02 Jul
Growing Processed Food Industry and Rising Demand for Food Exports.
Growth in the flexible plastic packaging market for food is a function of the growth of the food and food processing industry and growth in food exports. Countries such as Malaysia and Thailand have strengthened their position as “halal” food exporters and have gained a share of the export market in the Middle East, thereby, enhancing growth in this market.
(Logo: www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081117/FSLOGO )
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (www.chemicals.frost.com), Southeast Asia Plastic Flexible Packaging Market for Food, finds that the market earned revenues of over $1.41 billion in 2008 and estimates it to reach $2.22 billion in 2015. This is due to robust growth in the food processing sector and the rise in demand for food exports as well as an increase in the affluence of the urban population who tend to spend more on packaged food.more
02 Jul
Senator arrives late and out of place at the car lot.
But as I”m blubbering into my hanky here, I”m trying to think back to Hutchison”s outrage over the other pain caused by auto industry restructuring. Hard to remember it. Maybe that”s because there was none.
Like when GM announced it would shut down most of its plants for 90 days this summer to save money. Hutchison said nothing about helping the workers — thousands in Michigan — who”ll go broke over that span.
Or when GM said in April that it would cut 23,000 jobs and close 47 plants by 2011. Hutchison, again, was silent.
Indeed, Hutchison opposed auto bailout legislation last December, arguing that it subsidized the industry”s ‘failed business model.’ She complained mightily about high wages and other labor costs.
So why the sudden empathy for the little guy? Could have something to do with the heavy political giving exercised by car dealers and their lobbyists — half the auto-related booty for folks in Washington in 2007-08.more
01 Jul
Labour shortage hits salt industry.
RAJKOT: Salt processing units in Kharaghoda in Patdi taluka of Surendranagar district are facing acute labour shortage these days. Due to the heat wave, among other reasons, many agariyas have left for other parts of the state.
Salt from Little Rann of Kutch has been transported to units at Kharaghoda. There are more than 100 processing units and 56 iodising plants there.
‘Labourers have migrated to Gandhidham, Samkhiyali and other centres where salt is produced from sea water,”" said Ambu Patel, Kharaghoda resident.
Around six to eight per cent salt pan workers are now working as agricultural labourers in Halvad and Junagadh districts. Depletion of groundwater and high cost of salt production has led to this, he added.
There are 43,000-odd agariyas engaged in salt farming for eight months - from September to April - in the Little Rann of Kutch.more
