The administrative structure of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci)&rsquo;s secretariat has seen significant change. Now, the apex industry chamber has posts of secretary-general, as well as director-general, the second time ever.

Ficci's twin top posts to 'strengthen secretariat'

Business Standard

The definition of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector might be revised by raising the ceiling for investment in each segment. It would mean investing a larger sum, than prescribed under the current definition, would keep the enterprises in the MSME fold.

MSME definition may be revised

After a gap about of two years, urea prices might finally record a rise. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs is likely to take up the issue tomorrow.

CCEA to discuss urea price today

American businesses are lobbying with political parties here to build a consensus on stalled economic reforms such as liberalisation of foreign direct investment (FDI) in sectors like multi-brand retail, aviation and insurance, and for expeditious introduction of a Goods and Services Tax (GST).

US businesses in India try to push reforms

After a 27-year long alliance, the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have parted ways on organising the India Economic Summit, fuelling many theories on the reason. Both the organisations, however, sought to play down the development, saying it was a natural evolution for the Davos-based WEF to organise its event in India as it does in other regions.

World Economic Forum parts ways with CII plans summit in Gurgaon

Complex riders to land acquisition and lack of adequate physical infrastructure are among the major issues Japanese companies face in expanding their India operations or setting up new projects in the country, according to a study by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and KPMG.

Japanese investors face land, infra hurdles in India

Vendors to the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) say the the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, has put unlimited liability on them, leading to insurance companies denying them cover.

Nuclear Power Corp vendors contest liability clauses

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) has proposed to insure its nuclear assets, including the &lsquo;nuclear island&rsquo; that holds core reactors.

NPCIL to insure nuclear assets

The country&rsquo;s short-term external debt has been rising, as a portion of its total overseas debt &mdash; and, hence larger amount &mdash; is coming up for redemption on past accumulation. Economists do not describe the trend as alarming, but certainly say that it is a cause of concern.

Economists advise caution on rising short-term external debt

In what questions the way data is reported in the world&rsquo;s second-fastest growing economy, the directorate of sugar had given data for four months of production, instead of that for a single month. This led to a huge miscalculation in the index of industrial production (IIP) for January.

The curious case of data reporting

With special economic zones (SEZs) likely to be brought on a par with domestic tariff area (DTA) post-direct taxes code (DTC), the industry and economists have demanded that it be given similar treatment with the latter in terms of export promotion schemes like focus product scheme (FPS) and focus market scheme (FMS) and free trade agreements (FTAs).

Treat SEZs on a par with domestic tariff areas in terms of incentives: Industry

Relations between India and Pakistan might get another boost, with the two countries planning to sign a Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (Bippa) and looking to enter an easy business visa mechanism soon.

More pacts with Pak on anvil

The ambitious mobile-based fertiliser monitoring system (mFMS), aimed at tracking the movement of fertilisers up to the retail level, does not seem to be popular among end users&mdash;the dealers and retailers. Just about 10,000 of the 170,000 registered on the system are responding to it.

Monitoring system for fertilisers fails to gather steam

The fertiliser industry and analysts do not seem to be gung-ho about the new investment policy for urea, which a ministerial panel cleared last week.

Urea policy fails to thrill

Adi Godrej, chairman of the Godrej Group, recently took charge as president of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). In an interview with Indivjal Dhasmana &amp; Shaikh Zoaib Saleem, he says he hopes the government would address industry's apprehensions over some of the Budget taxation proposals on stalled reforms and so on.

GST would be single biggest reform after 1991: Adi Godrej 

With an eye on consolidation, the Saroj Poddar-led Adventz Group is set for a major restructuring of its key businesses, agri and fertiliser.

Saroj Poddar restructures KK Birla Group companies

Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee may have to take tough decisions to bring down the subsidy burden, estimated to touch 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) this financial year. Analysts cautioned the government there could be fiscal stress in 2012-13, too, as the burden might touch a high of three per cent of GDP if corrective steps are not taken.

Time for 'tough' decisions on subsidy front

A control order on imports is on the cards, at least in the capital goods sector, where the domestic industry is reeling under pressure from cheaper imports.

Govt mulls control order on capital goods imports

India imports all its requirements of potash fertilisers at over six million tonnes, but companies are &mdash; this time as well &mdash; overshot their ideal time in signing contracts with foreign suppliers. This may lead them to bear more expenses. Reason: companies have sufficient stocks for the kharif season.

Indian firms delay potash imports

Since the excise and service tax rates were raised in the Union Budget for 2012-13, the industry has been warning of inflationary pressures. Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) President R V Kanoria tells Shaikh Zoaib Saleem the objections were in the context of their impact on inflation and monetary tightening, which will affect the growth momentum. He, however, finds no problem in raising tax rates to the pre-crisis levels.

Rise in excise & service tax rate will have an inflationary impact: R V Kanoria  

The low availability of natural gas in the country is taking its toll on the gas-based sponge iron industry. The industry, with an estimated investment of Rs 70,000 crore, is facing losses of Rs 2,500 crore annually with unutilised investments of Rs 10,000 crore.

Shaikh Zoaib Saleem

Shaikh Zoaib Saleem

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