FDI Norms

The traders' body issued a white paper, claiming unfair business practices are putting nearly a quarter of 3 crore kirana retailers out of business

The Commerce and Industry Ministry is working on a proposal to further tighten the foreign direct investment norms in the tobacco sector to check promotional activities and curb smuggling in the segment as firms are trying to circumvent norms, an official said. At present, foreign direct investment (FDI) is prohibited in the manufacturing of cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes of tobacco or its substitutes. However, it is permitted in technology collaboration in any form, including licensing for franchise, trademark, brand name and management contracts in the tobacco sector. "FDI in tobacco is prohibited, and there is a need to control the sectors' promotional activities also. By doing promotion of those products, some companies try to create a system where smuggling increases," the official said. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has circulated a draft note seeking the views of different ministries on the issue. The official added that ..

Says industry should prepare itself for a low tariff regime in the long run

In the same period last year (April 2022-February 2023), FDI inflows were at $39.61 billion, while outflows touched $12.90 billion

India's nascent private space industry on Thursday welcomed the easing of FDI policy for the sector, terming it as a "pivotal move" to boost investments and help the country increase its share in the global space economy. "The easing of FDI norms will have a similar impact on the space sector as the 1991 liberalisation policy had on the overall economy," Tushar Jadhav, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Manastu Space told PTI. Industry leaders said the government decision to permit 100 per cent overseas investment in making components for satellites and up to 49 per cent FDI through the automatic route for launch vehicles and associated systems or subsystems, creation of spaceports for launching and receiving spacecraft has given the much needed clarity for the sector. Several industry leaders cited examples of how foreign investors were hesitant to invest in the space sector through the government route, which was the case earlier, due to a series of approvals that were require

In response to the Centre's FDI guidelines, BBC World Service India, 99.99 per cent owned by BBC, may initiate a shareholding restructuring, potentially involving stake offerings to key executives

The broadcaster is under scrutiny for alleged foreign exchange violations in India and an investigation was launched shortly after tax authorities searched BBC's offices in Delhi and Mumbai in Feb

An inter-ministerial discussion is going on to further liberalise foreign direct investment norms in the space sector to attract overseas players and private companies, a top government official has said. The official said that there is huge scope for foreign companies to invest in India in this fast growing sector. The proposal to ease foreign direct investment (FDI) norms in the space sector is "under inter-ministerial discussion," the official added. However, the official did not disclose further details. Presently, FDI in the space sector is allowed up to 100 per cent in the area of satellite establishment and operations through government route only. After the touchdown by ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft near the moon's South pole, three G-20 countries have expressed interest in possible collaborations or partnerships with India in the space sector. In April, the government approved the Indian Space Policy 2023, that seeks to institutionalise private sector participation in

The FCPL shareholders' agreement between the Future promoters and Amazon has not been approved by the FRL board

Raises doubts over drawing down capital from Chinese LPs

Comment comes at a time when Centre and various State governments are aiming to attract companies looking at shifting their operations out of China

A few days back, the Finance Ministry had notified changes in FDI rules that made prior approval of the government mandatory for foreign investments from countries that share a land border with India

Advisers to Chinese firms have said they are concerned the process could take several weeks and hit deals and investment timelines

India's decision to tighten norms for FDI came amid reports of China eyeing to take over several Indian entities following fall in their valuation due to economic downturn in the wake of the pandemic

This is also expected to reduce the inflow of investments in new companies as well as the merger and acquisition scenario in the country

DVM counsel calls relationship between Amazon and sellers 'tentacles of octopus'

CAIT claimed that small retailers have suffered at the hands of Amazon, Flipkart

The government for long has been trying to sell debt-ridden Air India but could not attract bidders. It has now again decided to call bids for sale next month

In a statement, CAIT has levelled several allegations against Flipkart which include circumventing the law, causing huge GST and Income Tax revenue loss to the governmen, bypassing the FDI policy

Union Minister Piyush Goyal had last month said the government was looking into alleged predatory pricing by Walmart-owned Flipkart and Amazon.