Valoriser les talents de la jeunesse : le défi de la formation professionnelle

Source: Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Caledonie

Samuel Hnepeune, membre du gouvernement chargé de la formation professionnelle, a présenté la feuille de route de ce secteur actuellement en tension. Face aux mutations du marché du travail et aux budgets contraints, la formation professionnelle nécessite une refonte en profondeur vers un système plus juste, plus cohérent et plus performant, afin de valoriser la jeunesse et de répondre aux besoins des professionnels.

Un secteur en difficulté face à de nouveaux enjeux

La formation professionnelle en Nouvelle-Calédonie traverse une période critique. À l’image de certains secteurs clés du territoire, elle subit depuis 2019 une baisse drastique de ses moyens financiers. Le budget, autrefois supérieur à 1,6 milliard de francs, a chuté, pour s’établir à 600 millions en 2025.

« La situation budgétaire actuelle nous oblige à faire aussi bien voire mieux avec beaucoup moins, à travers trois piliers : la mutualisation, la rationalisation des coûts et des économies d’échelle considérable pour arriver à cette performance », a souligné le membre du gouvernement.

Cette contraction budgétaire a un impact direct sur l’offre de formation. En 2020, 25 actions étaient proposées pour plus de 450 stagiaires. En 2025, seules 6 à 8 formations concerneront entre 90 et 110 stagiaires. Cette réduction drastique limite les opportunités d’insertion professionnelle, en particulier pour les jeunes, et creuse l’écart entre les besoins du territoire et les compétences disponibles.

La crise de mai 2024 a exacerbé la situation. De nombreuses structures ont fermé leurs portes, laissant un vide pour les publics en formation. Mais au-delà de la conjoncture, c’est une transformation en profondeur de l’économie calédonienne qui s’opère : recul des secteurs historiques comme la mine ou la construction, et montée en puissance des services, du numérique, de la maintenance ou encore de l’économie bleue.

Face à ces mutations, le territoire doit relever plusieurs défis : rendre les métiers attractifs, identifier les filières porteuses, adapter les formations aux réalités économiques, améliorer la qualification des publics et renouer avec les collectivités (provinces et communes).

Dans ce contexte, la formation professionnelle demeure un enjeu majeur. « Il y a des constats qui sont alarmants. Chaque année, on retrouve 800 jeunes qui sortent du système éducatif sans aucune formation. Autre élément inquiétant : l’âge de déscolarisation qui est passé de 16 à 13 ans », a expliqué Samuel Hnepeune.

« Il y a donc un gap considérable entre le niveau d’origine de ces jeunes et le niveau d’employabilité. L’idée est donc de retrouver le niveau budgétaire de l’année dernière si l’on veut redonner de la valeur à la jeunesse, c’est pourquoi il est important de mieux accompagner la formation professionnelle ».

Une réponse stratégique et volontariste portée par le gouvernement

Conscient de l’urgence, le gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, par le biais de la direction du Travail, de l’emploi et de la formation professionnelle (DTEFP), s’engage dans une refonte ambitieuse de la formation professionnelle. L’objectif : garantir à chacun un accès durable à l’emploi, en misant sur la formation continue, l’innovation et la coordination des acteurs.

Pour ce faire, différentes pistes et actions sont envisagées :

  • Mutualiser les ressources pour renforcer l’efficacité ;
  • Sécuriser les parcours professionnels ;
  • Outiller et professionnaliser les acteurs de l’orientation ;
  • Innover pour rapprocher la formation des réalités du terrain.

 « Île Nou : Presqu’île des Savoirs » – Sanctuariser un écosystème innovant pour une passerelle entre la formation initiale et professionnelle

Au cœur d’une stratégie globale de transformation de l’offre de formation en Nouvelle-Calédonie, un projet structurant et innovant prend forme : la Presqu’île des Savoirs, implantée sur le site emblématique de l’Île Nou à Nouville. Ce projet phare, encore en phase de structuration, s’inspire des « Villages des Solutions » déployés en Métropole, et se donne pour mission de renforcer la cohérence et la visibilité de l’ensemble des parcours de formation sur le territoire.

Particularité forte de ce projet : il favorise la synergie entre formation initiale – avec la présence de l’Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et du lycée Jules-Garnier – et formation professionnelle, représentée notamment par le Village des Solutions. Cette cohabitation inédite permet de créer un véritable écosystème d’apprentissage, d’innovation sociale et de développement économique, où les moyens, les structures et les expertises sont mutualisés pour répondre durablement aux enjeux de qualification et d’insertion professionnelle.

« Le village des solutions qui s’intègre à la Presque’île des Savoirs, est un écosystème qui  réunit différents acteurs en un même endroit afin de sécuriser le parcours de l’apprenant, a exposé Samuel Hnepeune. C’est un guichet unique qui permettrait de lever les freins que peuvent rencontrer les apprenants dans leur parcours de formation, tels que des difficultés de mobilité ou de santé ».

Les objectifs de la Presqu’île des Savoirs

Ce projet novateur s’articule autour de plusieurs ambitions clés :

  • Mutualiser les moyens humains et les plateaux techniques, pour une meilleure efficacité des dispositifs existants ;
  • Favoriser la montée en compétences à travers une offre de formation adaptée, accessible et innovante ;
  • Soutenir l’innovation sociale et encourager de nouvelles dynamiques territoriales ;
  • Simplifier les parcours en offrant un guichet unique, évitant aux bénéficiaires de multiplier les démarches auprès de différents organismes.

Un public large, au cœur des enjeux d’insertion

La Presqu’île des Savoirs s’adresse à la fois aux apprenants, des jeunes en formation initiale, des demandeurs d’emploi, ou des salariés en reconversion, mais aussi à des structures partenaires, issues de secteurs essentiels : santé, logement, mobilité, parentalité, culture, citoyenneté, solidarité… créant ainsi un accompagnement global et inclusif.

Un lieu stratégique, chargé d’histoire et tourné vers l’avenir

Nouville, site historique de la formation en Nouvelle-Calédonie, a longtemps accueilli des structures clés comme le centre de formation des apprentis de la CMA, l’IFPSS ou encore la DPJEJ. Ce riche héritage est aujourd’hui prolongé et modernisé à travers l’implantation de la Presqu’île des Savoirs, dans un périmètre stratégique, aux côtés de l’Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, du lycée Jules-Garnier, du Sénat coutumier ou encore des infrastructures hospitalières.

L’installation à proximité du port de Nouméa – site en pleine reconversion – ouvre de nouvelles perspectives, avec notamment l’arrivée de navires scientifiques dédiés à la recherche. L’Île Nou, classée au patrimoine calédonien, deviendra ainsi un véritable site stratégique apprenant, valorisant l’histoire tout en répondant aux enjeux d’avenir.

Une gouvernance partagée au service de la cohésion territoriale

La gouvernance du projet repose sur un Conseil local, garant d’une gestion collaborative, inclusive et innovante qui permettrait de :

  • Mutualiser les équipements et compétences ;
  • Sécuriser les parcours, notamment des publics les plus vulnérables ;
  • Déployer des parcours modulaires et flexibles, en lien avec les besoins réels des entreprises ;
  • Soutenir l’entrepreneuriat local et la montée en compétences ;
  • Favoriser la continuité entre formation initiale et continue ;
  • Rationaliser les coûts pour une meilleure efficacité collective ;
  • Répondre de manière agile et ciblée aux besoins en main-d’œuvre du marché du travail.

Partenariats et financements

Pour le membre du gouvernement « ce projet que l’on porte avec la mairie de Nouméa  est un concept qui nous permettrait d’obtenir des financements européens notamment ».

Le gouvernement envisage également de solliciter le soutien de l’ Agence nationale pour la formation professionnelle des adultes (AFPA) pour son expertise en ingénierie pédagogique et en structuration de dispositifs, mais aussi de l’Agence française de développement (AFD) pour son accompagnement en ingénierie de projet.

D’autre part, afin d’assurer la pérennité et l’adaptabilité du dispositif, il faudra compter sur des partenariats publics et privés.

En articulant vision stratégique et projets concrets comme celui de la Presqu’île des Savoirs, la Nouvelle-Calédonie amorce une refonte profonde et ambitieuse de sa politique de formation professionnelle. Ce plan d’action se veut une réponse durable aux enjeux d’employabilité, de compétitivité et de cohésion sociale. En misant sur la collaboration, l’innovation et l’anticipation des besoins, le territoire se dote des moyens nécessaires pour construire une économie plus résiliente et inclusive, au service des Calédoniens et plus particulièrement de sa jeunesse.

 

Chiffres clés

  • 47 % : baisse de l’enveloppe budgétaire dédiée à la formation entre 2024 et 2025
  • 28,3 % : taux de chômage chez les jeunes de moins de 30 ans soit 4 245 personnes
  • 53% de non-qualifiés en recherche d’emploi soit 5 565 personnes
  • 800 jeunes sortent chaque année sans diplôme des cursus de formation initiale

CE leads delegation to begin visit programme in Zhejiang (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

CE leads delegation to begin visit programme in Zhejiang  
Upon arrival in Hangzhou in the afternoon, Mr Lee and the delegation visited the ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center to learn more about the latest developments in innovation and technology collaboration between Hong Kong and Hangzhou. Mr Lee said that Zhejiang University is one of the eligible Mainland universities under the Top Talent Pass Scheme, and over 4 000 of its graduates have been approved to pursue their careers in Hong Kong through the scheme. He also said that the Center serves as a major innovation and technology platform in Zhejiang, bringing together talent skilled in the collaborative development of industry, education and research sectors. The Center can enhance collaboration with Hong Kong’s universities and research institutes in areas such as promoting the transformation of research and development outcomes, and enhancing technological and industrial innovation, Mr Lee added.
 
In the evening, Mr Lee attended a dinner hosted by the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Zhejiang, where he engaged with Hong Kong people and representatives of Hong Kong enterprises in Zhejiang to learn more about their daily lives and developments. He encouraged them to leverage their strengths to serve Zhejiang enterprises in going global and attracting foreign investment, with a view to contributing to mutual benefits and the high-quality development of Hong Kong and Zhejiang.
 
Mr Lee will continue his visit to Hangzhou tomorrow (April 23).
Issued at HKT 19:00

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Appeal for information on missing woman in Cheung Sha Wan (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Police today (April 22) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Cheung Sha Wan.

Chan Fung-siu, Susanna, aged 68, went missing after she left her residence on Sham Mong Road yesterday (April 21) afternoon. Her family then made a report to Police.

She is about 1.5 metres tall, 43 kilograms in weight and of thin build. She has a long face with yellow complexion and long grey and white hair. She was last seen wearing a blue T-shirt, black trousers, grey and white sneakers, a pair of glasses and a pink mask and carrying a blue and black luggage.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of Kowloon West on 3661 8036 or 9020 6542 or email to rmpu-kw@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

     

DPIIT and Stride Ventures announce the winner of the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge 2025, with funding of up to INR 10 crore

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 22 APR 2025 4:28PM by PIB Delhi

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), in partnership with  Startup India and Stride Ventures, announced the startup Buoyancy Plastics for Change Recycling Private Limited as the winner of the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge 2025, an initiative aimed at recognizing and empowering high-impact, homegrown startups.

The winner was chosen from over 120 startup applications received during the 30 days of running the challenge. Applications were received from 22 states of the country, from startups working in the sustainability, fintech and e-mobility sector.

The winner of this Challenge, Plastics for Change, was founded in 2015, and focuses on building a Fair Trade verified recycled plastics supply chain. The company is currently focused on ethical sourcing and aggregation of plastic waste to provide high-quality rPET, rHDPE and rPP materials to recycling units. Working directly with informal waste and plastics collectors and integrating them into the formal economy, the startup currently has a collection capacity of more than 20,000-ton and is now aiming to further deepen its presence in the Indian plastics recycling sector.

Stride Ventures is the largest venture debt fund in India, having committed over $1 Billion to over 170 new-age startups in the last five years. Stride has now expanded its footprint to Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and London. Earlier this year, Stride Ventures signed an MOU with DPIIT to provide funding, network, market access as well as mentorship support to budding startups across the country, as well as help Indian startups scale globally.

This was the first time Stride Ventures hosted a Bharat Startup Grand Challenge. For the winner’s, Stride Ventures announced investing up to ₹10 Crore, subject to due diligence, along with further ecosystem support, mentorship and access to Stride’s network to help further scale up the startup’s endeavours in sustainability and circularity in India.

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Abhishek Dayal/Abhijith Narayanan

(Release ID: 2123468) Visitor Counter : 48

A DST institute, NECTAR showcases Innovative Aerostatic Drone for Enhanced Surveillance and Disaster Management

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 22 APR 2025 3:54PM by PIB Delhi

Forest surveillance, wildlife monitoring, border and disaster surveillance in the North East, may soon be much easier — thanks to the Aerostatic Drone developed with support from North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR).

NECTAR, an autonomous body under Department of Science and Technology, Government of India organized a live demonstration of the technology developed by Airbotix Technologies, Gurgaon.

It is the first of its kind in India, designed with high endurance and aero-statically stable capabilities to deploy for forest surveillance, wildlife monitoring, border and disaster surveillance application. Aerostatic drones are aerial platforms that derive their lift from both buoyancy and aerodynamics.

This makes them very energy efficient making them a better alternative for tethered drones. Aerostatic drones are silent as they do not require constant thrust to stay afloat, making them cost-effective and versatile solution for providing persistent surveillance.

The aerostatic drone provides a silent aerial platform that can persistently stay afloat for surveillance with an endurance of over 4 hours. The system is designed to be modular and could be integrated with any ground vehicle or can be installed at any site. The drone can be utilized for a variety of use cases such as wildlife monitoring, forest surveillance, crowd monitoring, border security and disaster surveillance to name a few.

The flexibility to equip the drone with both day and night camera as well as any other payload such as telecommunication relay and anti-drone payload. The Day and Night Vision Camera cameras further enhances its utility, especially in tracking monitoring forests for illegal activities such as poaching, smuggling and logging, as well as by providing support for security operations along borders.

Participants from various organizations interacted with Airbotix Technologyy about the drone’s technical capabilities. The Drone has features related to surveillance using thermal imaging and detection capabilities. 

Officials from the CRPF showing a keen interest in how the drone could enhance their operations, particularly in border surveillance and security in challenging terrains. The ability of the drone to operate in both daylight and low-visibility conditions using thermal cameras could be a significant asset for security personnel.

Fig: Aerostatic Drone for Enhanced Surveillance and Disaster Management

 

The drones could play a crucial role in monitoring forest health and wildlife populations, enabling conservationists to track animal movements and assess habitat conditions without disturbing the ecosystem as they are silent. In military and security contexts, aerostatic drones are employed for ISR missions, providing real-time data and situational awareness, which enhances strategic planning and operational effectiveness. Furthermore, as they have very little metal components, they are practically invisible to the RADAR.

Aerostatic drones can serve as temporary communication relays in remote areas or during emergencies, ensuring connectivity where traditional infrastructure may be lacking or compromised. Aerostatic drones can also be integrated into systems designed to detect unauthorized drone activity, enhancing security measures at sensitive locations such as airports and military bases.

During public events, these drones could assist law enforcement by monitoring crowd behavior, helping to ensure safety and manage potential disturbances effectively. Moreover, they can be utilized to monitor traffic conditions in urban areas, providing valuable data for traffic management systems and aiding in the reduction of congestion through real-time information dissemination.

The officials from Brahmaputra Board expressed their keenness to use the aerostatic drone for disaster management and for monitoring civil construction such as roads.

The Aerostatic Drone is expected to be a game-changer in its field, with its versatility and high-performance features setting a new standard for unmanned aerial vehicle technology in India.

 

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NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2123451) Visitor Counter : 52

Celebrating Poshan, Nourishing Nation

Source: Government of India

Celebrating Poshan, Nourishing Nation

Glimpses of Poshan Pakhwada 2025

Posted On: 22 APR 2025 3:34PM by PIB Delhi

From metro streets to village lanes, Poshan Pakhwada 2025 brought India together in a spirited celebration of nutrition and well-being from 8th to 22nd April 2025. In its 7th edition, the campaign focused on maternal and child nutrition, digital access for beneficiaries, and tackling childhood obesity. Driven by collective action from anganwadi centres to schools, from government to grassroots—this year’s Pakhwada turned nutrition into a nationwide mission powered by technology, creativity, and care. Let’s take a visual journey across India to witness the spirited activities that brought Poshan Pakhwada 2025 to life.

Towards a healthier India: Awareness activities in different states

 

Creating Awareness through Cultural Activities

  

Himachal Pradesh

  

Jammu & Kashmir

Reaching grassroot through Nukkad Natak

       

Anganwadi Workers ensuring no one is left behind

     

                   Madhya Pradesh                                                             Andhra Pradesh

       

                                      Gujarat                                                     Chandigarh

     

Celebrating Food

  

Growth Monitoring

Poshan Tracker App

Click here to see PDF.

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Santosh Kumar/ Sarla Meena/ Priya Nagar

(Release ID: 2123445) Visitor Counter : 18

TRAI releases recommendations on ‘the issues Related to Critical Services in the M2M Sector, and Transfer of Ownership of M2M SIMs’

Source: Government of India

Ministry of Communications

TRAI releases recommendations on ‘the issues Related to Critical Services in the M2M Sector, and Transfer of Ownership of M2M SIMs’

Posted On: 22 APR 2025 3:27PM by PIB Delhi

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has today released its recommendations on ‘the issues Related to Critical Services in the M2M Sector, and Transfer of Ownership of M2M SIMs’. 

  1. Earlier, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), through its letter dated 01.01.2024, had referred to the TRAI’s recommendations dated 05.09.2017 on ‘Spectrum, Roaming and QoS related requirements in Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Communications’, and had requested TRAI to provide reconsidered recommendations, as per the provisions of Section 11 of the TRAI Act 1997 on the following issues:
  1. Identification of Critical Services in the M2M Sector
  2. Transfer of Ownership of M2M SIMs
  1. In this regard, TRAI, on 24.06.2024, issued a consultation paper on ‘the Issues Related to Critical Services in the M2M Sector, and Transfer of Ownership of M2M SIMs’ for soliciting comments and counter comments from stakeholders. In response, TRAI received 16 comments and one counter-comment from stakeholders. An open house discussion on the consultation paper was held on 24.10.2024 through virtual mode.
  1. Based on the comments received from stakeholders and on its own analysis, TRAI has finalized its recommendations on ‘the Issues Related to Critical Services in the M2M Sector, and Transfer of Ownership of M2M SIMs’.
  1. Machine to Machine (M2M) communication can enable applications and services across a broad range of vertical markets such as automotive, utilities, healthcare, safety & surveillance, financial, public safety, smart city and agriculture. At present, the M2M ecosystem is at an early stage of growth of its lifecycle. As the M2M ecosystem matures, and thereby gains user confidence, more and more services will be delivered to individuals, enterprises and public institutions by using Internet of Things (IoT). Many of such services would be critical IoT services, requiring ultra-reliable, low latency M2M connectivity with very high availability. As critical IoT will be used for delivering services of critical importance, the identification of services as critical IoT service requires to be done well in advance. The identification of a service as a critical IoT service would enable user agencies to enter into suitable service level agreements (SLAs) with telecom service providers. Through the SLAs, telecom service providers may be held accountable for ensuring that the M2M connectivity provided by them meets the requisite telecommunication service performance parameters (such as latency, reliability, and availability) which are sacrosanct for the successful operation of the concerned critical IoT service. Through these recommendations, TRAI has recommended a broad guiding framework for classifying a service as a ‘critical IoT service’. TRAI has recommended that a service should be classified as a ‘critical IoT service’, if it passes the following twin tests:
  1. Whether the service (application) demands ultra-reliable low-latency M2M connectivity with very high availability? 
  2. Whether any disruption of the M2M connectivity used for delivering the service (application) will have a debilitating impact on national security, economy, public health, or public safety?
  1. TRAI has recommended that the classification of critical IoT services of a particular domain/ sector should be done by the ministry/ regulatory body concerned in consultation with Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
  1. TRAI has also recommended that for the classification of critical IoT services, DoT should devise an institutional mechanism for the assistance of concerned ministries/ regulatory bodies.
  1. TRAI has recommended a technology-agnostic approach for the provision of critical IoT services. Specifically, TRAI has recommended that any wireless M2M communication technology (utilizing unlicensed spectrum, or licensed spectrum) or wired M2M communication technology should be permitted to be used for the provision of critical IoT services if it meets the prescribed service performance benchmarks.
  1. Owing to the pervasive nature of the deployment of IoT devices in all walks of life, the importance of security and privacy requirements of IoT devices is paramount. The security and privacy concerns from IoT devices emanate essentially from the M2M communication modules embedded in them through which IoT devices get connected to telecommunication networks including public internet. With a view to allaying security and privacy concerns in respect of IoT devices, particularly those which are used in critical sectors, TRAI has recommended that the M2M communication modules embedded/ plugged in all IoT devices (which are capable of being connected to telecommunication networks) deployed in the critical sectors identified by National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC), Government of India should be notified under the framework of Mandatory Testing & Certification of Telecommunication Equipment (MTCTE) in a phased manner.
  1. Through these recommendations, TRAI has recommended that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) should establish a framework for the transfer of M2M Service Provider (M2MSP) registration/ authorisation to the resultant entity in case of merger, demerger, acquisition etc. of M2MSP entities.
  1. TRAI has also recommended that DoT should introduce an enabling provision for the transfer of the ownership of M2M SIMs from one M2MSP registration holder/ authorised entity to another.
  1. The recommendations have been placed on the TRAI’s website www.trai.gov.in. For clarification/ information, if any, Shri Akhilesh Kumar Trivedi, Advisor (Network Spectrum & Licensing), TRAI, may be contacted at Telephone Number +91-11-20907758 or email at advmn@trai.gov.in.

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Samrat

(Release ID: 2123440)

Unlocking $25+ Billion Exports in India’s Hand & Power Tools Sector

Source: Government of India

Unlocking $25+ Billion Exports in India’s Hand & Power Tools Sector

Forging India’s Future

Posted On: 22 APR 2025 3:23PM by PIB Delhi

Introduction

The tools industry—comprising hand and power tools—is a foundational pillar of the global manufacturing ecosystem, enabling production across multiple sectors such as construction, automotive, electronics, and infrastructure. In April 2025, NITI Aayog and the Foundation for Economic Development jointly published the report “Unlocking $25+ Billion Exports: India’s Hand & Power Tools Sector”, laying out a comprehensive roadmap to scale up India’s global exports from the current $1 billion to over $25 billion by 2035.

 

India’s current export footprint in this sector remains modest, yet it possesses key strengths—low-cost labor, strategic trade positioning, and a growing manufacturing base—that offer significant potential to transform the nation into a competitive global player.

 

This report is both a clarion call and a roadmap,

urging policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders to seize a transformative export opportunity worth over $25 billion in the next decade.

 

Overview

  • Global Market Size (2022): ~$100 billion
    • Hand Tools: $34 billion
    • Power Tools: $63 billion
  • Projected Market Size (2035): $190 billion (CAGR: 53%)
    • Hand Tools: $60 billion
    • Power Tools: $134 billion
  • India’s exports in 2025:
    • Hand Tools: $600 million (1.8% global share)
    • Power Tools: $425 million (0.7% global share)

 

Targets by 2035 for India:

  • Hand Tools: 25% market share → $15 billion exports
  • Power Tools: 10% market share → $12 billion exports
  • Total Export Opportunity: Over $25 billion
  • Employment Generation: 3.5 million direct and indirect jobs

 

India’s Current Export Profile

Hand Tools

India’s hand tools sector has developed a robust MSME ecosystem with key manufacturing clusters in Punjab (Jalandhar, Ludhiana), Maharashtra (Mumbai, Nagpur), and Rajasthan (Nagaur). Common exports include wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, and hand saws. The sector’s success is linked to labor-intensive processes, localized supply chains, and historical evolution post-Independence.

Power Tools

The country currently lacks a comprehensive electronic manufacturing ecosystem for power tools, which require precision components like motors and batteries.

Export Destinations and Trade Opportunities

 

  • Top Importers: USA and European Union account for 55–60% of global imports.
  • Although India’s exports have also grown by 24% year-on-year,

    there remains considerable untapped potential for further expansion.

    Tariff Advantage: U.S. imposed 7.5–25% additional tariffs on Chinese tools, creating new opportunities for alternative suppliers like India.

 

Existing Government Support Mechanisms

  • Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP): RoDTEP provides rebates to exporters for taxes and duties on exported goods to help make Indian exporters more competitive in international markets. Under this scheme, hand tools exporters get rebates of 1.1% as a percentage of their Free on Board (FOB) value, and power tools get rebates of 0.9% as a percentage of their FOB value.
  • Duty Drawback Scheme: Duty Free Import Authorisation (DFIA) allows duty-free import of inputs but on a post export basis only. Inputs imported under this scheme are exempted of the Basic Customs Duty only. To qualify, the inputs must be listed under the Standard Input Output Norms (SION), and a minimum value addition of 20% must be achieved. Under this scheme, manufacturers of hand and power tools are eligible for duty drawbacks of 1.5% to 2% on their input costs, as per the Duty drawback rates, 2023.

 

Strategic Policy Recommendations

1. Create World-Class Clusters for Hand Tools

  • Goal: 3–4 clusters spanning ~4000 acres by 2035
  • Estimated Investment: ₹12,000 crore (Government) + ₹45,000 crore (Industry)
  • Cluster Features:
    • Plug-and-play industrial infrastructure
    • Worker housing, R&D centers, testing labs
    • Convention facilities, 24×7 power and water supply
  • To build world class clusters, it is important to invest in

    infrastructure such as effluent treatment plants, guaranteed 24×7 power supply, and plug and play factories.

    Governance Model: Public-Private Partnership (PPP) via a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), state Cluster Authority, and private developers

 

2. Structural Reforms

  • Reduce import duties and rationalize Quality Control Orders (QCOs).
  • Reform Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) scheme to ease compliance.
  • Align labor laws with global standards (e.g., 300 hours quarterly overtime).
  • Liberalize Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and ground coverage norms.
  • Ensure 24×7 low-cost electricity and improve logistics.
  • If factor market reforms are implemented, no additional

    fiscal incentive will be required from the government.

    Encourage domestic R&D and ease technology transfer.

 

3. Bridge Support (Contingent)

If reforms are delayed, bridge support worth ₹5,800 crore over 5 years is recommended.

  • Hand Tools: ₹3,450 crore
    • Logistics: ₹450 crore
    • Interest Subvention: ₹700 crore
    • Competitiveness Incentive: ₹700 crore
    • Capital Subsidy: ₹1,600 crore
  • Power Tools: ₹2,230 crore
    • Interest Subvention: ₹430 crore
    • Competitiveness Incentive: ₹1,500 crore
    • Support should be treated as a strategic investment,

      not a subsidy, with a projected return of 2–3 times in tax revenues.

      Capital Subsidy: ₹300 crore

 

Conclusion

India stands at a pivotal juncture in its industrial transformation. The tools sector, though currently underrepresented in global trade, offers a rare and time-sensitive opportunity to reposition India as a reliable manufacturing alternative to China. The roadmap presented by NITI Aayog focuses on leveraging India’s inherent strengths—abundant labor, a rising manufacturing base, and sectoral synergies—while urgently addressing its structural weaknesses.

References

https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-04/India_Hand_Power_Tools_Sector_Report.pdf

Click here to see PDF.

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Santosh Kumar | Sarla Meena | Rishita Aggarwal

(Release ID: 2123437) Visitor Counter : 71

Prime Minister highlights the growing ties between India and Saudi Arabia

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 22 APR 2025 2:54PM by PIB Delhi

The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi  highlighted the growing ties between India and Saudi Arabia, in an interview with  Arabnews. Shri Modi described Saudi Arabia as a trusted friend and strategic ally, emphasising the significant expansion of bilateral relations since the creation of the Strategic Partnership Council in 2019.

The Prime Minister’s Office wrote in a post on X:

“In an interview with @arabnews, PM @narendramodi highlighted the growing ties between India and Saudi Arabia. He described Saudi Arabia as “a trusted friend and strategic ally,” emphasising the significant expansion of bilateral relations since the creation of the Strategic Partnership Council in 2019.”

Read the interview here: https://arabnews.com/node/2597904/saudi-arabia

 

 

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MJPS/VJ

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Acting SFST’s speech at Earth Forum 2025 (English only)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is the speech by the Acting Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan, at the Earth Forum 2025 today (April 22):
 
Plato (Chairperson of Friends of the Earth (HK), Mr Plato Yip), King (Executive Director of the Financial Services Development Council (FSDC), Dr King Au), Dr Leng (Board Member of the International Sustainability Standards Board of the IFRS Foundation, Dr Bing Leng), Dr Guo (Chairman of the China Sustainable Investment Forum (China SIF), Dr Guo Peiyuan), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good afternoon. It is my great honour and pleasure to join you today at the Earth Forum 2025, a gathering of visionaries committed to shaping a sustainable future. First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to Friends of the Earth, FSDC and China SIF for organising this pivotal event and to all of you for your unwavering dedication to advancing green finance.
 
     As Asia’s leading international financial centre, Hong Kong has also become Asia’s premier hub for green and sustainable finance. To align with the target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, Hong Kong has made significant commitments of its own. These targets are not merely aspirational; they are driving systemic reforms across various sectors, including energy, transportation, and finance.
 
     In 2024, the total green and sustainable debts issued in Hong Kong exceeded US$84 billion, among which the volume of green and sustainable bonds arranged in Hong Kong amounted to around US$43 billion, ranking first in the Asian market for seven consecutive years since 2018 and capturing around 45 per cent of the regional total. This accomplishment solidifies our position as the region’s premier platform for scaling climate-positive investments and also underscores our dedication to fostering a robust green finance ecosystem.
 
     Hong Kong’s status as a strategic nexus for green finance in Asia is central to advancing global sustainability objectives. As of the end of December last year, there are more than 220 ESG (environmental, social and governance) funds in Hong Kong authorised by our regulator, with assets under management (AUM) of around HK$1.2 trillion. This represents a remarkable increase of 136 per cent in the number of funds and a 15 per cent rise in AUM from just three years ago. These elements will solidify Hong Kong’s role as the gateway to sustainable finance in Asia.
 
     As an international financial centre, Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to mobilise the necessary capital for climate solutions while ensuring robust integrity within our financial markets. Hong Kong’s multifaceted approach encompasses policy frameworks, market infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, and cross-border collaboration. Our Government Sustainable Bond Programme stands as a testament to this transformation. Having raised HK$220 billion since 2019, including the groundbreaking tokenised bond charge, we’re not just starting green projects but creating new benchmarks for the market in different currencies and across different tenors. The recent expansion of the programme to include sustainable projects reflects our commitment to financing a broader range of climate solutions.
 
     As we navigate the complexities of climate change and strive for a sustainable future, transparency and robust governance remain fundamental to our approach. In December 2024, we launched a roadmap on sustainability disclosure in Hong Kong. The roadmap sets out Hong Kong’s approach to require publicly accountable entities (PAEs) to adopt the ISSB Standards (International Financial Reporting Standards – Sustainability Disclosure Standards). Assuming the role of the sustainability reporting standard setter in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) published in December 2024 following a public consultation the Hong Kong Sustainability Disclosure Standards (Hong Kong Standards) fully aligned with the ISSB Standards, with an effective date of August 1, 2025. All these ensure our regulatory framework remains aligned with international best practices while addressing the specific needs of the evolving markets.
 
     Our regulatory framework is fundamental to creating a robust and dynamic sustainable finance ecosystem. By establishing clear guidelines and standards, we can ensure that all stakeholders are aligned in their efforts towards sustainability. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) published the Hong Kong Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance in May 2024, aligns with the two mainstream taxonomies of the Mainland and the European Union (EU), and currently encompasses 12 economic activities under four sectors, namely power generation, transportation, construction, and water and waste management. It serves as a pivotal tool to raise awareness about green finance, promote common understanding of green activities, facilitate green finance flows, and provide a foundation for further applications. In its Phase 2 development, the Taxonomy will introduce transition activities and add new green activities to make it more usable and support the transition of the region.
 
     We recognise that developing green finance talent is vital for sustaining our leadership position. Our Pilot Green and Sustainable Finance Capacity Building Support Scheme has successfully approved over 6 400 applications with a total amount of reimbursement of about HK$35.8 million. As mentioned in the 2025-2026 Budget, we will extend the scheme to 2028 to continuously support local green finance talent training.
 
     Our progress reflects the Government’s commitment to not only human capital development but also technological innovation. The Green and Sustainable Fintech Proof-of-Concept Funding Support Scheme, launched by the Government in June last year, aims to nurture an advanced green fintech ecosystem by providing vital support for innovative projects. The Scheme facilitates the commercialisation of the solutions and the completion of the proof-of-concept stage, enabling wider adoption of green and sustainable fintech solutions with potential in the business landscape of Hong Kong. A total of 39 applicants involving 60 projects were approved, with a grant of HK$150,000 for each project. These initiatives are building the expertise required to sustain Hong Kong’s leadership in sustainable finance.
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, the transition to a sustainable future is both our greatest challenge and our most exciting opportunity. Hong Kong stands ready to play its part – as a financial hub, as an innovator and, most importantly, as your partner in this vital work. Looking ahead, we will leverage Hong Kong’s unique position as an international financial centre to connect capital with climate solutions. This strategic role positions Hong Kong to make significant contributions to global climate action through financial innovation.
 
     I look forward to today’s constructive dialogue and to our continued collaboration in translating these strategic initiatives into tangible outcomes that advance Hong Kong’s sustainable finance leadership. Let us work together to build a sustainable future.
 
     Thank you.