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Smart card industry to touch $ 149mln by FY11

New Delhi, Feb 20 (UNI) The continued boom in the mobile telephony market and the paradigm shift in the government's documentation process has opened up the horizon for greater usage of smart cards in the country.

According to a recent study by global consultancy Frost&Sullivan, the total market for smart cards is forecast to reach 148.7 million dollars by 2010-11, registering a CAGR of 22.7 per cent. The same was estimated to be at 44.7 million dollars during 2005-2006.

''The smart cards market is set for a quantum jump in the near future and is also moving higher in terms of quality of usage. Smart card vendors are moving towards an era where they will have to intelligently upgrade their users towards higher memory while balancing a decline in prices.'' ''Time over runs in projects and government's tight cost control are also expected to challenge smart vendors' business ingenuity,'' said Mr V Niju, Programme Manager, Automation and Electronics, Frost&Sullivan.

The study noted that the domestic smart card market is dominated by the SIM application. Thus the phenomenal growth in GSM mobile telephony and implementation of driving license and vehicle registration projects are acting as key drivers.

GSM telephony, the early mover, holds the key as the usage of SIM in its mobile phones provides the much needed flexibility to subscribers, it added.

Though SIM card applications are expected to continue their domination of the smart card market, impending non-SIM applications are also anticipated to create strong demand.

Non-SIM applications of government projects, payment and loyalty cards will be some of the key drivers for greater penetration of smart cards during the forecast period. Presently usage of smart cards in payment applications is negligible but is expected to witness a steep increase once the Euro Master Visa compliance target date approaches. Introduction of 'petro' cards has also helped popularise the use of smart cards in the loyalty cards segment.

UNI

Indian aviation infrastructure needs to be fixed: IATA

New Delhi, Mar 4 (UNI) India must fix its aviation infrastructure quickly to support the growth in passenger and freight traffic, a top official at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has said. Mr Jeff Poole, IATA's director for industry charges, fuel and taxation, said India is a bright spot of opportunity for air transportation sector and ranks among the world's top six fastest growing markets. International passenger growth is forecast at 7.9 per cent annually by 2010 while.....

Haryana signs MoU with Centre, NABARD

Chandigarh, Feb 20 (UNI) Haryana today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre and National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to strengthen the Cooperative Credit Structure in the state with a financial package of Rs 361 crore. The MoU was signed by the Haryana Commissioner and Secretary, Cooperation, D S Dhesi, Director, Finance Department, Tarun Bajaj and Chairman, NABARD, Dr Y S P Thorat, in the presence of Haryana Minister for State of Cooperation, Meena Mandal,.....

Shortfall in capacity addition, Govt

New Delhi, Mar 4 (UNI) The government has said there was a shortfall in capacity addition in the tenth plan period of 23,250 MW against a target of 41,110 MW. The plan originally envisaged introduction of super criticial thermal power projects in the country. These projects aggregating 3,960 MW could not be taken up due to delay in technology tie-up. Hydro projects aggregating over 6,200 MW slipped mainly due to delay in clearance, investment decision, award of works, geological surprises and.....
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