Other Briefings
World Bank Issues First Offshore Rupee-Denominated Bond
Nov. 28 – International investors will now be able to buy offshore rupee-denominated bonds thanks to a program sponsored by the World Bank aimed at strengthening India’s financial markets and attracting greater overseas investment. The program, run by the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC), will offer a series of rupee-linked bonds, worth a total […]
India Named Most Attractive Investment Destination
Nov. 25 – After significant changes in FDI policy earlier this year, India was ranked by Ernst & Young as the most attractive investment destination in the world – surpassing both China and the United States. Ernst & Young (EY), a leading global consulting firm, based the ranking upon a survey of 1600 senior executives […]
India’s Gold Dilemma
By Kavita Patel Nov. 25 – India’s voracious appetite for gold may be an obstacle to its economic growth. The subcontinent is the world’s leading consumer of gold but has almost no domestic supply. As rising income boosts demand, gold imports jumped from about 471 tons in 2001 to around 1,017 tons in 2012. Demand […]
India Inaugurates First Ever State-Owned Bank for Women
Nov. 20 – On Tuesday, India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh officially opened the Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB) at Mumbai’s Air India building. With seven branches initially, the BMB will accept deposits from, and loan money primarily to, women. The first branches of BMB will be located in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Indore and Guwahati. In […]
India Mulls Pharmaceutical Sector Investment Cap
Editor’s Note: As of November 26, 2013 the Union Cabinet has decided to defer the proposed FDI cap on the pharmaceutical sector. Other proposed restrictions surrounding mandatory investment in R&D were also deferred. Nov. 19 – After a controversial acquisition earlier this year, India is considering strict new limits on foreign investment in the pharmaceutical industry. […]
New Customs System to Reduce Costs for Indian Exports
Nov. 14 – Indian Finance Minister Shri P. Chidambaram today announced the implementation of an IT-based Risk Management System (RMS) for exported customs goods. The RMS is designed to greatly speed up the clearance process for the export of goods and reduce the related transaction costs. In explaining why the new RMS had to be […]
Regional Heavyweights Weigh in on India’s Future
Nov. 13 – With PepsiCo announcing this week that it will invest US$5.5 billion dollars in India by 2020, PepsiCo CEO and Chairman Indra Nooyi remarked that India has fallen from a ‘must-invest’ to a ‘must-deal-with’ country. Alongside these remarks, India’s Congress-led government lashed out at Goldman Sachs on Friday for what Anand Sharma, Minister […]
Indian Infrastructure: Kolkata
Nov. 11 – Kolkata is an old, historic city and much of its infrastructure reflects this reality. The city has India’s oldest operating and only major fresh water port. The city’s road systems were made for the many rickshaws that still ply their trade around town; now, the roads struggle to keep up with the […]
