Other Briefings
India to Restructure Bilateral Investment Promotion Agreement Framework
The Indian government is circulating a new draft for the future negotiation of bilateral investment promotion agreements (BIPA) that will exclude both taxation and intellectual property rights issues.
India’s 15th Lok Sabha: Five Years in Review
We take a look back at some of the highlights and accomplishments of the 15th Lok Sabha after officially concluding its five year term. Despite frequent disruptions and moderate productivity, however, the 15th Lok Sabha did pass a number of notable bills including the Lokpal Bill and an updated version of the Companies Act.
India’s 2014 Interim Budget: Regulatory Highlights
While India’s Interim Budget for the fiscal year 2014-2015 does not propose any major changes in the nation’s tax laws, it does make a few notable changes in indirect taxes including excise duty, service tax and customs duty.
India Modifies Currency Declaration Regulations
Airline passengers travelling to India will soon be required to declare Indian currency exceeding Rs10,000 according to new customs regulations that will be implemented March first.
Government Clarifies FDI Policy in Insurance Sector
In a press release yesterday the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) clarified that the existing 26 percent cap on foreign investments in the insurance sector also applies to intermediaries such as brokers, third party administrators and surveyors. The official press release from the DIPP can be found here.
Tourists can Relax as India Eases Visa Regulations
Tourists traveling to India will now find their trips going much smoother. India has announced that it plans to ease visa requirements for up to 180 countries. The changes are expected to soon be officially approved by the country’s Planning Commission.
India in Talks with Mauritius and Cyprus to Prevent Tax Base Erosion
India is currently revisiting its double tax avoidance agreements (DTAAs) with both Mauritius and Cyprus as it takes measures to protect its tax base. The two tax havens are India’s largest and seventh-largest sources of FDI inflows, respectively, together comprising almost 45 percent of India’s FDI in 2013 (around US$10 billion in the financial year ended March 2013).
India Signs MoU to Boost Efficiency for Exporters in India
Jan. 10 – The Director General of Foreign Trade and the Enforcement Directorate signed a memorandum of understanding this week to allow for the sharing of foreign exchange realization data between exporters and relevant governmental departments in India. The new MoU will make mandatory the sharing of foreign exchange realization data through the e-BRC (Electronic […]
