BRICS covers the great commerce leap of the decade- e-commerce

BRICS covers the great commerce leap of the decade- e-commerce

Organized the e-Commerce Conclave 2014 at the India International Centre, Delhi

Justifying its cause, BRICS Chamber of Commerce &Industry organized an ‘e-Commerce Conclave 2014’which was held on 19 November 2014 at The Indian International Center, New Delhi. The conclave focused on the most relevant topic of the decade, e-Commerce which has not only taken over markets but has also provided a wide platter of convenience filled buying experience to the consumers.

The gathering included eminent personalities of the industry who shared an intelligent flow of ideas regarding the subject of e-commerce at the BRICS Conclave. Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad,Hon’ble Minister of IT and Telecommunications glorified the event with his presence as Chief Guest of the evening.

Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad laid emphasis on the contexts of technology and commerce as a collective. He highlighted the Indian horizon of commerce by reflecting the magnitude of potential that the Indian entrepreneurs hold. He shared some brief and interesting anecdotes weighing on the passion and enthusiasm which young India holds for e-commerce.

The key note address was followed by three different panel discussions concerning topics such as Technology: Innovative ideas and Road Maps in the e-Commerce industry, Payments and Securities issues, fund raising and investor's role in e-commerce. The panel members included names like Mr. Vikram Chopra, Co-Founder and CEO, FadFurnish.com; Mr. Atul Gupta, Partner, KPMG; Mr. Kashinath Hariharan, Joint General Manager, ICICI Bank and Mr. Rajiv Mathur, Chairman, MobiMedia Technologies Ltd.

“Effective communication and consumer value is important for the sustainability of any e-commerce model. The consumer value would automatically attachits customers. This eventually would act as a brand in itself and attract investors for fund raising. The vendors are the first partners who should be selected keeping in mind that they should be in-line with organizational goals like the company itself for long term association and sustainable growth”, said Mr. Vikram Chopra, Co-Founder and CEO, FabFurnish.com, one of the key panelists at the Conclave.

The conference ended with a vote of thanks by the Secretary General of BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. B.B.L. Madhukar.

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EduKart Launches PGDM Course

New Delhi: It is said, "There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure."

EduKart has become one of the leading providers of distance education in India. Conceived in April 2011, the company has grown with leaps and bounds.

EduKart continues its efforts to provide the best correspondence education to aspirants in the comforts of their home. There are tie-ups with a number of universities and also foreign universities.

EduKart has now tied up with two leading AICTE recognised institutions called the National Institute of Management and Technology and Graduate School of Business and Management for providing Post Graduate Diploma in Management. These institutions are based in Ghaziabad and Greater Noida respectively. Candidates can now enrol in the PGDM course offered by these institutions through EduKart and get added benefits.

Distance education has become the face of new India and its prospects are increasing each day. With the advent of e-learning, getting quality education has become easier. EduKart helps those who have a passion for making it big in life.

Post Graduate Diploma in Management has become a very popular course in India; it offers great opportunities for those who want to make a career in management. Management has been a top favourite among students as it can guarantee a successful career and also a well-paying job. Coping with management studies can be tough but very beneficial.

"Doing MBA gave me advantage and also better appraisals. I got practical knowledge as well" says Pritika Bansal, head of counselling team at EduKart.

Post Graduate Diploma in Management is a course, which equips the candidates with essential leadership skills so that he/she can run the organization efficiently.

With the changing times, the needs and demands of the market have changed too. New managers have to be equipped with these new skills to work efficiently.

Courses like PGDM have been introduced by various institutes, which cater to the demand of the market. This course can be pursued through distance learning, which offers online study content as well.

Post Graduate Diploma in Management is a 2 year course which will transform candidates into bright business professionals. They are trained in business economics, market structure, investment, retailing, entrepreneurship, stock markets, interviewing skills, human behaviour etc.

The course is divided into semesters and it is equivalent to a MBA programme.

PGDM is a course, which can transform the candidate's career graph and make him/her reach the zenith of success. For more information visit http://www.edukart.com/mba-univ.php.

CONTACT DETAILS: Isha Rastogi, Online Community Manager, EduKart.com,rastogi.isha@edukart.com

Source: Business Wire India

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First Free Flight-Road-Rail Educational Trip for Students

The first free flight-road-rail trip educational program conducted by UAE Exchange, India for St Thomas Girls High School, Perumanoor was a thrilling experience for the students. This was evident in the thanks letters, written after the trip, by the students to the company.

“The fourteen students for the program were selected based on their overall merit in academics and co-curricular activities. The students were accompanied by our three excellent teachers and an official of UAE Exchange,” said Sr. Leenus the Principal of the School.

The trip was conducted on Wednesday, December 04 from Kochi to Trivandrum by flight. After the visit to zoo and planetarium in Thiruvananthapuram, the group returned to Kochi by train. To motivate and make the students to study well and score good marks, this prize program was announced a year earlier in the school by Mr. V George Antony, Managing Director and Country Head of UAE Exchange.

“Students are precious for the nation's development. To make a bright future of the society it is clear that we should invest in our growing schools. So it is for the promotion and inspiration of talented students we have invested in this first free flight-road-rail trip program,” Mr. V George Antony commented.

UAE Exchange has been awarded by Public Relations Society of India and India Human Capital Award for its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.

Source:Business Wire India 

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HDFC's Financial Results for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2012

Press Release

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Wednesday, July 11, 2012 -- (Business Wire India) -- The Board of Directors of Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited (HDFC) announced its results for the first quarter of the financial year 2011-12, following its meeting on Wednesday, July 11, 2012 in Mumbai. The accounts have been subject to limited review by the Corporation's statutory auditors in line with regulatory guidelines.

FINANCIAL RESULTS

For the quarter ended June 30, 2012, HDFC reported a profit after tax of ` 1,001.91 crores as compared to ` 844.53 crores in the corresponding quarter of the previous year - an increase of 19%.

TOTAL ASSETS

As at June 30, 2012, the total assets of HDFC stood at ` 1,74,676 crores as against ` 148,831 crores as at June 30, 2011 - an increase of 17%.

LENDING OPERATIONS

As at June 30, 2012, the loan book stood at ` 1,48,262 crores as against ` 1,24,168 crores as at June 30, 2011. Individual loans sold during the preceding 12 months amounted to ` 4,978 crores. The growth in the individual loan book, including loans sold is 29% (23% net of loans sold) whereas the non individual loan book grew by 14%. The growth in the total loan book inclusive of loans sold is 23% (19% net of loans sold).

During the quarter ended June 30, 2012 the loan book grew by ` 7,387.74 crores of which ` 6,635.07 crores - representing 90% of the increase was on account of the increase in the individual loan book.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2012, loan approvals grew by 17% and loan disbursements grew by 20% as compared to the corresponding quarter in the previous year.

Spread and Net Interest Margins

The spread on loans over the cost of borrowings for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 stood at 2.27%. Net Interest Margin for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 was 4%.

Investments

As at June 30, 2012, the unrealised gains on HDFC's listed investments amounted to ` 27,001 crores (previous year ` 23,206 crores). This excludes the appreciation in the value of unlisted investments.

Non-Performing Loans

Gross non-performing loans as at June 30, 2012 amounted to ` 1,190 crores. This is equivalent to 0.79% of the loan portfolio (previous year - 0.83%) This is the thirtieth consecutive quarter end at which the percentage of non-performing loans have been lower than the corresponding quarter in the previous year.

Based on a six months overdue basis, the non-performing loans as at June 30, 2012 stood at 0.49% of the loan portfolio as against 0.55% in the previous year.

The balance in the provision for contingencies account as at June 30, 2012 stood at ` 1,711 crores, of which only ` 344 crores is on account of regulatory provisioning for non-performing loans and the balance ` 1,367 crores mainly comprises general provisioning on standard loans, including Dual Rate Home Loans.

As against non-performing loans of ` 1,190 crores, the balance in the provision for contingencies account as at June 30, 2012 stood at ` 1,711 crores (inclusive of non-performing loans). This is equivalent to 1.14% of the portfolio.

CAPITAL ADEQUACY RATIO

HDFC's capital adequacy ratio stood at 14.6% of the risk weighted assets, as against the minimum requirement of 12%. Tier 1 capital was 11.8% against a minimum requirement of 6%.

DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

HDFC's distribution network spans 318 outlets that include 77 offices of HDFC's distribution company, HDFC Sales Private Limited (HSPL). In addition, HDFC covers over 90 locations through its outreach programmes. Distribution channels form an integral part of the distribution network with home loans being distributed through HSPL, HDFC Bank Limited and other third party direct selling associates.

To cater to non-resident Indians, HDFC has offices in London, Dubai and Singapore and service associates in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia - Al Khobar, Jeddah and Riyadh.

WARRANTS

In August 2009, the Corporation had issued 5,47,68,530 Warrants with a right exercisable by the Warrant holder to exchange each Warrant with one equity share of face value of ` 2 per share on or before August 24, 2012 at a Warrant exercise price of ` 600 per equity share. As at June 30, 2012, 16% of the Warrants have been exchanged for equity shares of the Corporation.

CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS

The Corporation intends to disclose the unaudited consolidated financial results on a quarterly basis. The consolidated financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 will be disclosed shortly.

CONTACT DETAILS
Mahesh Shah, Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited, +91(22) 66316410, maheshs@hdfc.com

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Dr. R. Seetharaman Conferred with Honorary Doctorate by European University

Press Release
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, July 03, 2012 -- (Business Wire India) -- The European University, one of the world's top business schools, has conferred 'Doctorate of Honoris Causa' on Dr. R. Seetharaman, Group Chief Executive Officer, Doha Bank. Dr. Seetharaman received the honorary doctorate recently in Geneva, Switzerland at the Graduation Ceremony of the students of European University. The honour has been bestowed on Dr. Seetharaman for his unique and valuable contributions to global governance and social responsibility.

Dr. Seetharaman received an honorary doctorate from the Washington College in United States on May 20, 2012.

Commenting on the 'Doctorate of Honoris Causa' received from the European University, Dr. Seetharaman said, "I'm extremely humbled to receive this honour and consider it as a huge privilege. It gives me great pride to be a part of this esteemed family and join my fellow honoraries. I would like to thank the European University management for considering me deserving enough for the doctorate title."

At the event, Dr. Seetharaman further provided insights on sustainable development and the aim towards it being undertaking issues such as poverty eradication, environmental sustainability, and sustainable consumption and production. The various dimensions towards sustainable development are: social foundation, low carbon economy, environmental sustainability and gender equality. The main key challenges of Sustainable development would be climatic change, energy security, increase in natural and manmade disasters and rising unemployment.

Dr. Seetharaman said that sustainable development is now in the hands of the current generation, and they are the ones who will lead the world to a brighter future.

As one of the world's top business schools, European University is internationally accredited and recognized for the excellence of its students and faculty. Established in 1973, European University has developed a business education model that delivers high-quality instruction, a competitive learning environment and a network of international campuses. European University brings the American business education model to Europe by applying classroom theory to professional skills.

About Doha Bank

Doha Bank is the largest private commercial bank in the State of Qatar. It was incorporated in 1978 and commenced its banking business (including its International Banking services) in Doha, Qatar on March 15, 1979.

As one of Qatar's leading financial services company, Doha Bank is committed to making banking work for customers and clients like it never has before. Through innovative technologies and the ingenuity of its people, Doha Bank provides individuals and commercial, corporate and institutional clients across Qatar and even internationally, new and better ways to manage their financial lives. The company enables customers to do their banking and investing whenever, wherever and however they choose through an extensive network, and multiple access channels.

The Dubai branch of Doha Bank was opened in 2008.




CONTACT DETAILS
Ms. Priyanka Geriya, priyanka@watermelonme.com

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India world's second largest consumer of tobacco: Global Adult Tobacco Survey

According to the first Global Adult Tobacco Survey India is the second largest country in the world for tobacco consumption and world's third largest producer of tobacco. In India 274.9 million Indians consume tobacco, the report added.

Certainly the figures mention in the report are enough to alarm the worsen situation in India due to the sale and consumption of tobacco. And the mark of cancer on the products are not enough to stop the sale of tobacco products. Much more effort are to be made to ware the people about the tobacco consumption.

Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said "Eight to ten lakh persons die of tobacco related diseases every year and this reflects a higher mortality than the combined deaths resulting from other major diseases, such as tuberculosis, HIV AIDS and malaria," according to Times of India report.

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