EU to double its R&D investment in robotics

At the occasion of AUTOMATICA 2008, one of the leading international trade fairs in robotics and automation held this year in Munich/Germany, the European Commission has announced a policy to boost European robotics. The European Union will double its investments between 2007 and 2010 with almost € 400 million to support European robotics research. This ambitious programme aims to forge stronger links between academia and industry, and plans to fund a widespread experimentation by academic researchers and industry. The European Commission also calls on the industry to intensify its efforts in producing critical components in Europe, such as gears, in order to face competition from Asia and avoid strategic dependencies on other regions of the world.

The European Union has a strong position in industrial robots for automation. One third of all industrial robots are produced in Europe. The robotics market’s growth rate will form an important part of the world economy within the next two decades. In fact, the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) estimates the current world market for industrial robots at about € 4 billion and forecasts a 4.2% increase per year until 2010. “There is a clear window of opportunity for automation industries in Europe – in particular robotics – not just to maintain leadership, but to grow further and to move higher up the value chain”, said Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Information Society and Media.

Robotics is strategic for Europe’s future competitiveness. Manufacturing will only be maintained in higher wage regions such as Europe through automation. Automation also plays a key role in ensuring a sustainable production and minimizing wasteful use of resources. Finally it will contribute to help Europe’s ageing society by compensating for a declining labour force.

As part of its 400 Meuros research programme, the European Commission is taking steps to set up a technology transfer scheme between academia and industry enabling European research labs to use industrial-strength robots for large-scale experimentation.The resulting scientific knowledge will directly be fed back to participating companies.

Beyond research, European industry recognizes the need for reducing dependencies on critical components such as drives, gears and motors. The European Commission also encourages industry to agree on technical standards and develop business models in this field in order to ensure sustained provision of such critical components.

AUTOMATICA 2008 is the international trade fairs in robotics which is running between 10th and 13th June 2008.

More information on Cognitive Systems and Robotics is available the CORDIS official website.

 

Allconstructions.com unveils a new home improvement website for Russia

Allconstructions.com, an international chain of Internet portals focusing on home improvement, has announced it is launching a site for Russia named strojabc.ru. Russia is the sixth country where the portal chain has opened its branch, after Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, the UK and Germany.

Strojabc.ru information includes Russian and international news, as well as comprehensive articles on construction and home
improvement. It also presents major construction trade fairs and competitions, both international and country-specific and provides access to more than 40, 000 construction contractors in Russia.

Hermis Preikstas, Marketing Director in Allconstructions.com, said:

‘As the Internet today is offering a powerful capacity to distribute information to millions of users around the world, the significance of such websites as strojabc.ru cannot be understated. The number of users that a similar portal receives exceeds by far the number of people attending the largest industry-specific exhibitions. In terms of the audience size, Internet portals also have an advantage over specialized catalogues and magazines, while offering much lower rates for advertising.

Launching a site for Russia is a serious challenge for us, because the level of competition among similar websites in this country is very high. Our strong point is easy-to-access information and favourable prices for advertising. Besides, the distinct advantage of strojabc.ru is the fact that it belongs to the network of several national websites that are constantly exchanging country-specific information on construction and real estate markets.’

As its counterparts in the UK, Germany, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, strojabc.com aims at increasing collaboration between construction markets of different countries by putting local construction companies in touch with their potential customers abroad.

Today, Russia is offering excellent marketing opportunities. It is becoming one of the most attractive strategic partners for western countries, due to the high rates of economic development. In 2005-2007, GDP growth was 6%, which is higher than average economic growth rates in Europe. Inflation rate in 2007 equalled 11.9%, however it is expected that by 2011 it will be reduced to 5-6%. The amount of foreign investments made 120 941 million dollars in 2007, which is twice as much as in 2006.The Russian construction industry has recently seen a major revival: in 2007 it accounted for some 5.6% of the total Russian GDP and this share is steadily growing – in 2006 it was a mere 4.7%.

Having chosen Russia as a new platform for development, allconstructions.com intends to become an intermediary between the construction markets of Eastern and Western Europe.

For further details, please, contact:

Irina Pavlova
UAB ‘IKS’
Vytenio g.50,
Vilnius
Phone: +370-5-2333102
irina@iks.lt

 

Dubai Hosts China Sourcing Fairs, the Largest China-products Exhibitions in the Middle East

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, June 9, 2008 – Global Sources today opened its China Sourcing Fair trade shows, the largest China-products exhibitions in the Middle East. The China Sourcing Fairs: Gifts & Home Products, Electronics and Fashion Accessories feature manufacturers from Greater China. The series of trade fairs is 60 percent larger this year. They are scheduled to run through June 11 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Joining Global Sources’ executive director Sarah Benecke at the opening ceremony were:

– Her Excellency Reem Al Hashemi, Minister of State, United Arab Emirates — Mr. Gao Youzhen, Consul General, Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Dubai — Mr. Zhang Yi, Counselor, Economic & Commercial Section, Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Dubai — Mr. Han Xi, Vice Commercial Consul, Economic & Commercial Section, Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Dubai — Mr. Helal S.K. Al Marri, Director General, Dubai World Trade Centre

”We are very excited to host the 2nd annual China Sourcing Fairs here in Dubai,” said Benecke. ”We believe the China Sourcing Fairs provide a unique opportunity for importers and volume buyers to meet face-to-face with the largest gathering in the Middle East of quality suppliers from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.”

”We are very pleased to welcome back the China Sourcing Fair. This is an ideal platform for buyers from the MENA region to do business with Greater China manufacturers,” said Al Marri.

The China Sourcing Fairs in Dubai serve importers and volume buyers in the Middle East and North Africa region who seek high-quality products from competitive Greater China suppliers. More than 7,100 buyers from 95 countries attended last year’s inaugural event. This year’s Fairs feature exhibitors of gifts, premiums and home products, as well as consumer electronics and fashion accessories.

More details about the China Sourcing Fairs in Dubai are available at http://www.chinasourcingfair.com/dubai .

About Global Sources

Global Sources is a leading business-to-business media company and a primary facilitator of trade with Greater China. The core business is facilitating trade from Greater China to the world, using a wide range of English-language media. The other business segments facilitate trade from the world to Greater China, and trade within China, using Chinese-language media.

The company provides sourcing information to volume buyers and integrated marketing services to suppliers. It helps a community of over 700,000 active buyers source more profitably from complex overseas supply markets. With the goal of providing the most effective ways possible to advertise, market and sell, Global Sources enables suppliers to sell to hard-to-reach buyers in over 230 countries.

Global Sources offers the most extensive range of media and export marketing services in the industries it serves. It delivers information on 2.6 million products and more than 195,000 suppliers annually through 14 online marketplaces, 13 monthly magazines, over 100 sourcing research reports and 9 specialized trade shows which run 27 times a year across eight cities.

Suppliers receive more than 32 million sales leads annually from buyers through Global Sources Online (http://www.globalsources.com ) alone.

Global Sources has been facilitating global trade for 37 years. Global Sources’ network covers more than 69 cities worldwide. In mainland China, Global Sources has over 2,100 team members in more than 44 locations, and a community of over 1 million registered online users and magazine readers for Chinese-language media.

Global Sources Press Contact in Asia: Camellia So Tel: +852-2555-5021 Email: cso@globalsources.com Global Sources Investor Contact in Asia: Investor Relations Department Tel: +852-2555-4777 Email: investor@globalsources.com Global Sources Press Contact in U.S.: James W.W. Strachan Tel: +1-480-664-8309 Email: strachan@globalsources.com Global Sources Investor Contact in U.S.: Christiane Pelz & Kirsten Chapman Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates, Inc. Tel: +1-415-433-3777 Email: investor@globalsources.com

SOURCE Global Sources

 

DIL to organize loose stones sale in Mumbai

Diamond India Ltd (DIL), a consortium of 58 Indian diamantaires, has organized its first b2b sale of solitaires, blue and yellow sapphires, rubies and ruby lights between 21-30 June at its Opera House office.

“The solitaire and gemstone sale will offer diamonds between 1ct-5ct and colored stones of all sizes,” said DIL’s sales and marketing manager, Sneh Shah.

“All stones have been sourced from members of the consortium as well as traders from Israel, US and Belgium,” Shah added.

DIL has invited the top 500 retailers from across the country, along with several other jewellers and manufacturers.

“Invitees will be required to fix an appointment before coming to view and purchase the stones,” Shah added.

The stones will have a fixed price and DIL will deliver the stones as soon as the payment is made, Shah said.

Subsequent to this exhibition, DIL plans to conduct such loose stone sales on a regular basis.

Members of DIL include Rio Tinto diamantaires, DTC Sightholders and BHP Billiton clients.

Source: jckindia

 

ACMEE 2008 Auto Components and Machine Tools Exhibition in Chennai this June

Chennai: The 8th biennial edition of International Auto Components and Machine Tools Exhibition — popularly known as ACMEE 2008 — scheduled to be held in Chennai Trade Centre, Nandambakkam, Chennai 600 086 during June 19-23, 2008 has attracted overwhelming response from the trade and Industry.

More than 400 exhibitors have already registered their participation in this event designed to cover 18000 sqm space spread over Halls 1, 2, Hangers 1,2,3 and Convention Centre of Chennai Trade Centre.

Out of the 400 participants who have confirmed participation, 40 are from overseas mainly from Germany, Italy, South Korea, Israel, Taiwan, China, US, UK. The remaining are from different parts of the country.

Compared to ACMEE 2006, the exhibition area covered by ACMEE 2008 will represent a 42% increase.

With nearly 85% of the participants from SME sector, the event is all set to promote the SME sector in a big way.

The organizers of the Show, Ambattur Industrial Estate Manufacturers Association (AIEMA) and AIEMA Technology Centre have declared the Theme/logo of ACMEE 2008 as “Opportunity for Growth”

The Exhibition will cover all engineering goods and services with a particular emphasis on auto components and machine tools.

Buyer Seller Meet for auto components

Concurrent with the exhibition a Buyer Seller Meet for auto components will be organized. In this BSM, the auto majors will have face to face interaction with the suppliers of components. Among the auto majors who have indicated their interest to participate are Ashok Leyland, Hyundai, TVS, Simpsons, Ford

Seminars on a wide variety of topics of interest have also been planned to be held during the show. The Seminars will have an overall theme as Made In India with sub themes on product excellence, innovation excellence, export excellence, talent excellence, managerial excellence, quality excellence

ACMEE 2008 will also promote industry-educational institutions tie ups by highlighting select projects of students of engineering colleges.

Skill competition for industrial work force in different disciplines will also be one of the highlights of the exhibition.

The organizers had arranged a number of interaction meetings with the trade and industry, participants and are now in the process of massive visitor promotion campaign.

During ACMEE 2008, awards in recognition of outstanding contribution by individuals/companies in respect of the following will also be given: Innovative Products, New products and designs, Innovative manufacturing solutions.

In addition, awards to exhibitors for their outstanding construction/decoration of booths will be distributed.

ACMEE 2008 is a B2B specialized event on engineering goods and services. The far is open to business visitors with invitation cards from 1000 am to 3 pm on all days of the show. Business visitors with business cards can visit the show from 3 pm to 6pm. Others with business interests can visit the show from 3 pm to 6 pm by purchasing entry tickets for Rs.100.

Business visitors can register their name on the fair website: http://acmee.in and collect badges at the registration counter.

ACMEE 2008 has been approved by India Trade Promotion Organisation. ITPO’s approval facilitates in duty free access of foreign exhibits for the event subject to Customs rules and regulations.

ACMEE 2008 is supported by the Directorate of Industries and Commerce, Government of Tamil Nadu, Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises, National Small Scale Industries Corporation.

Indiamart has offered to be the title sponsor of ACMEE 2008 while State Bank of India, Canara Bank and HURCO of USA have agreed to be the cosponsors of the event.

A number of companies have also extended support through sponsorship.

Ambattur Industrial Estate Manufacturers Association (AIEMA)

Ambattur Industrial Estate Manufacturers Association (AIEMA) with nearly 1448 active members represents the entire small/medium scale industrial fraternity located in Ambattur Estate, Chennai. Established in 1963, Ambattur Industrial Estate encompasses an area of nearly 1170 acres of land. The annual turn over of all the units in the Estate is estimated to be over Rs 4500 crore.

AIEMA Technology Centre (ATC) a wing of AIEMA was established as a forum for technological upliftment of member units. It operates a business information centre, conducts training programmes.

Source: machinist.in

 

India International Garment Fair (IIGF) 2008

41st India International Garment Fair (IIGF) is one of the world’s largest and most popular apparel fair. A perfect amalgamation of fashion, design and quality, the 41st India International Garment Fair is the ultimate destination for global fashion buffs and textile industry giants. This unique fair offers a mind-blowing collection of garments, fabrics & fashion accessories manufactured by some of India’s premier fashion and export houses. Adding to the glitz will be theme based fair displays and avant-garde ramp shows displaying all the creations in colours and designs, like never before! The 41st IIGF will have on display the Autumn/Winter trends for the year 2007-2008.

Venue	Apparel House
Marketing Manager	Mr. Vijay Mathur
Demography	International
Trade Fair City	Gurgaon
Exhibitor Information	Booth rates for Indian participants is Rs.4,500 per sqm. For Overseas participants US$ 120 per sqm. 10% extra for two side open stalls & 20% extra for three sides open stalls of 12 – 60 sq. mtrs. minimum booking of 12 sq. mtrs. and multiple to 6 sq. mtr. thereof. ( No booking other than Multiple of 6 sq. mtr will be considered). (Two/ Three sides open stall shall be subject to availability ).
Visitor Information	The India International Garment Fair is the place to be for buyers and buying agents looking for apparel, readymade garments and fashion accessories that are an amalgamation of colour, design and exquisite creativity. No entry fee is charged from Trade visitors.