Pakistan strengthens its economic ties with the UAE, aiming to attract new investments and boost bilateral trade. The move reflects Islamabad’s strategy to expand foreign investment, deepen regional alliances, and secure financial partnerships that could support infrastructure projects and economic stability in the country.

Pakistan Forges Alliances With UAE Seeking New Investments 

In a move that was largely expected, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cut the repo rate by 25 basis points bringing it down to 6%. This is the second rate cut in a row, signalling that the central bank is clearly prioritising economic momentum over inflation concerns. While this is great news for borrowers&mdash;home loans and EMIs are likely to get cheaper&mdash;it puts fixed deposit (FD) investors in a tight spot. With returns already low, this rate cut could squeeze them even further.
Let&rsquo;s unpack what this means for your savings and why it might be time to look beyond traditional FDs.
<h2>FD Rates Are Already Falling&mdash;And More Cuts Could Be Ahead</h2>
Soon after the announcement, several major banks moved quickly to reduce their FD interest rates. The drop is visible across short- and medium-term tenures, while long-term FD rates are still just about holding firm. But let&rsquo;s be honest&mdash;they won&rsquo;t stay there for long. Once banks fully absorb the repo cut, even those long-term rates will start drifting downward.
If you&rsquo;ve been sitting on the fence thinking the rates might bounce back, it&rsquo;s probably not happening anytime soon. This is the beginning of a softer interest rate cycle, and delaying FD investments could mean settling for much lower returns later.
<h2>Special FD Schemes? They&rsquo;re Being Quietly Discontinued</h2>
Remember those limited-period FD schemes offering 7.5% or even higher returns for senior citizens or specific durations like 444 or 999 days? Those were the golden tickets last year. But now, banks are quietly rolling them back. The special interest rates were introduced when deposit mobilisation was a challenge&mdash;but not anymore. With liquidity flush and rates trending down, banks simply don&rsquo;t need to offer those extra perks.
If you missed the bus on those schemes, don&rsquo;t wait for them to come back. Instead, you might want to secure what&rsquo;s still available before everything gets repriced lower.
<h2>Tax-Saving FDs Are Losing Their Edge</h2>
Five-year tax-saving FDs have long been a popular tool for conservative investors. You got tax benefits under Section 80C, and the returns, while modest, were predictable. But in the current scenario, they&rsquo;re becoming harder to justify. With interest rates slipping and the interest being fully taxable, the real returns after inflation and tax look less and less appealing.
It might be time to explore alternatives like ELSS mutual funds or PPF. Both offer tax benefits, and in the case of ELSS, potentially higher returns&mdash;albeit with some risk. For younger investors or those with longer time horizons, it&rsquo;s a trade-off worth considering.
<h2>Want Stability? Lock in Long-Term FD Rates Now</h2>
If you&rsquo;re still keen on FDs&mdash;and there&rsquo;s nothing wrong with that&mdash;then the smart move is to lock in long-term rates now. A few PSU and private banks are still offering decent returns for 3- to 5-year deposits. These rates may seem okay today, but in a few months, they might look fantastic in comparison.
This is especially relevant for retirees or anyone looking to lock in a predictable income stream. Don't wait for another rate cut and regret missing today&rsquo;s rates.
<h2>Non-Bank FDs Still Offer Higher Returns&mdash;With a Caveat</h2>
Here&rsquo;s where it gets interesting. While traditional banks are slashing rates, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and small finance banks are still offering 8%&ndash;9% on their FDs. Some of them even go a bit higher for senior citizens. If you're open to parking your money outside the typical big banks, these could be worth a look.
Of course, there's a bit more risk involved. So, make sure the institution is well-rated and regulated. Stick with NBFCs that have a proven track record and always keep your deposit size within the ₹5 lakh insurance limit for peace of mind.
<h2>Smaller Banks for Seniors? Yes, But Do Your Homework</h2>
Smaller banks and small finance banks often offer better interest rates than their bigger counterparts. For senior citizens especially, this can make a meaningful difference in monthly income. But how safe are these banks?
In most cases, they&rsquo;re perfectly safe&mdash;especially if they fall under RBI regulation and DICGC insurance coverage. Deposits up to ₹5 lakh per bank are protected. Still, it&rsquo;s wise to spread your money across a few institutions and not chase the absolute highest rate blindly. A balanced approach works best.
<h2>Don&rsquo;t Rely on FDs Alone</h2>
The RBI&rsquo;s rate cut is a wake-up call. The era of parking money in a single FD and forgetting about it for five years is fading fast. With inflation eating into your returns and bank rates heading lower, it&rsquo;s time to think broader.
Debt mutual funds, RBI Floating Rate Savings Bonds, senior citizen savings schemes, or even hybrid mutual funds are all worth exploring. If you&rsquo;re nearing retirement, a mixed portfolio can give you better stability, liquidity, and returns. And if you&rsquo;re younger, you&rsquo;ve got the time to take a bit more risk for potentially much higher rewards.
In conclusion, this repo rate cut might seem like just another policy tweak, but it could change how you save and invest. For fixed deposit investors, especially senior citizens and conservative savers, the message is clear: act fast or prepare for thinner returns. There&rsquo;s still time to lock into decent FD rates.

Business & Economy: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cut the repo rate by 25 basis points bringing it down to 6%. This is the second rate cut in a row, signalling that the central bank is clearly prioritising economic momentum over inflation concerns.

In a move that was largely expected, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cut the repo rate by 25 basis points bringing it down to 6%. This is the second rate cut in a row, signalling that the central bank is clearly prioritising economic momentum over inflation concerns. While this is great news for borrowers—home loans and EMIs are likely to get cheaper—it puts fixed deposit (FD) investors in a tight spot. With returns already low, this rate cut could squeeze them even further. Let’s unpack what this means for your savings and why it might be time to look beyond traditional FDs. FD Rates Are Already Falling—And More Cuts Could Be Ahead Soon after the announcement, several major banks moved quickly to reduce their FD interest rates. The drop is visible across short- and medium-term tenures, while long-term FD rates are still just about holding firm. But let’s be honest—they won’t stay there for long. Once banks fully absorb the repo cut, even those long-term rates will start drifting downward. If you’ve been sitting on the fence thinking the rates might bounce back, it’s probably not happening anytime soon. This is the beginning of a softer interest rate cycle, and delaying FD investments could mean settling for much lower returns later. Special FD Schemes? They’re Being Quietly Discontinued Remember those limited-period FD schemes offering 7.5% or even higher returns for senior citizens or specific durations like 444 or 999 days? Those were the golden tickets last year. But now, banks are quietly rolling them back. The special interest rates were introduced when deposit mobilisation was a challenge—but not anymore. With liquidity flush and rates trending down, banks simply don’t need to offer those extra perks. If you missed the bus on those schemes, don’t wait for them to come back. Instead, you might want to secure what’s still available before everything gets repriced lower. Tax-Saving FDs Are Losing Their Edge Five-year tax-saving FDs have long been a popular tool for conservative investors. You got tax benefits under Section 80C, and the returns, while modest, were predictable. But in the current scenario, they’re becoming harder to justify. With interest rates slipping and the interest being fully taxable, the real returns after inflation and tax look less and less appealing. It might be time to explore alternatives like ELSS mutual funds or PPF. Both offer tax benefits, and in the case of ELSS, potentially higher returns—albeit with some risk. For younger investors or those with longer time horizons, it’s a trade-off worth considering. Want Stability? Lock in Long-Term FD Rates Now If you’re still keen on FDs—and there’s nothing wrong with that—then the smart move is to lock in long-term rates now. A few PSU and private banks are still offering decent returns for 3- to 5-year deposits. These rates may seem okay today, but in a few months, they might look fantastic in comparison. This is especially relevant for retirees or anyone looking to lock in a predictable income stream. Don't wait for another rate cut and regret missing today’s rates. Non-Bank FDs Still Offer Higher Returns—With a Caveat Here’s where it gets interesting. While traditional banks are slashing rates, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and small finance banks are still offering 8%–9% on their FDs. Some of them even go a bit higher for senior citizens. If you're open to parking your money outside the typical big banks, these could be worth a look. Of course, there's a bit more risk involved. So, make sure the institution is well-rated and regulated. Stick with NBFCs that have a proven track record and always keep your deposit size within the ₹5 lakh insurance limit for peace of mind. Smaller Banks for Seniors? Yes, But Do Your Homework Smaller banks and small finance banks often offer better interest rates than their bigger counterparts. For senior citizens especially, this can make a meaningful difference in monthly income. But how safe are these banks? In most cases, they’re perfectly safe—especially if they fall under RBI regulation and DICGC insurance coverage. Deposits up to ₹5 lakh per bank are protected. Still, it’s wise to spread your money across a few institutions and not chase the absolute highest rate blindly. A balanced approach works best. Don’t Rely on FDs Alone The RBI’s rate cut is a wake-up call. The era of parking money in a single FD and forgetting about it for five years is fading fast. With inflation eating into your returns and bank rates heading lower, it’s time to think broader. Debt mutual funds, RBI Floating Rate Savings Bonds, senior citizen savings schemes, or even hybrid mutual funds are all worth exploring. If you’re nearing retirement, a mixed portfolio can give you better stability, liquidity, and returns. And if you’re younger, you’ve got the time to take a bit more risk for potentially much higher rewards. In conclusion, this repo rate cut might seem like just another policy tweak, but it could change how you save and invest. For fixed deposit investors, especially senior citizens and conservative savers, the message is clear: act fast or prepare for thinner returns. There’s still time to lock into decent FD rates.

Repo Rate Hits 6%: What You Must Know Before FD Returns Shrink Further

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) kickstarted the low repo rate cycle on 7 February 2025 with a 25-basis points rate cut. In the coming weeks and months, it is expected to bring down the interest rates slowly but steadily, keeping in mind global macro-economic situations. For Fixed Deposit (FD) investors, this means that the attractive FD rates seen in recent months may not last indefinitely. This raises an important question: Should investors rethink their strategy and explore alternatives such as debt mutual funds and bonds?
<h2>Who Should Stick to FDs?</h2>
Depending on whom you are talking to, you may find FDs to be much maligned or right up on a pedestal. Nevertheless, FDs continue to be a reliable investment option that offers a combination of returns and capital protection. There are clear-cut instances where it is smarter to invest in an FD over any other financial instrument. Here are five situations where you should continue investing in FDs:
Capital protection is a priority: No one can afford to always take the same amount of risk for every investment. Investments that are exposed to market volatility may not be always appropriate. Bank FDs offer assured returns, making them ideal low risk-moderate return investments.
You need stable and predictable returns: Market-linked instruments may give you higher returns over time, but you cannot predict how much that will finally amount to. Unlike these, FDs provide a guaranteed interest rate, unaffected by market fluctuations. So, if you are looking to accumulate a certain amount of money within a fixed time, FDs are a better bet.
You need funds for short-term goals: Macro-economic trends indicate a volatile couple of years. Even otherwise, market cycles tend to be long. If you require liquidity within 1-3 years, short-term FDs can be a safer bet than debt funds, which are expected to see price fluctuations in the near future.
You fall in a lower tax bracket: Since FD interest is taxed at your income tax slab, if you are in the lower tax brackets, your tax liability may be much lower and your overall returns from FDs may be higher.
You do not want to track the market: The terms and conditions of the FD does not change during the deposit period even if the markets turn or the repo rate increases or decreases. So FDs require minimal monitoring.
<h2>Who Should Consider Alternatives?</h2>
There are several reasons to explore alternatives to FDs. If you have a long investment window, you be better off with equity funds that give you a much higher inflation-proof returns. The taxation on these is also a flat 12.5% on gains of above Rs.1.25L in a year. FDs on the other hand will be taxed as per your income tax slab.
Unlike FDs, where premature withdrawals incur penalties, debt funds allow easy redemption with little to no exit load after a few months. This comes in handy if you need additional liquidity but are unable to anticipate in advance exactly when you would need it. Finally, if you are looking for diversification, holding a mix of FDs, bonds, and debt and index funds can help balance safety, liquidity, and returns in your portfolio.
<h2>What Should You Do Post-MPC?</h2>
With rates expected to fall, stick to short-term FDs for stability if you have an investment window of 2-3 years or less. If you are looking at 3&ndash;5-year investments, consider a mix of FDs and high-rated corporate bonds to get stability and slightly better returns. Look to equity for long-term investments of over 5 years as they could offer much higher returns and be more tax-efficient, especially in high-income tax brackets.
If you are a risk-averse senior citizen, special senior citizen FD schemes offering higher interest rates (7.5%&ndash;8%) remain an attractive option.
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
While FDs remain a safe and simple investment, if you are looking for higher diversity and flexibility, you may want to consider debt mutual funds and bonds. The MPC&rsquo;s steady interest rate decision gives investors a window to lock in FD rates before potential cuts in the future. However, for those seeking higher inflation-adjusted returns, diversifying into debt funds and bonds may be a prudent strategy. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your financial goals, tax situation, and risk tolerance.

Business & Economy: For Fixed Deposit (FD) investors, this means that the attractive FD rates seen in recent months may not last indefinitely.

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) kickstarted the low repo rate cycle on 7 February 2025 with a 25-basis points rate cut. In the coming weeks and months, it is expected to bring down the interest rates slowly but steadily, keeping in mind global macro-economic situations. For Fixed Deposit (FD) investors, this means that the attractive FD rates seen in recent months may not last indefinitely. This raises an important question: Should investors rethink their strategy and explore alternatives such as debt mutual funds and bonds? Who Should Stick to FDs? Depending on whom you are talking to, you may find FDs to be much maligned or right up on a pedestal. Nevertheless, FDs continue to be a reliable investment option that offers a combination of returns and capital protection. There are clear-cut instances where it is smarter to invest in an FD over any other financial instrument. Here are five situations where you should continue investing in FDs: Capital protection is a priority: No one can afford to always take the same amount of risk for every investment. Investments that are exposed to market volatility may not be always appropriate. Bank FDs offer assured returns, making them ideal low risk-moderate return investments. You need stable and predictable returns: Market-linked instruments may give you higher returns over time, but you cannot predict how much that will finally amount to. Unlike these, FDs provide a guaranteed interest rate, unaffected by market fluctuations. So, if you are looking to accumulate a certain amount of money within a fixed time, FDs are a better bet. You need funds for short-term goals: Macro-economic trends indicate a volatile couple of years. Even otherwise, market cycles tend to be long. If you require liquidity within 1-3 years, short-term FDs can be a safer bet than debt funds, which are expected to see price fluctuations in the near future. You fall in a lower tax bracket: Since FD interest is taxed at your income tax slab, if you are in the lower tax brackets, your tax liability may be much lower and your overall returns from FDs may be higher. You do not want to track the market: The terms and conditions of the FD does not change during the deposit period even if the markets turn or the repo rate increases or decreases. So FDs require minimal monitoring. Who Should Consider Alternatives? There are several reasons to explore alternatives to FDs. If you have a long investment window, you be better off with equity funds that give you a much higher inflation-proof returns. The taxation on these is also a flat 12.5% on gains of above Rs.1.25L in a year. FDs on the other hand will be taxed as per your income tax slab. Unlike FDs, where premature withdrawals incur penalties, debt funds allow easy redemption with little to no exit load after a few months. This comes in handy if you need additional liquidity but are unable to anticipate in advance exactly when you would need it. Finally, if you are looking for diversification, holding a mix of FDs, bonds, and debt and index funds can help balance safety, liquidity, and returns in your portfolio. What Should You Do Post-MPC? With rates expected to fall, stick to short-term FDs for stability if you have an investment window of 2-3 years or less. If you are looking at 3–5-year investments, consider a mix of FDs and high-rated corporate bonds to get stability and slightly better returns. Look to equity for long-term investments of over 5 years as they could offer much higher returns and be more tax-efficient, especially in high-income tax brackets. If you are a risk-averse senior citizen, special senior citizen FD schemes offering higher interest rates (7.5%–8%) remain an attractive option. Conclusion While FDs remain a safe and simple investment, if you are looking for higher diversity and flexibility, you may want to consider debt mutual funds and bonds. The MPC’s steady interest rate decision gives investors a window to lock in FD rates before potential cuts in the future. However, for those seeking higher inflation-adjusted returns, diversifying into debt funds and bonds may be a prudent strategy. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your financial goals, tax situation, and risk tolerance.

Should You Rethink Your FD Strategy Post MPC?

Rolex watches are seeing significant price rises in 2025, primarily driven by the rising cost of gold.
According to CNN Business, gold watches from the Swiss luxury brand saw price hikes of up to 14 per cent. In contrast, steel models experienced a modest 3 per cent price increase.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thailand-pm-declares-usd-400mn-in-assets-owns-217-designer-bags-75-luxury-watches-8589407">Thailand PM declares USD 400mn in assets, owns 217 designer bags, 75 luxury watches</a>
The Daytona model, one of Rolex&rsquo;s most popular, experienced the steepest rise, with the white gold version with the OysterFlex bracelet now priced at $38,100, up from $35,000 last year. The GMT-Master in yellow gold also saw a 7 per cent increase. It is currently priced at $43,300.
Rolex attributed the increases to the escalating price of gold. The yellow metal surged 27 per cent in 2024.
This price spike occurred as central banks cut interest rates, making gold more appealing to investors seeking a safe haven during economic uncertainty and inflationary periods.
<h2>Strategic Decision?</h2>
Higher prices are unlikely to discourage affluent buyers, who are less impacted by market changes. Experts have said price hikes are often a strategic decision rather than a cause for customer loss.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/designer-handbags-and-jewellery-worth-over-12-stolen-from-london-home-8580779">Designer handbags, jewellery worth over $12 million stolen from London home of influencer</a>
Gold prices are anticipated to remain high in 2025, supported by a stronger US dollar and lower interest rates. This may keep the demand for luxury gold watches steady in future as well.
(With input from agencies)

Business & Economy: Rolex watch prices are rising due to surging gold costs, with gold models increasing by up to 14 per cent in 2025. 

Rolex watches are seeing significant price rises in 2025, primarily driven by the rising cost of gold. According to CNN Business, gold watches from the Swiss luxury brand saw price hikes of up to 14 per cent. In contrast, steel models experienced a modest 3 per cent price increase. Also read: Thailand PM declares USD 400mn in assets, owns 217 designer bags, 75 luxury watches The Daytona model, one of Rolex’s most popular, experienced the steepest rise, with the white gold version with the OysterFlex bracelet now priced at $38,100, up from $35,000 last year. The GMT-Master in yellow gold also saw a 7 per cent increase. It is currently priced at $43,300. Rolex attributed the increases to the escalating price of gold. The yellow metal surged 27 per cent in 2024. This price spike occurred as central banks cut interest rates, making gold more appealing to investors seeking a safe haven during economic uncertainty and inflationary periods. Strategic Decision? Higher prices are unlikely to discourage affluent buyers, who are less impacted by market changes. Experts have said price hikes are often a strategic decision rather than a cause for customer loss. Also read: Designer handbags, jewellery worth over $12 million stolen from London home of influencer Gold prices are anticipated to remain high in 2025, supported by a stronger US dollar and lower interest rates. This may keep the demand for luxury gold watches steady in future as well. (With input from agencies)

Gold surge pushes Rolex watch prices up by 14% in 2025

Blackstone is in advanced talks to acquire Retail Opportunity Investments Corp (ROIC), which owns US shopping centers and has a market value of $3.4 billion including debt, according to people familiar with the matter, as detailed in an exclusive report by Reuters.

If the talks are successful, a deal could be finalised in the coming weeks, the sources said, requesting anonymity as the matter is confidential, the report detailed further.

Blackstone is likely to prevail in the auction for ROIC that has also attracted interest from other private equity firms, including Bain Capital, the sources said. Earlier this year, Bain Capital's real estate arm and retail investor 11North Partners had formed a partnership to acquire and operate open-air retail centers in North America. The sources cautioned that a transaction with Blackstone is not guaranteed and it's possible that a rival suitor could emerge. 

Blackstone, ROIC and Bain did not immediately respond to requests for comment, further Reuters reported in July that Blackstone was in early-stage talks to acquire ROIC.

Increased costs from high inflation have been passed on<o:p></o:p>

Owners of strip malls, pharmacy chains and retail stores have managed to pass on increased costs from high inflation to consumers over the past year, benefiting landlords like ROIC. The company has raised rents, achieving a 13.8 per cent increase in same-space new leases during the third quarter, according to its most recent quarterly report.

Brief history of Retail Opportunity Investment Corporation <o:p></o:p>

Based in San Diego, California, ROIC owned 93 shopping centers spanning about 10.5 million square feet, according to its website. In October, it reported net income of $32.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, up from $8.4 million in the corresponding period a year ago.

Shares of ROIC, which mainly houses supermarkets and drugstores, have risen about 11 per cent so far this year, underperforming some other real estate investment trusts and making it an attractive target for buyout firms like Blackstone.

Limited new construction of retail real estate has also contributed to the scramble for high-quality space. Vacancies at US shopping centers stood at 5.4 per cent for the third quarter ended September 30, close to the lowest level since Cushman &amp; Wakefield started tracking the data in 2007.

This year, 6.4 million square feet of new shopping center space has become available, compared to 10 million square feet during the same period last year, according to Cushman &amp; Wakefield. 

Further, Blackstone is one of the world's largest investors in real estate, with $336.1 billion in assets in the sector as of the end of June. The New York-based firm has recently focused on warehouses, rental housing and data centers, which comprise about 75 per cent of its global real estate equity portfolio. Earlier this year, Blackstone signed a deal to acquire Apartment Income REIT for $10 billion, the report explained further.

Dealmaking in the real estate industry has been muted this year, with US M&amp;A volumes falling about 39 per cent to $27.1 billion, according to data from Dealogic, as high interest rates have made borrowing more expensive in the real estate industry.

Blackstone is in advanced talks to acquire Retail Opportunity Investments Corp (ROIC), which owns US shopping centers and has a market value of $3.4 billion including debt, according to people familiar with the matter, as detailed in an exclusive report by Reuters.

Blackstone is in advanced talks to acquire Retail Opportunity Investments Corp (ROIC), which owns US shopping centers and has a market value of $3.4 billion including debt, according to people familiar with the matter, as detailed in an exclusive report by Reuters. If the talks are successful, a deal could be finalised in the coming weeks, the sources said, requesting anonymity as the matter is confidential, the report detailed further. Blackstone is likely to prevail in the auction for ROIC that has also attracted interest from other private equity firms, including Bain Capital, the sources said. Earlier this year, Bain Capital's real estate arm and retail investor 11North Partners had formed a partnership to acquire and operate open-air retail centers in North America. The sources cautioned that a transaction with Blackstone is not guaranteed and it's possible that a rival suitor could emerge. Blackstone, ROIC and Bain did not immediately respond to requests for comment, further Reuters reported in July that Blackstone was in early-stage talks to acquire ROIC. Increased costs from high inflation have been passed on Owners of strip malls, pharmacy chains and retail stores have managed to pass on increased costs from high inflation to consumers over the past year, benefiting landlords like ROIC. The company has raised rents, achieving a 13.8 per cent increase in same-space new leases during the third quarter, according to its most recent quarterly report. Brief history of Retail Opportunity Investment Corporation Based in San Diego, California, ROIC owned 93 shopping centers spanning about 10.5 million square feet, according to its website. In October, it reported net income of $32.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, up from $8.4 million in the corresponding period a year ago. Shares of ROIC, which mainly houses supermarkets and drugstores, have risen about 11 per cent so far this year, underperforming some other real estate investment trusts and making it an attractive target for buyout firms like Blackstone. Limited new construction of retail real estate has also contributed to the scramble for high-quality space. Vacancies at US shopping centers stood at 5.4 per cent for the third quarter ended September 30, close to the lowest level since Cushman & Wakefield started tracking the data in 2007. This year, 6.4 million square feet of new shopping center space has become available, compared to 10 million square feet during the same period last year, according to Cushman & Wakefield. Further, Blackstone is one of the world's largest investors in real estate, with $336.1 billion in assets in the sector as of the end of June. The New York-based firm has recently focused on warehouses, rental housing and data centers, which comprise about 75 per cent of its global real estate equity portfolio. Earlier this year, Blackstone signed a deal to acquire Apartment Income REIT for $10 billion, the report explained further. Dealmaking in the real estate industry has been muted this year, with US M&A volumes falling about 39 per cent to $27.1 billion, according to data from Dealogic, as high interest rates have made borrowing more expensive in the real estate industry.

Blackstone nears deal to acquire shopping center owner Retail Opportunity

The Indian government has announced plans to establish an Invest India office in Dubai, marking a significant step towards attracting investments from the UAE. Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal revealed this initiative during a press briefing following the 12th meeting of the India-UAE High-Level Task Force on Investment. This office will serve as a dedicated point of contact for potential investors from the UAE looking to invest in India as detailed in a report by The Press Trust of India.

The meeting, co-chaired by Goyal and Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, focused on reviewing progress on various key initiatives aimed at strengthening economic ties between the two nations. Among the topics discussed were bilateral trade in local currencies, integration of payment systems, cooperation on central bank digital currencies, and the development of a virtual trade corridor.

Goyal emphasised that the India-UAE partnership is built on pillars of innovation, investment, and sustainable development. He stated, "The Joint Task Force meeting today was useful to take stock of all the laudable initiatives that India and the UAE have jointly undertaken." He encouraged stakeholders to explore further investment opportunities facilitated by the robust framework provided by the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT).

The establishment of the Invest India office in Dubai is particularly noteworthy as it will be the first overseas office of Invest India in that region and only its second globally after Singapore. This move is expected to significantly enhance collaboration between Indian and UAE businesses, particularly given that the UAE is already India's largest Arab investor with investments amounting to approximately USD 3 billion in FY 2023-24.

Recent statistics according to the PTI report reveal that non-oil trade between India and the UAE reached USD 28.2 billion in the first half of 2024, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 9.8 per cent. The two nations are also exploring investments across various sectors including energy, artificial intelligence, logistics, food, and agriculture, which collectively total around USD 100 billion.

In addition to opening the Invest India office, Goyal announced plans for the first overseas campus of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) in Dubai. This initiative aims to benefit the approximately 3.5 million-strong Indian community residing in the UAE.

The meeting also highlighted ongoing projects such as Bharat Mart, which is designed to leverage Jebel Ali Port's strategic location to enhance India's exports globally. Progress is being made on design work for retail spaces and warehousing facilities.

Moreover, discussions included advancements in digital payments through collaboration between India's National Payments Corporation and Al Etihad Payments in the UAE. The introduction of a domestic card scheme named JAYWAN aims to facilitate seamless cross-border transactions between both countries by interlinking national payment platforms.

Goyal concluded by stating that these initiatives will not only boost investor confidence but also create job opportunities and enhance food security for both nations. The new BIT is expected to provide a stable tax regime and a framework for resolving potential issues between Indian and UAE companies.

As these developments unfold, both nations are poised to strengthen their economic ties further, paving the way for increased investment flows and collaborative ventures that will benefit both economies.

The Indian government has announced plans to establish an Invest India office in Dubai, marking a significant step towards attracting investments from the UAE. Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal revealed this initiative during a press briefing following the 12th meeting of the India-UAE High-Level Task Force on Investment.

The Indian government has announced plans to establish an Invest India office in Dubai, marking a significant step towards attracting investments from the UAE. Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal revealed this initiative during a press briefing following the 12th meeting of the India-UAE High-Level Task Force on Investment. This office will serve as a dedicated point of contact for potential investors from the UAE looking to invest in India as detailed in a report by The Press Trust of India. The meeting, co-chaired by Goyal and Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, focused on reviewing progress on various key initiatives aimed at strengthening economic ties between the two nations. Among the topics discussed were bilateral trade in local currencies, integration of payment systems, cooperation on central bank digital currencies, and the development of a virtual trade corridor. Goyal emphasised that the India-UAE partnership is built on pillars of innovation, investment, and sustainable development. He stated, "The Joint Task Force meeting today was useful to take stock of all the laudable initiatives that India and the UAE have jointly undertaken." He encouraged stakeholders to explore further investment opportunities facilitated by the robust framework provided by the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). The establishment of the Invest India office in Dubai is particularly noteworthy as it will be the first overseas office of Invest India in that region and only its second globally after Singapore. This move is expected to significantly enhance collaboration between Indian and UAE businesses, particularly given that the UAE is already India's largest Arab investor with investments amounting to approximately USD 3 billion in FY 2023-24. Recent statistics according to the PTI report reveal that non-oil trade between India and the UAE reached USD 28.2 billion in the first half of 2024, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 9.8 per cent. The two nations are also exploring investments across various sectors including energy, artificial intelligence, logistics, food, and agriculture, which collectively total around USD 100 billion. In addition to opening the Invest India office, Goyal announced plans for the first overseas campus of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) in Dubai. This initiative aims to benefit the approximately 3.5 million-strong Indian community residing in the UAE. The meeting also highlighted ongoing projects such as Bharat Mart, which is designed to leverage Jebel Ali Port's strategic location to enhance India's exports globally. Progress is being made on design work for retail spaces and warehousing facilities. Moreover, discussions included advancements in digital payments through collaboration between India's National Payments Corporation and Al Etihad Payments in the UAE. The introduction of a domestic card scheme named JAYWAN aims to facilitate seamless cross-border transactions between both countries by interlinking national payment platforms. Goyal concluded by stating that these initiatives will not only boost investor confidence but also create job opportunities and enhance food security for both nations. The new BIT is expected to provide a stable tax regime and a framework for resolving potential issues between Indian and UAE companies. As these developments unfold, both nations are poised to strengthen their economic ties further, paving the way for increased investment flows and collaborative ventures that will benefit both economies.

Government to open invest India office in Dubai to boost UAE investments

China's overseas investment reached a record high in the June quarter of 2024. Chinese firms increased their global assets by $71 billion. This marks an 80% rise from a year ago and is the highest level since records began in 1998.

China's Overseas Investments Surge, But FDI In China Declines

Intel's shares soared on Monday after reports emerged that Apollo Global Management has proposed a massive $5 billion investment in the struggling chipmaker. What does this potential deal mean for Intel’s future and the tech industry? In this video, we break down the details of the offer, what it could mean for investors, and how it might impact Intel’s turnaround efforts. Stay tuned to get all the insights on this developing story!

Apollo To Invest In Intel? Intel Stock Surges Amid Reports of Apollo Investment

India continues to be the fastest growing large economy in the world. But the latest government data on household savings signals possible trouble at the micro level. Net household savings have declined sharply by nearly 109 billion dollars between 2020 and 2023. That's a five-year-low.

Household savings decline by $109 billion between 2020 & 2023

China which is the world's largest consumer of iron ore is now strategically diversifying its resources away from heavy reliance on Australia and Brazil. Recent investments in the African iron ore projects have now signaled China's ambitious efforts to secure its supply chain and also to reduce vulnerability of its Supply chains. Watch in for more details!

China builds railway line in return for Algeria's iron ore

War-ravaged Iraq is now emerging as a prime investment destination for wealthy gulf nations. This is likely to have a major impact on the geopolitical landscape of the gulf region, where the rising spectre of Iran threatens the Arab world. Watch in for more details!

Iraq govt pushing for more investments from Arab neighbours

In recent years, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into various aspects of our lives has been nothing short of revolutionary. From automating tasks to enhancing decision-making processes, AI has entered every sector, including finance.

In recent years, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into various aspects of our lives has been nothing short of revolutionary. From automating tasks to enhancing decision-making processes, AI has entered every sector, including finance. In India, the use of AI in investment management is rapidly gaining momentum, offering investors a hassle-free and efficient way to navigate the complexities of the financial markets. However, it is still not error-free. Investing has traditionally been perceived as a daunting task, often requiring a deep understanding of market dynamics, economic indicators, and regulatory frameworks. However, with the advent of AI, you now have access to sophisticated tools and algorithms that can help you make informed decisions tailored to their financial goals and risk tolerance. One of the key benefits of leveraging AI in investment management is its ability to analyse vast amounts of data in real-time. By utilising machine learning algorithms, these platforms can scan trends and patterns that may impact investment performance. This data-driven approach enables investors to stay ahead of market movements and make timely adjustments to their portfolios. AI possesses the ability to swiftly respond to your questions. Additionally, AI is capable of generating personalised budget tables, streamlining your financial planning process. With its versatility, AI can undertake various tasks, facilitating time-saving measures and helping prompt decision-making when needed. The budget table created below took seconds to get generated. You can also use prompts based on your requirements and make your investment more effective. Monthly Budget for an Indian Investor Category Budget Allocation (Rs) Actual Expenses (Rs) Income Salary Your Monthly Income Expenses Housing Utilities Food & Groceries Transportation Healthcare Education Entertainment Savings Investments Total Expenses Sum of Expenses Savings & Investments Emergency Fund Retirement Fund Other Investments Remaining Income Income - Total Expenses By gathering information about an investor’s financial situation, investment horizon, and risk appetite, the AI can tailor investment strategies to meet specific needs. Whether it’s building a diversified portfolio, optimising asset allocation or rebalancing investments. Leveraging AI in investment decision-making provides a significant advantage, given its ability to swiftly analyse vast datasets that may be overlooked by human analysts. With the capacity to detect patterns and trends, AI algorithms can scrutinise diverse data sources, ranging from social media sentiment to financial statements and help you assess your investment decisions. Furthermore, AI-powered investment platforms offer a level of automation that simplifies the investment process for users. Through features like automatic portfolio rebalancing, dividend reinvestment, and tax-loss harvesting, investors can minimise the administrative burden associated with managing their portfolios. This hands-off approach not only saves time but also ensures that investments are continuously optimized to maximise returns while minimising risk. Another significant advantage of AI-driven investment platforms is their ability to mitigate behavioural biases that often lead to irrational investment decisions. By removing human emotions from the equation, AI algorithms can make objective assessments based on data and historical trends. This helps prevent investors from succumbing to fear, greed, or other cognitive biases that may cloud judgment and lead to poor outcomes. AI-powered investment is also proving to be invaluable tools for financial advisors and wealth managers. By leveraging AI to augment their advisory services, professionals can deliver more personalised and data-driven recommendations to clients. Whether its identifying new investment opportunities, assessing portfolio risk, or conducting scenario analysis. AI-driven investment platforms play a crucial role in democratising access to financial markets. Traditionally, sophisticated investment strategies and wealth management services were expensive. However, with AI-powered platforms offering low-cost solutions and minimum investment requirements, retail investors of all backgrounds can now participate in the wealth creation process. When we look ahead, the future of AI in investment management appears promising. As technology continues to evolve and AI algorithms become more sophisticated, we can expect further advancements. Additionally, regulatory initiatives aimed at fostering innovation and ensuring consumer protection are likely to drive the adoption of AI-powered investment solutions across the country. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just starting your investment journey, harnessing the power of AI can help you achieve your financial goals.

Expert Voice: Simplifying your investment journey with AI

The Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) has asked the Department for Promotion of Industry &amp; Internal Trade to amend guidelines in the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for some sectors – Automobile/Auto Components (AUTO), Advance Chemistry Cells (ACC) and Textiles among them – to bring them up to speed.

For PLI-AUTO, the EGoS headed by the Cabinet Secretary approved that the initial year of its implementation be extended by one year to start from fiscal 2023-24 because though the scheme’s performance period began from April 2022, the firms were onboarded only in March 2022.

“Since it was non-feasible to meet the performance criterion of minimum 50 per cent domestic value addition in a month’s time, it was decided that the scheme start date be shifted to April 2023 for all parameters, except investment,” said an official.

In PLI-ACC, the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has been directed to earmark 10 GWh capacity for grid scale stationery storage application out of the residual 20 GWh while seeking bids under the second round. The PLI-ACC scheme aims at setting up manufacturing capacity of 50 GWh of which 30 GWh capacity was allocated in the first round.

The official said that successful bidders who got production capacity below 20 GWh in the first round would be eligible to participate in the second round where all selected companies would get two years for gestation and five years for claiming the incentives as in the first round.

The MHI, through a letter in October 2023, had opposed such segregation saying that “bid for 20 GWh ACC capacity under PLI-ACC scheme should be floated without demarcating part capacity for any specific end-use applications".

PLI projects for Textile Products, which fell behind due to delays in securing statutory approvals, would get a one-year extension of gestation period for investment from&nbsp; March 31, 2024 to March 31, 2025 and hence, the last year of incentive release would be extended to March 31, 2030.

Textiles, like IT Hardware and Specialty Steel, has been struggling to get the PLI scheme going as investments have not been forthcoming. Textiles Ministry has had to twice extend the application period for second PLI round which targets investment of nearly Rs 1100 billion.

Extensions would also be given in PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs as incentive funds lie unutilised either because there are no investors or due to project delays. For chemical synthesis products, the tenure is being extended from fiscal 2027-28 to fiscal 2028-29 and for fermentation-based products, it would be extended from fiscal 2028-29 to fiscal 2029-30.

Out of 41 products under the PLI scheme for bulk drugs, there were no takers for eight products whereby an incentive outlay of Rs 1.6 billion lies unallocated. In the case of chemical synthesis and fermentation-based products, many applicants are unable to claim incentives due to the delay in commissioning of projects.

The PLI scheme for Medical Devices schemes is also being extended from fiscal 2027-28 to fiscal 2028-29 as there have been delays in commissioning of projects leading to under achievement of targets.

Through DPIIT changes, the Ministry of New &amp; Renewable Energy would be empowered to utilize the estimated Rs 5.5 billion saving in PLI for High-Efficiency Solar Photo Voltaic modules to promote the production of polysilicon and ingots-wafers required in the manufacturing of Solar PV modules.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-contributes-over-16pc-to-global-growth-imf-report-reveals-strong-economic-performance-671140">India contributes over 16% to global growth, IMF report reveals</a>

Similarly, the Department of Food Processing would get to utilize savings of nearly Rs 10&nbsp;billion to implement PLI Scheme for Millet Based Products 2.0 from fiscal 2024-25, handing out 10 per cent incentive on incremental sales for the first four years, 9 per cent for the&nbsp;fifth and 8 per cent in the last year.

PLI schemes are a crucial part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India a $5 trillion economy by strengthening the nation’s manufacturing sector by incentivising domestic and foreign investments.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chennai-rains-armed-forces-join-rescue-efforts-imd-predicts-further-heavy-rainfall-671143">Chennai rains: Three dead, 800 stranded on railway station; IMD predicts more rainfall</a>

Through these schemes, the government encourages companies to increase their manufacturing capabilities by spending on plant, machinery, associated utilities, R&amp;D and transfer of technology. It provides incentives for five years on the increased manufacturing where the percentage varies for different sectors.

It currently targets 14 sectors of strategic and economic importance. As of November 2023, investments of nearly Rs 950 billion had materialised resulting in creation of nearly 450,000&nbsp;direct jobs, production of Rs 7.8 trillion and exports Rs 2.8 trillion.

&nbsp;

The Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) has asked the Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade to amend guidelines in the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for some sectors – Automobile/Auto Components (AUTO), Advance Chemistry Cells (ACC) and Textiles among them – to bring them up to speed.

The Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) has asked the Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade to amend guidelines in the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for some sectors – Automobile/Auto Components (AUTO), Advance Chemistry Cells (ACC) and Textiles among them – to bring them up to speed. For PLI-AUTO, the EGoS headed by the Cabinet Secretary approved that the initial year of its implementation be extended by one year to start from fiscal 2023-24 because though the scheme’s performance period began from April 2022, the firms were onboarded only in March 2022. “Since it was non-feasible to meet the performance criterion of minimum 50 per cent domestic value addition in a month’s time, it was decided that the scheme start date be shifted to April 2023 for all parameters, except investment,” said an official. In PLI-ACC, the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has been directed to earmark 10 GWh capacity for grid scale stationery storage application out of the residual 20 GWh while seeking bids under the second round. The PLI-ACC scheme aims at setting up manufacturing capacity of 50 GWh of which 30 GWh capacity was allocated in the first round. The official said that successful bidders who got production capacity below 20 GWh in the first round would be eligible to participate in the second round where all selected companies would get two years for gestation and five years for claiming the incentives as in the first round. The MHI, through a letter in October 2023, had opposed such segregation saying that “bid for 20 GWh ACC capacity under PLI-ACC scheme should be floated without demarcating part capacity for any specific end-use applications". PLI projects for Textile Products, which fell behind due to delays in securing statutory approvals, would get a one-year extension of gestation period for investment from March 31, 2024 to March 31, 2025 and hence, the last year of incentive release would be extended to March 31, 2030. Textiles, like IT Hardware and Specialty Steel, has been struggling to get the PLI scheme going as investments have not been forthcoming. Textiles Ministry has had to twice extend the application period for second PLI round which targets investment of nearly Rs 1100 billion. Extensions would also be given in PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs as incentive funds lie unutilised either because there are no investors or due to project delays. For chemical synthesis products, the tenure is being extended from fiscal 2027-28 to fiscal 2028-29 and for fermentation-based products, it would be extended from fiscal 2028-29 to fiscal 2029-30. Out of 41 products under the PLI scheme for bulk drugs, there were no takers for eight products whereby an incentive outlay of Rs 1.6 billion lies unallocated. In the case of chemical synthesis and fermentation-based products, many applicants are unable to claim incentives due to the delay in commissioning of projects. The PLI scheme for Medical Devices schemes is also being extended from fiscal 2027-28 to fiscal 2028-29 as there have been delays in commissioning of projects leading to under achievement of targets. Through DPIIT changes, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy would be empowered to utilize the estimated Rs 5.5 billion saving in PLI for High-Efficiency Solar Photo Voltaic modules to promote the production of polysilicon and ingots-wafers required in the manufacturing of Solar PV modules. Also read | India contributes over 16% to global growth, IMF report reveals Similarly, the Department of Food Processing would get to utilize savings of nearly Rs 10 billion to implement PLI Scheme for Millet Based Products 2.0 from fiscal 2024-25, handing out 10 per cent incentive on incremental sales for the first four years, 9 per cent for the fifth and 8 per cent in the last year. PLI schemes are a crucial part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India a $5 trillion economy by strengthening the nation’s manufacturing sector by incentivising domestic and foreign investments. Also read | Chennai rains: Three dead, 800 stranded on railway station; IMD predicts more rainfall Through these schemes, the government encourages companies to increase their manufacturing capabilities by spending on plant, machinery, associated utilities, R&D and transfer of technology. It provides incentives for five years on the increased manufacturing where the percentage varies for different sectors. It currently targets 14 sectors of strategic and economic importance. As of November 2023, investments of nearly Rs 950 billion had materialised resulting in creation of nearly 450,000 direct jobs, production of Rs 7.8 trillion and exports Rs 2.8 trillion.

Exclusive: PLI schemes for auto, battery, textiles, among others, to be tweaked to spur investments

Foreign businesses are swiftly retracting their investments from China, signalling a paradigm shift in the global economic landscape. The unprecedented $11.8 billion deficit in foreign investment, a stark departure from the country's historical trends, is raising eyebrows and prompting a closer examination of the factors at play.

Factors at play

Several factors contribute to this investment exodus. A cocktail of China's slowing economy, low-interest rates, and an escalating geopolitical tussle with the U.S. are casting shadows of doubt over the country's economic potential. Businesses, facing uncertainties on multiple fronts, are erring on the side of caution, leading to a reassessment of their engagement with the world's second-largest economy.

Geopolitical risks, domestic policy uncertainties, and concerns about slower growth are driving foreign companies to explore alternative markets. Strict pandemic lockdowns under China's 'zero-Covid' policy have disrupted supply chains for multinational corporations, further fueling the decision to diversify investments. While established multinational firms remain in the Chinese market, new investments are under scrutiny, reflecting a shift in the global economic landscape.

Insights and Themes

Beyond the immediate data, deeper insights emerge. The tensions between China and the U.S. have led to fresh export restrictions, impacting the supply chain dynamics for major companies like Apple. Diversification becomes not just a strategy but a necessity, prompting businesses to rethink their dependence on a single market. The story transcends a mere economic shift; it is a reflection of the evolving dynamics in global trade relationships and the delicate dance between economic giants.

Moreover, interest rates play a crucial role in this narrative. While global counterparts raise rates to combat inflation, China, in an unconventional move, lowers interest rates to support its economy. This, coupled with a depreciating yuan, prompts businesses to redirect their excess cash and earnings overseas, seeking higher investment returns.

As the world anticipates a crucial meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden, businesses remain cautiously optimistic. The diplomatic engagement witnessed over the past months hints at a desire to stabilise the relationship between the two economic powerhouses. However, the intricate web of economic uncertainties and geopolitical dynamics continues to cast a shadow on foreign investment in China.

Bottomline

The story of foreign businesses withdrawing from China is not just a statistical blip but a reflection of the intricate dance between economic giants. As the world watches these developments unfold, the outcomes of crucial diplomatic engagements and the economic strategies employed by nations will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of global investments in the post-pandemic era.

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Foreign businesses are swiftly retracting their investments from China, signalling a paradigm shift in the global economic landscape. The unprecedented $11.8 billion deficit in foreign investment, a stark departure from the country's historical trends, is raising eyebrows and prompting a closer examination of the factors at play.

Foreign businesses are swiftly retracting their investments from China, signalling a paradigm shift in the global economic landscape. The unprecedented $11.8 billion deficit in foreign investment, a stark departure from the country's historical trends, is raising eyebrows and prompting a closer examination of the factors at play. Factors at play Several factors contribute to this investment exodus. A cocktail of China's slowing economy, low-interest rates, and an escalating geopolitical tussle with the U.S. are casting shadows of doubt over the country's economic potential. Businesses, facing uncertainties on multiple fronts, are erring on the side of caution, leading to a reassessment of their engagement with the world's second-largest economy. Geopolitical risks, domestic policy uncertainties, and concerns about slower growth are driving foreign companies to explore alternative markets. Strict pandemic lockdowns under China's 'zero-Covid' policy have disrupted supply chains for multinational corporations, further fueling the decision to diversify investments. While established multinational firms remain in the Chinese market, new investments are under scrutiny, reflecting a shift in the global economic landscape. Insights and Themes Beyond the immediate data, deeper insights emerge. The tensions between China and the U.S. have led to fresh export restrictions, impacting the supply chain dynamics for major companies like Apple. Diversification becomes not just a strategy but a necessity, prompting businesses to rethink their dependence on a single market. The story transcends a mere economic shift; it is a reflection of the evolving dynamics in global trade relationships and the delicate dance between economic giants. Moreover, interest rates play a crucial role in this narrative. While global counterparts raise rates to combat inflation, China, in an unconventional move, lowers interest rates to support its economy. This, coupled with a depreciating yuan, prompts businesses to redirect their excess cash and earnings overseas, seeking higher investment returns. As the world anticipates a crucial meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden, businesses remain cautiously optimistic. The diplomatic engagement witnessed over the past months hints at a desire to stabilise the relationship between the two economic powerhouses. However, the intricate web of economic uncertainties and geopolitical dynamics continues to cast a shadow on foreign investment in China. Bottomline The story of foreign businesses withdrawing from China is not just a statistical blip but a reflection of the intricate dance between economic giants. As the world watches these developments unfold, the outcomes of crucial diplomatic engagements and the economic strategies employed by nations will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of global investments in the post-pandemic era. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

China sees an investment exodus as global players pivot

Indian Commerce Minster Piyush Goyal and tech mogul Elon Musk are expected to hold a meeting in US' San Francisco on the sidelines of the third in-person Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) ministerial meeting on November 13-17, media reports said citing sources.&nbsp;

Reports said that talks between Goyal and Musk may feature discussions around Tesla's investments in India and talks on manufacturing of more Tesla components here.&nbsp;

The potential meeting between Goyal and Musk comes at a crucial juncture as US and China tensions are at an all-time high. Numerous US-based firms are looking for other markets as they plan to pull out of China and amid this, India provides a viable alternative with its emerging markets and a growing economy.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-biden-set-to-meet-chinas-xi-on-november-15-to-stabilise-ties-657351">US President Biden set to meet China's Xi on November 15 to 'stabilise' ties</a>

It also comes months after a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Musk in New York City where the Tesla CEO revealed that he is mulling over another India visit “next year.”&nbsp;

Musk had said at the time that he and Tesla are coming to India and added, “I am confident that Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible.”

The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX also exuded confidence in the Indian market, saying "We're hopefully looking forward to bringing Starlink to India as well. The Starlink Internet, which I think can be incredibly helpful for remote or rural villages in India."

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/myanmar-military-junta-says-offensive-by-rebel-groups-funded-by-drug-trade-657344">Myanmar: Military junta says offensive by rebel groups funded by drug trade</a>

To give an impetus to India's economic ties with the US and boost its investments, the minister would also be meeting with CEOs of multinational companies, the startups community, among others.

<h2>Engagements during APEC Summit&nbsp;</h2>

The Indian minister Goyal will also be holding engagements in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit (APEC Summit) in San Francisco, US. 
&nbsp;

Additionally, Goyal is anticipated to meet US officials, including US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and US Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-us-defence-ministers-discuss-china-indo-pacific-657390">India-US defence ministers discuss China, Indo-Pacific</a>

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Launched in May 2022, IPEF is an economic initiative that has fourteen participating founding member nations in the Indo-Pacific region.&nbsp;During the ministerial meeting, the Commerce minister will also interact with ministers from other IPEF partner countries.&nbsp;

Goyal and Raimondo will further participate in the United States-India Business Council (USIBC).&nbsp;"We're going to be talking in that meeting with a number of companies, USIBC members, but also with startups in the innovation space to talk about how to foster even more unicorn-like startups between the United States and India," USIBC&nbsp; president&nbsp;Atul Keshap reportedly said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

 
&nbsp;

Indian Commerce Minster Piyush Goyal and tech mogul Elon Musk are expected to hold a meeting in US' San Francisco on the sidelines of the third in-person Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) ministerial meeting on November 13-17, media reports said citing sources.

Indian Commerce Minster Piyush Goyal and tech mogul Elon Musk are expected to hold a meeting in US' San Francisco on the sidelines of the third in-person Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) ministerial meeting on November 13-17, media reports said citing sources. Reports said that talks between Goyal and Musk may feature discussions around Tesla's investments in India and talks on manufacturing of more Tesla components here. The potential meeting between Goyal and Musk comes at a crucial juncture as US and China tensions are at an all-time high. Numerous US-based firms are looking for other markets as they plan to pull out of China and amid this, India provides a viable alternative with its emerging markets and a growing economy. Also Read | US President Biden set to meet China's Xi on November 15 to 'stabilise' ties It also comes months after a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Musk in New York City where the Tesla CEO revealed that he is mulling over another India visit “next year.” Musk had said at the time that he and Tesla are coming to India and added, “I am confident that Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible.” The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX also exuded confidence in the Indian market, saying "We're hopefully looking forward to bringing Starlink to India as well. The Starlink Internet, which I think can be incredibly helpful for remote or rural villages in India." Also Read | Myanmar: Military junta says offensive by rebel groups funded by drug trade To give an impetus to India's economic ties with the US and boost its investments, the minister would also be meeting with CEOs of multinational companies, the startups community, among others. Engagements during APEC Summit The Indian minister Goyal will also be holding engagements in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit (APEC Summit) in San Francisco, US. Additionally, Goyal is anticipated to meet US officials, including US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and US Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai. Watch | India-US defence ministers discuss China, Indo-Pacific × Launched in May 2022, IPEF is an economic initiative that has fourteen participating founding member nations in the Indo-Pacific region. During the ministerial meeting, the Commerce minister will also interact with ministers from other IPEF partner countries. Goyal and Raimondo will further participate in the United States-India Business Council (USIBC). "We're going to be talking in that meeting with a number of companies, USIBC members, but also with startups in the innovation space to talk about how to foster even more unicorn-like startups between the United States and India," USIBC president Atul Keshap reportedly said. (With inputs from agencies)

Commerce minister Piyush Goyal to meet Elon Musk, discuss Tesla's investment in India

China's influence in Central Asia is rising, thanks to billion-dollar deals and a growing trade turnover. The Belt and Road Initiative is reshaping the region's infrastructure and economic landscape, with over 100 projects making it synonymous with Chinese investments. Here's a report.

Gravitas: China's terrifying economic empire engulfing Central Asia

Bitcoin, the crypto giant that just turned 15, offers a tantalizing glimpse into what could have been for early investors. If you had allocated a mere dollar on its day of inception, you might have found yourself among the ranks of billionaires today

In October 2009, the first Bitcoin exchange transaction took place, involving over 5,000 tokens for a paltry sum of $5. Yet, since that inaugural exchange, Bitcoin's value has skyrocketed to eclipse even the most generous lottery windfalls.

Comparing Bitcoin to more conventional investments, the disparity is striking. Bitcoin has delivered an astonishing 3.4 billion per cent return since October 2009, originating from a modest starting value of around a tenth of a cent. In contrast, the S&amp;P 500, a benchmark for traditional investment, has grown by approximately 300 per cent over the same period.

Investing in Bitcoin on its nascence would indeed have been a game-changing move for those fortunate few. However, discerning Bitcoin as a future powerhouse 15 years ago was akin to picking the winning lottery numbers. The path to this financial triumph has been far from smooth.

Bitcoin's early years were marked by obscurity and limited trading activity. Investors had to weather gut-wrenching price swings, including significant downturns of 77 per cent in 2014, 72 per cent in 2018, and a 65 per cent drop just last year. Furthermore, Bitcoin holders faced the arduous challenge of safeguarding their assets amidst thefts, frauds, and even exchange closures.

While Bitcoin's meteoric rise may not offer similar astronomical returns in the near future, investors hold out hope for the potential launch of a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund, which could provide fresh impetus to the market. Nonetheless, some argue that the era of 3.4 billion percentage gains may have passed, leaving crypto enthusiasts to grapple with the evolving landscape and the uncertainty that it brings.

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Bitcoin, the crypto giant that just turned 15, offers a tantalizing glimpse into what could have been for early investors. If you had allocated a mere dollar on its day of inception, you might have found yourself among the ranks of billionaires today In October 2009, the first Bitcoin exchange transaction took place, involving over 5,000 tokens for a paltry sum of $5.

Bitcoin, the crypto giant that just turned 15, offers a tantalizing glimpse into what could have been for early investors. If you had allocated a mere dollar on its day of inception, you might have found yourself among the ranks of billionaires today In October 2009, the first Bitcoin exchange transaction took place, involving over 5,000 tokens for a paltry sum of $5. Yet, since that inaugural exchange, Bitcoin's value has skyrocketed to eclipse even the most generous lottery windfalls. Comparing Bitcoin to more conventional investments, the disparity is striking. Bitcoin has delivered an astonishing 3.4 billion per cent return since October 2009, originating from a modest starting value of around a tenth of a cent. In contrast, the S&P 500, a benchmark for traditional investment, has grown by approximately 300 per cent over the same period. Investing in Bitcoin on its nascence would indeed have been a game-changing move for those fortunate few. However, discerning Bitcoin as a future powerhouse 15 years ago was akin to picking the winning lottery numbers. The path to this financial triumph has been far from smooth. Bitcoin's early years were marked by obscurity and limited trading activity. Investors had to weather gut-wrenching price swings, including significant downturns of 77 per cent in 2014, 72 per cent in 2018, and a 65 per cent drop just last year. Furthermore, Bitcoin holders faced the arduous challenge of safeguarding their assets amidst thefts, frauds, and even exchange closures. While Bitcoin's meteoric rise may not offer similar astronomical returns in the near future, investors hold out hope for the potential launch of a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund, which could provide fresh impetus to the market. Nonetheless, some argue that the era of 3.4 billion percentage gains may have passed, leaving crypto enthusiasts to grapple with the evolving landscape and the uncertainty that it brings. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Here's how much you'd be worth if you had invested in Bitcoin on day 1

In a surprising turn of events for India's economy, the past quarter of this fiscal year witnessed in fact a remarkable dip in foreign direct investment or FDI. In fact, according to recent data released by the department for the promotion of industry and internal trade FDI inflows into India during this period has seen a steep decline of 34 amounting to 10.94 billion dollars.

What are the factors affecting India's FDI inflow?

According to those involved with the internal discussions, President Joe Biden intends to sign an executive order by the middle of August that will restrict crucial US technology investments in China.

United States will put limit on investments in China, says reports

In this constantly evolving world of research and investments, it takes a truly visionary entrepreneur to stand out and make a difference. Sankarsh Chanda, the founder of <a href="https://app.adjust.com/10dgg299">Savart</a> has turned his passion for investing and&nbsp;research into an innovative wealth management app that empowers individuals to pursue their financial freedom.&nbsp;

<h2>Humble beginnings at the age of 15</h2>

Can you believe that a renowned stock market article fully filled with jargon is easy to understand for a 15-year-old kid?&nbsp;

Sankarsh Chanda’s curious brain made him enter a man’s world and deal with some of the toughest topics like volatility, inflation &amp; recessions of Stock Markets and the Global Economy.

Sankarsh was thrilled by the school of thought pursued by Benjamin Graham. Graham was well known for evaluating companies with precision. His investing style paid little attention to fluctuating market sentiments and focused on the real-world performance of their companies.

Sankarsh used his sister’s DEMAT account to invest his scholarship money. He invested all his money in companies that he understood through P&amp;Ls, and balance sheets of various domestic, and international businesses.

<h2>Markets aren't always a smooth ride</h2>

Sankarsh Chanda's first investment went well, but it was more due to luck than skill. After enjoying this early success, he faced a good amount of losses in his next investments.&nbsp;These setbacks made him realize he needed to learn more and improve his skills to be successful in the unpredictable world of stock markets and later made good (or) 20x returns out of it. &nbsp;

<h2>Founding Savart </h2>

“I invested around Rs 1.5 lakh over a period of two years. The market value of my shares had gone up to around Rs 13 lakh in two years out of which I used 8 lakhs to start <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/the-story-of-sankarsh-chanda-and-how-savart-became-one-of-the-top-investment-platforms-in-india-591252">Savart</a>,” says Sankarsh. After conducting 6-month market research, Sankarsh started <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/the-story-of-sankarsh-chanda-and-how-savart-became-one-of-the-top-investment-platforms-in-india-591252">Savart </a>in 2017. His business model was simple: to provide long-term investment out-performance and provide the luxury of portfolio customization, which was reserved for High-Net-Worth investors only, to every individual.

<h2>What sets Savart's technology at the top from others? </h2>

Savart’s AI automates not just advice but also research, making it unique among its peer human-run advisories. A traditional advisory uses a set of rules fed by inputs directly or indirectly from a human analyst, whereas Savart’s AI controls the end-to-end process.

<h2>Is Savart’s tech necessary? When you have already existing products?</h2>

Even with the presence of existing products in the market. Savart's value lies in

1. Unlimited Research Potential: Research &amp; advice that covers 1 Billion data points and is not limited by the number of analysts working.

2. Alpha Generation/ Return Generation: The data input and the insights that are generated helps clients outperform the markets i.e., 23.38% CAGR since inception compared to 11.4% CAGR of Nifty 50.

<img alt="Savart vs Nifty 50 comparison" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8c8c4e6a-27fb-442b-a02e-52130d6add91" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/savart%20nifty.PNG" />

3. Real-Time Portfolio Tracking: People sleep, AI doesn’t need to. Portfolios are tracked in real-time and necessary actions are swiftly communicated.

4. Affordable Subscription Prices: This cutting-edge technology with the ancient wisdom of patience, value, ethics and inclusive investing is available at an affordable price.

<h2>How does Savart’s AI help clients in their personalised investing journey?</h2>

1. Quantitative Analysis: Traditional analysts look at Profit &amp; Loss statements, Balance Sheets and Cash Flow statements to make decisions, which are often based on (biased) assumptions and estimates. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/the-story-of-sankarsh-chanda-and-how-savart-became-one-of-the-top-investment-platforms-in-india-591252">Savart </a>has gone a step further to overcome these biases to build the technology for long-term investments, i.e., using billions of data points with the help of machine learning.

2. Qualitative Analysis: While doing qualitative analysis, Savart’s AI uses textual, visual, and graphical data to generate insights. Though quantitative analysis provides a mathematical &amp; statistical edge to the research. This analysis focuses on investments’ subjective, intuitive, and abstract aspects. This analysis includes not just legal jargon but also topics like ethics, corporate governance, brand, moat and innovation.

3. Risk Profiling, Portfolio tracking &amp; rebalancing: Qualitative &amp; Quantitative analysis are important for drawing out good opportunities. Understanding whether the opportunity is right for you or not becomes a bigger deal. Savart, with its proprietary Emotional, Financial &amp; General Analysis, understands you, your goals, risk appetite, aspirations, comforts, and needs well and suggests personalised portfolios.

<h2>How to make Savart’s AI work for you?</h2>

&gt; To have AI-driven research that helped its clients achieve superior returns in the market work for you.

&gt; Once you download the app on the Play Store/iOS.

&gt; Use your mobile number to log in.

&gt; A simple KYC process lets you verify your details.

&gt; Savart App asks you to complete a simple form to understand your risk profile. (EFG Analysis)

&gt; After the EFG analysis, the Savart app lets you define your financial goals.

&gt; From here, Savart’s AI takes over and determines the right investments to meet your goals.

&gt; Within a few seconds, Savart will make relevant investment plans for you with the available opportunities in the market.

&gt; Since Investments are habit-driven, Savart assigns you a Client Delight Associate who helps you achieve your goal on a timely basis.

(Disclaimer: Above mentioned article is a sponsored feature, This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of IDPL, and IDPL claims no responsibility whatsoever.)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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In this constantly evolving world of research and investments, it takes a truly visionary entrepreneur to stand out and make a difference. Sankarsh Chanda, the founder of Savart has turned his passion for investing and research into an innovative wealth management app that empowers individuals to pursue their financial freedom.

In this constantly evolving world of research and investments, it takes a truly visionary entrepreneur to stand out and make a difference. Sankarsh Chanda, the founder of Savart has turned his passion for investing and research into an innovative wealth management app that empowers individuals to pursue their financial freedom. Humble beginnings at the age of 15 Can you believe that a renowned stock market article fully filled with jargon is easy to understand for a 15-year-old kid? Sankarsh Chanda’s curious brain made him enter a man’s world and deal with some of the toughest topics like volatility, inflation & recessions of Stock Markets and the Global Economy. Sankarsh was thrilled by the school of thought pursued by Benjamin Graham. Graham was well known for evaluating companies with precision. His investing style paid little attention to fluctuating market sentiments and focused on the real-world performance of their companies. Sankarsh used his sister’s DEMAT account to invest his scholarship money. He invested all his money in companies that he understood through P&Ls, and balance sheets of various domestic, and international businesses. Markets aren't always a smooth ride Sankarsh Chanda's first investment went well, but it was more due to luck than skill. After enjoying this early success, he faced a good amount of losses in his next investments. These setbacks made him realize he needed to learn more and improve his skills to be successful in the unpredictable world of stock markets and later made good (or) 20x returns out of it. Founding Savart “I invested around Rs 1.5 lakh over a period of two years. The market value of my shares had gone up to around Rs 13 lakh in two years out of which I used 8 lakhs to start Savart,” says Sankarsh. After conducting 6-month market research, Sankarsh started Savart in 2017. His business model was simple: to provide long-term investment out-performance and provide the luxury of portfolio customization, which was reserved for High-Net-Worth investors only, to every individual. What sets Savart's technology at the top from others? Savart’s AI automates not just advice but also research, making it unique among its peer human-run advisories. A traditional advisory uses a set of rules fed by inputs directly or indirectly from a human analyst, whereas Savart’s AI controls the end-to-end process. Is Savart’s tech necessary? When you have already existing products? Even with the presence of existing products in the market. Savart's value lies in 1. Unlimited Research Potential: Research & advice that covers 1 Billion data points and is not limited by the number of analysts working. 2. Alpha Generation/ Return Generation: The data input and the insights that are generated helps clients outperform the markets i.e., 23.38% CAGR since inception compared to 11.4% CAGR of Nifty 50. 3. Real-Time Portfolio Tracking: People sleep, AI doesn’t need to. Portfolios are tracked in real-time and necessary actions are swiftly communicated. 4. Affordable Subscription Prices: This cutting-edge technology with the ancient wisdom of patience, value, ethics and inclusive investing is available at an affordable price. How does Savart’s AI help clients in their personalised investing journey? 1. Quantitative Analysis: Traditional analysts look at Profit & Loss statements, Balance Sheets and Cash Flow statements to make decisions, which are often based on (biased) assumptions and estimates. Savart has gone a step further to overcome these biases to build the technology for long-term investments, i.e., using billions of data points with the help of machine learning. 2. Qualitative Analysis: While doing qualitative analysis, Savart’s AI uses textual, visual, and graphical data to generate insights. Though quantitative analysis provides a mathematical & statistical edge to the research. This analysis focuses on investments’ subjective, intuitive, and abstract aspects. This analysis includes not just legal jargon but also topics like ethics, corporate governance, brand, moat and innovation. 3. Risk Profiling, Portfolio tracking & rebalancing: Qualitative & Quantitative analysis are important for drawing out good opportunities. Understanding whether the opportunity is right for you or not becomes a bigger deal. Savart, with its proprietary Emotional, Financial & General Analysis, understands you, your goals, risk appetite, aspirations, comforts, and needs well and suggests personalised portfolios. How to make Savart’s AI work for you? > To have AI-driven research that helped its clients achieve superior returns in the market work for you. > Once you download the app on the Play Store/iOS. > Use your mobile number to log in. > A simple KYC process lets you verify your details. > Savart App asks you to complete a simple form to understand your risk profile. (EFG Analysis) > After the EFG analysis, the Savart app lets you define your financial goals. > From here, Savart’s AI takes over and determines the right investments to meet your goals. > Within a few seconds, Savart will make relevant investment plans for you with the available opportunities in the market. > Since Investments are habit-driven, Savart assigns you a Client Delight Associate who helps you achieve your goal on a timely basis. (Disclaimer: Above mentioned article is a sponsored feature, This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of IDPL, and IDPL claims no responsibility whatsoever.) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

The story of Sankarsh Chanda and how Savart became one of the top investment platforms in India

Western Balkan nations have begun hosting a slew of solar investments. But, are their power grids ready for these new forms of energy? As per officials, the grids cannot absorb sudden feeds of solar energy. But there is a solution and it is pretty simple.

Solar energy investments are taking of in western Balkan nations

Here, we bring you the news that is trending across WION's social media platforms - According to Stanford University's annual AI index study, India ranked sixth in terms of investments received and received by businesses producing artificial intelligence (AI)-based goods and services in 2017.

India ranks fifth among countries with largest investments in AI | Trending on WION

The central bank of Nepal on Friday banned the citizens from making investments in foreign nations, issuing a warning that strict punishment would be given in such a case.

The central bank, Nepal Rastra Bank, issued a notice saying that Nepalese nationals cannot purchase houses, debenture, land and property in a foreign land and cannot deposit money in financial institutions and foreign banks abroad.

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nepal-president-gives-one-week-deadline-to-parties-to-form-new-government-544275">Nepal president grants one-week time to parties for forming new government</a>

The notice specified that no one can make any kind of payment in a foreign nation except if the bank specifically mentions it under the provision.

The citizens were appealed by the central bank to not get themselves assigned any work which may require payment from abroad, except according to the prescribed rules.

The notice added that if rules are violated by anyone, the authorities will take strict action under the prevailing laws.

WATCH|&nbsp;WION Dispatch: Nepal President wants new PM by Christmas

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Last year in April, the central bank of Nepal banned the import of luxury items and vehicles citing receding foreign exchange reserves and liquidity crunch, despite the assurance of the government that the economy will not witness a crisis similar to Sri Lanka.

The total foreign exchange reserves of Nepal increased marginally in mid-December by around 3 per cent to reach USD 9.82 billion, which can be used to manage imports for 8.7 months, as per the central bank data.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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The central bank of Nepal on Friday banned the citizens from making investments in foreign nations, issuing a warning that strict punishment would be given in such a case.

The central bank of Nepal on Friday banned the citizens from making investments in foreign nations, issuing a warning that strict punishment would be given in such a case. The central bank, Nepal Rastra Bank, issued a notice saying that Nepalese nationals cannot purchase houses, debenture, land and property in a foreign land and cannot deposit money in financial institutions and foreign banks abroad. ALSO READ| Nepal president grants one-week time to parties for forming new government The notice specified that no one can make any kind of payment in a foreign nation except if the bank specifically mentions it under the provision. The citizens were appealed by the central bank to not get themselves assigned any work which may require payment from abroad, except according to the prescribed rules. The notice added that if rules are violated by anyone, the authorities will take strict action under the prevailing laws. WATCH| WION Dispatch: Nepal President wants new PM by Christmas Last year in April, the central bank of Nepal banned the import of luxury items and vehicles citing receding foreign exchange reserves and liquidity crunch, despite the assurance of the government that the economy will not witness a crisis similar to Sri Lanka. The total foreign exchange reserves of Nepal increased marginally in mid-December by around 3 per cent to reach USD 9.82 billion, which can be used to manage imports for 8.7 months, as per the central bank data. (With inputs from agencies)

Central bank bars Nepalese nationals from investing in foreign nations

The United States wants to 'friendshore' its investments. It plans to do business only with its 'trusted allies' or countries with 'shared values'. Is this strategy a new form of the Cold war? How could it change the world order? Palki Sharma explains on Gravitas Plus.

Gravitas Plus: Is 'friendshoring' the future of trade?

During the conversation with WION, Greece's minister for development & investments, Adonis Georgiadis said, huge investments coming in for Greece's energy. Watch this exclusive conversation on WION.

Greece's minister for development & investments, Adonis Georgiadis on WION

A bill to clamp down on Chinese investments has been moved in the U.S. Congress. If passed, the bill will prevent predatory investments by China in American companies. WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: U.S. moves to block Chinese investments

In a bid to attract investments, the Andhra Pradesh government in coordination with Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is organising a mega-conference in Vijayawada on August 9.

The conference will be attended by high-level representatives from various countries. Ambassadors, diplomats and consulate generals from at least 30 to 40 countries will attend the event.

The summit is scheduled to be held in two phases. In the first phase, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy will meet with the ambassadors and consulate generals.

In the second, Reddy will hold individual meetings with the representatives of different countries.

The South Korea-based Kia Motors company is preparing to launch its new car on August 8 into the market at Penukonda in Anantapuram district. The company has invited the Chief Minister for the launch of the new car.

In a bid to attract investments, the Andhra Pradesh government in coordination with Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is organising a mega-conference in Vijayawada on August 9.

In a bid to attract investments, the Andhra Pradesh government in coordination with Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is organising a mega-conference in Vijayawada on August 9. The conference will be attended by high-level representatives from various countries. Ambassadors, diplomats and consulate generals from at least 30 to 40 countries will attend the event. The summit is scheduled to be held in two phases. In the first phase, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy will meet with the ambassadors and consulate generals. In the second, Reddy will hold individual meetings with the representatives of different countries. The South Korea-based Kia Motors company is preparing to launch its new car on August 8 into the market at Penukonda in Anantapuram district. The company has invited the Chief Minister for the launch of the new car.

Andhra Pradesh government to hold mega-conference to attract investments

Brexit has created a chaos in UK industries. After Big companies decide to move out their headquarters to other parts of EU from London, the process is not that simple for small firms. Watch this video to know more.

How startups are surviving Brexit and Why companies are moving to Ireland

Interim CBI Chief M Nageswara Rao Tuesday denied any irregularities in the investments made by his wife in a private company.

In a signed statement, Rao, a 1986-batch IPS officer from Odisha, said all the transactions and investments made by him or his wife, Mannem Sandhya, have been given to the competent authorities, and everything has been mentioned in his annual property return filed mandatorily with the government.

Denying all reports and giving a chronological order of events, Rao said his wife had taken a loan of Rs 25 lakh from Angela Mercantile Pvt Ltd, a company which belonged to "our longtime friend Praveen Agarwal for the purchase of an immovable property in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh".

Rao's innings as interim CBI chief came to an abrupt halt after the Supreme Court had Friday last refrained him from taking a policy decision and submit in a sealed envelope about the administrative decision undertaken by him.

He was made interim chief last week after the government intervened and sent CBI Director Alok Verma and his second-in-command Rakesh Asthana on leave toll corruption cases against them were probed.

Giving details, Rao said the property was purchased by her with her cousin Dr R K Rana Babu on September 18, 2010.

He said a year later, his wife sold some acres of land from her inherited agricultural property for an amount of Rs 30.72 lakh and two months later sold more land for an amount of Rs 27.90 lakh.

"Thus she received a total amount of Rs 58. 62 lakh as sale proceeds during 2011. This along with Rs 1.38 lakh from personal savings and a total of Rs 60 lakh was sent to Angela Mercantile Private limited in 2011, who after deducting the loan amount retained the balance of Rs 35 lakh as an investment," he said.

Rao added that in July 2014, a little less than three years of the investment, the Kolkata-based company returned to her a total of Rs 41.33 lakh which included an interest of Rs 6.33 lakh.

Interim CBI Chief M Nageswara Rao Tuesday denied any irregularities in the investments made by his wife in a private company. In a signed statement, Rao, a 1986-batch IPS officer from Odisha, said all the transactions and investments made by him or his wife, Mannem Sandhya, have been given to the competent authorities, and everything has been mentioned in his annual property return filed mandatorily with the government.

Interim CBI Chief M Nageswara Rao Tuesday denied any irregularities in the investments made by his wife in a private company. In a signed statement, Rao, a 1986-batch IPS officer from Odisha, said all the transactions and investments made by him or his wife, Mannem Sandhya, have been given to the competent authorities, and everything has been mentioned in his annual property return filed mandatorily with the government. Denying all reports and giving a chronological order of events, Rao said his wife had taken a loan of Rs 25 lakh from Angela Mercantile Pvt Ltd, a company which belonged to "our longtime friend Praveen Agarwal for the purchase of an immovable property in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh". Rao's innings as interim CBI chief came to an abrupt halt after the Supreme Court had Friday last refrained him from taking a policy decision and submit in a sealed envelope about the administrative decision undertaken by him. He was made interim chief last week after the government intervened and sent CBI Director Alok Verma and his second-in-command Rakesh Asthana on leave toll corruption cases against them were probed. Giving details, Rao said the property was purchased by her with her cousin Dr R K Rana Babu on September 18, 2010. He said a year later, his wife sold some acres of land from her inherited agricultural property for an amount of Rs 30.72 lakh and two months later sold more land for an amount of Rs 27.90 lakh. "Thus she received a total amount of Rs 58. 62 lakh as sale proceeds during 2011. This along with Rs 1.38 lakh from personal savings and a total of Rs 60 lakh was sent to Angela Mercantile Private limited in 2011, who after deducting the loan amount retained the balance of Rs 35 lakh as an investment," he said. Rao added that in July 2014, a little less than three years of the investment, the Kolkata-based company returned to her a total of Rs 41.33 lakh which included an interest of Rs 6.33 lakh.

Interim CBI chief Nageswara Rao denies irregularities in wife's investments

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a five-day official visit to Sweden and the United Kingdom (UK) today. The visit of the prime minister to the two nations aims at enhancing bilateral cooperation in key areas like trade, investments and science and technology.

Apart from bilateral visits to the two countries, Prime Minister Modi will attend the India-Nordic Summit and Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Sweden and the United Kingdom respectively.At the invitation of Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, Prime Minister Modi will undertake his first visit to Sweden on April 16 to 17.

He is scheduled to arrive in Stockholm on April 16 evening and will have a number of meetings on April 17, including an audience with the King of Sweden, King Carl XVI Gustaf, and consultations with Prime Minister Lofven, according to Ministry of External Affairs statement.

Prime Minister Modi will address a gathering of select Swedish business leaders and will also meet Indian community in Sweden.

On the sidelines of the India-Nordic Summit, Prime Minister Modi will have separate bilateral meetings with Prime Ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway respectively.

The Prime Minister will visit the UK from April 17 to 20 for a bilateral visit and attend CHOGM. The forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Modi's visit to the UK will focus on enhancing India-UK tech partnership.The visit will see a number of deliverables in the area of skill development, healthcare, cybersecurity, innovation, traditional medicine, and education.

The India-UK CEOs Forum will also take place during this visit. Also, the UK will formally convey their readiness to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

Prime Minister Modi will attend the CHOGM in London from April 19 to 20. The meetings of the Commonwealth Heads of Government usually take place every two years and serve to shape the organisation's agenda for the next two years.

The CHOGM is a multilateral organisation known for its focus on the development issues that confront the Small States and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), many of whom have deep historical and bilateral ties with India.&nbsp;

The visit of the prime minister to the two nations aims at enhancing bilateral cooperation in key areas like trade, investments and science and technology.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a five-day official visit to Sweden and the United Kingdom (UK) today. The visit of the prime minister to the two nations aims at enhancing bilateral cooperation in key areas like trade, investments and science and technology. Apart from bilateral visits to the two countries, Prime Minister Modi will attend the India-Nordic Summit and Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Sweden and the United Kingdom respectively.At the invitation of Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, Prime Minister Modi will undertake his first visit to Sweden on April 16 to 17. He is scheduled to arrive in Stockholm on April 16 evening and will have a number of meetings on April 17, including an audience with the King of Sweden, King Carl XVI Gustaf, and consultations with Prime Minister Lofven, according to Ministry of External Affairs statement. Prime Minister Modi will address a gathering of select Swedish business leaders and will also meet Indian community in Sweden. On the sidelines of the India-Nordic Summit, Prime Minister Modi will have separate bilateral meetings with Prime Ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway respectively. The Prime Minister will visit the UK from April 17 to 20 for a bilateral visit and attend CHOGM. The forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Modi's visit to the UK will focus on enhancing India-UK tech partnership.The visit will see a number of deliverables in the area of skill development, healthcare, cybersecurity, innovation, traditional medicine, and education. The India-UK CEOs Forum will also take place during this visit. Also, the UK will formally convey their readiness to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA). Prime Minister Modi will attend the CHOGM in London from April 19 to 20. The meetings of the Commonwealth Heads of Government usually take place every two years and serve to shape the organisation's agenda for the next two years. The CHOGM is a multilateral organisation known for its focus on the development issues that confront the Small States and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), many of whom have deep historical and bilateral ties with India.

Watch: Modi to embark on 5-day official visit to Sweden, UK today

E-commerce in India has been booming and online giants like Amazon are spending big bucks on the world&#39;s fastest growing major economy. Yet some investors are pouring money into retail mainstays of a bygone era &ndash; shopping malls. 
 
Private equity investors like Blackstone and Rothschild-backed Xander Group are looking for malls in India, betting that people will flock to stores as more foreign brands open and online retailers ease their aggressive discounting. 
 
Indian malls, which are evolving from ramshackle collections of stores to modern plazas complete with air conditioning and family entertainment centres, are seen as a gateway to brands that a growing middle class aspires to own. 
 
The rise of the mall in India, at a time when many in the United States are becoming debt-ridden white elephants, has been helped by a flurry of new regulations that are encouraging investors to take a fresh look at traditional retail. 
 
They include easing foreign investment rules for single-brand retailers, longer shopping hours and a new framework for establishing real estate investment trusts (REITs). 
 
&quot;Almost every retailer would like to be here, and as they come they need quality space,&quot; said Siddharth Yog, chairman of Xander, whose Virtuous Retail arm owns five million square feet of operational and under-development malls in India. 
 
Xander is looking to buy and build new malls in cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad, said Yog, as the outlook for physical retail stores brightens in India. 
 
Online retailers under pressure 
 
Investors had long shied away from shopping malls in India, amid weak consumer spending and deep discounts by online retailers like Amazon and local rivals Flipkart and Snapdeal. 
 
Now, online business players are under pressure from investors to produce returns, and this, combined with government regulation to ease online discounts, is reducing their advantage. 
 
With consumer spending in India set to top $3.6 trillion by 2020, and brands like Ikea, H&amp;M, Aeropostale and GAP planning forays into a country where new rules allow shops to remain open 24 hours a day, private equity firms see strong potential. 
 
&quot;With the same mall space generating more footfalls and revenues ... it&#39;ll definitely make organised retail properties enticing for investors,&quot; said Anuj Puri, chairman and country head at real estate consultant, Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), India. 
 
Puri expects mall valuations and yields from retail properties to rise and attract investor interest, especially as REITs offer them a clear exit path. 
 
&quot;There&#39;s definitely a revival in interest in shopping malls and that&#39;s more to do with improved outlook for returns from these investments on the back of a revival in economic growth,&quot; said a Mumbai-based industry banker. 
 
The banker added that funds like Blackstone, Brookfield and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) were looking at the sector from a medium to long term return standpoint. 
 
Quality space scarce 
 
A major challenge for retailers is the lack of high quality malls to house incoming brands, partly because the economic slowdown of 2011-2012 forced debt-laden developers to revise or abandon projects. 
 
Consulting firm AT Kearney estimates that India has just one-tenth of the mall space of the US market, despite having a population four times larger.&nbsp;For investors, the dearth of malls and growing demand from retailers means faster rental growth and higher yields.&nbsp; 
 
Retail rents in some malls have risen by as much as 20 per cent over the past year, and shopping centre yields in India are at about 11 per cent compared with 4.9 per cent in Singapore and 4 per cent in London, according to JLL. 
 
This also means the race to buy assets could be frenetic, with only about 20 per cent, or 39 million square feet of existing malls, being investment-worthy.&nbsp;Thus far in 2016, investors have spent $397 million on just two deals to buy malls in India, said JLL, compared with negligible investment in recent years. 
 
Blackstone, which has invested $2.7 billion in Indian real estate, mainly office buildings, is now in advanced talks to buy one million square feet of retail space from Larsen &amp; Toubro in suburban Mumbai, two people familiar with the deal said.&nbsp;A Blackstone spokesman declined to comment. 
 
The surge in investment could revive India&#39;s sluggish real estate market and kick start projects, say developers.&nbsp;&quot;Money is fungible and developers can use it to invest in other projects or reduce borrowing in existing ones,&quot; said Sriram Khattar, head of Indian developer DLF Ltd&#39;s rental business. 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp;

Private firms are looking to buy up retail spaces, anticipating high rentals when more foreign brands open stores

E-commerce in India has been booming and online giants like Amazon are spending big bucks on the world's fastest growing major economy. Yet some investors are pouring money into retail mainstays of a bygone era – shopping malls. Private equity investors like Blackstone and Rothschild-backed Xander Group are looking for malls in India, betting that people will flock to stores as more foreign brands open and online retailers ease their aggressive discounting. Indian malls, which are evolving from ramshackle collections of stores to modern plazas complete with air conditioning and family entertainment centres, are seen as a gateway to brands that a growing middle class aspires to own. The rise of the mall in India, at a time when many in the United States are becoming debt-ridden white elephants, has been helped by a flurry of new regulations that are encouraging investors to take a fresh look at traditional retail. They include easing foreign investment rules for single-brand retailers, longer shopping hours and a new framework for establishing real estate investment trusts (REITs). "Almost every retailer would like to be here, and as they come they need quality space," said Siddharth Yog, chairman of Xander, whose Virtuous Retail arm owns five million square feet of operational and under-development malls in India. Xander is looking to buy and build new malls in cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad, said Yog, as the outlook for physical retail stores brightens in India. Online retailers under pressure Investors had long shied away from shopping malls in India, amid weak consumer spending and deep discounts by online retailers like Amazon and local rivals Flipkart and Snapdeal. Now, online business players are under pressure from investors to produce returns, and this, combined with government regulation to ease online discounts, is reducing their advantage. With consumer spending in India set to top $3.6 trillion by 2020, and brands like Ikea, H&M, Aeropostale and GAP planning forays into a country where new rules allow shops to remain open 24 hours a day, private equity firms see strong potential. "With the same mall space generating more footfalls and revenues ... it'll definitely make organised retail properties enticing for investors," said Anuj Puri, chairman and country head at real estate consultant, Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), India. Puri expects mall valuations and yields from retail properties to rise and attract investor interest, especially as REITs offer them a clear exit path. "There's definitely a revival in interest in shopping malls and that's more to do with improved outlook for returns from these investments on the back of a revival in economic growth," said a Mumbai-based industry banker. The banker added that funds like Blackstone, Brookfield and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) were looking at the sector from a medium to long term return standpoint. Quality space scarce A major challenge for retailers is the lack of high quality malls to house incoming brands, partly because the economic slowdown of 2011-2012 forced debt-laden developers to revise or abandon projects. Consulting firm AT Kearney estimates that India has just one-tenth of the mall space of the US market, despite having a population four times larger. For investors, the dearth of malls and growing demand from retailers means faster rental growth and higher yields. Retail rents in some malls have risen by as much as 20 per cent over the past year, and shopping centre yields in India are at about 11 per cent compared with 4.9 per cent in Singapore and 4 per cent in London, according to JLL. This also means the race to buy assets could be frenetic, with only about 20 per cent, or 39 million square feet of existing malls, being investment-worthy. Thus far in 2016, investors have spent $397 million on just two deals to buy malls in India, said JLL, compared with negligible investment in recent years. Blackstone, which has invested $2.7 billion in Indian real estate, mainly office buildings, is now in advanced talks to buy one million square feet of retail space from Larsen & Toubro in suburban Mumbai, two people familiar with the deal said. A Blackstone spokesman declined to comment. The surge in investment could revive India's sluggish real estate market and kick start projects, say developers. "Money is fungible and developers can use it to invest in other projects or reduce borrowing in existing ones," said Sriram Khattar, head of Indian developer DLF Ltd's rental business. (Reuters)

In India, old-school shopping malls find a new lease of life

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