India Brand Equity Foundation	CXXXVI	March 5, 2007

As the economy expands at its fastest pace in two years, going by recent trends, it will be able to maintain the current momentum, says the Economic Survey 2006-07. The economy is likely to grow at 9.2 per cent with the GDP to touch US$ 643.46 billion in 2006-07.

In this week's special, we look at the fiscal statement, the Union Budget 2007-08. Manifesting the country's commitment to the social sector, the statement reveals a 32 per cent increase in the allocation for Bharat Nirman or nation-building, 34 per cent for education, and 22 per cent for health and family welfare.

The Railway Budget revealed that the Indian Railways has posted a profit of US$ 4.5 billion against US$ 3.3 billion last year.



Jayant Bhuyan
CEO, India Brand Equity Foundation & Deputy Director General, Confederation of Indian Industry

POLICY WATCH

Semiconductor policy aims at US$ 10 billion investment
The Government is expected to announce a capital subsidy of up to 25 per cent to attract investments for setting up semiconductor fabrication units.[More]

PEOPLE

Mukesh Ambani to be world's richest Indian
Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and MD of Reliance Industries Limited, is on his way to becoming the richest Indian in the world, overtaking Lakshmi Niwas Mittal, CEO and MD of Arcelor Mittal.[More]

Events

Forum for International Business
Schiffbau, Zurich
27 March, 2007 - 28 March, 2007

For more information on
these events Click Here.

IBEF Newsletter

ECONOMY AND ENTERPRISE

Eco Survey: Industry logs impressive growth
The Economic Survey 2006-07 has lauded the impressive growth of the industrial sector propelled by robust growth in the manufacturing sector. [More]

Passenger fare cut across board; freight unchanged
Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav presented the Railway Budget 2007 and informed that the Railways have made a profit of US$ 4.5 billion versus US$ 3.3 billion in the previous year.[More]

GDP at 8.6 per cent in Q3, farm sector down to 1.5 per cent
Indian economy continued to grow at a rapid pace of 8.6 per cent in the third quarter of the current financial year, led by the manufacturing and services sector while farm growth plunged to a low of 1.5 per cent. [More]

IIP grows 11.1 per cent; manufacturing up 11.9 per cent
The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) in December 2006 went up 11.1 per cent over the corresponding month of the previous year, according to Government data. [More]

Domestic savings continue to rise
India can today boast of being among the top nations in terms of savings, which shot up to 32.4 per cent of GDP, but government or public savings declined to make a 'negative contribution'. [More]

World woos the Indian rich with cricket, wine and Bollywood
In the last two months, tourism authorities from four different continents have sent officials to hardsell their locales to the affluent Indian traveller. [More]

India is fourth largest tourist market for Singapore
India emerged as the fourth largest tourist source market for Singapore with 659,000 Indian tourists visiting the country in 2006. [More]

India adds more to StanChart's kitty
India Inc's drive for overseas mergers and acquisitions (M&As) has had its rub-on effects on the profits of global banks in India. [More]

SPECIAL

Budget 2007-08
Described as a 'Budget of Positives', the Union Budget 2007-08 stands out because of its commitment to the social sector, with emphasis on areas such as farming, health and education.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK


The Indian economy has had sustained growth at 9 per cent which is generating practical outcomes for Australia. Warren Truss Minister for Trade Australia


	FACT OF THE WEEK


Private Equity investments in travel portals touched US$ 40 million in 2006 against US$ 20 million in 2005. [More]


	SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT


Bank of Maharashtra ties up with UNEP Pune-based Bank of Maharashtra has announced the launch of 'Mahadeep', a loan scheme for buying solar power-based home lighting solutions. [More]

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