GST: Right Intent. Wrong Rules

A catalyst or deterrent for India's exports?

The Sweet Sound Of Profits

Usage of earphones and headphones in India has been increasing at a rapid clip, in tandem with mobile phone and Internet penetration. And that should be music to the ears of importers of the product as production lags demand by a huge margin.The Dollar Business dives deep into the business to understand and analyse the dynamics of this lucrative market.

Protectionism Is On The Rise Globally

Dr. Shashi Tharoor dons many hats with equal élan – a Congress leader, a Member of Parliament representing the Thiruvananthapuram constituency, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, and a much acclaimed and awarded author. In an exclusive interview with The Dollar Business, Dr. Tharoor shares his views on the changing dynamics of global trade.

A Fashionable, ‘Boot'iful Idea

When India’s exports were on a decline over the last couple of years, one product category that did not lose its shine is leather boots. On the contrary, its exports from India surpassed that of traditional leaders like Germany and Netherlands. The Dollar Business analyses what makes this product a bestseller overseas.

What's In Store For Global Trade In 2017?

The year gone by was eventful, both for the world and India. While the much-awaited Goods and Services Tax (GST) was passed by the Indian Parliament, United Kingdom voted to exit the European Union. While Donald Trump took the world by surprise, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's sudden announcement of demonetisation left the whole country in a financial shock. The global commodity market too woke up from a slumber, though there is more recovery that can be made. While these and many other such events shook the world in 2016, their impact on global trade and policy environments will only likely be seen in 2017. Will 2017 be a year of change for the better? The Dollar Business takes a look at key elements and occurrences that could change world trade in 2017.

Demonetisation & Its (Side) Effects

While a large segment of the Indian population supports the post-Diwali demonetisation drive, that its impact on India's economy will be negative in the short term is a given. The Dollar Business analyses how the move could well prove a headwind for India's manufacturing, foreign trade and economic growth.

Will Trade Triumph Over Trump?

With the Electoral College in US voting in favour of Donald Trump, questions of who will be the most powerful man in the world after Obama have been put to rest. What would a President Trump, who won on an isolationist platform, mean for the future of world trade? Will a US withdrawal from TPP signal the beginning of the end for the mega trade pact? Will China eventually benefit? The Dollar Business finds out.

MSMEs Can Drive India's Growth

Ever since he was tasked with revamping India’s MSMEs and bringing them at par with their global counterparts, Kalraj Mishra, Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) has introduced many dynamic schemes. In an interaction with The Dollar Business, Mishra shares his plans for enhancing the sustainability and competitiveness of a sector that was largely ignored for long.

Our Partnership With India Is Vibrant & Growing

The US-India relationship has been called as one of the most defining partnerships of the 21st century by none other than US President Barack Obama. In an interaction with The Dollar Business, Richard R. Verma, US Ambassador to India, talks about the ties between the two democracies and the way forward for bilateral trade and investments.

Enhance Support Under Meis To 5%

Council for Leather Exports (CLE) is the apex trade promotion organisation of the Indian leather industry. Of late, this industry body has taken up several initiatives to bolster exports of leather products from the country. The Dollar Business caught up with M. Rafeeque Ahmed, Chairman, CLE, to understand what the Council is doing to give up a leg up to the industry in overseas markets.

We Helped Namibia Conduct Its 2015 General Elections

The Indian government’s recent decision to relax FDI norms in defence has brought in a wave of dynamism into the sector. The Dollar Business caught up with Kiran V., General Manager – International Marketing, Bharat Electronics Ltd., one of the few defence exporters from India, to learn what the policy change means for the sector.

India Can Become A Hub For Defence Manufacturing

Samtel Avionics is one of India’s leading players in high-technology avionics and rugged electronic systems for military applications. In an exclusive interaction with The Dollar Business, Puneet Kaura, MD & CEO, Samtel Avionics Ltd., talks about opportunities available to Indian companies in the defence sector and how Samtel is tapping them to become a powerhouse in avionics and technology solutions.

Honey, I Blew Up The Profits!

For those Indians in the business of honey exports, the past few years have actually been ‘extra sweet’. India’s exports of natural honey has grown in proportion to the increase in consumption across international markets, making this non-fancy food product a clear treat for exporters in India.

Boon Or Bane?

India holds the distinction of initiating the largest number of anti-dumping cases amongst all WTO members. Under WTO regulations, anti-dumping measures are usually taken to protect the domestic industry. However, critics argue that India has been mostly interpreting and applying the law to protect vested interests and negate competition. And that by initiating an ever-increasing number of anti-dumping cases, the country is hurting its downstream industries and in turn competitiveness. Is it time to review and fine-tune India’s approach towards anti-dumping measures?

Romantic Appeal Or Business Charm?

Despite tough competition from China, India’s candle exports have been rising at a fast pace. The credit for this, to an extent, goes to high anti-dumping duties that have been imposed on China-made candles in US and EU. The Dollar Business explores the ways to catapult India into the big league of global candle trade by countering price wars and focussing on a diversified product basket.

We're Deepening Our Engagement With India

UK seems to be getting ready for a trade deal-signing spree as it looks to a future beyond EU. In a freewheeling interaction with The Dollar Business, Kevin McCole, COO, UK India Business Council (UKIBC), explains why a comprehensive UK-India bilateral economic agreement must not wait for the Brexit dust to settle.

We Serve Global Markets With Local Knowledge

It’s a true Indian multinational selling over 250 products in 90 countries across the globe. What’s more? It also holds the record of being the only Indian company in its industry to file for over 100 patents. In an exclusive interaction with The Dollar Business, Kunwer Sachdev, Founder & MD of Su-Kam Power Systems Ltd., talks about the brand’s journey so far and reveals secrets that have helped Su-Kam stand tall amongst competition.

India's Rise In 'Doing Business 2018' Ranking: A Celebration Too Early?

World Bank’s recently published ‘Doing Business Report 2018’ upped India’s ease of doing business rank to 100 this year. While India is still a long way from making it to the top 50 (which is the Modi government's goal), this remarkable jump by 30 ranks suggests that the business slumber party is over and work to creating a business-friendly environment is actually on in India. Also, India figuring as the only economy in South Asia to join the list of the 10 top improvers in the 2018 report and Moody's upgradation of India's sovereign rating could mean an early Christmas for Modi-land. Has India's business climate remarkably improved in a matter of just a year? If yes, what are the parameters that have helped us make this remarkable leap?

'Declare Silk A Priority Sector'

Although India is the world’s third-largest exporter of silk, exports from the sector have been on a continuous decline for quite some time now. In an exclusive interaction with The Dollar Business, Satish Gupta, Chairman, Indian Silk Export Promotion Council (ISEPC), discusses the reasons behind the fall and suggests initiatives to help boost exports of silk and silk products from the country.

Rolling In The Money

Despite an increased emphasis on digitisation, the humble paper has not lost its sheen. With domestic demand for paper outpacing production in India, the only option left with traders is to depend on imports to bridge the demand-supply gap. Will Indian manufacturers be able to step up to meet the rising demand or will imported paper continue to be the preferred choice? The Dollar Business delves into the details.

How A Concoction Of Patriotism And Brand Can Work

What started as a small pharmacy a decade back is today the fastest growing FMCG company in India, targetting Rs.10,000 crore in revenues in FY2017. Patanjali Ayurved Limited (PAL) has given the reigning monarchs of India’s FMCG space a run for their money. Domestically, its basket of products have become runaway hits. While exports have been negligible till date, an in-the-making exports strategy and production from the underdevelopment SEZ unit near Nagpur promises to take Patanjali global. The company already has 12 countries on its “sniper” scope. Can the Baba Ramdev-Acharya Balkrishna duo make Patanjali's 'quick rise to stardom' count by taking the brand beyond borders too?

Indian Capital Is Fleeing Out Of The Country

Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has never held back from expressing his views about the country’s economic and political state, even when his own party was in power. In an exclusive interview with The Dollar Business, the veteran politician shares his opinion on policies like demonetisation, ‘Make in India’ and GST, apart from forecasting the outcome of the General Elections 2019.

We Don't Envisage Signing An FTA With India Any Time Soon

India’s diplomatic relations with Botswana – one of the few bright spots on the African economic horizon – have always been close and friendly. The Dollar Business catches up with H.E. Lesego Ethel Motsumi, High Commissioner of Botswana to India, to find out what the two governments are doing to strengthen bilateral trade and policy ties.

We Can Be India's Gateway To Africa

Sudan is known for its rich gold and oil deposits as well as its vast tracts of arable land. In recent years, the country has emerged as one of India’s largest trading partners in the African continent. In a freewheeling interaction with The Dollar Business, H.E. Sirajuddin Hamid Yousif, the Ambassador of the Republic of Sudan to India, explains why his government aspires for a strategic relationship with India when it comes to trade and investment.

Assam Is An Investor's Paradise

Ever since Sarbananda Sonowal took over as Chief Minister of Assam in May 2016, he has been working hard to attract investors, both domestic and international, to the state. The Dollar Business, caught up with Sonowal to understand how he plans to make this northeastern Indian state an export hub.

Essar Exports Steel To 25 Markets

Essar Steel has over the years become a preferred supplier of value-added steel and related products to several automotive and defence companies across the globe. In an exclusive interaction with The Dollar Business, Dilip Oommen, MD & CEO, Essar Steel India Ltd., talks about the factors that have contributed to the success of the company apart from sharing his vision for the future.

16 Necessary Practices

To maximise your chances of converting a buyer lead to a loyal customer.

Exports Give Us A Global Edge

Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL) began exporting in 1999, when it shipped a batch of 20 cars to Nepal. Come today and the company is exporting over two million cars every year. In an exclusive interaction with The Dollar Business, Rakesh Srivastava, Sr. Vice President and Division Head (Sales & Marketing), HMIL, talks about the importance of the Indian automobile market in the global scheme of things.

Brewing Profits Worldwide

Coffee is one of the world’s most widely traded commodities. And going by official figures, India too seems to have gathered a fair amount of expertise in its trade! What’s more? Despite the ongoing slump in overall exports, the country managed to ship out 63% of its production last year and a significant part of that to Italy, the Mecca of coffee! The Dollar Business explores the ways and means to catapult India into becoming a force to reckon with in global coffee trade. 

Policy Unpredictability Is An Issue

Korean brands such as Hyundai, LG and Samsung are household names in India. Indeed, there seems to be a strong India-South Korea connect, aided by phenomenal popularity of Korean pop among several Indians. The Dollar Business caught up with the South Korean Ambassador to India, H.E. Hyun Cho, to understand the current state of affairs of Indo-Korean trade ties and to discuss ways to bolster them further.