Chief ministers urge Indian diaspora to invest in home state

Trade and investment opportunities in a resurgent India were the highlights of Day two of the 6th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, which saw five chief ministers share their state’s unique strengths and future strategies as they tapped investment, vying for the attention of overseas Indian investors. Pranab Mukherjee, external affairs minister asked states and the NRI forum to come together in education, healthcare, energy sustainability, research and development as these sectors will “mar or make our future development.”

MINT
http://www.livemint.com/2008/01/09163456/
Chief-ministers-urge-Indian-di.html

Biotech industry revenue doubles to $2 bn in a year

The biotech industry is going great guns. The industry’s revenue revenue hit the $2-billion mark during 2006-07, up from $1 billion in 2004-05. The industry is now aiming to garner revenue of $5 billion before 2010. This sterling performance has its roots abroad. According to industry players, escalating research and development expenses and stringent policies are making manufacturers from the regulated Markets look towards India for cutting costs.

The Financial Express
http://www.financialexpress.com/news/
Biotech-industry-revenue-doubles-to-2-bn-in-a-year/256621/

Finland Inc targets Indian markets to boost growth

After the big rush from the US and Europe, it’s the turn of Finnish industry to set sights on India to widen its global reach. Driven by innovative products and technologies, a clutch of small- and medium-sized Finnish companies have drawn up plans to step up their India exposure. The idea is to cash in on their advancements in R&D to increase revenues and profits using India as the key base.

The Economic Times
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News_by_Industry/
Finland_companies_target_Indian_markets_to_boost_growth/
articleshow/2656640.cms

It's the right time to be in India: Mashelkar

With the advent of research and development in private sector, India is witnessing a positive trend with its talents returning back to the country, Raghunath Mashelkar President Indian National Science Academy said. "It's the right time to be in India," the leading scientist told reporters here. India is becoming a global R&D platform with more than 300 companies setting up their centres here. This has opened up opportunities for the young students who need not leave the country for better jobs, he said. In last three years 30,000 scientists and researchers have returned to India to be absorbed in various organisations, Mashelkar said quoting NASCOM at INSA's 73rd General Body Meeting.

The Indian Express
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/253207.html

Maruti eyes 1 mn sales by 2010, bigger role in Suzuki’s global operations

‘We want to make small cars exclusively in India for export to Europe; our R&D has shown huge potential with contributions to Swift & Concept A-Star’….As for my main targets for the future, firstly, we will stay focused on the goal of achieving 1 million sales by 2010. This will require capacity expansion and upgradation of manufacturing facilities, for which we have already announced an investment of Rs 9,000 crore. The expansion of our sales and service network is underway for the 1 million target.

The Indian Express

http://www.indianexpress.com/story/253556.html