General Awareness

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY - October 2017

Oct 2017

Apr 17, 2024

IMGC and Bank of India Partner to Offer Mortgage Guarantee-Backed Home Loans

India Mortgage Guarantee Corporation (IMGC) entered into a strategic partnership with Bank of India (BOI) to introduce mortgage guarantee-backed home loan products. This collaboration targets salaried and self-employed individuals in the affordable housing sector, aiming to enhance accessibility to homeownership.
IMGC's guarantee expertise coupled with BOI's extensive network of over 5,100 branches across India enables the provision of flexible and secure home loan products.
The partnership aims to mitigate default risks for the bank, potentially allowing for more favourable loan terms to borrowers.

Government Imposes Port Restrictions for Exporting Essential Commodities to Maldives

Amid tensions between Maldives and India, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade issued a notification imposing port restrictions for export of essential commodities to the island nation during the fiscal year 2024-25.
The notification, issued under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, incorporates specific conditions for exporting essential commodities under the prohibited/restricted category to Maldives.
Export of essential commodities falling under the prohibited/restricted category to Maldives will now be permitted only through four designated Customs Stations which include Mundra Sea Port, Tuticorin Sea Port, Nhava Sheva Sea Port (JNPT), and ICD Tughlakabad.
The move came as part of the bilateral trade agreement between the Government of India and the Government of Maldives.

Power Grid Corporation Bags 3 Transmission Projects under Competitive Bidding

State-owned Power Grid Corporation bagged three inter-state transmission projects under tariff-based competitive bidding.
The three projects would help evacuate power from renewable energy projects in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
The first project is Transmission System for evacuation of power from Rajasthan (Jaisalmer/Barmer Complex).
The second project -- Transmission System for Evacuation of Power from potential renewable energy zone at Khavda in Gujarat -- comprises augmentation works at existing substation in the state.
The third project is Transmission System for evacuation of power from Rajasthan involving the establishment of new 765 kV sub-station at Rishabhdeo, 765kV D/C transmission lines and extension of associated bays at other substations in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

Apr 16, 2024

India's Trade Performance in March 2024

In March 2024, India's goods exports surged to a 12-month high at $41.68 billion, marking a significant achievement despite a slight decrease of 0.67% compared to the previous year. Notably, the goods trade deficit narrowed to $15.6 billion, the lowest in 11 months. This boost was largely propelled by a substantial decline in gold imports by 53.6%, offset by a remarkable 1059% increase in silver imports.
Goods Exports: Reached $41.68 billion, witnessing a slight decline from the previous year but contributing to an overall improvement in the merchandise shipments for the fiscal year 2023-24.
Goods Imports: Decreased by 6% to $57.3 billion in March, with gold imports leading the decline, while silver imports experienced a significant surge.
Trade Deficit: Contracted to $15.6 billion, the lowest in 11 months, largely attributed to the drop in import bills, especially in gold imports.

BharatPe Elevates Nalin Negi as CEO

Fintech company BharatPe announced Nalin Negi as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Negi's elevation came after the interim CEO and CFO proved instrumental in the company's substantial growth and strategic advancements across business segments.
Under Negi's leadership, BharatPe recorded 182 per cent increase in its revenue from operations in FY23, with October 2023 as the first EBITDA-positive month.
Negi, with over 28 years of experience in building and scaling businesses in the fintech and banking domains, joined BharatPe in 2022. Before that, he had held several leadership positions in organisations such as SBI Cards and GE Capital. He was also instrumental in steering the SBI Cards IPO.

Apr 15, 2024

Wipro Announces Malay Joshi as New CEO for Americas 1 Unit

Wipro appointed Malay Joshi as CEO of its Americas 1 strategic market unit, succeeding Srini Pallia who recently became Wipro's CEO and MD.
Mr. Joshi joined Wipro in 1996 and has held multiple responsibilities across various functions, industries, and geographies.
Joshi was previously the senior vice president and business unit head, leading communications, media, tech, retail, travel, hospitality, and public sector industries, which make up one of Wipro's largest business units globally. In this role, he was responsible for helping clients drive successful enterprise transformations among other duties, enhancing client experience, strengthening delivery, and ensuring consistent revenue growth in the sectors he led.
Joshi oversees a diverse array of industry sectors, assumes responsibility for the unit's profit and loss.
Joshi joined Wipro in 1996 and has had an extensive career spanning over 28 years in various leadership roles across functions, industries, and geographies. He has a strong background in delivery, consultative sales, and client engagement.
He holds a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology Engineering and has graduated from Harvard Business School's Leading Global Businesses Executive Program and Advanced Program Management from Stanford University.

Neobank Revolut India Receives In-Principle Approval for PPI License from RBI

In a significant development, Revolut India, backed by Tiger Global and Softbank, has secured in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to issue Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPI). This approval marks a crucial step for Revolut in expanding its presence in the Indian market, enabling the provision of multi-currency forex cards and cross-border remittance services. With this license, Revolut aims to offer Indian consumers a comprehensive range of international and domestic payment solutions on a single digital platform.
Revolut India, a digital-first financial institution, entered the Indian market in 2021, aiming to disrupt the domestic payments sector. The approval from RBI further strengthens Revolut's position as a prominent player in the Indian financial landscape, challenging established competitors.
The PPI license allows Revolut India to operate as a Category-II Authorised Money Exchange Dealer, facilitating the issuance of multi-currency forex cards and cross-border remittance services. This expands the financial alternatives available to Indian consumers, offering them convenient and efficient money management solutions.

Elon Musk-led Tesla Signs Strategic Deal with Tata Semiconductor Chips

Tesla has signed a strategic deal with Tata Electronics to acquire semiconductor chips, signaling its interest in India's automotive market. The agreement positions Tata as a key supplier for global clients entering India's semiconductor value chain.
ET exclusively reported that the agreement, executed discreetly a few months ago, positions Tata Electronics as a reliable supplier for top-tier global clients looking to establish a crucial segment of their semiconductor value chain in India.
Tesla, a leading US-based electric vehicle (EV) company, is eyeing entry into India, the world's fastest-growing automotive market. Elon Musk is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to India this month. Musk is expected to announce potential investments in India, including plans for EV manufacturing facilities. Tesla currently holds the title of the world's largest automotive company by market value.

Nepal Gets 101 Vehicles Donated by India

India on Sunday donated 35 ambulances and 66 school buses to various organisations across Nepal, enhancing the local infrastructure in the health and education sectors.
Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava handed over the vehicles to Nepalese officials in the presence of Finance Minister Barshaman Pun at a ceremony. Since 1994, India has gifted 1,009 ambulances and 300 school buses across Nepal, including those gifted on Sunday.

Apr 14, 2024

UPI Rule Change: Money in PPI Wallets Can Be Spent Using Any UPI

Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and wallets have become an integral part of our daily lives in recent years, thanks to the efforts of companies like Paytm, PhonePe, and Amazon. However, users have often complained about the limitation of using wallet money only through the web or mobile application provided by the prepaid payment instrument (PPI) issuer.

Arvind Kumar Appointed as Director (Refineries) Of Indian Oil

Arvind Kumar, currently serving as the Managing Director & CEO of Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited, has been appointed Director (Refineries) at Indian Oil Corporation Limited.
Indian Oil is ranked 94th on the Fortune Global 500 list of the world's biggest corporations as of 2022.

Moody's Estimates India's GDP to be 6.1 per cent in 2024

Global rating agency Moody's has predicted that India's economy will grow at a slower pace in the year 2024.
At the same time, India's real GDP estimate for the financial year 2023-24 has been revised to 8 percent.
RBI has estimated the economic growth rate to be 7 in the current financial year 2024-25.

Apr 13, 2024

Citroen Makes Historic Move: First MNC to Export EVs from India

French automaker Citroën became the first multinational car manufacturer to export electric vehicles (EVs) produced in India to the international market. The company announced the commencement of exports of its locally manufactured ë-C3, sending an initial shipment of 500 units to Indonesia from the Kamarajar Port.
Aligning with its global ambitions of democratizing electric mobility and promoting sustainable transportation, Citroën's export of the Made-in-India ë-C3 showcases the country's manufacturing and engineering capabilities on a global scale. This move not only highlights Citroën's commitment to India but also contributes significantly to the nation's goal of establishing a sustainable and competitive EV manufacturing ecosystem.

Sushil Sharma New CMD of SJVN Limited

The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) panel recommended Sushil Sharma for the position of Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of SJVN Limited. This decision was made during the panel's meeting.
Having joined SJVN in 1994 as an Assistant Engineer, Sharma has steadily risen through the ranks, showcasing his expertise in hydroelectric projects. With a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from VNIT, Nagpur, and over 30 years of experience, including significant contributions to projects like the 1500 MW Nathpa Jhakri Project and the 412 MW Rampur HPS, Sharma is poised to lead SJVN into its next phase of growth.
SJVN Limited is a joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Himachal Pradesh, established in 1988 to develop, operate, and maintain power projects in the country. The company has a diverse portfolio of hydroelectric, thermal, and renewable energy projects, making it a significant player in the Indian power sector.
Sushil Sharma's appointment as the Chairman & Managing Director of SJVN Limited will leverage his deep understanding of the company's operations and his proven expertise in hydroelectric project development to drive the organization's future growth and expansion plans.

India's Economic Update: Retail Inflation Dips to 10-Month Low, IIP Surges

India's retail inflation dropped to a 10-month low of 4.85% in March, aligning with the RBI's tolerance band of 2-6%. Meanwhile, industrial production (IIP) saw a significant rise, hitting a four-month high at 5.7% in February. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das addressed inflation as the primary challenge, noting its gradual decline but persistent pressure from service prices.

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