Economic Times PresentationPresented by:Kavita RaniMBA -2c

Samsung's Camera Offensive Against Apple

Samsung Electronics has chosen an unusual time to get into the camera business. The global market for digital still cameras shrank 7.5 percent last year, according to IDC, which predicts the market will grow at 5.4 percent or less for the next four years. A big reason for that is the rise of camera-equipped smartphones. Samsung's position:

The company is counting on cameras to help it compete with Apple (AAPL) and reduce its reliance on semiconductors. Apple doesn't make cameras and that, argues Park, has created an opening for Samsung.

Just as the popularity of the iPhone helped build excitement about the iPad,

Park says Samsung will use digital cameras to build brand awareness for the company's TVs, smartphones, and other products. On Sept. 14 in Hong Kong, Samsung launched a line of professional-grade cameras meant to compete with Nikon and Canon (CAJ).

Samsung has been trying to steal market share from Apple on several fronts. Its new smartphone, the Galaxy S, introduced in the U.S. in August, is winning raves worldwide.

The company also has high hopes that the tablet PC it introduced this month will attract customers who otherwise would buy the iPad. Samsung says it's considering putting Google's (GOOG) Android operating system into its TVs.

That would allow its sets to compete with the recently revamped Apple TV, which viewers can use to watch online content on their television sets.

Government urged not to cut duty drawback rates

Indian exporters Saturday urged the central government to defer its decision to cut duty drawback rates, saying it would negatively affect exports of items like textiles, leather and handicrafts.

"Reduction in rate will further affect the export of sectors which are showing negative or single digit growth.

Reduction of drawback for apparel, leather, metal handicrafts, carpets, low-end engineering products will have a bearing on employment  

The government has announced that it would cut duty drawback rates by 15 percent from Sep 20. 

Chairman of Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) Premal Udani said the industry was deeply disappointed over the proposed cut in rates.

   Under the duty drawback scheme, the government reimburses

all central duties, including customs and central excise paid on inputs, and service tax paid in the manufacture of export goods. There are multiple schemes to reimburse the export sector for its taxpayments. 

Udani said instead of reducing the duty drawback rates, the government should raise it to help exports of labour intensive sectors.

Forever 21 launches flagship store in India

US-based fashion brand Forever 21 Saturday opened its first-ever store in India at Vasant Kunj's Ambience Mall here with boxes full of vibrant clothes and accessories at affordable prices.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Forever 21 is a specialty retailer of women'sclothing and accessories. It has as many as 500 stores in 15 countries. The one in the capital is spread over 10,000 square feet. 

"We don't cater only to the younger generation. We want to be known as a brand that has something for women of every age group. Be it 20's, 30's or 40's - we have a wide variety and range of fashion apparel at very competitive prices.

Forever 21 is being brought to India by Hello Retail Pvt Ltd on franchise basis.

We try to bring in new stock at least 3-4 times a week. If you liked something today and you go back home thinking that you will buy it the next time, chances are that it might have already been replaced or purchased.

According to Alex, the company is still testing waters in India and after seeing the response from this store, they will think about expansion but as of now they want to wait and watch. 

The products are very affordable and start from Rs.199 

Bharti Airtel, IBM strike technology operations deal in Africa

U.S.-based International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) has entered into an agreement to manage telecommunications-services provider Bharti Airtel Ltd.'s technology operations in 16 African countries, the companies said Friday.

According to the Wall Street Journal, under the proposed 10-year contract—estimated to be worth more than a billion dollars by an analyst, IBM will consolidate Bharti Airtel's information-technology operations in the 16 African countries into one integrated system. 

IBM will also oversee the management of all of the technology applications, data-center operations, servers, storage and desktop services, the companies said in a joint statement. 

The contract is to be finalized in the fourth quarter, they said, without providing any financial details.

Fujezone mobile plans 100 service centres in India

Fujezone mobile will launch over 100 service centres in the country and increase its sales percentage by 60 percent by the year-end as part of its expansion plan in the Indian market, the company said Saturday.

"We plan to ensure that Fujezone is known throughout country as a value phone brand. Our plan is to cover at least 60 percent of India by the end of fiscal year 2010-11," said Satyak Kapur, vice president Fujezone.

  The company which currently has over 30 service centres across the

country is also planning to recruit manpower to expand its branches in the Indian market

.  Fujezone, which is a brand owned by mobile accessories and batteries

provider Nakamichi Techno Private Limited, recently launched two dual-sim technology based handsets -- Stylish X-2 and Trendy T-10 -- priced at Rs.3,999 and Rs.1,999, respectively, in the Indian market. 

These phones feature enhanced music functions like MP3 and MP4 with access to social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter and are targeted at the tech-savvy consumers who are always on the move and need constant access to information and entertainment.

"A number of customers in India have two numbers so dual-sim phones provide them with the ease of using their dual sim-cards in one phone only," he said. 

The company will also be launching the GSM and CDMA technology based dual-sim phones in the coming months. 

Thank you