India Brand Equity Foundation DLXXXIII April 15, 2015 In this issue - What's NewIBEF - Poll - Conversations on Brand India - Did You Know? - Economy & Policy Snapshots - They Said It - Exclusive - Focus: Exports - Media: Blog   A Memorandum of Cooperation for India-US transportation was signed recently by Mr Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping, Government of India and Mr Anthony Foxx, US Secretary of Transportation. This initiative would enable India to make use of world’s latest technology available with the USA for projects like developments of waterways and multi-modal hub, said Mr Gadkari. The Memorandum aims to foster cooperative work on key issues of mutual interest for all modes of transportation, coordinating public and private sector resources and expertise to advance safe, secure, efficient and integrated transportation systems. It would cover areas like highway transportation, urban transportation, safety and environmental protections, vehicle and behavioural safety, fuel efficiency, rail transportation, maritime shipping and intermodal transportation. In another significant development, Moody’s Investors Service has recently revised India’s sovereign credit rating outlook to positive from stable. The outlook upgrade from the rating agency is a testament to the positive policy initiatives from the Government of India that are expected to allow India’s growth to outperform that of its peers in the medium term and improve its macroeconomic, infrastructure and institutional profile. In fact, the rating agency also said that the evidence over the coming months that policymakers are likely to be successful in their efforts to introduce growth-enhancing and growth-stabilising economic and institutional reforms would lead to the rating being considered for an upgrade. Warm regards Ravi Capoor, IAS Chief Executive Officer India Brand Equity Foundation     What's new@IBEF Make in India at Hannover Messe 2015 India made its presence felt at Hannover Messe, the world's largest industrial technology fair. Being the Partner Country for the 2015 edition, the Messe was jointly inaugurated by Mr Narendra Modi, Hon'ble Prime Minister of India and Dr Angela Merkel, Hon'ble Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. Do visit www.india-at-hannover.com for regular updates about India’s participation. More >>     Poll India will have the fastest growth in the number of dollar billionaires, compared to the rest of the world, in the coming decade? Show results > Past polls   Conversations on Brand India “With the combined outreach of the microfinance sector at about 75 million clients, an apex bank, which provides undivided attention, is expected to give a boost to the sector” Ravi Capoor, IAS Chief Executive Officer India Brand Equity Foundation   Mudra Bank: Step in the right direction Read more >>   Did You Know? Moody's became the first rating agency to upgrade India's rating outlook. The agency revised India's sovereign credit rating outlook to positive from stable.       Economy & Policy Snapshots In Hannover, Modi paints India as attractive investment destination Hannover: Emphasising on the 'Make in India' initiative Mr Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, said the country is an attractive investment destination. Mr Modi had a contingent of 14 states, 120 CEOs and 320 companies from India participating in the fair at Hanover Messe. Read more >>   India and USA sign Memorandum of Cooperation New Delhi: A Memorandum of Cooperation for India-US transportation was signed by Mr Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping, Government of India and Mr Anthony Foxx, US Secretary of Transportation. Read more >>       Government unveils new foreign trade policy; aims to raise exports to $900 billion by 2020 New Delhi: The Government of India has unveiled a five-year plan for lifting India's exports with a new trade policy that seeks to make the country a bigger player in global trade by doubling overseas sales to US$ 900 billion by 2019-20, while giving a boost to the Make in India initiative. Read more >>   Govt approves regulator for realty sector Bengaluru: The Cabinet has approved the amendments to the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2013, to create a uniform regulatory mechanism across the country on April 7, 2015. Read more >>       Deal activity rises 30% in first quarter of calendar year: Grant Thornton Mumbai: The corporate deal activity in India rose almost 30 per cent by value to US$ 8.2 billion with 350 deals in the January-March quarter of 2015 from US$ 6.4 billion with 257 deals in the year-ago period, according to the Dealtracker report by Grant Thornton India. Read more >>   Marriott set to open 52 hotels in 4-5 years Mumbai: Marriott International Inc plans to add 52 properties in India over the next five years, to cater to the increasing demand for quality hotel stay. Read more >>

They Said It "When I look at India there is more opportunity to develop…India is the second-fastest growing market and currently the fourth-largest country for Starwood." Stephen Ho, President Starwood Asia Pacific Hotels & Resorts   Exclusive   Focus: Exports Stay Connected With Gecko Gecko is a multipurpose device that takes you a step closer to the Internet of Things, a world where everything is connected. Connovate Technology, its creator, has more such products up its sleeve. "The product Gecko, I can say proudly, is my idea and dream to show the world that India can produce innovative products," says Mr Bahubali Shete, Founder, CEO & Managing Director, Connovate Technology Private Limited. Read more >>   Pharmaceuticals The Indian pharmaceuticals market is third largest in terms of volume and thirteen largest in terms of value, as per a pharmaceuticals sector analysis report by equity master. The market is dominated majorly by branded generics which constitute nearly 70 to 80 per cent of the market. India has achieved an eminent global position in pharma sector. The country also has a huge pool of scientists and engineers who have the potential to take the industry to a very high level. Sectoral Presentation DOWNLOAD NOW

Media: Blog   Smart cities: An Opportunity for real estate sector In this exclusive article, Samir Chopra, Chairman, RE/MAX shares his perspective on how the initiative of building 100 Smart Cities in India from the Government of India presents a huge opportunity for the real estate sector in the country. Read more >>

Privacy Policy: All material, information, data, images or content in this newsletter are subject to copyright or other applicable intellectual property laws and no part of it can be reproduced in any form (including paper or electronic form) without prior written consent and approval from IBEF. Infringements are subject to prosecution under the applicable laws.

www.ibef.org

IBEF does not send unsolicited messages. If you wish to unsubscribe click here More such stories available at www.ibef.org