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Increased Swedish confidence in India’s business potential, markets

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India and Sweden, which share more than a decade of camaraderie in terms of political, cultural, social, and economic ties, have only grown closer with the exchange of knowledge and experience. India-Sweden Innovation Summit was a perfect example of such strengthening of ties. Besides innovation and advanced technology, another sector which witnessed similar growth trajectory in network and strategies, is business and trade. Swedish companies have shown tremendous interest in the potential of Indian markets.

Similar kind of optimism was reflected in the 13th edition of the Business Climate Survey (BCS), which exhibited an increasing confidence of Swedish companies in conducting business in India. Additionally, the recent BCS report also showed a substantial increase in Swedish companies’ interest and intent of doing business in India compared to the pandemic-marred 2020.

BCS is a highly-trusted annual survey, conducted since 2008 by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce, India (SCCI), along with the Embassy of Sweden in India, the Consulate General of Sweden in Mumbai, and Business Sweden. It is undertaken every year to understand the strengths and weaknesses of India-Sweden business relations, and how long-standing and emerging obstacles can be identified, reduced and resolved.

So far, more than 220 Swedish companies are operating in India, actively contributing to various business verticals, such as Industrial Equipment; IT & Electronics; Healthcare MedTech & Pharma; Business Services; Retail Consumer Goods & Services; Automotive Heavy Vehicles & Auto Components. More companies are now entering the Environmental Technology & Energy sector (Water, waste, HVAC, etc.). These companies have had a huge impact on the Indian job market as they employ over 200,000 people directly and another 2.2 million indirectly.

Commenting on the strengthening of ties between the two nations, Anna Hallberg, Swedish Minister for Foreign Trade and Nordic Affairs, said: “Sweden and India’s bilateral cooperation has grown even stronger despite the pandemic. Swedish companies have repeatedly shown that they have a long-term commitment towards India. Therefore, I am particularly proud that the 2021-22 Business Climate Survey (BCS) has received such a massive response and highlights important areas such as green transition and women in the workforce.

“The BCS provides valuable information on the business climate in India, as perceived by Swedish companies. It is therefore of great importance to the Swedish Government and will play an important role in the preparations for the upcoming meeting of the Joint Commission for Economic, Industrial and Scientific Cooperation, and for the preparations of the upcoming trade negotiations between India and the EU.”

At the launch of this year’s BCS report, Sweden’s Ambassador to India, Klas Molin, remarked: “Swedish companies continue to thrive in India. Even in the wake of the challenges posed by the pandemic, Swedish companies have continued to invest, expand, and believe in India. As reflected in the Business Climate Survey, it is highly encouraging to see that so many Swedish companies are planning to increase their investments in India in the years ahead.”

This year’s survey, titled ‘Towards Sustainable Growth’, reflected the commitment shown by Swedish companies in their long-term association with India, given the country’s business environment, which is deemed supportive and encouraging with promising growth prospects. Interestingly, despite the pandemic adversely impacting the country’s economic growth, Swedish companies are looking forward to expanding their business and investment in India, especially in sustainable technologies, to create a greener and a lasting impact. Besides, the survey also took into account the increase in job opportunities and representation of women in the Indian workforce. These also acted as one of the key factors influencing business dealings between the two nations.

In line with the ongoing trends and key agenda of exploring business opportunities in India, a six-member delegation led by Sweden’s Ambassador to India Klas Molin will soon be visiting Sweden for a weeklong roadshow titled “Time for India”. Among diplomats accompanying Molin will be Consul General of Sweden to Mumbai Anna Lekvall, Trade Commissioner Cecilia Oskarsson, General Manager of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce to India Sara Larsson and Counsellors for Science & Innovation and Trade Per-Arne Wickström and Markus Lundgren.

The delegation will be joined by India’s Ambassador to Sweden & Latvia Tanmay Lal, and Chairman of Sweden India Business Council Hakan Kingstedt. The roadshow will start from Stockholm, followed by Lulea, Göteborg, Malmo and then back to Stockholm, where the Indian Embassy in Sweden will be organising a final seminar on Investing in India.

“Time for India” will have a series of breakfast seminars, which will provide a comprehensive insight into different sectors and markets linked to the Indian trade industry and their business potential. The trade roadshow will focus on analysing and availing the opportunities available to Swedish companies in India and for Indian companies in Sweden and forming required strategies to strengthen trade ties between the two nations, keeping in mind the current economic developments.

Speaking about the ambitious business campaign, Ambassador Klas Molin said: “Time for India is a part of an ambition shared by Sweden and India to strengthen and increase bilateral trade and investments. The plan that has been tasked us to perform has been backed by our Prime Ministers as well as Indian and Swedish Ministers of Commerce, Piyush Goyal and Anna Hallberg, respectively. Our goal is to increase investments, opportunities, employment and the flow of goods and services between our countries.”

Molin added that the roadshow’s roadmap includes exploring business opportunities, holding talks with private sector representatives, government, and other decision makers to discuss trade and investment-related issues. The delegation will also look at the next steps to further facilitate business collaborations and means to assist Team Sweden and Team India in the process.

Expressing optimism about the upcoming talks, Trade Commissioner Cecilia Oskarsson said: “In the last few months as Trade Commissioner for Business Sweden in India, I have seen the potential for collaboration and investments substantial. The Indian government has brought most of the key infrastructure sectors in India under the automatic route which allows 100% foreign direct investment (FDI).

“The new master plan aims to boost employment opportunities, make interconnectivity easier between road, rail, air and waterways to boost efficiency, and improve industrial productivity. It also aims to help India become a manufacturing hub, attract foreign investors and raise the possibility of future economic zones through multimodal connectivity that provides manufacturers faster access to domestic and international markets. It’s certainly time to invest in India.”

National

Ravindra Chavan, Trusted Lieutenant Of Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, Appointed BJP State Unit President

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Mumbai: Ravindra Chavan, known as a trusted lieutenant of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, will take over as BJP’s state unit president on Tuesday.

The incumbent, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, will hand over charge at a party conclave in Mumbai. The mantle is being handed to Chavan, whose grassroots planning ensured BJP’s impressive electoral performance in Thane and the Konkan belt, with an eye on the coming elections to the local bodies, according to party sources.

Chavan was the only candidate who filed his nomination papers on Monday at BJP state headquarters in the presence of Fadnavis, Bawankule and the party’s Maharashtra in-charge Arun Singh. Union minister Kiren Rijiju was present as the central observer.

Chavan represents Dombivali for the fourth term in the Assembly. He was a member of the Fadnavis cabinet between 2014 and 2019 and the Eknath Shinde-led government from 2022 to 2024. There was speculation of his elevation to the key party post started when he was denied a Cabinet berth after last year’s Assembly elections. He has been officiating as the working president of the state unit for the last few months.

The BJP is eyeing maximum number of municipal bodies in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) comprising 8 municipal corporations. With the elevation of Chavan, known for his aggressive politics, BJP seems to be sending out a message to deputy CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, which is likely to ask for lion’s share of seats for the civic polls. As an experienced leader, Chavan will shoulder his responsibilities with vigour and strength, Fadnavis asserted.

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National

Hyderabad Chemical Factory Blast: Death Toll Rises To 32 After 15 Succumb Overnight

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Hyderabad: The death toll in the explosion in a pharmaceutical unit at Pashamylaram near Hyderabad rose sharply to 32 on Tuesday, with about 15 injured succumbing at hospitals overnight.

The death toll in the worst industrial disaster in Telangana may go up further as the rescue workers continued searching for the bodies in the debris of a three-storey building, which collapsed under the impact of the blast.

A massive explosion had rocked Sigachi Industries Limited’s pharmaceutical factory at Pashamylaram industrial area in Sangareddy district, about 50 km from Hyderabad, on Monday morning.

The explosion in the Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) drying unit also left 35 workers injured. The condition of 11 of them is stated to be critical.

According to officials, 27 workers were still missing. They were feared trapped under the debris.

Personnel of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), Revenue and police continued clearing debris.

The majority of the victims were migrant workers from states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha.

As many as 108 workers were at the factory at the time of the blast, which could be heard about five km away. The explosion triggered a huge fire, and 15 fire engines were used to douse the flames.

According to eye-witnesses, such was the impact of the explosion that workers were tossed in the air and fell several meters away.

As the bodies of some victims were blown to pieces or charred beyond recognition, the authorities were conducting DNA tests to establish their identity.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy will be visiting the accident site on Tuesday. He will also call on the injured at a government hospital.

Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha told media persons at the spot on Monday that the cause of the explosion was not yet known. The company, which is 40-45 years old, manufactures Microcrystalline Cellulose, he said.

Labour Minister G. Vivek said prima facie it was not a reactor blast. Some problem in the air dryer system is believed to have resulted in the explosion and fire.

The state government appointed a high-powered committee to probe the disaster and its underlying causes.

The committer comprises the Chief Secretary, Special Chief Secretary (Disaster Management), Principal Secretary (Labour), Principal Secretary (Health) and Additional DGP (Fire Services).

According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the panel would also make recommendations to prevent the recurrence of such accidents.

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National

Maha govt tables bill to set up Gadchiroli district mining authority

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Mumbai, June 30: The Maharashtra government on Monday tabled the bill for the establishment of the 16-member Gadchiroli District Mining Authority for the coordination and supervision of orderly and rapid development of the mineral-bearing area and execution of plans and projects.

The authority will be headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the Gadchiroli district guardian minister. The government’s move is important as it hopes to finish the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) and develop Gadchiroli as the next steel city of India.

The district is endowed with abundant minerals such as iron ore, hematite, magnetite, BHQ, limestone, Dolomites and coal, which are used as raw materials for various manufacturing industries.

Further, Gadchiroli district, which is rich in iron ore, has the potential to be developed as a hub for mineral-based industries, especially the steel industry, said the bill.

“Currently, the absence of an integrated administrative mechanism hampers the swift execution of the mining project. Hence a need was felt for the establishment of a unified authority comprising of certain ministers and secretaries of the relevant departments under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister to expedite mining approvals and foster the growth of mineral based industries such as steel and cement, thereby accelerating the holistic development of the Gadchiroli district and consequently of the state,” said the bill.

It pointed out that the authority will act as a catalyst in speeding up the process of operationalisation of approved mining leases, and will also generate employment in the district and boost the revenue of the state.

According to the bill, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, and rules framed thereunder govern the development and regulation of mines and minerals. The major mineral blocks are auctioned following the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015. The mining concession holder is required to obtain various clearances and no-objection certificates from various departments and district officers of the government and local authorities within the timelines prescribed in the rules.

If the bidder fails to meet the prescribed timeline, the alloyed major mineral blocks will have to be auctioned again.

The Chief Minister last week at the industry conference said, “Gadchiroli 10 years ago was zero industrial area, nobody thought that it would become an Industrial magnet. Due to a slew of policies, Gadchiroli is becoming a new steel city of India to produce one-third of India’s steel that will change the entire outlook of the district.”

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