Bangalore :

Hyderabad is the world’s second most affordable office market after  Surabaya in Indonesia , according to a survey, while Chennai and  Pune are at fifth and sixth positions, reinforcing India’s reputation as among the cheapest destinations for foreign firms to set up operations.

“Tier II cities in China and India continue to dominate the list of top-10 most affordable markets globally,” said a survey by consultancy firm DTZ, which measured occupancy costs per workstation in 126 business districts across 49 countries in 2012.

“2012 has seen office space absorption rates across Indian cities drop by a fifth. We expect the office space absorption to be stable in the current year, driven by signs of overall improvement in global and domestic economies. Rentals are also expected to appreciate across the country,” said Rohit Kumar , head of research at DTZ India.

According to the survey, it costs companies between $2,620 (about Rs 1.41 lakh) and $9,810 (Rs 5.27 lakh) per annum per employee in the top six Indian cities to set up operations, compared with $23,500 (Rs 12.63 lakh) per workstation in London West End .

China’s  Chongqing and Nanjing , followed by Cancun  in  Mexico , also figure among the ten most affordable markets. As per the report, a majority of markets in North Asia  and India saw a 2-10 per cent rise in occupancy costs. This has forced occupiers in many markets to increasingly consider secondary space, particularly where prime space is limited to cut cost.

The total commercial office space absorption for the quarter ended December 2012 was 6.8 million sq ft, a decrease of 19 per cent compared with the previous year. Vacancies across cities are expected to rise in 2013, except Bangalore, a recent report by DTZ India  said.

“Companies continue to consolidate and relocate to less premium locations. Many firms are now looking to cut real estate  costs, which comprises 22-27 per cent of the total operational expenditure, the second biggest component after human resource,” said Sridhar Raghavendra , founder of  FM Zone India , a real estate and facility management firm.

source: http://www.articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com / Home> News> Realty Trends> Policy> Office Space / by Sobia Khan, ET / February 14th, 2013

Vijayawada :

Stating that marine exports from India registered a marginal growth, Marine Products Export Development Authority (Mpeda) chairperson Leena Nair said international exposure to farmers would boost production and exports. She said Mpeda was emphasizing on usage of latest technology in brooding of shrimp and scampi.

An international exhibition-Aqua Aquaria India-2013, a biennial event of Mpeda, will be launched at Loyola college campus here on Friday. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of international expo, Leena Nair said the international Aquaria was being organised in the city keeping in view that Krishna district stands first in aqua  farming in the state.

She explained that over 10,000 farmers have hatcheries spread in 35,000 hectares of brackish water. She said 150 international and domestic stalls would be put up to showcase the latest technology of aqua farming. She said India had exported about 6.6 lakh metric tonnes of marine products worth Rs.13,994 crore till the third quarter of 2012-13. Leena Nair said India exported nearly 8.62 lakh tonnes of marine products during 2011-12 as against 8.13 lakh tonnes in 2010-11 with a growth rate of 6%. In monetary terms, the growth registered was 22%. She hoped India would perform better in the current financial year. She added that frozen shrimp continued to be the major export value item accounting for 52.62% of the total earnings. Rajiv Gandhi  Centre for Aquaculture (RGCA) project director Y C Thambi Samraj said that a high quality brooding centre was established at Kankipadu. He said a brood stock multiplication centre for L Vannamei fish would be set up in Visakhapatnam soon. He said the Visakhapatnam centre would cater to the needs of L Vannamei growers in the state.

Samraj said L Vannamei was found be the latest sensation in the international market which was giving good returns to all the stake holders. He said the RGCA was taking up projects for sustainable development of aquaculture with the support of technology. He said focus was being laid on some other species which have started yielding results. He said the Aquatic Quarantine Facility (AQF) at Neelankaral near Chennai was one of the best labs in the world for L Vannamei.

Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy is expected to inaugurate the Aquaria here on Friday in which Union minister of state for commerce D Purandeswari will take part.

source: htptp://www.timesofindia,indiatimes.com / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / February 08th, 2013

Spanish skincare brand Skeyndor has launched its wide range of products in Hyderabad.

Established over 46 years ago, Skeyndor, rated as one of the top 15 brands in the world, offers over 200 products catering to a variety of skin care needs. Its products are used in Spas, professional beauty salons and homes around the world.

Ravi Mittal, Skeyndor India Managing Director, in a statement said: “We are associated with this brand for the last two years and doing very good in terms of customer response. We have introduced the most advanced treatment for anti ageing and wrinkles.’’

The company is known for its Scientific Skincare concept. Its product offerings include Essential, Natural Defence, Aquatherm, Dermapeel, Suncare Line and Spa Line.

rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> Industry> Marketing /by V. Rishi Kumar / Hyderabad, February 04th, 2013

Fenesta Building Systems, manufacturer of doors and windows, has launched a new showroom in Hyderabad.

The company is planning to expand its network to other cities, including Chennai, Nasik, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Alibaug, Lonavala, Bhopal, Ludhiana, Mangalore and Mysore.

In Andhra Pradesh, it will set outlets in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Nellore, Kakinada and Tirupati. “By the end of this financial year, it hopes to be present in over 100 cities across India,” R.V Kannan, Zonal Head, Andhra Pradesh, said.

The firm offers windows and doors in a multitude of designs, including designs that can span entire balconies, rise from floor to ceiling, sliders, casements (windows with sash that open outside), slider and casement combo and bay windows that can be created at any angle and arch. The company associated brands such as Manjeera, Trendset, Ramky, Koncept, Aditya Homes, Ashoka, DLF, Brigade, Omaxe, Raheja and Prestige.

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> Industry> Marketing /by the Hindu’s Bureau / Hyderabad, February 01st, 2013