Investment In India | "GKN Driveline looking to enter differential segment in India"

By: Economic Times India Times
Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com
Category: Investment In India



NEW DELHI: UK-based automotive driveline components provider GKN Driveline today said the company is looking to enter differential segment in India as part of its expansion plans in the country.

The company, currently manufactures only constant velocity joint (CVJ) systems across its three facilities in India and is in process of setting up a new facility at Pune at an investment of Rs 130 crore.

"We are looking to enter differential business and have started discussions with our customers. We are keen to get into this business," GKN Driveline India Managing Director Ravindra Ojha told reporters here.

Ojha, however, declined to comment on the time frame for the entry into the segment.

In automobiles and other wheeled vehicles, the differential allows each of the driving wheels to rotate at different speeds.

The company's Pune facility would employ more than 200 people and would produce CVJ systems and trans-axle solutions. The facility is located near the plants of its major customers including Fiat, Volkswagen, General Motors and Tata.

"The plant will have a capacity of 6 lakh sideshafts in the the first phase which could be expanded to 12 lakh in the second phase," Ojha said.

The plant is expected to be fully operational in September 2012 and would help the company serve its customers in the region, Ojha added.

GKN has been investing on regular intervals in the country and in November last year opened a precision forge at Oragadam near Chennai at an investment of Rs 48 crore.

"We expect India to remain a high growth automotive market for many years to come and will continue to invest here to meet our customers need," Ojha said.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/auto/auto-components/gkn-driveline-looking-to-enter-differential-segment-in-india/articleshow/11350378.cms

Investment In India | "GE plans new plant in India"

By: Deccan Herald
Source: http://www.deccanherald.com
Category: Investment In India

GE India President & CEO John L Flannery said the company expects to finalise the location by the year-end and start construction next year, adding that several of its businesses in India would share this proposed facility.

“We will invest between US$10 million and US$50 million,” he said.  GE India Technology Centre Vice-President & Managing Director Sanjay M Correa said GE is keen to hire 3,000 people for its India Technology Centre, which currently has 5,000-strong workforce, in the next three years. The 1.1 million square feet centre, GE’s first and largest integrated multidisciplinary R&D development centre outside the US, celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Correa said through ‘GE’s In India For India initiative’, the company aims to improve the quality of life in areas such as water, energy, healthcare by leveraging on the technologies developed at GEITC. “Our endeavour is to innovate and adopt. We give maximum priority for localising our products,” said  Correa.

Since its inception in 2000 as a greenfield project, GEITC has made a total investment of $175 million.  Reinforcing their commitment to address areas of infrastructure and healthcare, Flannery said GEITC is ready for developing local capabilities, partnership and technologies to fill the gaps in the local market by developing relevant products at affordable prices.

On job restriction in the US,  GE Global Research Senior Vice President & Director Mark M Little said GE believes in technology and innovation and for its enhancement we are ready to go any where in the world. “We do not believe in offshoring.  GE is ready to go anywhere to tap best talents,” he added.


Source: http://www.deccanherald.com/content/97058/ge-plans-plant-india.html

Investment In India | "GE, Greenko Plan $115 Million Investment in India Wind Farms"

By: Natalie Obiko Pearson
Source: www.businessweek.com
Category: Investment In India


Oct. 10 (Bloomberg) -- General Electric Co., the world’s third-biggest supplier of wind turbines, announced its first investment in Indian renewable energy generation with plans to build $115 million of wind farms with Greenko Group Plc.

GE Energy Financial Services will invest $50 million and Greenko $65 million to create 500 megawatts of wind projects, enough to power 875,000 Indian homes, according to a statement on GE’s website. The deal expands GE’s $6 billion portfolio of global clean-energy investments into a country that added the most new wind capacity last year after China and the U.S.

The first 65-megawatt project, in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra state, will use Fairfield, Connecticut-based GE’s 1.6-megawatt turbines and be completed by December, it said. They will come from GE’s plant in Pune.

Greenko estimates that the country has harnessed less than 25 percent of its wind-energy potential to date, the statement said. India had about 15,000 megawatts of wind capacity as of Aug. 31, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

GE was the third-largest supplier of wind turbines in 2010, behind Denmark’s Vestas Wind Systems A/S and China’s Sinovel Wind Group Co., according BTM Consult ApS, a Denmark-based wind industry researcher.

Greenko, based in Douglas, Isle of Man, and backed by private equity firm TPG Capital, has plans for 1-gigawatt of Indian wind capacity by 2015. It’s putting up farms in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Rajasthan states, the statement said.


Source: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-10-10/ge-greenko-plan-115-million-investment-in-india-wind-farms.html

Investment In India | "India to permit 100% FDI in single-brand retail - Minister"

By: Fibre 2 Fashion
Source: http://www.fibre2fashion.com
Category: Investment In India

he Government of India will press ahead with its decision to raise the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in the country’s single-brand retail sector from the existing 51 percent to 100 percent.

During his meeting with representatives of the country’s fashion industry at an event in New Delhi, Textiles and Commerce & Industry Minister Anand Sharma said there will not be any break on the issue of allowing 100 percent FDI in single-brand retail and the Government is going ahead with its decision regarding the same.

However, there is a pause in issuing the notification on allowing 51 percent FDI in multi-brand retail due to logjam in Parliament over the issue, the Minister added.

The decision to allow 100 percent FDI in single-brand retail will encourage well-known apparel retailers like GAP (the US), H&M (Sweden), Prada (Italy), and Arcadia Group (the UK) to set up their shops in India.

It will also enable some single-brand global players that are already in India through local partnerships to have complete ownership of business in India. These include Christian Dior (France), Marks & Spencer (the UK), Canali (Italy), Zara (Spain), Louis Vuitton (France) and Jimmy Choo (the UK).

At present, FDI in cash and carry segment is permitted up to 100 percent in India, while no foreign investment is allowed in multi-brand retail.


Source: http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/apparel-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=106661

Investment In India | "Japan may invest $4.5 bn in Delhi-Mumbai corridor"

By: Indian Express
Source: www.indianexpress.com
Category: Investment In India


The $90 billion Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), is set to receive a boost with the visit of the Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, wherein Japan is likely to announce an investment of $4.5 billion, said top sources.

“The Japanese government has conveyed its commitment to invest $ 4.5 billion in the project,” said a top government official. Noda and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh are likely to address a joint press conference after inking the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The government had already cleared Rs 17,500 crore investment for building trunk infrastructure in the project earlier this year.

DMIC, a global partnership project between India and Japan, did not involve any equity holding until now.

The finer details of the Japanese commitment will be worked out between Japanese financial institutions and DMIC Development Corporation (DMICDC), said the official.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/japan-may-invest-4.5-bn-in-delhimumbai-corridor/892773/

Investment In India | "Foreign cement majors demand high prices in India"

By: Chandan Kishore Kant
Source: http://www.business-standard.com
Category: Investment In India


French cement major Vicat has joined Swiss major Holcim in advocating higher prices for the building material.

Markus Oberle, country head, Vicat group (India), told Business Standard, “The minimum price of cement (50 kg bag) should be Rs 300 in India. The cost pressures are on a rise and there are several challenges for the industry here.” Last year, Vicat had taken majority stake in Andhra-based Bharathi Cement.

Paul Hugentobler, member of executive committee of Holcim, in a conversation with this paper, had said there could not be any escape from price rise. This was later advocated by ACC, one of its group companies in India. ACC’s top official had wished to sell cement at Rs 300 a bag.

Currently, the all-India average price is at an all-time high of Rs 280 a bag. The sharp rally post-monsoon happened when the industry was struggling to achieve half of its estimated growth target of 10 per cent. Vicat group’s Bharathi Cement has an overall capacity of five million tonnes per annum. It plans to take its capacity to 10 million tonnes by FY16. Recently, the company made its entry into Mumbai, the largest market in the country, with a consumption of seven million tonnes a year. Vicat plans to sell 300,000 tonnes in the Mumbai market.

Holcim, which owns ACC and Ambuja Cements, commands a capacity of close to 55 million tonnes. German major Heidelberg, Portuguese company Cimpor and French player Lafarge are among the foreign players which have entered the Indian cement space in the last decade.

Though players want a further rise in prices, industry analysts differ. According to them, cement prices have seen a sharp rally over the recent months. But, they add, it looks difficult to continue with the same rally, as demand forecasts remain weak.

Till October, the industry’s growth was less than three per cent. In FY11, the sector witnessed the decade’s lowest growth of less than five per cent and cement makers expect the current financial year to be worse.

The current annual capacity of the cement industry is 300 million tonnes, second-largest in the world after China.


Source: http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/foreign-cement-majors-demand-high-prices-in-india/459439/

Investment In India | "FDI will increase farmers’ earning by 40 -50 per cent"

By: Jyotika Shood
Source: www.downtoearth.org.in
Category: Investment In India



P Chengal Reddy is general secretary of the Consortium of Indian Farmers Association (CIFA)—an organisation that claims to represent 40 million farmers. He is also part of the league that supports FDI in retail sector. He spoke to Jyotika Sood on how FDI can help Indian farmers.

Why do you support FDI in retail sector? How will it help farmers?

We have to accept the fact that foreign direct investment (FDI) is beneficial to all the farmers, especially for around 600 million farmers who have small land holdings. The general method of selling produce in the market is through mandis where farmers fall prey to commission agents or arhtiyas. The existing arhtiya or dalal system is highly exploitive and monopolistic in nature. The agents form cartels and manipulate prices. They charge 10 per cent commission and then deduct 10 per cent of price on the pretext of bad quality. The illiterate famers get cheated. FDI will help develop alternative marketing channel for the farmers to sell their produce.

The entry of big retail chains would mean steady supply of agricultural  produce like vegetables and fruits. Do you think Indian farmers can meet the demands of these corporate retail chains?

Farmers can beat the challenge by forming producer groups. The concept is already being implemented in India by the Centre under a program called Agriculture Technology Management Policy (ATMA), which helped establish commodity interest groups. These groups are supported by the agriculture department and that help them obtain quality seeds and fertilisers. These producer groups or commodity interest groups are constantly advised by block technology management teams also on quality parameters.

Steady supply would also mean going on with legal/illegal arrangements of companies with farmers. Don't you think it will increase corporate farming in India?

No, there is no scope for corporate farming through FDI. Producers’ groups can enter into legal Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with retails companies. The MoUs should have legal arrangements for backward linkage through which the retailer will supply seeds, fertiliser and extension services. The MoUs should also contain provisions on price regulation where the producers will be paid a minimum guaranteed price and other facilities like crop insurance. Besides, packing and grading will also be done at the farm gate. In return, the producers should maintain quality and adopt the conditions of the MoU. The agreement can be on a yearly basis or long-term basis. Our organisation CIFA has suggested that a regulator be appointed to monitor misuse of such arrangements by both the sides.

How can you assure that farmers would get better prices from big retail chains?
To sustain themselves in the market, retailers would require continuous supply of quality agricultural produce on time. They have to establish backward linkage without which they cannot meet the demands of consumers. The farmers will certainly get fair prices. They will also save on commission charged by arhtiyas, transportation cost and a day’s labour. The total saving will be around 40 to 50 per cent.

How many farmer groups are supporting you?

CIFA has a membership of 40 million farmers through 350 associations spread across 12 states. Our association represents all the sugarcane growers and a large number of paddy, wheat, cotton, chilly, tobacco and onion farmers. Our organisation also represents horticulturists especially farmers growing mango, vegetables, coconut and apple. The coffee and rubber farmers of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu are also a part of CIFA.

According to you which are the states where farmers can support FDI?

Horticulture farmers in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh will support FDI for their products like fruits, vegetables and spices. Subsequently, farmers growing special varieties of rice, wheat and Bengal gram are also for it.

Small farmers in India don't have resources. One of the fears is that they'll fall prey to competition and end up in a tragic trap. What do you think?

Nothing can be more exploitative that the existing dalal system. Small farmers do not get credit from government banks. Only 35 per cent of farmers are getting bank loans. Tenant farmers do not get any facility at all. They depend on moneylenders for credit. The advantage of producers groups and linking them with the retails chains is that they give group guarantee and ensure minimum secured prices.



Source: http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/fdi-will-increase-farmers-earning-40-50-cent

Investment In India | "Incentivise investment in agriculture:Parliamentary panel to states"

By: The Economic Times
Source: www.economictimes.indiatimes.com
Category: Investment In India

NEW DELHI: With FDI in retail marred into controversy, a Parliamentary panel has suggested that states should frame appropriate policies to encourage private investment in agriculture as a viable alternate to foreign investment.

"The Committee strongly feels that the state government should extend necessary incentives to private players to invest in backward linkages .... The only drive required is in the shape of right policy-mix that encourages creation of investor-friendly environment in the country," the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce said in its report.

It said that this approach would help the government ride the economic growth path "without looking much outside for FDI in sectors like retail business" and will also put Indian agriculture on sustained growth trajectory.

Availability of huge domestic market along with immense export potential of agricultural and processed food products is one big reason that the country can see explosion of infrastructure necessary for backward linkage, it said.

The government has suspended its decision on allowing 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail sector, after continuous logjam in Parliament. In its decision, the government has said that the global retailers would have to invest half of their total investment in the backend infrastructure.

"The committee is immensely perturbed to note that the colossal loss caused to the country on account of wastage of agricultural produce. It is of the view that the only way out to this abyss is that desired investments are made available for creation of post harvest infrastructure with steady electricity supply in rural areas," it said.

The report said that because of lack of proper backward and forward linkages for food processing industries, India, second in food production globally, is able to process only two per cent of the total production.

It has strongly recommended the Planning Commission and the concerned ministries to devise efficacious policy/schemes complemented with adequate funds for creation of post harvest infrastructure as well as general infrastructure during the 12th Plan.


Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/incentivise-investment-in-agricultureparliamentary-panel-to-states/articleshow/11193731.cms

Investment In India | "Morgan Stanley May Invest R600Cr In Sheth Developer's Andheri Project"

By : Charmi Gutka
Source : http://www.dealcurry.com
Category : Investment In India

Investment In India

Morgan Stanley may invest R500-600Cr in Sheth Developer's residential project in Andheri, Mumbai.

If the deal goes through, it would be Morgan Stanley's first investment in India in three years. The fund has invested about $750Mn so far in India.

Sheth Developers acquired an 18-acre land parcel in Andheri from Borosil Glass Works in 2010 for about Rs 875 crore and plans to develop a large residential project.

Sheth Group led by Ashwin Sheth, Jitendra Sheth and Vallabh Sheth ventured into real estate development business in the year 1997 with the development of its first project, Vasant Nagri, a township of 1.15 mn Sq. Ft. in Vasai, Mumbai. In the year 2005, the group entered into the Dubai real estate market through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sheth Estate International Limited and completed its first residential project, Iris Blue, in March 2008.

A number of real estate developers are looking to raise PE funding for completing their ongoing projects. Last month, Omkar Realtors raised R250Cr from Red Fort Capital Advisors for it's slum redevelopment project in Malad Mumbai.

There has been significant rise in real estate investment in South Indian cities in the past few months. Last month, JP Morgan Global Fund invested $40Mn for a 45% stake in a Nitesh Estate SPV, which will be executing three projects totalling 4 mn sqft in Bangalore and Chennai. Mauritius based PE Fund, Pragnya Fund invested $5Mn in a 50 acre integrated township project in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh.



Source: http://www.dealcurry.com/20111220-Morgan-Stanley-May-Invest-R600Cr-In-Sheth-Developer-s-Andheri-Project.htm

Investment In India | "US commerce chief to lead infrastructure trade mission to India"

By: Uttara Choudhury
Source: www.firstpost.com
Category: Investment In India

US Commerce Secretary John-Bry

New York: US Commerce Secretary John Bryson, a key member of President Obama’s economic team, will lead a delegation of 20 to 25 infrastructure companies on a business development mission to India, officials said on Monday.

The trade mission will make stops in Delhi, Jaipur and Mumbai between  March 25 and 30, 2012 and focus on infrastructure opportunities in India. The US business leaders will meet Indian government officials, prescreened potential partners, distributors and licensees.

Exports are leading the US economic recovery and contributing to future economic growth and job creation in America, said Commerce Secretary John Bryson. Picture courtesy US Department of Commerce.

In its draft Twelfth Five-Year plan for 2012-2017, the Indian government proposes to invest $1 trillion to upgrade infrastructure, almost double of what it had earmarked in the earlier plan, which ends in March 2012. It is banking on private sector participation, including foreign investment, to fund half the massive expansion through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

Unfortunately, there is little sign of any foreign investment pick-up in the infrastructure sector this year. United Nations data shows India received less than $20 billion FDI in the first six months of 2011, compared with more than $60 billion in China, while Brazil and Russia took in $23 billion and $33 billion, respectively. If India wants foreign investment to build its airports and toll roads it has to help the investment climate, speed up approvals of projects hit by red tape and environmental approvals.

Still, sales of big gnarly construction machines like excavators and cement mixers are up 20 percent since 2002 for US manufacturers thanks to the frenetic building activity coming out of China and India. Caterpillar Inc, the world’s largest maker of construction equipment is optimistic about where business is going in India over the next five years. India represents a huge market for companies like GE Construction and Caterpillar.

“Exports are leading the US economic recovery and contributing to future economic growth and job creation in America,”  Bryson, who has been the CEO of California-headquartered utility company Edison International for 18 years, told Firstpost.

“Selling more made-in-USA infrastructure products to India will help US companies grow and hire more people while helping India meet its ambitious goals to dramatically improve it roads, railway and bridges,” added Bryson.

Trade officials told Firstpost that the US delegation was focused on finding opportunities in India’s infrastructure sector which covered power, airports, toll roads, railways, ports and intelligent transport systems. The mission also includes firms providing project management and engineering services.

India needs to reform policies concerning project execution and long-term funding to fix its infrastructure, which is the biggest roadblock to its target of achieving a 9-9.5 percent annual growth during 2012-2017, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services said in a recent report.

India’s road, railway and port expansions are falling far short of targets. In the year through March 2011, the National Highways Authority of India built 1,780 kilometers of motorways, about 30 percent less than its target. In the same period, the nation added 9,585 megawatts of power, 34 percent less than forecast.

Long delays in government and regulatory decision-making have caused infrastructure projects to fall way behind schedule. Reuters quoted an official, monitoring government infrastructure projects, saying that of 558 government projects, 241 were delayed as of end-July, resulting in a cost overrun of some 20 percent, or more than $31 billion. Most of the projects were held up by two years or more on average due to land acquisition and environmental clearance hassles.


Source: http://www.firstpost.com/world/us-commerce-chief-to-lead-infrastructure-trade-mission-to-india-160484.html

Investment In India | "ADB $113 M loan to help Himachal tap hydropower potential"

By: News Track India
Source: http://www.newstrackindia.com
Category: Investment In India

New Delhi, Dec.15 (ANI): A 113 million dollar ADB loan for the Himachal Pradesh Clean Energy Transmission Investment Program was signed today by officials from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India.t is the first loan in a 350 million dollar multi-tranche financing facility for the upgrading of transmission system to help Himachal Pradesh take greater advantage of its vast hydropower resources.

The Himachal Pradesh Clean Energy Transmission Investment Program, approved by the ADB Board of Directors on 30 September 2011, will help expand the supply of power, within and outside the state, and thereby contribute to job creation and poverty reduction.


Taking part in the signing ceremony on behalf of the Government of India was Venu Rajamony, Joint Secretary (Multilateral Institutions), Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and on behalf of the ADB, Hun Kim, Country Director of ADB's Resident Mission.


The project agreements were signed by Deepak Sanan on behalf of the Government of Himachal Pradesh and Vijay Kumar Kaprate, Director (Planning and Contracts) on behalf of H.P. Power Transmission Corporation Ltd. (HPPTCL).


"This program will not only benefit Himachal Pradesh, but will also enable a clean, indigenous source of energy to flow to other parts of the country where demand is rising as a result of strong economic growth," said Rajamony.


It will be complemented by ADB's technical assistance grant of $600,000 from its Technical Assistance Special Fund that will provide support to HP Power Transmission Corporation to implement and plan future projects.


Himachal Pradesh, a small mountainous state with five major rivers, has about a quarter of India's total potential hydropower resources. It wants to scale up generation, but its transmission facilities in certain locations are currently unable to handle large amounts of additional power.


"The program will fund much needed new high voltage lines and other transmission infrastructure to allow the state to increase output to meet growing local and national demand for electricity" said Kim.


"It will also enable the recently formed standalone transmission utility, HP Power Transmission Corporation, to get assistance to strengthen its financial and asset management capabilities, allowing it to press ahead with a transmission development plan that seeks to support current and future investment in new hydropower facilities."


HP Power Transmission Corporation will carry out the program which is expected to be completed in December 2017.


The first tranche loan from ordinary capital resources, signed today, has a 25-year term, with a grace period of five years and interest determined in accordance with ADB's LIBOR-based lending facility. The Government of Himachal Pradesh will provide counterpart funds of over 29 million dollars for a total first tranche project investment cost of about 142 million dollars.


The ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration.


Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members -- 48 from the region. In 2010, ADB approvals, including, cofinancing, totaled 17.51 billion dollars. In addition, ADB's ongoing Trade Finance Program supported 2.8 billion dollars in trade. (ANI)


Source: http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/254958

Investment In India | "India is emerging gas market for Qatar: Doha Bank CEO"

By: The Economic Times
Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com
Category : Investment In India


DOHA: India is emerging as one of the largest gas markets for Qatar and offers opportunities for two-way investment partnership, a top Doha Bank official has said.

"Cooperation in Power sector between India and Qatar is under way and New Delhi has evidenced keen interest in importing additional natural gas from Qatar in the recently concluded World Petroleum Congress," said R Seetharaman, CEO of Doha Bank.

In an interview to PTI here, he said many Indian enterprises have active developed relationships in Qatar market through partnerships, agencies and have set up their offices - L&T, Tata Projects, Voltas, Dodsal and Punj Llyod to name a few.

India has sought to purchase 3 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar in addition to the 7.5 million tons that it already imports from Qatar. India also purchased 4 million tons of oil from Qatar in 2010. An agreement has been signed by the Government of India and the State of Qatar to avoid double taxation and prevent fiscal evasion with respect to income tax.

Exports of Qatar had steadily increased in the last four years reflecting increased demand by Indian economy for Qatar's hydrocarbon. Petronet LNG, which at present imports 7.5mn tons a year of LNG from Qatar under a long-term contract, has sought an additional 2-3mn tons and State gas utility GAIL India wanted 1mn ton for 20-25 years.

The Qatari side highlighted its interest in getting access to the PSU disinvestments via the Anchor investor route. The investment opportunities in the Kayamkulam expansion project of NTPC are being evaluated by the Qatar Investment Authority as also various renewable energy projects in the private sector.

Qatar becoming the host for 2022 World Cup had led to massive investment in infrastructure and Indian companies with a global profile are active in securing lucrative deals in the Engineering, Procurement and Construction management contracts (EPCs).

India offers opportunities for two-way investment. Qatari investment in India is mainly in the infrastructure sector and private Indian companies are looking for investment in Qatar to further intensify cooperation in petrochemicals, fertilizers, power, and banking and finance sector, civil aviation and HRD.

In the Banking Sector SBI has opened its Branch in QFC Qatar. Doha Bank is currently awaiting the license from Reserve Bank of India to start operations, he said.

Qatar accounted for about 31 per cent of total construction projects announced in MENA in 2011. Qatar National railway system; Doha New International Airport, Barzan Gas project, Education City are some of the major projects ready in Qatar up for grabs for major Indian companies.


Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/india-is-emerging-gas-market-for-qatar-doha-bank-ceo/articleshow/11150621.cms

Investment In India | "India Property Market Transparency Index Aims to Attract Foreign Investment"

By: Michael Gerrity
Source: http://www.worldpropertychannel.com
Category: Investment In India

Inefficiencies in the property markets of emerging economies are largely attributed to the dismal levels of transparency in their real estate ecosystem.

According to Jones Lang LaSalle's recently released Indian Real Estate Transparency Index 2011, developing markets with higher levels of transparency will benefit from reduced information asymmetry, thus attracting foreign investment, while providing adequate property rights to owners.

Ashutosh Limaye, Head of Research & Real Estate Intelligence Service at Jones Lang LaSalle tells the World Property Channel that as global investment markets reel under a crisis of confidence, the flight of capital flows towards quality is imminent.

Rising levels of transparency have been found to be closely associated with the rise in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). A transparent legal and regulatory framework facilitates cross-border mergers and acquisitions and provides stronger protection for property rights, a key requisite for foreign investment.

Those emerging market destinations that offer higher degrees of transparency will benefit, as investors see better prospects of gaining returns with lower risk.

India Transparency Index Key Findings

    Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, NCR-Delhi and Karnataka are the top six states in terms of transparency.

    24-36 months are added to the pre-construction process in acquiring statutory approvals.

    97% of the developers are willing to provide actual measurements for calculating saleable areas, to improve transparency to buyers. 

    A majority of developers want single window clearance for projects with regulators at state level than at the national level.


The need for this study stems from the fact that property markets in developing nations are largely inefficient compared with those in developed nations, primarily due to the dismal levels of transparency in the real estate ecosystem. The prime reasons for higher costs in non-transparent markets are lack of information, corruption, multiplicity or ambiguity in taxation and lengthy procedures. Transparency is a requirement at all stages of the real estate value chain and thus necessitates strong contributions from all stakeholders - government, developers, financing agencies and buyers.

The government is responsible for providing bonafide information and a healthy development climate with a streamlined approval processes, unambiguous zoning & development regulations and improved dispute mechanisms. Developers and financing agencies need to adhere to improved reporting standards to minimize information asymmetry among buyers.

While certain Indian states provide a better and transparent ecosystem for the industry today and others languish, a series of ongoing and proposed reforms are likely to impact the sector positively in the longer run. The likely establishment of Real Estate Regulatory Authority will make the stakeholders more responsible towards their commitments and infuse confidence, currently lacking in the industry. It will also bring the industry at par with the other economies that compete with India in attracting global investment.

Along with regulation, the need for streamlining approval procedures, together with a "single window clearance" structure is also imperative due to the associated costs of lengthy and cumbersome processes for construction approval that Indian developers face today. Under Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), reforms linked assistance is being provided by the Central Government to respective State Governments wherein those states that have progressively implemented the reforms would benefit from increased funds for urban development projects.

India is also witnessing a series of reforms related to the protection of property rights through strengthened land acquisition policies, improved legal and regulatory structure and repeal of archaic  laws regarding rent control and land ceiling, that will ensure investors' control over their assets.

The study progresses by assessing the levels of transparency in the Indian real estate market through the Indian Real Estate Transparency Index (IRETI 2011). In this, 20 major geographies in India are ranked based on five core components, essential for the transparency of the real estate eco-system. In addition, we have undertaken a survey of top Indian developers, which reveals their opinion on current transparency levels in the real estate industry and on approval processes across India. It also underlines  their key demands and expectations from the Government, financing agencies and buyers, demonstrating that greater transparency levels is indeed, the need of the hour.


Source: http://www.worldpropertychannel.com/asia-pacific-commercial-news/india-property-market-report-indian-home-sales-commercial-investment-in-india-india-real-estate-news-jones-lang-lasalle-andhra-pradesh-tamil-nadu-maharashtra-gujarat-ncr-delhi-karnataka-5092.php

Investment In India | "Dell Expands its India Leadership Team with the Appointment of Harsha Lal"

By: CAD CAM NEWSSource: http://www.cadcamnews.in
Category: Investment In India

Harsha Lal to lead the Public-Large Enterprise business unit at Dell India as Executive Director & General Manager.

Dell India announced today that Harsha Lal has been appointed as general manager of its Public-Large Enterprise (PLE) business unit in India. Harsha will be leading the company’s strategic efforts to continue to develop integrated solutions and execute go-to-market strategies for its public & enterprise solutions and services in India. As part of this, he will also help drive the growth in enhancing Dell’s position as a preferred provider of open, capable and affordable IT technology solutions and services.

With increased efforts by Dell in successfully building its solutions expertise, Dell’s PLE business unit continues to redefine the company’s capabilities, strengthening customer relationship and growing the overall business. With the appointment of Harsha Lal, Dell is further bolstering its vision to deepen customer insights and relationships while strengthening its competitive position in the industry.

Joseph Kremer, Dell’s president for Public-Large Enterprise in APJ, said, “We are pleased to welcome Harsha to the India PLE team to redefine our solutions capabilities, strengthen our customer relationship and grow our business. With more than 26 years in the Information Technology industry, Harsha brings to Dell an extensive understanding of sales, marketing and product line management functions as well as the ability to optimize technology trends. I am confident that his capabilities will help us in expanding the company’s strong presence in the Indian IT space.”

“I am very happy and excited to join Dell and help enhance the company’s Public-Large Enterprise portfolio contributing to the overall solutions mix,” Harsha Lal commented “It is a great time for Dell in India and in the past one year itself this business has undergone phenomenal growth and invested substantial resources to build a comprehensive portfolio. I look forward to keep this momentum going and make a strong contribution to the continued growth.”

Harsha joins Dell post a successful stint as vice president and head for Wipro’s Global Process Manufacturing Industry vertical where he was responsible for driving revenue, profitability, customer satisfaction and industry solutions.


Source: http://www.cadcamnews.in/2011/12/dell-expands-its-india-leadership-team.html

Investment In India | "News Roundup: Blackstone-backed Nuziveedu Plans Rs 900Cr IPO"

By:Team VCC

Source:  http://www.vccircle.com

Category : Investment In India 

Blackstone-backed Nuziveedu Plans Rs 900Cr IPO - India's largest seed company Nuziveedu Seeds (NSL Seeds) has begun the process of entering the capital markets to raise around Rs 900 crore. The Hyderabad-based seed producer has appointed five investment banks which include Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, JM Financial and ENAM Securities. The proposed initial public issue due to be launched early next fiscal will include a primary and secondary component. Private equity major Blackstone had invested around Rs 250 crore in the company in 2008 by way of convertible instruments. (Economic Times)

AmRest Eyes Acquisitions In India - American private equity major, Warburg Pincus-backed restaurant operator AmRest Holdings SE, one of the largest franchisees of KFC and Burger King globally, may explore acquisitions to tap into India's burgeoning food services market. Poland-based AmRest operates around 665 fast-food and casual dining chains across Central and Eastern Europe and in the United States. AmRest is open to acquiring local franchisees of a global restaurant chain or a domestic food services brand. The company which is the largest KFC franchisee in Europe. (Times of India)

Tata PE Takes 10% Stake In Ginger Hotels - Tata Capital's private equity fund has acquired a 10% stake in Roots Corporation, which runs budget hotel chain Ginger. The stake-purchase in Ginger was completed by the $550 million Tata Opportunities Fund and it marks the one-year-old fund's debut investment. Tata Opportunities Fund, spearheaded by Mukund Rajan, is a third party private equity fund in which several global institutions are investors. The deal had valued the loss- making Ginger Hotels at around Rs 1,000 crore. (Times of India)

TCG Real Estate Plans $300M Second Fund - TCG Real Estate is firming plans to raise a second fund of at least $300 million (Rs1,560 crore) as it enters the final leg of investments from its first fund. It is planning both a domestic and an overseas fund. The firm recently invested Rs200 crore in two residential projects in Mumbai from its $300 million India Property Fund, which began deploying capital in 2007. The fund is jointly managed by TCG and Vornado Realty Trust​, a US-based owner and manager of commercial real estate. (Mint)

BPL Fails To Salvage Pledged Land Bank - BPL Ltd, a former consumer electronics major and now a publicly held Bangalore-based healthcare equipment maker, has lost an attempt to salvage part of its 350-acre land bank pledged with Deutsche Bank in India. BPL, founded by T P G Nambiar, failed in talks to raise money from New Silk Route (NSR), the $1.2-billion private equity major. The company pledged its land bank to various financial institutions, which was later consolidated with Deutsche Bank. (Business Standard)

GTL Lenders Want Personal Guarantee - Lenders to the GTL group have sought a personal guarantee from the company’s promoter, Manoj Tirodkar, as part of the negotiations for corporate debt restructuring (CDR). Tirodkar is reluctant to agree on the extent of guarantee sought by the 25-member consortium of lenders, led by IDBI Bank and ICICI Bank. The package, expected to be finalised after on Tuesday’s meeting, has now been pushed to next month. (Business Standard)
NEI Plans First Overseas Acquisition - CK Birla Group firm, National Engineering Industries (NEI), said on Tuesday that it is planning its first overseas acquisition in its core business of bearings manufacturing. This will help it expand its international presence. It is looking at companies in Europe and the US, which have an annual turnover of Rs 100-500 crore. NEI, which sells bearings under the NBC brand to a majority of domestic automakers, expects to further penetrate the global markets. (Business Line)


Source:  http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6269059779339500306#editor/target=post;postID=8565230243678092490