Africa is an interesting market

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Throw some light on Dabur’s business units in Africa?
Dabur had forayed into Nigeria in 2004 with the setting up of African Consumer Care Ltd. (AFCC) – a joint venture between Dabur International Ltd., which holds 90% stake in the venture, and Dabur UK. The company successfully launched its oral care brand Dabur Herbal Toothpaste in the market in December 2004, followed by Dabur Herbal Gel, Odomos Mosquito Repellent Cream and Medicated Soap in 2007. We also plan to enter into the Skin Care and the Home Care categories in future.

What feature of this market attracted you to invest?
The market offers huge potential. Nigeria is today one of the fastest growing overseas markets for Dabur, and we have already seen our business in Nigeria grow manifold in recent quarters.

What are your future plans as far as Africa is concerned?
Dabur has already set up a new manufacturing plant in Nigeria to make a range of toothpastes. This facility is being expanded to include a range of skin care products too. In addition, Dabur also has a facility in Egypt.

Is the time really ripe to enter the African market?
Africa is an interesting market and has a huge growth potential. This can be gauged by the fact that Dabur Egypt grew by a robust 49% in FY 2007-08, while sales in Nigeria more than doubled.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

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Corporate China and India Inc. have also jumped into the fray

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While China has till now adopted a largely heavy industries led investment approach in Africa, India’s approach is more entrepreneur and brand led. No doubt this once again pops up the debate of one’s superiority over the other. “One doesn’t have a choice in these matters. Certain business ecologies already exist in certain regions of the world and it is from that position of strength that entrepreneurs are able to venture into new markets and seek new partnerships or business opportunities,” Sood tells 4Ps B&M.

In as much, Africa is fast becoming the testing ground for India Inc.’s ‘brand’ battle with corporate China. According to the Emerging Economy Report by CKS, “Indian companies will have a far more prominent role in Africa’s economic development than China, even though China has been a far more aggressive investor into Africa over the past decade.” Certainly, Indian industry is itself a private sector driven industry and this is what drives the Indian economy. The private sector moves where it sees opportunity and this instinct is what gives Indian brands an upper hand. “Anyone who has lived in both India and China will agree that the Chinese have been far more successful at creating mass urban and cross-country infrastructure. On the other hand, just having quality infrastructure is not enough for Africa - the continent needs jobs, and that’s something Indian service sector companies can provide,” says Sood.

But there are many who reject the avowal. “I don’t think there is any question of a ‘brand war’. There are so many unexploited opportunities in Africa and believe me, both Indian and Chinese companies can co-exist,” avers Thatty of Bank of Baroda. But in reality, the Indian brand building prowess is fast becoming a major plus for Indian biz in Africa. Agrees Sood, “Indian corporate and consumer culture is almost a generation ahead of China in terms of understanding how to participate in branding relationships.”

Analysts shun comparisons, believing that the question should not be what is going to help India or China, but what is going to help develop African countries better and faster! But it is a fact that today comparatively speaking China has a far better investment record in Africa than India does. In fact, till a few years ago, Indian companies were not prepared to take risks in the low credit rating African markets. China scored better largely because of its state-led investment climate. But with their new found zeal Indian entrepreneurs may yet top that score card. What’s more, critics say that China is more restricted to the B2B model in Africa as the perception about Chinese products is comparatively lower than Made-in-India stuff. While the West has already encountered under-quality Chinese goods, it’s now Africans who talk of “zing zong” products - by which Zimbabweans mean products that ‘break easily’.

Which is not to say that India and China are going head to head around the world. In fact, it may never come to such a pass. But for now, India has an upper hand so far as front-end or consumer oriented businesses go, while China is strong in manufacturing and infrastructure development. If China’s over-arching presence in the oil and mineral rich northern Africa is a reality, then the fact that Indian brands are driving the more metropolitan regions of the continent crazy. Hope you’ve not forgotten the mom and her three kids in that Lilliput store in Cairo?

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
IIPM Programme :- SUPERIOR COURSE CONTENTS
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IIPM INTERNATIONAL - NEW DELHI, GURGAON & NOIDA
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IIPM : EXECUTIVE EDUCATION
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IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...

Oh, no, we’ll do it like ‘em Indians!

What transpired in the world economy last month will undoubtedly be remembered as an epic turning point by future economic historians. Credit and finance markets crashed like nine pins across the world. The thunder effects of which were felt in India as well, as stock markets dived southwards, with the Bombay Stock Exchange Sensitive Index dropping by 469 points on September 15. The same week when Lehman Brothers collapsed, AIG got nationalised, Merrill Lynch acquired Bank of America; Washington Mutual and Wachovia got washed out, the Indian realty index (which was the worst hit) fell by 7.6%. Since then, despite the fact that stockprices in India have seen colossal swings, shares of real estate firms have continued to be in a depressing mode, declining a total of 20% (as on October 1, 2008). Many analysts had claimed that all this would finally force the Indian real estate players and the industry to consolidate.

Interestingly, the market though is still very optimistic. “Despite the momentary slowdown witnessed over the past 12 months, 62% of developers foresee Indian real estate embarking upon a high growth trajectory in the long term,” says a recent FICCI-Ernst & Young report on the Indian real estate market. Will the uncertain realty scenario lead to some expected marriages of unlikely bedfellows in the real estate industry? Some feel that consolidation is evidently inevitable. With the cost rising and non-availability of enough funds becoming a threatening issue, consolidation seems to be the only safe way out. Many feel that not only the smaller players are feeling the heat but rising input costs and the demand slowdown have even scarred the established players. Pradeep Jain, Chairman, Parsvnath Developers elaborates, “The construction sector is feeling the heat of rising steel and cement costs as they contribute heavily to the total cost (about 15-20% and 10-12.5% respectively)... This has put a question mark on our efforts as developers to provide affordable housing facilities to middle and lower middle segment buyers.”

Deepak Parekh, Chairman, HDFC, also voiced his concerns over the distressed situation and said, “The present situation may call for some consolidation within the sector. I believe consolidation has already started taking place in the real estate sector.” The magical spell, which the sector was enjoying for the past few years is clearly getting over.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

The third man of the distribution triumvirate is Kulmeet Makkar

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Kulmeet Makkar: The third man of the distribution triumvirate is Kulmeet Makkar (of Big Music and Home Entertainment). With 24 years of experience behind him, of which 19 years in the media industry, Makkar was with Saregama India before joining the BIG gang in 2007. Sitting in his plush office in Andheri (West), overlooking the bright lights of an uber shopping mall across the road, Makkar is still waiting for his place under the sun in the BIG scheme of things, or at least till the time that BIG Motion Pictures creates a critical mass of entertainment content to distribute. Makkar expects a passive 2008, but is confident that 2009 and 2010 will be BIG Video’s year of reckoning. “In 2009 and 2010 lots of BIG Pictures content will be handled by us,” he explains. Till then, Makkar has been planning and executing all group events for ADAG, including the Reliance Power IPO event, as also the recent BIG TV launch.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
IIPM Programme :- SUPERIOR COURSE CONTENTS
Now IIPM's World-Class Education... for everybody!!
IIPM INTERNATIONAL - NEW DELHI, GURGAON & NOIDA
IIPM - Admission Procedure
IIPM, GURGAON
IIPM : EXECUTIVE EDUCATION
IIPM’s 36th Glorious Year of Academic Excellence
4Ps Power Brand Awards 2007
When IIPM comes to education, never compromise
IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...