Import/Export of teas…

India is opening up and from 1st January 2010 shall levy 45% import duty only instead of 100%.

And to be on faster side from 27th August 2009 Indian government will give 9% incentive on dollar exports.

Wuyishan Natural Reserve is prohibited for public… 

What I did not know till today was that this Wuyishan Natural reserve is closed to public. Dan’s mail let me know this:

Hi Rajiv:

I’m sure Sanyog will catch every detail. It will surely be a very nice piece, especially for handouts at the Chinese trade shows.

I was unable to meet with Mr. Jiang when we were in Wuyi Shan. As you know, the government has restricted access to the nature reserve and despite repeated efforts, we could not gain entry. I was quite disappointed but we were able to visit another place so the tour members didn’t know any difference. Please give him my regards and apologies at not seeing him. Next time. Will you or your representative be going to Beijing in October?

All the best,

Dan

Dan Robertson 罗丹
The Tea House / World Tea Tours
24125 W. 111th St. #400
Naperville, IL 60564 USA
tel 630 961-0877
fax 630 961-0817
www.theteahouse.com
www.WorldTeaTours.com

That means we were lucky to do the film’s shooting there because of either Mr. Jiang or CCTV…

Da Sha means Shanghai Tower…

In race to have highest Chinese are building higher and higher and there is going to be this third building in a row – after Jin Mao and World Economic Centre the third tallest building called Shanghai Tower is now comming up in Pudong area with 123 stories.

Stiff necks will not be able to see the tops mostly lost in the clouds. Twice in the past I went up to the aero-bridge of World Economic Centre and was really afraid to look down. I am sure I will be afraid to look up now from the street, where these buildings are situated near Pearl Tower.

Finally on the morning of 7th September…

Exhibition opened up very well. Consul General visited today morning and Dr. Nazim alongwith Nandini were on the booths. It was very good crowds…

Finally in the afternoon TNT delivered the parcels and our booth must look better tomorrow… 

TNT’s bungling…

I have all the banners/posters ready.  I have information about the two tea samples for people to see the tea and read a little about it.

I have had made three really nice banners to sit at the back of the booth as a wall image: see (bad quality) image attached

and I also have borrowed from a local art gallery some beautiful large white art display stands.. so I can display the packaged tea and have some samples out so visitors can see and smell the tea. It will look beautiful.. I hope to take some pictures for you to see.

I have also asked my mother to help me at the booth as some people get a little put off by my youth.. so having someone more mature working the stand allows for more people to approach us with ease. (i do all the talking though!) I know it is a strange concept… but it just makes older people feel more welcome to come over. Older Australians are a bit fussy like that! they can sometime be put off by young people.. they think they don’t have the experience/knowledge they they require.

Jennifer’s plans for Fine Foods booth at Sydney starting 7th September, as TNT is still carrying the cartons around.

http://www.foodaustralia.com.au/page/list_of_exhibitors1.html 

New foreign trade policy expected to boost Indian tea exports..

Silliguri, Sep 1 (ANI): Tea exporters in Siliguri are upbeat, as the new provision bringing the tea industry under the Vishesh Krishi Upaj Yojana (VKUY) scheme in the new foreign trade policy, is expected to give a boost to its export in the global market.

As per the VKUY scheme, the export of tea will be eligible for duty scrip equivalent to five percent of FOB (freight on board) value.

“Suppose we have sent tea worth some rupees, previously it (duty scrip equivalent) used to be 4 percent now it will be five percent, which will be given in the form of a certificate, which you can easily trade, or you can import certain capital goods, capital goods means better machinery. We can now import machinery from Europe,” said Rajib Lochan, tea exporter, Siliguri.

The new trade policy also reduces the minimum value addition under advance authorisation scheme for tea exports from 100 per cent to 50 per cent, while the DTA (domestic tariff area) sale limit of instant tea by EOU (export oriented units) will be increased from 30 per cent to 50 per cent.

Tea exporters have expressed happiness as they feel that the scheme would help to achieve the target of 200 million kilograms of export every year.

“This is a very good move on part of the government especially at the time when our tea exports are taking a fall due to global recession,” said Ravi Agarwal, another exporter.

India’s tea exports had reportedly fell 19 percent in volume in January-May, as firm domestic demand and low internal production weighed. Total exports during January-May were 60.03 million kg compared with 73.67 million kg.

India exports CTC (crush-tear-curl) tea mainly to Egypt, Pakistan and the UK and the premium orthodox tea to Iraq, Iran and Russia.

India, China, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Kenya together produce 75 percent of the total global output. (ANI)

http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/120448

Yet one more country… 

Tea Board is taking us to Bhutan this time where 3rd SAARC Fair shall be held from 11th to 14th September 2009 and we shall be showcasing our teas.

Fate again…

Down memory lane…

In 1980, that is 30 years ago, we installed a Skoda industrial engine in Longview tea estate and I was looking after factory there. One engineer came to commission it and stayed with us on and off for six months – virtually becoming like a family member.

Internet has brought people togather and in our case he googled me and there after came an e-mail, full of affections and memories. Arvinder Singh with his wife Arvinder, both husband and wife have same names, and their two childern Jasjit and Ramanjit is a loving family today.

They are settled in Little River in Australia near Melbourne and working in Ford Motors.

How small is this world now.

China Tea Expo, 24-27th October 2009, Beijing…

This year only we are Indian participant and that too on 2nd Floor where black tea ceremonies will take place. Xiao Juan will manage the show.

www.teawindow.com

Fine Foods, Sydney…

As in 2008, we shall be there from 7th to 10th September 2009 in Sydney and Jennifer Howard will represent us there again. Tea Board pavillion at booth no. R-36 will accmodate us there.

http://www.foodaustralia.com.au/page/hotel_australia.html

This year two more companies from Siliguri participate there.