Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by nm7

India faces tough calls on phone manufacturing

nm7 — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 12:55:57 +0800

Some argue stronger duties on imports could push overseas groups to manufacture more in India

A string of Mandarin characters flashes across a blue-lit smartphone display panel at a factory in the north Indian technology hub of Noida, as an Intex Technologies technician tests its latest batch of Chinese supplies.

In a larger, adjacent room, long lines of workers in protective white coats and caps are assembling phones from dozens of other components, from microphones to camera sensors, which again come mostly from China.

This dependence has sparked condemnation of Intex and other Indian electronics groups, as critics argue that they have simply moved onshore the assembly of Chinese products — an approach whose dangers are now being underscored, as the local brands suffer heavy market share losses to rivals from China.

The debate reflects the tough decisions facing India’s government as it seeks to nurture large-scale growth in smartphone production: a crucial test of its “Make in India” drive aimed at revamping a sluggish manufacturing sector.

India is second only to China in terms of smartphone users, who now number more than 330m, according to Counterpoint Research — but this huge domestic market has yet to translate into a powerful electronics sector.

Narendra Modi’s government is on a mission to change that as it seeks to kick-start a manufacturing sector that accounted for only 17 per cent of gross domestic product in 2015: less than half the share in China.

The government’s particular focus on smartphone production reflects the huge growth of a consumer segment that threatens to become a significant drag on India’s trade balance. Indian exports of electrical and electronic equipment were worth just $8.2bn last year, against imports of $37bn.

Progress has been made, with increased onshore assembly by local smartphone brands as well as South Korea’s Samsung Electronics and several fast-growing Chinese producers. The proportion of locally assembled phones jumped from 30 per cent in 2014 to 80 per cent by early 2016, estimates Bipin Sapra, a partner at Ernst & Young.

That growth was driven, he adds, largely by a “differential duty” structure that pushed up the cost of imports relative to domestically assembled phones. That system seemed due to be eliminated by India’s landmark, all-encompassing goods and services tax that came into force at midnight last Friday, which announced an effective tax of 12 per cent on imported and locally assembled phones alike. The government calmed fears in the small hours of Saturday morning, announcing a 10 per cent duty on imported phones that will maintain the fiscal incentive to produce onshore.

Korea is bcuming a popular destination for Indians

nm7 — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 12:51:54 +0800

Did you know you that Jeju Island in Korea is visa-free? This, and other interesting tidbits for those interested to travel to Korea soon.

The South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE), held at Pragati Maidan during January 29-31, saw representatives from tourism ministries of various countries around the world, including Malaysia, Thailand, Macau, Oman and others. In an interview with Byungsun Lee, Director, Korea Tourism Organisation, we tried to find out what Korea is doing to attract Indian travellers and how it’s working to develop itself as an emerging tourist destination.

What kind of traction does the Korean tourism industry get from India? And do you see it increasing?

Byungsun Lee: I’ve worked now for almost two years in India, and I found that there’s a big change in the awareness about Korea as a tourist destination here. In the past, only the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and events) travel agencies showed interest in Korea. But, these days, Korea is emerging as a leisure destination. Mainstream destinations like Thailand, Singapore and Dubai are already saturated. People now want new destinations and travel agents are also very seriously seeking unique destinations, so now Korea is one of them.

Second, Indian travel lovers face difficulties in getting visas. Indians are very willing to go to Europe. They have to input biometric information, and there are many other barriers. So, people want an alternative destination (and) Korea is their new destination and marketshare is increasing day by day.

What makes Korea stand out from other countries?

Byungsun Lee: Korea is a very lovely country with a lot of unique aspects. We can offer a variety of destinations. One of them, for example, is that Korea is a very safe country for women. I assure you that Japan and Korea might be most safe countries for women travellers. They can go out during wee hours – 1am, 3am – and they can go anywhere. Even at 3am, there’s a lot of crowd and a lot of light. All shops are open 24 hours, specially during wee hours. It’s very interesting. So, South Korea is a rare country where ladies can enjoy without any concerns.
There are many aspects that ladies will love. Cosmetics, number one. Millions of young Chinese women travellers visit Korea to beautify themselves, even for surgeries. Then there are spas, Korean ayurvedic services and shopping. I claim that Korea is the best country for shopping. All items are very cheap and of good quality. So, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese – all young women come to Korea and praise the culture.

Are you doing anything in particular to attract Indian tourists?

Byungsun Lee: We are developing women-only packages. We are dealing with Cox and Kings and Thomas Cook now. We have a really lovely island called Jeju Island, which is one of the most beautiful islands. It has everything – volcanoes, natural beauty, amusement parks, shopping, everything – and it is a visa-free destination. Not visa-on-arrival – it is just simply visa-free.

If this morning you decide you want to go somewhere for a trip – just book a ticket, go to Jeju Island and enjoy. So, we are promoting Jeju Island in combination with Seoul – they are a perfect match. Seoul is a big city with every attraction and Jeju Island is paradise for relaxation. So, Seoul plus Jeju Island is way better than Thailand’s attractions. Only problem is up until now Indian travellers know Thailand, Bangkok and Korea is visible and emerging only now.

How many Indian travellers go to Korea annually, and have the numbers gone up?

Byungsun Lee: Last year, more than 150,000 travellers visited Korea from India and the number of visitors has increased by almost 20 per cent year-on-year. This is a very significant increase. I believe this increase will continue and the 200,000-mark will be achievable very soon. In addition to that, Korea is well-connected but the conditions will improve soon. Last October, civil aviation talks between India and Korea reached agreement and now between the two countries, we have six direct flights a week – Korean Airway and Asian Air. But the number of direct flights will be increased to 19 times a week.

So, with better connectivity and Korea’s beauty and attractions – now is the moment for Korea as a top emerging country in India.

What do Indian tourists spend most on and what is their average spending?
Byungsun Lee: Shopping, definitely. And Korea is very good with clothes, good quality electronic products and cosmetics. Women especially love cosmetics. Indians are very big soenders in Korea, they spend around $1500. There’s so much to buy.

List of countries by Oil Production! No1 shock u!

nm7 — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 12:47:33 +0800

What is this insect with freakishly long legs?

nm7 — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 12:41:26 +0800

Stick insect, praying mantis or spider?

Stomper Lau Lup spotted this insect that looks like a cross of all three at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve on June 27.

He found the creature in the undergrowth and would like to ask if anyone can identify it.

Passenger killed after Uber car crashes into tree

nm7 — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 12:39:29 +0800

An Uber driver crashed into a tree along Xilin Avenue at about 7.30am on Sunday (July 9) morning, killing the passenger in the backseat.

The 22-year-old driver, who was arrested for causing death by a negligent act, was not injured.

The Straits Times reported that the car, a Toyota Vios, had skidded before hitting the tree on the slip road into East Coast Parkway, in the direction of the Marina Coastal Expressway.

The report said that the Singapore Civil Defence Force stated that the 31-year-old male Filipino passenger was found lying motionless and pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

A Lianhe Wanbao report said that the victim suffered a fractured skull, and that the road was wet after a heavy downpour in the morning.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, a spokesman for Uber said:

"We are extremely saddened to hear about this tragic accident.

"Our thoughts are with all the deceased’s family at this time.

"We are doing what we can to support them and stand ready to cooperate with the authorities in their investigations.”

15yo raped by her dad friend n 3 teen for 30 hours

nm7 — Sun, 09 Jul 2017 15:21:32 +0800

In a horrific incident, a 15-year-old rape survivor was allegedly kidnapped and gangraped by her father’s friend and three others for over 30 hours in Bhandup area of Mumbai. The accused reportedly threatened to kill her if she protested.

According to reports, on July 5, the girl’s father’s friend visited her house and told her parents that he was taking her out for some time. Since the person was known to the family, they let her go with him. The girl was allegedly taken to a room in Kanjurmarg when by her father’s friend and three other teenagers took turns to rape her.

Her parents registered a complaint with the police station after their daughter did not return home. The girl managed to flee from the hotel and reached home the next day around 9:30 PM. Her parents rushed her to Sion hospital after looking at her condition. Following which, a complaint against her father’s friend and three others was lodged with the police. The police have managed to arrest 3 in connection with the case whereas one is still absconding.

“The girl was taken to Kanjurmarg, where this 32-year-old called three boys, each 19 years old. One of the boys said they would take her to his place, where they started raping her one after another. After raping her for almost 30 hours, they left her near Mankhurd. She somehow managed to reach home,” Mid-Day quoted a police source as saying.

As per a report in Mid-day, the girl was raped by her grandfather when she was 11 years old. Her grandfather was convicted by the court and sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment. She had also reportedly filed a complaint of rape against her cousin in 2012.

“She was raped by her own grandfather, when she was 11 years old. He was arrested at that time and sent to jail. The next year, her cousin raped her,” said an officer. “Last year she was kidnapped by a person. This is really serious and raises questions about the attempts made to rehabilitate her,” A police official told the daily.

The girl is currently undergoing treatment in the hospital and will receive counselling once she is out of the hospital.

Man get 7 year jail with mom for raping sis-in-law

nm7 — Sun, 09 Jul 2017 15:15:35 +0800

WTF!

A Delhi court has sent a public servant to seven years in jail for repeatedly raping his sister-in-law and awarded the same prison term to his mother for abetting the crime.

The court said it has been proved that the man, who was suspended by the Railway department after lodging of the case, confined the woman and raped her and also threatened to kill her children, if she resisted his acts.

“I am of the opinion that prosecution has successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt that the accused man had forcibly confined the prosecutrix and raped her several times and also threatened to kill her children, if she did not maintain physical relations with him.

“It has also been proved by the prosecution beyond reasonable doubt that the accused woman (mother-in-law) had abetted the commission of offence of rape upon the prosecutrix by the man,” Additional Sessions Judge Shail Jain said.

The court awarded seven years imprisonment each to the 35-year-old man and his mother.

It also imposed a fine of Rs 21,000 and Rs 10,000 on the man and the elderly woman respectively and said that half of the amount be given to the victim as compensation. The court also directed the legal service authority to award appropriate compensation to her.

According to the prosecution, the woman got married in 2003 and was treated cruelly by her husband and mother-in-law.

She had earlier lodged a case of sexual assault against her brother-in-law, who was arrested, and her in-laws were pressurising her to get him out on bail.

When he got bail, he along with her mother-in-law decided to teach her a lesson and confined her in a shanty for a month when she was repeatedly raped by the man, she alleged.

Later, she escaped from the shanty and approached the police for lodging an FIR against the man and elderly woman.

During the trial, the two accused claimed they were falsely implicated in the case.

The court, however, said it was difficult to presume that the woman will falsely implicated the man for the second time for the same offence even when the first case was pending.

The woman convict sought a lenient view on the ground that she was a senior citizen and was suffering from various ailments.

The man sought leniency, saying he has to take care of his wife and minor daughters.

World's favourite accent is.......

nm7 — Sun, 09 Jul 2017 15:08:03 +0800

Top 10 Best Cities for Dating! Kuala Lumpur!

nm7 — Sun, 09 Jul 2017 15:04:52 +0800

Working hours rank by countries! No3 wil shock u!

nm7 — Sun, 09 Jul 2017 12:42:49 +0800

United States and Italy are more hardworking than Japan. We all still think Japanese are hardworking lel.

Elizabeth Tan the other night

nm7 — Sun, 09 Jul 2017 12:30:59 +0800

Which site can see >10 years exchange rate?

nm7 — Sun, 09 Jul 2017 12:26:11 +0800

Let's say I wanna see USD/EUR exchange rate in 2004. However, Xe.com only can see maximum 10 years. Anyone know which site can see way beyond that?

Man Pretending to be Romanian on UK Border Force

nm7 — Sun, 09 Jul 2017 09:06:04 +0800

Super funny. Must watch! See how police actually expose him.

[YOUTUBE]zgv6nJiDmiM[/YOUTUBE]

apit gengster wecet is Arata!

nm7 — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 18:42:21 +0800

https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/4352068/+40 look at post #42. arata removed the picture on post #39.

walao, arata cable so thick. not kena ban!

Will automation help to increase MY productivity?

nm7 — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 17:00:00 +0800

Yes, human labor is still v important to manufacturing right now. But, soon, workers will be replaced by robots or what we called 'automation' in most factories. Do u think if we invest in these robotics/humainoid/automation industry, we will be able to increase our export volume and improve our countries GDP?

Elizabeth Tan insert quote here :)

nm7 — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 16:52:05 +0800

What is the meaning of 'tangerine bobo'?

nm7 — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 15:49:34 +0800

I always saw my cousin when play computer always say something akin to 'tangerine bobo'. Any k know what it is?

Collision involving trailer and 2 bikes causes oil

nm7 — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 12:54:06 +0800

[YOUTUBE]Qh3Vur17Ll4[/YOUTUBE]

Best Countries to Invest in the World 2017!

nm7 — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 12:52:27 +0800

Do u think India will bcum king of manufacturing?

nm7 — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 12:50:55 +0800

Last year, Tim Cook announced that next Iphone will be made in India. All factories will be switched to Bengaluru.

China workers' wages increased a lot over last decade. Things are not as cheap as before. Export will soon decrease and investors will find another potential country to manufacture products.

The best contender will be India. Besides, with USA backing India and against China, India will soon become the 'king' of manufacturing. Do u think the day will soon come?