Sunday, February 3, 2008
India's top 10 IT employers
| India's top 10 IT employers George Iype | June 10, 2005 The Indian IT & ITES industry continues to grow at a blistering pace. The availability of an abundant, high-quality and cost-effective pool of skilled knowledge workers is India's main advantage in the global IT and ITES-BPO industry. But how many people are employed by the IT industry in the country? Who are the biggest IT employers? What is the average age of a software professional? These are questions that everyone is eager to get an answer to. rediff.com presents a primer on the IT industry and the employment it generates in the country. How many people does the Indian IT & ITES industry employ? More than a million people, according to the latest survey by the National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom). The landmark figure was crossed in the fiscal year 2004-05. What is the break up of more than one million IT professionals? The Indian IT software and services employee base has grown at a cumulative annual growth rate of 23.6%, from 242,000 in fiscal year 2001-02 to 697,000 in fiscal year 2004-05. The ITES-BPO employee base has grown at a CAGR of 52.6%, from 42,000 in 2001-02 to 348,000 in 2004-05. Indirect employment attributed to IT-ITES was 2.5 million in 2004-05. Who is the biggest IT employer in India? Wipro. How many people does Wipro employ? Wipro employs 41,857 people in the country. According to the figure supplied by Wipro to rediff.com, the strength of Wipro Technologies and Wipro BPO combined as of April 2005 stands at 41,857 employees. "As you see Wipro has grown considerably over the years in becoming a truly global corporation. Wipro has grown by over 40 per cent in employee strength making it one of the largest recruiters in Indian IT service organisations," a Wipro spokesperson told rediff.com. Which are India's 10 biggest employers in IT? Company Employees Wipro 41,857 Tata Consultancy Services 40,992 Infosys Technologies 35,000 HCL Ltd 22,034 Satyam Computer Services 20,000 Cognizant Technology Solutions 17,000 Patni Computers 10,000 BFL MphasiS 8,375 Polaris 6,003 i-flex 4,747 Which are the three largest multinational IT employers in India? IBM 23,000 (as of Dec 2004) Hewlett-Packard 13,000 approximately Accenture 7,000 in IT services How many people do major companies, like Infosys for instance, recruit every year? According to an Infosys spokesperson, recruitment process in Infosys is aligned to its business requirements and hence the number of employees recruited in any given year is a factor of multiple such parameters. "In FY 04-05, Infosys recruited 11,597 employees," the spokesperson told rediff.com. What has been the year-wise figure of the last five years' recruitment at Infosys? Infosys recruited 11,597 employees in FY 05, 10,077 in FY 04, 5,509 in FY 03, 1,548 in FY 02 and 5,303 in FY 01. What is the average salary of a software engineer/IT professional at Infosys in India? At Infosys, a fresh graduate who joins as a software engineer is offered an average salary of approximately Rs 18,000 per month. Who are the most sought after IT professionals in India? Software analysts, domain specialists, information security experts, integration specialists, database administrators, network specialists and communication engineers, software programmers, designing and architecture experts and data warehousing and semiconductor design specialists. What is the average age of a software professional in India? The overall median age of the software professionals is about 27.5 years What are their qualifications? * About 81 per cent of all software professionals have a graduate degree or above. * Almost 13 per cent have qualification like M Tech, MBA, CA, or ICWA. * One-third -- 67 per cent -- are B Tech, BE or MCAs. * And 20 per cent are diploma-holders or graduates. What is the men-women ratio of employed IT professionals? 76 per cent of software professionals in software companies are men, whereas 24 per cent are women. However, Nasscom says this ratio is likely to be 65:35 (men:women) by the year 2007. This ratio is reversed in the ITES-BPO sector where the ratio of men to women is 31:69. How are the IT professionals selected? Almost 44 per cent of the companies source their campus recruits from engineering institutes only, though in all, 78 per cent companies visit engineering campuses. About 17 per cent of the companies visit only management school campuses, although as a total, 44 per cent of the data sample, recruit from these institutes. Six per cent of the organisations in the sample visit only graduate schools, although as a total, 17 per cent of the data sample, recruit from these institutes. Is there any segment of IT sectors that does not get enough skilled professionals in India? Emerging growth segments that require relevantly skilled professionals include product data management, content management, enterprise application integration, data warehousing, contingency planning and disaster recovery, e-supply chain management (eSCM), wireless applications, straight through processing (STP), knowledge management, business intelligence, sales force automation (SFA), e-Learning, ePharma, bioinformatics and nanotechnology. |
Economy for all
| Villagers protest plans for salt factory Against the wishes of the local people, and even the State government, a salt factory is proposed to be established on land that has been used freely by 20,000 villagers for decades. In the face of shifting politics, the residents are determined that they will protect their livelihoods. Aparna Pallavi reports. Brass metal work losing its shine Hundreds of artisans in Hajo are finding their livelihoods threatened by a local monopoly and other factors that have driven the prices of raw materials very high. The Assam government is intervening to help, but the beneficiaries wish they were consulted more. Ratna Bharali Talukdar writes. Tripura taps the rubber economy A persistent push to develop large-scale rubber plantations as a livelihood alternative to slash-and-burn cultivation by tribals has resulted in a major economic upswing in Tripura. With market prices for rubber well above sustenance levels, the future looks bright too. Ratna Bharali Talukdar reports. Uneasy quiet on the POSCO front A large development or industrial project, stiff people's protests, takeover of vast tracts of land, widespread environmental and social impacts, and more. All of these realities have manifested themselves in government clearances for the POSCO project in Orissa. Manshi Asher and Kanchi Kohli analyse the current situation. SEZs: A history of injustice and abuse The origins of today's law for land acquisition for SEZs act can be traced to 1824, when the British colonial power felt the need to codify the undisguised forcible seizure of land. While colonial rule has long gone, the unjust application of the principle of eminent domain remains, writes Kannan Kasturi. Paying no heed to groundswell of opinion A range of criticisms raised at a recent seminar in Mumbai are a sufficient indication of the extent to which SEZs are being pushed as a government policy without any public consultation on their pros and cons. The seminar, on SEZs and their implications for urban planning, was held at the Rachana Sansad School of Architecture. Darryl D'Monte reports. How about a fruit ice cream? Charles and Nirmala Sequeira were simply looking for something different to do. Little did they think that their decision to start selling ice cream made from local fruits would catch on with customers, and open a new channel for value addition for local produce. Shree Padre reports. India's investment opportunities in sustainable business A new report from TERI, the first of its kind for India, argues that compliance with environmental, social and governance criteria would better differentiate Indian stocks in comparison to issuers from other emerging markets for high quality investors. Rajni Bakshi has more on why India must care. A rural B-school for women Mann Deshi Udyogini, formed by a rural women's cooperative bank in association with HSBC Bank, is a business school aims to empower rural women with knowledge of how to run small enterprises. Gagandeep Kaur reports. Carts, kiosks, and Indian retail A number of implicit and explicit constraints influence the extent to which carts and kiosks work as avenues of creative entrepreneurship. Varupi Jain compares the Indian scenario with that in the US, and notes cultural and social realities that shape the Indian experience. Tender coconut juice, instantly chilled Moments after a customer approaches this cart, the vendor pours tender coconut juice into a funnel-like part. Chilled juice comes out of a stainless steel tap below, filling a 250 ml glass, for Rs.10. Shree Padre reports about Fruit Hut Beverages, a Hyderabad-based firm that has launched the Coco Fresco brand. Storm continues over Silent Valley The Kerala government is proposing to construct a new dam only a few kilometres from the site of one of India's great environment struggles in the Silent Valley National Park. But cooked data and ignored court orders have once again invited the wrath of conservationists. M Suchitra reports. A 'sour' source of delight and livelihood A three day festival of a special tender mango called appe midi held last month in Shimoga, Karnataka attracted 6000 visitors. The festival showcased a range of preparations including popular pickles, and gave a filip to the conservation of this wild mango variety. Shree Padre reports. Lives strangulated by needle and thread 27-year-old Ratnamma, a garment factory worker, was forced to deliver a baby on the streets of Bangalore. 20-year-old Gayathri was run over by the bus belonging to the Bangalore garment factory where she worked. Garment workers in Bangalore are caught in an exploitative web, reports Padmalatha Ravi. Growing credibility gap It is widely accepted that agricultural subsidies in developed nations are distorting global agriculture trade. And yet, Purdue University and the World Bank are cleverly using economic models and simulated 'welfare gains' to push for market access in developing nations. Therein lies a danger, says Devinder Sharma. North East: Looking beyond the chicken's neck The economy in the North East is still largely based on subsistence-oriented farming. There is plenty of frustration arising out of inability to meet modern aspirations. What are the options for people to engage in productive work and earn more money? Surekha Sule reports on a new research effort. India's black agenda in a climate change era In January, the Ratan Tata-chaired Investment Commission green-lighted coal-to-liquids (CTL) technology for India and the goverment appears eager to develop policy to promote CTL. But beyond the pressing demands for energy security and new investment lies a starker reality less seen by the public, notes Sunita Dubey. Jobs, skills, shortages and future-proofing India has only 5,100 Industrial Training Institutes and 1,745 polytechnics compared to 5,00,000 similar institutes in China. The USA boasts of 1500 trade training programmes compared to India's 171. A national conference in Delhi this February recommended measures to bridge the yawning gap between growth and jobs, reports Varupi Jain. Under pressure, India makes U-turn At a two-day international seminar on "Saving Doha and delivering on development" that concluded at New Delhi on 13 March, India's Commerce Minister Kamal Nath provided ample evidence of India's willingness to go along with the rich and industrialised countries. The writing is on the wall, says Devinder Sharma. How much, for submerging that forest? When a large hydropower projects results in the conversion of forest land, or its submergence, what is the right amount of money to be paid as compensation for this ecological loss? Himanshu Upadhyaya finds that developers are seeking creative arguments to lower the costs to themselves. SEZs: Lessons from China While single-minded pursuit of exports has helped China touch record growth figures, millions have been left behind, besides incurring huge environmental costs. And without even the limited dose of welfare that China offers its poor farmers, India must wary of copying China's SEZ-approach, writes Bhaskar Goswami. A storehouse of untapped potential A majority of poor and low-income workers, especially women, are not aware of how to secure their own income using basic skills. Often, they are clueless about using the skills they have tacitly acquired. Varupi Jain on the starting point for development efforts that aim to help them tap their own potential. Traditional knowledge receives a boost from government The government's recent traditional knowledge digital library will send data to patent offices abroad, so that indigenous knowledge that India abundantly has is not patented overseas. Following India's example, other nations too are showing interest in similarly protecting their interests. Ramesh Menon reports. Training the millions left behind Vocational training could play a key role in bridging the gap that keeps millions of workers in the unorganised economy away from a better future. The needs of informal sector workers are complex, and mere training for income-generation is seen to be insufficient, writes Varupi Jain. Pune's Bus Rapid Transit stumbles at the start While the idea of Bus Rapid Transit has merit, its implementation in Pune has created a poor first impression. Inadequate planning, lack of enforcement of dedicated lanes for buses, and haste in rolling out the project have all been criticised, and experts find much room for improvement. Vinita Deshmukh reports. Timbaktu Organic is scaling up This year, 160 farmers in Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district committed 480 acres for organic production. Two complete cycles of procurement, processing, and marketing of organic produce in a number of cities have already been completed. Rajni Bakshi says Timbaktu Organic is expanding. Bit by byte, IT firms make rural plans Technology majors are keen to establish direct contact with potential customers in rural areas, and setting up computer kiosks is an important step in this direction. These first steps are hardly catalytic, but that has not deterred the companies, which are thinking of markets far into the future. Gagandeep Kaur reports. More self-goals by the PFC Three years after a loan disbursal to the Jindal Thermal Power Company Ltd. for a power project in Karnataka, the public-sector Power Finance Corporation has drawn flak from the Comptroller and Auditor General for having offered undue benefits to Jindal and causing a loss of Rs.13.48 crores to itself. Himanshu Upadhyaya digs deeper. The new Maharajas, and their estates - the SEZs What is it like to be a modern-day Indian prince? Devinder Sharma and Bhaskar Goswami explain how, with the proliferation of Special Economic Zones everywhere, the laws of the land are being redefined to bring in the reality of the royal tag for the rich and beautiful. For the rest of the country, sub-Saharan Africa is the only comparison. SEZs: Invitation to chaos? A Marathi booklet published by the Pune-based National Centre for Advocacy Studies reveals a number of lesser known facts about the latest controversy in Indian development, Special Economic Zones. From land-use patterns to crony land acquisition to the stake of real estate developers in Maharashtra, Aparna Pallavi sums it up. Water meters help consumers as well as suppliers With a properly metered water bill, consumers have a much better chance of being heard than otherwise. Yes, there are justified concerns about rights and equity when we talk of water, but metering is not anti-poor. In fact, used well, it can address their demands powerfully, says S Vishwanath. Tender coconuts break into corporate offices Engineering crops, distorting livelihoods When technological change has the potential to put the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people at risk, it must be regulated differently from other products in a free market. Blindly promoting innovation, as is now being done with genetically engineered crops, is self-defeating, writes Suman Sahai. Darjeeling tea's lessons for handlooms The central government launched the Handloom Mark scheme in June 2006. The idea is to popularise handloom products in domestic as well as international markets and provide a guarantee for the buyer that the product is genuine. But will it work? D Narasimha Reddy looks at the challenges. Devinder Sharma: The 'Free trade' explosion With the World Trade talks in limbo, the focus remains on aggressively pushing on the bilateral front. What could not be achieved through a multilateral trade regime, is now being pursued by the US through bilateral and regional deals. Devinder Sharma connects the dots. Thirty years with a load of fish on her head Crores of taxpayer rupees are spent by government institutes each year on fisheries technology and research. How much does this impact the lives of the average fish hawkers who vend on foot? Is there any impact at all? M Suchitra visited one Kerala hawker at a coastal village near Kochi. Caution - road work ahead! Work zones are an important source of traffic disruptions, and if not properly managed can cause both hardship and accidents. But the cost of planning and managing them is often only a tiny portion of the infrastructure costs, and the resultant savings in time can be very high, writes Madhav Pai. Lens on Bt cotton: Flaky results, pre-determined consensus? Can transgenic cotton ever be a livelihood security measure for the majority of India's small-holder farmers? Keya Acharya is circumspect. She says that the Bt cotton story in India is one of confusion. Bt appears more to favour 'rich' farmers, who have access to water, better resources, and alternative support. |
Business - Economics india
| DrumBeat: February 3, 2008 Source: The Oil Drum : TEHRAN — In one of the coldest winters Iranians have experienced in recent memory, the government is failing to provide natural gas to tens of thousands of people across the country, leaving some for days or even weeks with no heat at all. Here in the capital, rolling blackouts every night for a month have left people without electricity, and heat, for hours at a time. The heating crisis in this oil-exporting nation is adding to Iranians’ increasing awareness of the contrast between their growing influence abroad and frailty at home, according to government officials, diplomats and political analysts interviewed here. [break] A new federal fuel-efficiency law gives a break to makers of SUVs -- and the customers who, despite the rising cost ... Asian art is drawing buyers from China, India, Russia and Dubai Source: International Herald Tribune: Business : Amid global stock market turmoil, investors are scouring the region's art for the next big jackpot. 3M's global growth Source: Star Tribune: Business : The company's feet are planted in Maplewood, but its body is growing overseas. Eco-Diary Rescue Source: NewsTrust Yahoo Pipes Feed : "The fate of the living planet is the most important issue facing mankind." - Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson The Eco-Diary Rescue appears every Saturday afternoon or evening. If you have missed the most recent two, you can find them and If you haven’t already joined the , click right on over there and join like-minded folks with a green tinge. I don’t often give prominence to a particular Diary in the Rescue because there are so many good ones it’s hard to choose. But this week I found davidseth ’s compelling. Viewing the yet-to-be-enacted federal government’s version wanting, he offered . He owns some land in rural Columbia County, New York in the Hudson Valley next to Massachusetts. Like the rest of the ... S.F. Activist Seeks Peace on the Rock Source: AP National : SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- It would literally take an act of Congress before a city ballot proposal to turn Alcatraz into a global peace center could become reality.... San Francisco To Vote On Alcatraz As Peace Center Source: WCCO: National : It would literally take an act of Congress before a city ballot proposal to turn Alcatraz into a global peace center could become reality, but that doesn't mean the measure on Tuesday's ballot in San Francisco hasn't gotten a lot of attention. S.F. Activist Seeks Peace on the Rock Source: SFGate: Top Stories : It would literally take an act of Congress before a city ballot proposal to turn Alcatraz into a global peace center could become reality. The measure's purely symbolic, given that the legislative branch would have to formally switch the island prison... ... Michael T. Klare | How Oil Burst the American Bubble Source: Truthout.com : For TomDispatch.com Michael T. Klare writes: "The economic bubble that lifted the stock market to dizzying heights was sustained as much by cheap oil as by cheap (often fraudulent) mortgages. Likewise, the collapse of the bubble was caused as much by costly (often imported) oil as by record defaults on those improvident mortgages." India: Copyright and the Law Source: Global Voices : Law and Other Things on Supreme Court of India ruling that there can be no copyright in the raw text of court judgments/decisions. Something Had to Give: How Oil Burst the American Bubble Source: Common Dreams: Views : The economic bubble that lifted the stock market to dizzying heights was sustained as much by cheap oil as by cheap (often fraudulent) mortgages. Likewise, the collapse of the bubble was caused as much by costly (often imported) oil as by record defaults on those improvident mortgages. Oil, in fact, has played a [...] India advances Hewlett-Packard murder case Source: International Herald Tribune: Business : The Supreme Court ruled that the former head of Hewlett-Packard GlobalSoft in India should face prosecution after an employee was raped and killed by a driver. Fragile, finger-thin undersea cables tie the World Wide Web together Source: Star Tribune: Science & Technology : Cables connect the digital world / Backup systems keep data flowing over fiber-optic lines despite frequent breaks Source: SFGate: Business & Technology : The lines that tie the globe together by carrying phone calls and Internet traffic are just two-thirds of an inch thick where they lie on the ocean floor. The foundation for a connected world seems quite fragile - an impression reinforced this week when ... Cables connect the digital world / Backup systems keep data flowing over fiber-optic lines despite frequent breaks Source: SFGate: Business & Technology : The lines that tie the globe together by carrying phone calls and Internet traffic are just two-thirds of an inch thick where they lie on the ocean floor. The foundation for a connected world seems quite fragile - an impression reinforced this week when ... Daughters of the soil -- Part 1 Source: NewsTrust Yahoo Pipes Feed : Women in the Indian subcontinent have proven to be some of most effective harbingers of socio-economic change at the grassroots. No surprise that governments and NGOs often target rural women for growth-oriented projects. In fact, there are banks that exclusively target women for loans. Only recently (and most famously) the founder of in Bangladesh, Nobel laureate was on explaining why 97 percent of the bank's borrowers are poor women and how they have proven they can handle money better than men. ... Keewatin taconite plant to get $300 million expansion Source: Star Tribune: Business : Russell: Indians in a change election Source: Indian Country Today: Featured Stories : Robert Reich, Secretary of Labor in the Clinton I administration, made a remark recently that bears serious consideration. We should not, Reich suggested, pick a presidential candidate by making a list of salie Keewatin taconite plant to get $300 million expansion Source: Star Tribune: Latest : Finger-Thin Cables Tie Internet Together Source: AP Business : NEW YORK (AP) -- The lines that tie the globe together by carrying phone calls and Internet traffic are just two-thirds of an inch thick where they lie on the ocean floor.... Finger-Thin Cables Tie Internet Together Source: SFGate: Business & Technology : The lines that tie the globe together by carrying phone calls and Internet traffic are just two-thirds of an inch thick where they lie on the ocean floor. The foundation for a connected world seems quite fragile, an impression reinforced this week ... HP case to go forward in India Source: International Herald Tribune: Business : After an HP employee was raped and killed by a driver the company employed, India's highest court may force international firms to do more to guard local workers' safety. Undersea cables cut, disrupting Net Source: International Herald Tribune: Business : Internet and telephone communications remained disturbed in the Middle East and the world's back office, India, after two undersea cables were damaged. Russia Talks of a Stability Beyond Ties to the U.S. Source: NY Times: Europe : Finance officials in Moscow are now describing Russia as the most insulated from the ill effects of a United States recession among the chief emerging-market economies. |
Today .Economy
| World economic snapshots 2007 Although 2007 has been a year of low growth for the world economy, however the success of the third world economies in this year has been encouraging..... World Economy In 2008 Across the world, people, irrespective of their religion and nationality, are all set to celebrate the advent of New Year 2008 with much verve and enthusiasm. Taxation Over The World Taxation over the world. India Budget 2008 The main problem of the Finance Minister is the low revenue which have been decelerating the customs revenue growth. Moreover, the excise revenue also gets low 2008 Budget Expectations The economic growth of India have been improving significantly over the last few years. India Railway Budget 2008 On the 4th of October, the Railway Minister Mr Lalu Prasad Jadav forecasted briefly the Indian railway Budget 2008 Economy Blog Discusses about the world economies and post your valuable comments to our web log. Information Economy Information economy or knowledge economy contributed a lot in the progress of World Economy. Use of Internet and its application is rising at a faster pace around the worldwide. Internet Economy The meaning of Internet Economy is developing business idea's through markets, Whose infrastructure is based on the Internet. Agrarian Reform Agrarian Reform is very significant for the economy of any country because more than half of the population is employed in the agricultural sector. Effects of Agrarian Reform Effects of Agrarian Reform tells us about the result of reallocation of a country's agricultural resources. Several developing countries have been effected by implementing Agrarian Reform. Agrarian Systems The agrarian systems are the organized structures that primarily provide the resources required to satisfy basic human needs of food with the proper utilization of air, soil and water. India's Debt Situation India's debt situation focuses on the total amount of external debts taken by the nation in a particular year, its repayments as well as the outstanding debt amounts, if any. CAC For Indian Economy CAC (Capital Account Convertibility) for Indian Economy refers to the abolition of all limitations with respect to the movement of capital from India to different countries across the globe. Inflation Inflation is meant as a persistent rise in price level with a falling value of the currency. India's Five Year Plan The Planning Commission has been entrusted with the responsibility of the creation, development, execution of the India's five year plans. India - 1st Five Year Plan (1951 to 1956) It was formulated for the execution of various plans between 1951 to 1956. The Planning Commission was responsible for working out the plan. India - 2nd Five Year Plan (1956 to 1961) Objectives of the 2nd five year plan (1956 to 1961): Industries got more importance in the 2nd five year plan. India - 3rd Five Year Plan (1961 to 1966) Main events and objectives of the 3rd five year plan (1961 to 1966). India - 4th Five Year Plan (1969 to 1974) The 4th five year plan also served as a stepping stone for the economic growth. India - 5th Five Year Plan (1974 to 1979) The 5th Five Year Plan commenced on 1974 and extended till 1979. India - 6th Five Year Plan (1980 to 1985) The 6th Five Year Plan started from 1980 and covered a timespan of another five years that is till 1985. India - 7th Five Year Plan (1985 to 1989) The objective of the 7th Five Year Plan was to generate more scope of employment for the people of India. Fortune Global 500 Companies In 2007 There is a list of fortune global 500 corporations for the year 2007 along with their rankings Effect of the Global Credit Crunch on Market There have been far reaching effects on the global financial crunch on the market. The monetary policy has been very much lenient in the past resulting in a credit bubble. Slowdown in US Housing Market and its Impact US housing market and its impact on the US economy has given rise to serious speculations and vigorous analysis in the last few years. It is expected to have serious effects on the country's economy. Role of Asian Giants In World Economic Growth China and India are known as the Asian giants and currently they are known as the engines of world economic growth. However incredible may it sound the fact is that China overshot US to become the ace contributor in the economic growth of the world. Inclusive Growth in India and China Inclusive growth in India and China made these two countries to become the major players in world economy. India and China both succeeded in attaining the attention of the world by promoting inclusive growth in the fields like labor regulations, agricultural technology and infrastructure. APEC The forum, which was founded in the year 1989, to promote and facilitate cooperation, trade, economic growth and investment between Asia Pacific nations is known as Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation or the APEC. SAARC SAARC or the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation was established on December 1985. It is basically a political as well as economic organisation of eight countries. World Bank and IMF Annual Meeting 2007 The annual meeting of World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) is scheduled on October 20-22, 2007 in Washington, D.C. Both IMF’s Boards of Governors and World Bank Group meet once in a year in the annual meeting for discussing the works and initiatives undertaken by the respective institutions. The annual meeting generally takes place in September-October. Nobel Prize in Economics 2007 Announcement For the year 2007, the Nobel Prize winners in Economics Science are Leonid Hurwicz, Eric S Maskin, and Roger B. Myerson for having laid the foundations of mechanism design theory. Economics Theory Find about the various economics theories like Game Theory, Supply Theory and etc. Globalization Globalization in the realms of world finance, economy and industrial sector involves the progresses and revolutions taking place in free-market principles, involving services and the record movement of capital. Doing Business Report 2008 Publication of doing business report has been accepted as a best indicator worldwide by rendering rankings among countries on the easiest and most difficult places to do business. Useful and important case studies covered in the report truly reflect the business climate among various world countries. Economics Theory Find Various Economics Theories such as Game Theory and Interest Theory. Traditional Economy Traditional Economy is a system where the allocation of available resources is made on the basis of inheritance. As a well-established economic theory with well-built social set-up, Traditional Economy generally makes use of prehistoric instruments and techniques. HSBC Credit Card The HSBC Credit Card that caters to both the business and personal needs provide the holder with innumerable advantages. Brief about HSBC Credit Card types such as HSBC Master Card, Direct Rewards Platinum Card, HSBC Business Card and characteristics of each of them. Financial Management Financial Management, which is simply meant dealing with management of money matters. Brief about Meaning of Financial Management, Financial Management In India, Financial Management Planning, Financial Management Consulting, Funds Management, Methods of Financial Management. World Country Information World countries information. Banking Industry Banking Industry has revolutionized the transaction and financial services system worldwide. Through the development in technology banking services has been availed to the customers at all times, even after the normal banking hours, on a 24x7 basis. Best Brands Indian Retail Industry Indian Retail Industry has been waiting for the boom since a long time. The inception country's retail industry dates back to times when retail stores were found in the village fairs , Melas or in the weekly markets. World GDP Country Wise Find the country wise world GDP over various years. Percentgage share of various countries in the year 2006 and Calculate GDP and GNI Percapita. Insurance Industry Insurance business among the countries over the world have grown at a faster pace. Insurance practices among various countries differ. Find detailed information on country insurance and overview on insurance industry over the world. Dental Insurance Dental insurance refers to the the cost which one has to bear inorder to cover ones dental expenses. National Association Of Dental Plans states that 46% of Americans do not own a dental insurance. Home Insurance Home Insurance (or Home Owner's Insurance) actually belongs to the category of property insurance for homes owned privately. One's residential house including all the things that are placed within it, can come under the umbrella protection of Home Insurance. Travel Insurance Travel insurance can be defined as the insurance that is meant to cover any travel related losses incurred while one is traveling inside or outside of his country. Medical Insurance Medical Insurance also known as health insurance is a protection to individuals and their families against unforeseen expenses. General Insurance General Insurance policies cover all types of insurance policies leaving out life insurance. They basically compensate against any financial loss that may arise due to accidents relating to automobiles, homes etc. In the United States they are named as property and casualty insurance. |
Business - Economics World
| US sees job cuts as economy cools The US has seen the first decline in employment since August 2003, in a fresh sign that a recession is looming. US-Russia economy talks planned The US and Russia are to begin formal economic talks at ministerial level, the US embassy in Moscow says. Eurozone inflation at new record Eurozone inflation surges to a new record in January at 3.2%, putting pressure on the European Central Bank to take action to curb it. German jobless rate falls again Germany's unemployment rate falls in January, but retail sales are down, official data shows. Brewers warn of consumer slowdown The brewers Fuller, Smith & Turner and Greene King both warn of the impact of the consumer slowdown. Credit crisis rocks bond insurer Major bond insurer MBIA posts its biggest ever loss for a three month period last quarter. Sharp fall in commercial property The value of UK commercial property fell by a record amount in the last three months of 2007, according to IPD. Indian interest rates unchanged India's central bank keeps interest rates on hold, saying inflation is still the main threat. Rwanda opens own stock exchange Rwanda launches a stock exchange as the country still struggles to rebuild its economy after the 1994 genocide. Date set for first Darling Budget Chancellor Alistair Darling will deliver his first Budget on 12 March, the Treasury announces. Senate snag delays US rescue plan The Senate Finance Committee passes a different stimulus package to the Bush Administration, setting up a possible conflict. Fed cuts US interest rates to 3% The US Federal Reserve lowers interest rates to 3%, its second cut in nine days, as it seeks to ward off a recession. Food warnings amid China freeze China struggles to cope with its worst snowfall in years, as officials warn of catastrophic damage to crops. US economic growth drops sharply US economic growth drops to a weaker-than-expected annual rate of 0.6% in the final quarter of 2007. Gloomy Christmas for US consumers Financial pressures hit US consumers and spending slumps to a 15-month low in December, data shows. |
Industry & Economy
| FICCI for removal of trade barriers with EU New Delhi, Feb. 3 As the roadmap to the India-EU free trade agreement (FTA) is being outlined, industry estimates the potential trade between the two partners to touch $572 billion by 2015. “This engagement includes both trade in ... Fortune hotel launched in Mumbai ITC Ltd’s subsidiary, Fortune Park Hotels Ltd launched its 22nd property called Fortune Select Exotica at Navi Mumbai. Situated on Palm Beach Road, it would have 85 rooms for business travellers. This is Fortune’s first property in ... Panel to discuss removal of tax sops for SEZs Finance Ministry says reliefs lead to revenue loss Hinduja Group plans healthcare sector foray in Bengal Kolkata, Feb. 3 The Hinduja Group is looking to foray into the healthcare sector in West Bengal by setting up a ‘medicity’ in and around Kolkata, the State Industry and Commerce Minister, Mr Nirupam Sen, told presspersons here on ... Villagers oppose land acquisition for Mangalore SEZ project Some villagers, who will be losing their land to the proposed Mangalore Special Economic Zone, have opposed the move to acquire land for the project. Participating in a public discussion — convened by the Technical Committee of ... Centre asks Maharashtra to check illegal use of LPG Mumbai, Feb 3 The Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, Mr Murli Deora has urged upon the Maharashtra Government to intensify the inspections of commercial establishments for illegal use of subsidized domestic LPG cylinders. ... Reliance Power IPO refunds: Liquidity gets a boost Chennai, Feb. 3 The stock markets could get an investor liquidity booster dose this week. About Rs 1 lakh crore may come back from investors who will be getting their money back after failing to secure allotments in the Reliance Power IPO. ... Jain Energy to set up power plant at Balpur Kolkata, Feb. 3Kolkata-based Jain Energy has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Chattisgarh Government for setting up a 1,000 MW coal-based thermal power plant at Balpur of Janjgir-Champa district. The plant will be ... ‘India may face isolation if N-deal not through’ Kolkata, Feb. 3 India may find itself isolated in the global community and may even have to face sanctions if the country does not go ahead with the civilian nuclear deal with the US, according to the External Affairs Minister, Mr Pranab ... KCCI files caveat before Appellate Tribunal The Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has filed a caveat petition before the Appellate Tribunal of Electricity at New Delhi against the “intended moves” of the electricity supply companies (escoms) in the State to ... Tyre industry seeks changes in inverted duty structure New Delhi, Feb. 3 Higher raw material prices compared to the cost of importing finished products have compelled the Indian tyre industry to seek a correction in the inverted duty structure and a waiver on certain raw materials not manufactured ... BrahMos-2 will see design, development of hypersonic missiles: CEO India, Russia teams working on designing different versions Govt to conduct social audit for Indiramma housing scheme The State Government will conduct social audit and third party verification of all completed houses under Indiramma Housing Scheme to promote transparency.A decision to this effect was taken by the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara ... I-T Dept will become more taxpayer-friendly: Chidambaram Large taxpayer facility inaugurated in Chennai ITC-Welcom hotels plans foray into medical tourism First project to come up in Thane near Mumbai Tourism conclave on Dakshina Kannada The tourism potential of Dakshina Kannada district will be discussed at the one-day ‘Tourism Conclave’ on February 5, according to Mr K. Narasimha Prabhu, President of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).To be ... |
Economy-News
| Household spending on the rise, finds NSSO The 62nd NSSO survey on household expenditure for 2005-06 has highlighted improvement in monthly per capita consumption expenditure (MCPE) for both rural (Rs 625) and urban (Rs 1,171) households. Bengal leads Q3 investment chart State Beats Orissa, Maharashtra With Investment Proposals Worth Rs 1,27,302 Crore . Don’t push for premature deal, India tells WTO India has cautioned the World Trade Organisation (WTO) that any attempt to push for a deal in the ongoing Doha round of trade talks by holding a ministerial meeting without groundwork could prove to be counter-productive. Vidarbha faces looming fertiliser crisis Agricultural districts in Maharashtra, which have been the mainstay of largescale foodgrain supplies to retail majors such as Reliance Fresh and the Aditya Birla group’s More outlets, are these days caught in a different problem that could impact their supplies - shortage of fertilisers. Food subsidy bill for 2007-08 set to inch up The RE for 2007-08 on food subsidy would include dues of about Rs 3,000 crore in estimated annual average budgetary provisions to square up these dues to the FCI. Fertiliser pricing needs rationalisation A regime of uniform pricing of all fertilisers will probably ensure that the farmer buys the fertiliser/s which his crop actually needs rather than the cheapest (the most subsidised) fertiliser. EGoM to take up SEZ land cap issue today The ambitious plans of the three multi-product special economic zones (SEZs) - DLF’s Gurgaon project, Reliance’s Jhajjar project and the Mumbai SEZ also promoted by the Reliance group - to expand beyond the current ceiling of 5,000 hectares will be taken up by the empowered group of ministers (EGoM) at its meeting on Monday. Money market faces crunch The government’s unspent revenue kept in its account with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has crossed Rs 50,000 crore. 'W Bengal can boost trade relations with ASEAN countries' Pranab Mukherjee says since the state is strategically located and shares international boundaries with three countries in south Asia, it could expedite industrial and trade ties with them. Total revenue in Haryana grows to Rs 19,186 cr Total revenue in Haryana has grown to Rs 19,186 cr so far this fiscal, higher than the Rs 17,952 crore in the corresponding period. Rs 97.75 cr for development of 195 villages Haryana Government will spend an amount of Rs 97.75 crore for the development of 195 villages of the state. 'Recession hit US economy; remedial measures needed' India has to take remedial measures to avoid the adverse impact of the recession hit Amercian economy. Total revenue in Haryana grows to Rs 19,186 crore Economic development in Haryana has led to increase in state's total revenue generation to Rs 19,186 crore. APEDA to open market facilitation centres in Japan Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority is planning to open market facilitation centres for floriculture in Japan and the Middle East. Pak to export raw cotton to India: Report Pakistan will export 3,000 bales of raw cotton to India after a gap of 16 years. FM will have to resort to tightrope walk in the Budget: FICCI FM P Chidambaram will have to do a balancing act in the face of growing pressure from the Left parties for an overall increase in taxes while providing the much-needed stimulus in the Union Budget to push economic growth. Continue land acquisition: ICC urges West Bengal Government The Indian Chamber of Commerce has urged the West Bengal government not to back out from land acquisition for new industrial units in the state. From wines to nuclear: Indo-French S&T ties cover wide gamut the wine industry to the nuclear sector, India and France signed up a series of pacts to enhance ties in science and technology during the recent visit of President Nicolas Sarkozy. Prices of some essential food items gone up to 82%: ASSOCHAM Prices of some essential food items have gone up as high as 82 per cent in the last five years despite government's attempt to contain inflation, industry chamber ASSOCHAM said. ADB's focus in India is on transport, energy Multilateral lending agency Asian Development Bank's focus in Indian will be on the transport and energy sectors during the next three years (2008-10). India-EU trade has potential to touch $572 bn by 2015: FICCI The India-EU FTA is likely to be fully implemented by 2015 by when India's trade in goods with the bloc could be around $251 billion. Shaping India's growth story Tax mop-up from MNCs to cross Rs 15K cr mark Tax collection from MNCs operating in India is set to cross Rs 15K cr mark by the end of the fiscal, 25% more than the projected figure. Weekend platter I ULIP: Tax saver Market meltdown may dash tax payers' hopes Bear phase on stock mkts may lead to a slowdown in tax collection, which, in turn, may dash tax relief hopes of millions of payers. Weekend platter I ULIP: Tax saver Madhya Pradesh sanction Rs 29 cr for modernising jails Madhya Pradesh government has sanctioned Rs 29.53 crore for completing the works under Union government's perspective plan for modernising jails. Govt plans equity funding, other schemes for SMEs SME units are also being encouraged to go for ISO certification, with 15000 units already having gone for the certification. Fund managers on monetary policy Andhra Pradesh budget to be tabled on February 16 The budget session of Andhra Pradesh legislature will begin on Feb 11 while the state budget will be tabled on Feb 16. Chhattisgarh spends over Rs 1400 crore on rural employment Chhattisgarh govt spent $378 mn on the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in 2006-07 and 2007-08. ICAR sanctions CIFT project of Rs 9 cr The Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) has been sanctioned the prestigious National Agricultural Innovation Project of the ICAR with an outlay of Rs 9.71 crore. 'Paddy field conversion poses grave threat' Posing a grave threat to the environment and food security, about 41,000 hectares of paddy field in Kerala have been converted into cash crop gardens or real estate in the last two years. Benefit of growth should reach the poor: Chidambaram During the last three years, the economy had moved to a high growth trajectory as the average growth touched 8.5 per cent. UNDP selects Orissa's Ganjam district for PPCP Orissa's Ganjam is among four districts in the country selected by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for implementation of public private community partnership (PPCP) from this year. FM likely to rewrite FBT norms FM may rewrite FBT norms to provide relief to companies, in a move to arrest slowdown in production of FMCG. Tricks to build your business online Smart way to unlock value in India’s rural economy Indian markets have been internationally linked through trade as evidenced from history and the visitors to the country. Time to bring rich agriculturists within income, wealth tax net Agricultural income is totally exempt from tax for umpteen years. Strangely enough, no voices are raised regarding its taxation. Weather-based insurance has a lot to weather despite push Finance minister P Chidambaram dubbed it a “more promising risk mitigation scheme,” during his 2007 Budget speech but the weather-based insurance scheme. FM may need to go the whole hog to spur demand Way back in the mid-nineties, finance minister P Chidambaram had an option to introduce a single rate of excise duty for all goods. Foreign credit info cos may look at India entry after FDI nod The decision to allow foreign investment in credit information companies could not have come at a better time. Inflation rises to 3.93% Wholesale price inflation shot up to a five-month high of 3.93 % for the week ended January 19 due to a further increase in the price of food items and industrial fuels, official data revealed on Friday. Re takes toll, export growth slows to 16% The steadily rising rupee has contained India’s export growth to 16% in December 2007 to $12.3 billion. Incubation business set to hit growth highway: ISBA Business incubation in the country is poised for a strong growth with both government and private sectors seeing good prospects in promoting ideas that have robust commercial potential. Providence eyes stake in media, entertainment companies As part of its India strategy, Providence Equity Partners is looking to pick 10-15% stake in companies for a minimum investment of $50 million (Rs 200 crore). Govt proposes minimum 25% public stake in listed firms A proposal from the finance ministry said powers of the stock exchanges to relax listing conditions needed to be withdrawn. Day in Pics | Airplane decorum Government borrowing from RBI nil as of Jan 25 Short-term borrowings by the Indian federal government from the RBI were nil as of Jan. 25, the central bank said in its weekly statistical supplement on Friday. Government to sell 35 bn rupees of T-bills on Feb 6 The Reserve Bank of India said on Friday it will auction 20 billion rupees of 91-day treasury bills on Feb. 6, including 15 billion rupees under the market stabilisation scheme (MSS). Tax GDP ratio to touch 11.2% this fiscal: FM Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Friday said that Central tax to GDP ratio is estimated to have increased to 11.8 per cent in 2007-08 as per budget estimates, providing additional resources to the Centre for social expenditure and achieve fiscal consolidation. India to unveil bio-fuel policy in March 2008 The Indian government will come out with a policy on bio-fuels by the first week of March, Minister for New and Renewable Energy Vilas Muttemwar said here Friday. Rupee up and Gold price hits new high Exports up 16% in Dec'07; meagre 2% growth Exports grew by a healthy 16.04% in December 2007 in dollar terms but managed a paltry improvement of 2.54% in rupee terms, impacted by a strong domestic currency against the US dollar. PM unveils $ 1.75 bn for Arunachal Pradesh PM Manmohan Singh unveils a $1.75 billion development package for the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh. December exports up 16 pc y/y to $12.3 bn India's exports rose 16% in December to $12.3 billion, a slower rate of annual expansion than in the previous month. ADB, other donors to give Bangladesh $190 mn as cyclone relief ADB and other aid agencies will give Bangladesh $190 mn in loans to assist in recovery from cyclone last year. Oil below $91 on weak US data, recession worries Oil fell below $91 a barrel on Friday, ahead of an OPEC meeting later in the day, as a fresh set of weak U.S. economic data. Annual inflation at 3.93% on Jan 19 India's wholesale price index rose 3.93 percent in the 12 months to Jan. 19, higher than the previous week's rise of 3.83 percent, government data showed on Friday. DIPP builds excise relief for cement companies The Budget may bring much-awaited relief to cement manufacturers in the form of a 35% abatement on excise duty and waiver of import duty on coal and pet coke, key inputs in the making of cement. Economy to grow 9% on investment boom Buoyed by revision in growth estimates for 2006-07, finance minister P Chidambaram on Thursday exuded confidence that the country would grow close to 9% this fiscal on the back of an investment boom. 'PE deals set to abate in 2008' Industry players also insighted that 2008 would see niche alternate sectors such as real estate and healthcare being invested into by PEs. Credit crisis may hit fund-raising Most corporates have postponed their decisions to access the loan and bond markets overseas as spreads have widened by around 40 basis points for the best-rated corporates. Meghalaya seeks flexible schemes for jhum cultivation Meghalaya additional chief secretary WMS Paraiat has requested the Centre and state governments to be more flexible in framing schemes to control the problem of ‘jhum cultivation’ or shifting cultivation. Govt revises Air services agreement with Oman India and Oman on Thursday revised their bilateral air services agreements, allowing addition of 11,550 seats per week in each direction. West Bengal plans Hardware IT park in PPP model After scripting success in software industry, West Bengal has turned its gaze now on hardware as it plans to set up a hardware IT park at Rajarhat in public-private partnership. Shivraj Patil asks industry to invest in research and development Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Thursday asked industry bodies to invest in the "important area" of research and development and work together with the government for the technological advancement of the country. India's fiscal deficit falls in Dec to $19.7 bn Analysts say the government was well set to meet its annual fiscal deficit target of 3.3% of GDP for the year to March 2008. Shaping India's growth story Rupee flat on exporter dollar sales but Gold rises after Fed rate cut The rupee ended almost flat on Thursday, largely ignoring a hefty U.S. rate cut, as exporters sold dollars while outflows relating to a recent share offering largely checked gains. Rural Indian spends less than Rs 21 a day: NSSO While an average Urban citizen spends just about Rs 39 a day, the expenses on cereals, milk, beverages, vegetables and refreshment etc account for about Rs 16 compared to just over Rs 11 spent on food by rural India. `Kerala ready for joint seepage water measurement system' The Kerala government was not against setting up a joint monitoring mechanism with Tamil Nadu at the Mullaperiyar dam site to measure seepage of water till a new dam was constructed, Water Resources Minister N K Premachandran said on Thursday. Oil prices may remain volatile: UAE Concerned that the world oil prices may stay volatile due to the current state of international economy, UAE Minister of Energy Mohammed bin Dhaen Al Hamli has said OPEC will take necessary measures to keep prices stable. Government confident of 9% economic growth Finance Minister P Chidambaram exudes confidence that the growth during the current fiscal would be close to 9 per cent. GDP records impressive growth of 9.6 per cent in 2006-07 The impressive showing was also reflected in improvement in per capital income, which increased to Rs 29,642 from Rs 25,956. Shaping India's growth story Global economy faces high risks: Moody's The central zone of uncertainty is evidently the US, where the impact of the liquidity and credit crisis on the economic outlook remains unclear. Crucial year of business 'US slowdown may trigger more active monetary policies' Chidambaram expects only minor secondary effects from the US slowdown, but it could be re-assessed if there is a full-blown crisis. Shaping India's growth story Oil falls by more than $1 in Asia World oil prices fell more than a dollar in Asia on Thursday despite a fresh US interest rate cut and after OPEC hinted it will not raise output. Govt raises FDI limit in 7 sectors The government on Wednesday announced further liberalisation of foreign direct investment (FDI) in seven key economic sectors. Expat CEOs in India India lays groundwork for SAARC free trade The Centre has initiated a process to address the concerns of SAARC member countries on non-trade barriers to enable early take-off of free trade within the region. Oil prices rise on Fed rate cut hopes Oil prices rose despite predictions of rising U.S. oil supplies, with traders focusing on expectations the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates later Wednesday and OPEC will not raise its output this week. ADB to grant $1 mn for NPS The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide a grant for the New Pension Scheme (NPS) through its Japan Special Fund by giving $1 million for the project. Imports under reward schemes to undergo stringent scrutiny The finance ministry wants imports under Focus Market Scheme, Focus Product Scheme and Vishesh Krishi Upaj Yojana to pass through stringent scrutiny. Sovereign fund may boost India's wealth The finance ministry is planning to set up a committee to examine the pros and cons of an Indian sovereign wealth fund. Punjab to implement revival package for cooperatives The Punjab government has signed an MoU with the Union government and NABARD to implement the revival package for short-term cooperatives in the state. Govt to continue Project Tiger in 11th Plan; allots Rs 600 cr The government on Wednesday decided to continue with a central scheme called 'Project Tiger' during the current 11th Plan and okayed an estimated Rs 600 crore for the purpose. Time to stop messing around in WTO talks - Oxfam The United States and European Union need to shift their negotiating positions and not just their rhetoric to give hope to a new global free trade deal, the head of Oxfam International said on Wednesday. Govt puts Daimler commercial vehicle JV on hold Govt has deferred approval to a proposal by German vehicle maker Daimler for a joint venture to make and sell commercial vehicles, a statement said on Wednesday. NABARD earmarks Rs 8,944 crore credit plans for Orissa NABARD has earmarked Rs 8,944 crore credit plans for Orissa during 2008-09 as against the previous year's plan of Rs 7,732.59 crore, official source said on Wednesday. India expects to add $100 bn to forex reserve in FY'08 Govt said it expects to add $100 bn to the forex reserves in the current financial year. Overall, forex reserves stands at $284.8 bn. Plan a basket of debt instruments Government approves merger of IDA with basic pay for CPSE staff Government on Wednesday decided to merge 50 per cent industrial dearness allowance with the basic pay of employees of profit-making central public sector enterprises, raising their allowances and retirement benefits. India should focus on rural connectivity: Pitroda The challenge before the country is to enhance rural connectivity and using evolving technologies for application in the field of education by facilitiating distance learning and creating virtual classrooms, according to National Knowledge Commission Chairman Sam Pitroda. 'Coffee exports likely to fall by 20%' Exports in the first four months of coffee year (October- January) have already fallen by 7.79 per cent at 59,443 tons against 64,467 tons in the same period last year. Govt relaxes FDI norms; opens commodity exchanges, MROs The amended policy allows 100% FDI in maintenance, repair and overhauling (MRO) facilities for aircraft as also aviation training units. How to choose an MF? | Day in Pics Govt to infuse Rs 900 crore in RRBs Government on Wednesday decided to strengthen 27 Regional Rural Banks spread across 15 states by infusing fresh capital amounting to about Rs 900 crore. Private equity funding to touch $48 bn by 2010: Assocham An Assocham report states that realty sector is predicted to be the best beneficiary of private equity landscape in India. Analysts' picks: Spicejet, L and T, Exide Exporters just won't give up rate cut hope Continued firmness of Re has already eroded the profits of exporters and they hope RBI to reduce India-US interest rate gap. Gainers 'n' Losers| How to choose an MF? Oil prices above $92 in Asian trade Oil prices climbed higher in Asian trade today ahead of an expected fresh cut in US interest rates, dealers said. Easier FDI norms likely for industrial parks Govt is ready to exempt FDI in industrial parks from conditionalities like minimum capitalisation and lock-in period of 3 years. 10 ways to become a business mentor OPEC set to resist pressure for more oil The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is widely expected to resist consumer calls for more oil when it meets on Friday, worried by a slowing US economy and the onset of seasonally lower demand in the spring. Reddy begs to differ from rest The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) left all policy rates unchanged at its quarterly review of the Credit Policy. Economy to grow at 8.5% despite inflation worries The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) expects the economy to grow at 8.5% this year despite expressing concerns on inflation. RBI's decision has spooked real estate cos The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) decision not to cut interest rates has spooked real estate companies facing the brunt of a housing industry slowdown caused by the high cost of mortgage financing. Loans may get cheaper as banks hint at rate review The Reserve Bank of India’s decision on Tuesday to maintain status quo in key rates notwithstanding, some nationalised bank, much to the cheer of borrowers, have not totally ruled out any cut in interest rates. FM calls it a 'stand-still' policy, defends Reddy P Chidambaram justified RBI’s move to hold policy rates in its quarterly monetary review on Tuesday. Reddy speaks out Forget naysayers, the RBI Governor is gung-ho about keeping the growth engine in top shape. US economy is the major concern for RBI One major concern of Reserve Bank of India is that of the US dollar going into a free-fall on the back of a possible recession in the US economy. |
Business-News-The Economic Times
| Rio CEO awaits richer BHP offer With his formal training in geology, Tom Albanese could be excused for believing he would struck the mother lode after orchestrating a bump-free $38-billion acquisition of Alcan just six months into his new job as chief executive of Rio Tinto, the world’s second-largest mining house. Yahoo seeks time to study Microsoft bid Yahoo said it may take “quite a bit of time” to weigh its strategic options, including keeping the company independent, following Microsoft’s $45 billion offer to buy the company. GM picks up hybrid pace, targets pickup drivers General Motors will introduce a new hybrid full-size pickup and a concept hybrid truck this week at the Chicago Auto Show, betting that pickup drivers have been itching to jump on the hybrid bandwagon. UBS under scanner for inflating prices The Journal, quoting unnamed sources familiar with the probe, said the investigation by the US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York had not yet issued subpoenas. SocGen to defend money laundering charges Societe Generale (SocGen) laid out its defence ahead of a high-profile money laundering trial due to begin in Paris on Monday, which could put further pressure on the French bank as it grapples with the effects of a trading scandal. China to face stagnant growth, inflation A global economic slowdown and fast-rising prices at home may spell the end of China’s five-year boom of double-digit growth with low inflation. Health and anti-poverty programmes face budget squeeze in US The spiraling growth of Medicare and the high cost of renewing President George W Bush's tax cuts are squeezing popular education, health, housing and anti-poverty programmes in the budget blueprint that he hands lawmakers on Monday. Chinalco gets $120 bn from China for Rio bid China's Chinalco will have access to $120 bn from the Chinese govt as it prepares to fight the takeover of Rio Tinto by BHP Billiton. Jordan cuts repo rate and discount rate 0.25 pc Jordan's Central Bank reduced its key benchmark repo rate to 6.75-7 per cent in a token move following a US rate cut. Bush to unveil $3 trillion budget for 2009 US President George W Bush will unveil a budget of more than $3 trillion on Monday for fiscal year 2009 that begins on Oct 1. British retail chain halts sale of children's beds named Lolita Woolworths stores in Britain have stopped selling 'Lolita' beds for young girls after a parents' organization complained because of the name's association with the famous novel about a pedophile. China biggest bank to buy 20 pc stake in Standard Bank China's biggest bank, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, (ICBC), on Sunday said it has received approval to buy a 20 per cent stake in South Africa's Standard Bank, the largest commercial bank in Africa, for $5.46 billion. Agricultural Bank denies $50 bn bail-out: Report Agricultural Bank of China, the weakest of the country's big four commercial banks, denied it is to receive up to 50 billion dollars in government bail-out funds. Russia to become Europe's main car market: Carlos Ghosn Russia will become the most important auto market in Europe within the next two years, the chief executive of Renault and Nissan Motor was quoted as saying on Sunday. Bangladesh to develop coal field with own experts Bangladesh will develop a coal field with its own expertise to save natural resources in the northern region of the country, a senior official said on Sunday. Rio Tinto's chief waits for richer BHP offer With his formal training in geology, Tom Albanese could be excused for believing he'd struck the mother lode after orchestrating a bump-free $38 billion acquisition of Alcan. Singapore's GIC to buy Westin Hotel Tokyo for $723 mn The Government of Singapore Investment Corp (GIC) has agreed to buy the Westin Tokyo luxury hotel for 77 billion yen (723 million dollars) from Morgan Stanley, a newspaper said on Sunday. Panama Canal fuel spill triggers environmental alert The Pacific Ocean entrance to the Panama Canal was put under environmental alert after thousands of gallons of ship's oil spilled during a routine pumping operation, Panama Maritime Authorities have said. 'Rambo' banned in Myanmar: Stallone Sylvester Stallone says his latest 'Rambo' movie and its tagline are inspiring real-life opponents of Myanmar's ruling military junta and prompting a government backlash. Lacoste turns 75, wows New York crowd French "sports chic" label Lacoste wowed the crowd with a ski-themed show Saturday at New York fashion week, kicking off the 75th year of the little crocodile that conquered the United States. US interest rate cuts fuel Hong Kong property boom Hong Kong's economy is riding on the coat-tails of China's boom, but its currency peg with the US dollar forces the territory to officially track US interest rate cuts. UBS facing US subprime banking investigations The Journal, quoting unnamed sources familiar with the probe, said the investigation by the US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York had not yet issued subpoenas. Russia, US sign $5 bn uranium sales deal Russia and the US have signed a trade deal allowing Russia to increase enriched uranium exports to the US. Web bank Egg withdraws cards from riskier customers Egg, the Internet bank owned by Citigroup, will withdraw credit cards from 161,000 customers following a risk review, a spokesman for Egg said on Saturday. Chinese banks cut business with Iranian banks: Report Chinese banks have cut back business with Iranian banks due to U.S. pressure over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme, a senior Iranian Foreign Ministry official was quoted as saying in comments published on Saturday. Chinese banks cut business with Iranian banks Chinese banks have stopped working with Iranian banks due to U.S. pressure over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme, a senior Iranian Foreign Ministry official was quoted as saying in comments published on Saturday. Motorola's stock leaps 10% as firm plans spinoff unit Motorola Inc.'s investors were placated for at least a day, and sent its battered stock soaring 10.3 per cent, after the company signaled it may get out of its trademark cell-phone business. EU launches anti-dumping probe against China A fresh anti-dumping probe into certain steel products from China has been launched by the European Commission in the second such action in recent months. China says it found no pesticide cited by Japan in dumpling poisoning scare China's product safety agency cast doubt Saturday on claims that a Chinese dumpling maker sickened consumers in Japan, saying tests on its ingredients found none of the insecticide cited by Japanese authorities, a state news agency reported. US employment falls, fresh sign of possible recession US employers cut jobs last month for the first time in more than four years, the starkest signal yet that the economy is grinding to a halt if it hasn't already toppled into recession. Kenya's western farmers watch intruders harvest their crops Powerless, Stephen, a farmer from the Luhya ethnic group in western Kenya, watches members of the Kalenjin harvest his field barely 50 metres away. Mets and LHP Johan Santana agree to $137.5 million, 6-year contract Johan Santana and the New York Mets agreed to a $137.5 million (euro93 million), six-year contract on Friday, a record for a pitcher and the last major step needed to complete the team's blockbuster trade with the Minnesota Twins. Toyota eyes new plant in China Japanese auto giant Toyota is considering building a new plant in China to boost its presence in the country's rapidly growing car market, the Nikkei reported Saturday. BTP doesn't close Image takeover, talks continue Image Entertainment Inc, a distributor of home entertainment programming, on Friday said its pending acquisition by BTP Acquisition Co did not close as scheduled, but that discussions would be extended until Feb 5. US stocks rise as Yahoo bid overshadows jobs worries "Timber!" was the market's catch cry for January. On the first day of February, that changed to "Yahoo!" But Exxon Mobil finished the week on a down note, despite posting record earnings, and Harley-Davidson remains lower on the year as a contraction in the labor market kept fears of recession alive. Russian policies ignite unprecedented birth rate in 2007 Russia last year recorded its highest birth rate in 25 years -- the government has announced, buoyed that its new policies aimed at reversing a shrinking birth rate seem to have made an impact. US watchdog rebuffs Air Force on Boeing contract The U.S. Government Accountability Office on Friday rejected an Air Force request to reconsider a ruling that faulted the way the service awarded a $1.2 billion contract to Boeing Co for depot maintenance of KC-135 refueling aircraft. Ericsson Q4 profit slides to $1.2 bn Telecom equipment maker Ericsson reported lower-than-expected profit and announced sweeping job cuts on Friday as the group hunkered down for what it expects will be a flat market this year. Microsoft's bid for Yahoo starts M&A race Microsoft Corp's bid for Yahoo Inc may send media companies scrambling for Internet properties, but none will likely outbid the deep-pocketed software maker for Yahoo itself. Motorola may hive off loss-making mobile unit in rejig Motorola said on Thursday it is considering separating its loss-making mobile phone unit, in an apparent concession to demands from activist investor Carl Icahn, sending its shares up 12.7%. Credit Agricole joins race for SocGen Societe Generale, the French bank hit by a rogue trader scandal, was studying bid defence options on Friday as a newspaper said a second domestic rival had hired advisers to consider a takeover. Chinalco, Alcoa buy stake in Rio to ‘spoil’ BHP bid Aluminium of China and Alcoa bought a £7.2 billion ($14 billion) stake in Rio Tinto Group, hindering BHP Billiton’s plan to acquire the world’s third-largest mining company. Yahoo bid a prize assignment for bankers Microsoft Corp's $44.6 billion bid to acquire Yahoo Inc marked a coup for the companies' advisers and gave a surprise boost to Blackstone Group and Lehman Brothers in the closely watched rankings of financial advisers. Fed plans $60 bn auctions to banks in Feb The Federal Reserve said Friday it will provide $60 billion in fresh cash to commercial banks in two auctions in February and will keep holding auctions every other week for as long as needed to ease the credit crisis. Exxon Mobil posts record profits Exxon Mobil Corp on Friday posted the largest annual profit by a US company - $40.6 billion - as the world's biggest publicly traded oil company benefited from historic crude prices at year's end. US employers cut payrolls for first time since summer 2003 Nervous employers cut 17,000 jobs in January _ the first such reduction in more than four years and a fresh trouble sign that the U.S. economy is in danger of stalling. Nepal set to get massive aid package from World Bank Nepal is set to receive a massive grant of nearly NRS 1,600 crore from the World Bank for speeding up development projects in the impoverished Himalayan state. Alcoa joins with Aluminum Corp. of China to buy 12 percent of Rio Tinto shares Alcoa Inc. and Aluminum Corp. of China announced Friday the joint purchase of 12 percent of London-listed Rio Tinto PLC's shares in a deal said to be worth US$14.05 billion (euro9.5 billion). South Korea buys 100,000 tonnes of US corn The Korea Feed Association has bought 100,000 tonnes of US corn for delivery in September, a trader said on Friday. Chinalco, Alcoa take 12% stake in Rio Tinto LONDON: Chinese mining group Chinalco said on Friday it had teamed up with US aluminium producer Alcoa to buy a 12% in Rio Tinto. Nissan Q3 sales rise, accounting change Nissan Motor Co, Japan's third-biggest automaker, reported a 16% rise in quarterly profit helped by a recovery in sales and some accounting changes. British Airways profit up 28.5% British Airways reported a 28.5% rise in operating profit on Friday for the first nine months of its financial year, and said its longhaul premium business was still performing strongly. Lottomatica, Medstroms make offer for Media Boss Lottomatica subsidiary GTech and Medstroms announced a public cash offer of 99 million euros ($147.2 million) for Sweden's Boss Media shares, the Italian lottery operator said on Friday. Novartis says EU approves Galvus European authorities approved Novartis's diabetes drug Galvus as a new oral treatment for type 2 diabetes patients, paving the way for launches in Europe. UN's Ban throws weight behind Kenya peace drive UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was throwing his diplomatic clout behind efforts to end Kenya's month-long violent political standoff which has killed more than 850 people. Ericsson Q4 reults fall, unveils cost cuts Telecom equipment maker Ericsson's operating profit fell to 7.6 billion Swedish crowns ($1.20 billion) in the fourth quarter, lagging market expectations for a 7.9 billion crown profit. China's VanceInfo to triple headcount China's VanceInfo Technologies Inc aims to triple its staff to more than 10,000 in three years amid robust growth and favourable government policies. Six telco gear firms win permits for China 3G network China has awarded licences to six telecoms gear makers, including Lenovo Group and LG Electronics, allowing their products to access the country's homegrown 3G. China Coal gains in Shanghai debut Shares in China Coal Energy Corp rose 28% in their debut but the gains fell short of expectations as weak stock market and valuation concerns weigh. BOJ's Muto to attend BIS meet in Mumbai Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Toshiro Muto will visit India from Feb. 2-5 to attend a meeting of the Bank for International Settlements in Mumbai. Pakistan's forex reserves slip to $15.07 bn Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves fell by $14 million to $15.07 billion in the week that ended on Jan. 26, the central bank said on Friday. Australia treasury urges economic, energy reforms Australia's new government has been told to embark on a fresh economic reform, with treasury officials warning of the dangers posed by rising inflation and climate change. First budget flights take off on KL-Singapore route Budget airlines began flying the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route on Friday, ending 30 years of dominance by the national carriers and opening the way for wider liberalisation of the region's air corridors. Lone Star to earn $244 mn KEB div, eyes ruling US private equity house Lone Star will pocket a $244 million dividend from Korea Exchange Bank for 2007. US drug agency warns of suicide risk with epilepsy drugs Epilepsy drugs used by millions may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior, US regulators have warned. Google year-end results disappoint; shares fall Google Inc reported disappointing quarterly results on rising capital spending and costs for acquiring advertising customers. Cranes Software to raise stake in Esqube Comm Software firm Cranes Software International Ltd has decided to raise its stake in Esqube Communication Solutions Pvt Ltd to 76 percent from 15 percent, it said in a statement late on Thursday. South Korean firms acquire stakes in oil fields South Korean said local firms will acquire stakes in oil-producing fields in the Gulf of Mexico and Congo. Uncertainty around bond insurers next storm after Subprime As bad news about the financial system piles up, trust the pillar of investing is being buried. Motorola eyes breakup to gain telecom 'leadership Motorola said on Thursday it is studying a possible breakup of the company in an effort "to recapture global market leadership" in the mobile phone markete, and to enhance shareholder value. Dell to cut nearly 900 jobs, close Canada center Dell Inc said on Thursday it will close its call center in Edmonton, Alberta in Canada and eliminate most of the facility's 900 jobs in the second quarter as it consolidates customer-service operations. ArcelorMittal hikes Acindar control to 99.5 per cent ArcelorMittal, the world's biggest steel group, said on Thursday it had increased its controlling stake in Argentina's Acindar to 99.5 per cent from 64.5 per cent. Consumers, economy crimp US retail store plans The consumer spending slowdown that began in 2007 is turning into a new store slowdown in 2008. As many US. Oil falls on economy worries, US stockbuild Oil prices fell on Thursday, weighed down by growing US economic problems and rising fuel inventories. Signs that US fuel demand is starting to buckle under recessionary pressures countered expectations that oil cartel OPEC would decide at its meeting Friday to keep crude oil output restrictions in place. Mexico copper, silver output down in November Mexican copper output fell to 20,758 tonnes in November, down 38.1 percent from the same month a year earlier, the government said on Thursday. NY may use stiff law against Wall Street banks The attorney general is examining if Wall Street firms concealed information about shortcomings from rating agencies, the people familiar with the matter told the Journal. France, EU may clash over SocGen suitors; BNP eyes bid BNP Paribas confirmed on Thursday that it was studying a possible bid for Societe Generale (SocGen) as its smaller French rival reeled from rogue trading losses and France warned off would-be foreign bidders. Global realty deals hit record $759 bn Commercial real estate sales worldwide last year rose to a record $759 billion but slackened in the second half of 2007, as the credit crisis crimped transactions, according to a report by real estate research firm Jones Lang LaSalle. China to boost rural spending by 24% The rise comes after China last year spent 420 billion yuan, exceeding its budget by 30 billion yuan as it subsidised seeds and equipment for farmers and extended rural infrastructure, said Chen Xiwen, director of the Office of the Central Leading Group on Rural Work. Yields fall, hint at policy change Chinese bill and bond yields fell on Thursday after the latest US rate cut further reduced room for China to raise rates, and as speculation emerged that China may stop tightening monetary policy very soon. Vodafone Q3 revenue rises 4.2% on India, Turkey growth Vodafone Group, the world’s biggest mobile-phone company by sales, said third-quarter revenue from wireless services rose 4.2%, beating analyst estimates on growth in India and Turkey. Mizuho, MUFJ report $3 bn losses Mizuho Financial Group and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group reported a combined $3 billion of third-quarter losses from mortgage investments, causing profits at Japan’s two biggest banks to slump. Starbucks net hit by US slump Starbucks’ fiscal first-quarter profit rose by less than 2%, as US customers grappling with a soft economy lined up in smaller numbers for a second quarter in a row. Shell Q4 net profit soars 60% Royal Dutch Shell, Europe’s largest oil company’s fourth-quarter profit rose 60%, due to divestments and higher oil prices. Sony Q3 operating profit up 9% but cuts forecast Sony posted a surprisingly small rise in quarterly operating profit and cut its annual forecast by 9% on Thursday as tumbling markets eat into its investments and a stronger yen hurts overseas sales. US may drag China to WTO again The US has told China to get serious about relaxing the restraints on financial information providers in a letter that could represent a final warning before the US asks WTO to intervene in the matter. Small cars power Suzuki’s Q3 profit Japan’s Suzuki Motor booked a better-than-expected 23% jump in quarterly profit as its Swift, SX4 and other compact cars powered a robust global sales growth amid record-high fuel prices. Virgin to bid for Northern Rock on Monday -Branson British billionaire Richard Branson's Virgin Group will bid for ailing mortgage lender Northern Rock by a government deadline on Monday, the entrepreneur said. Regulatory delays blocking generic drugs -EU firms Cheap generic versions of more expensive branded drugs are not getting to doctors and patients as rapidly as they should because of delays at regulatory agencies, Europe's generics industry said on Thursday. SNB sees no signs of credit crunch in Switzerland The Swiss National Bank has seen no signs of a credit crunch hitting Switzerland, SNB board member Thomas Jordan said at an event in Zurich. Sony Q3 profit up, cuts forecast; Matsushita solid Sony Corp, maker of PlayStation game gear and Vaio PCs, posted a small rise in quarterly operating profit and cut its outlook as weaker markets eat into its investments and a firmer yen hurts overseas sales. Singapore completes free trade talks with Arab states Trade-dependent Singapore has completed negotiations of a free trade pact with the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, the government said on Thursday. Italy power demand up to 370 bn kwh in 2012 Electricity demand in Italy is expected to rise to 370 terawatt hours in 2012 from 340 TWh in 2007 with annual average growth seen at 1.7% Italy's power grid Terna said on Thursday. Demand for central probe into HMT land deal President of New Trade Union Initiative V B Cherian on Thursday demanded a probe by a central agency into the controversial HMT land deal for cyber city. AstraZeneca earnings fall 3% The Anglo-Swedish drugmakerAstraZeneca Plc met forecasts with a 3% fall in 2007 earnings, hit by one-off costs and growing competition to key medicines. CapitaLand to issue S$1.3 bln 10-yr bond Singapore's CapitaLand, Southeast Asia's biggest property developer by market value, said on Thursday that it will issue S$1.3 billion ($918 million) of 10-year convertible bonds. China coal exports slow to trickle, Asian prices up Chinese coal exports are slowing down to a trickle, with virtually no cargoes to be loaded for foreign buyers next month at the country's two top ports of Qinhuangdao and Tianjin. Terna sees grid buying opportunities in Italy Terna, which owns 98.3 percent of Italy's national power grid, still sees some buying opportunities in the national high-voltage network, Terna's Chief Executive Flavio Cattaneo said on Thursday. Asian markets mixed after US rate cut; Hong Kong falls on worries over China economy Asian markets were mixed Thursday after an overnight rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve failed to provide a uniform boost to regional bourses, with analysts saying the reduction had already been priced into stock values. Danske Bank year profit up 4% Danske Bank posted a smaller than expected 4% rise in its year pretax profit on Thursday and said it saw net profits in 2008 unchanged to 7% higher. |
Business - Economics
| Fresh round of switching due as energy price rises continue THOUSANDS of households across Scotland will this week contact their gas or electricity supplier and switch to a rival or to a different tariff in order to reduce their bills. Analysts forecast 0.25% rate cut HARD-pressed businesses and homeowners are poised to see interest rates fall by a quarter of a percentage point this week, although there remains the outside chance of a large source from:Scotsman.com |
European Economy
| Business - European Economy 'Luckily, I remembered to do my trousers up' (FT.com) FT.com - Getting to the Kent countryside from London is about contrast. You arrive to all the things you'd expect, such as quiet, big skies, stars that are visible at night, snowdrops in bloom and peace. However, not all is calm in my little country corner. This weekend I arrive to find that a neighbouring farmer has, without permission, placed about 500 sheep in my field to graze. The field was being left empty for Farmer B, and Farmer A, with the ruthlessness you'd more likely expect in a FTSE 100 boardroom, let his sheep into my field to feed on the lush green turf that has been accumulating. M&A activity sparks FTSE rally (FT.com) FT.com - London equities made strong gains on Friday, as fresh bid activity energerised the mining sector and Wall Street took off after Microsoft made an offer for Yahoo. FTSE loses 6,000 after weak US employment data (FT.com) FT.com - London equities made strong gains on Friday,as fresh bid activity energerised the mining sector and Wall Street futures took off after Microsoft made an offer for Yahoo. FTSE back over 6,000 as Wall St futures fly (FT.com) FT.com - London equities made strong gains on Friday,as fresh bid activity energerised the mining sector and Wall Street futures took off after Microsoft made an offer for Yahoo. Investor News in Brief (FT.com) FT.com - Last year was the worst on record for the FTSE property sector, according to JP Morgan. But so far this year, it has been the top performer, recording a 4.9 per cent rise in January. Investors have snapped up shares in real estate investment trusts (Reits), attracted by discounts to net asset value of around 30 per cent. Activist funds are also moving in, with Laxey Partners about to float its £500m Terra Catalyst Fund, which will build stakes in underperforming property companies and funds. Lehman Brothers (NYSE:LEH) is now predicting favourable dividend yields for Reits in 2008. ... Mining sector gains lift FTSE (FT.com) FT.com - London equities made strong gains on Friday, as fresh bid activity energerised the mining sector. FTSE energised by mining bid moves (FT.com) FT.com - London equities made strong gains on Friday, as fresh bid activity energerised the mining sector. Global equities markets hurt by US recession fears (AFP) A Japanese businesman walks past a stock index chart in Tokyo. European stock markets closed generally lower Thursday, after a mixed performance in Asia, with investors anxious about the financial health of US bond insurers as well as the broader US economy.(AFP/File/Yoshikazu Tsuno)AFP - European stock markets closed generally lower Thursday, after a mixed performance in Asia, with investors anxious about the financial health of US bond insurers as well as the broader US economy. London shares retreat (AFP) A businessman walks through the London Stock Exchange. The FTSE 100 fell 0.85 percent to 5,835.30, following other European main stock exchanges, as investors digested more negative subprime news ahead of a vital interest rate decision from the US Federal Reserve.(AFP/File/Ben Stansall)AFP - The FTSE 100 fell 0.85 percent to 5,835.30, following other European main stock exchanges, as investors digested more negative subprime news ahead of a vital interest rate decision from the US Federal Reserve, dealers said. Europe economy sound, but needs more transparency: EU leaders (AFP) German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives at 10 Downing Street, in London. The fundamentals of Europe's economy are sound, but more transparency is needed in markets in light of recent turmoil, five key European leaders said after a mini-summit.(AFP/Leon Neal)AFP - The fundamentals of Europe's economy are sound, but more transparency is needed in markets in light of recent turmoil, five key European leaders said after a mini-summit. Source From:yahoo |