summer from May to September offer a fabulous experience to tourists. Every, at least 20-30 Indian films are shot in Switzerland. It is a favourite spot with Indian film makers,” he remarked.

Chamber President K. Ramabrahmam, Symbiosys CEO O. Naresh Kumar, and others spoke on the advantages of investing in Visakhapatnam and urged the Consul-General to bring in a delegation of Swiss industrialists and others the next time with him to showcase Vizag.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> News> Economy / by CH. R. S. Sarma  sarma.rs@thehindu.co.in / Visakhapatnam, March 21st, 2013