FinTech – Enabler for SME Business, IIC New Delhi

The third seminar of the monthly “PIF-YGI Monthly Seminar Series on MSMEs” was held in New Delhi on the 5th September 2017. The Introductory remark by Shri Bhadresh Pathak, Senior President and Country Head, Yes Bank and was moderated by Dr Subho Ray, ‎President, Internet and Mobile Association of India. The seminar discussants were Ms.…

Defence Spending: More From Where?

India spends 2.35 per cent of GDP on defence. This includes defence pensions; and pensions must be included because it is after all an integral part of defence expenditure. This is also the norm internationally. Therefore, it is this figure that we must use when we compare India’s defence spending with that of other countries.…

GDP Growth Mirror, Mirror on the wall

Having just returned from Italy meeting investors, academics and officials, I find the gulf between the foreigners’ perception of India’s economic story and that of domestic commentators most perplexing. Could it be that the latter are focusing excessively on the here and now, while foreign investors and domestic stock markets are looking more at what…

Prepare for along GST haul

Two incidents brought home to me that it is still a long haul ahead before the country has an efficiently operating Goods and Services Tax (GST). The first was the activeencouragement by a salesperson ina boutique furniture store tofinalise our purchase of a pair ofbeautiful reclining chairs, which wecould not afford, before the onsetof the…