Cement, Energy & Environment

r I \ few. There are a few majopr ones owned by Rayalseema entrepreneurs like Penna Cements, Bharati Cement (Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy Promoted}, Panyam etc. Thought nearly 55 per cent of the units and production come from Telangana 'there are only a few big players from here like the My Home Group, which has a joint venture with CRH, and Sagar, which has tie-up with Vicat Group and Vishaka Cement. ACC unit in Mancherial has also been taken over by entrepreneurs from Adilabad district in the region. As of now, Nalgonda district has the highest concentration of cement plants, followed by Ranga Reddy and Adilabad in Telangana. This is followed by Jaggayapeta, Krishna district and near Guntur in Andhra Pradesh. In the Rayalseema area, units are spread across Kadapa , Kurnool and Anantapur districts. Interestingly, the cluster comprising Nalgonda (Telangana) and Guntur, Jaggaypet in the Seemndhra region, which also exports to Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha will continue to do well despite the bifurcation. Nalgonda accounts for 55 per cent of limestone deposits, followed by Kadapa and Adilabad districts, "Andhra Pradesh's bifurcation might turn into an advantage for those units in Nalgonda due to access to key markets in Karnataka and Maharashtra while those in Seemandhra region might have limited opportunities." said a senior executive of a Hyderabad- based listed cement company. However, the cement sector itself is going tough times with power cuts and slow down in the reality sector and significant drop ion funds for government housing and irrigation projects. This has led to increase in prices, which are hovering around ~ 300 per 50 kg bag and simultaneously cut in production (average of 50-60 per cent of capacity). The pangs of bifurcation has already led top full in the reality sector. There are mixed views about growth of real estate after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh . There are also high hopes of hug funds flowing in for the creation of infrastructure for a new capital in the Seemandhra region. "it remains to be the seen how these development works out as they will have a huge impact on the cement sector," industry sources said. Courtesy: The Hindu Business Line, Hyderabad, 03.09.2013 ODISHA DISPLACES STATE AS INVESTORS' TOP CHOICE Odisha has emerged as the hottest investment destination for new projects as investor interest in "prosperous" states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu declined during 2012- 13, latest data released by the Reserve Bank of India shows. Through a dozen projects funded by bank loans, Odisha managed to get investors to commit to around Rs 53,000 crore investments, a 27% share of all- India investments. In contrast, Maharatra is expected to get an in– vestment of around Rs.21 ,400 crore in 70 projects, or 10.9% of the pie . Punjab was the other surprise, moving to the thi~d spot on the list with a dozen projects expected .to generate investments of over Rs 20 ,600 crore. Courtesy: The Times of India, New Delhi, 12.09.2013 MUMBAI, SECOND BEST CITY AFTER SINGAPORE Indians have voted Mumbai as the world's second best city in the world after Singapore for . } doing business and f'E>r living purpose, according to a study by market _research company lpsos. Singapore was voted as the world's best city followed by Mumbai; New York, London, and Abu Dhabi which make to.the list of top five. Commenting on 'the findings , lpsos India Head Marketing Communi·cation Biswarup Banerjee said "Mumbai is the commercial and entertainment capital of India and It is also the most populous city in India. No wond.er people across India who aspire to make it b'i~'have voted Mumbai, the city of dreams as the best place to do business and • live in." In terms of doing business , Indians perceive Mumbai as the best city followed by Singapore, Abu Dhabi, New York, London, Hong Kong, Beijing, Tokyo, Sydney and Paris as the top cities in the World. The report further added that Indians have rated Mumbai as the. best place to live in the world , followed by Singapdre, London, New York, Abu Dhabi, Paris, Sydney, Los Angeles, Zurich and Washington . Meanwhile, the global survey by lpsos, which covered 18,147 people in 24 countries said New York City, London , Paris , Abu Dhabi and Sydney 25