|
COVER STORY
Regulatory Battle :
Sebi vs. IRDA
--Y Bala Bharathi and Sanjoy De
The recent regulatory spat between Sebi and IRDA over the jurisdiction of ULIPs will now be decided by the
court. Nevertheless, the ongoing battle has served as a clarion call to revamp the financial regulatory structure.
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Auction for Airwaves :
India's Giant Leap Forward
- Y Bala Bharathi and G P Mrudhula
With its first-ever auction of the radio frequency spectrum for Third Generation (3G) and
Broadband Wireless Access (BWA), India is all set for yet another giant leap into the digital world.
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Carbon :
A New Commodity to Trade
- Priyanka Ostwal
Faculty (Finance), Amity Business School,
Amity University, Noida
The outlook of carbon credit market remains strong owing to active participation of European Union,
rising fuel/energy prices, increase in the number of developed countries ratifying Kyoto Protocol, etc.
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Global Food Crisis :
Wider Implications
-- N Janardhan Rao
Over the past few years, global prices of basic food commodities have increased rapidly and pose a
threat to food security, especially in developing countries. Amidst melting glaciers, the falling water tables
in some of the world's biggest grain-producing nations threaten to severely worsen the problem.
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Global Food Crisis :
An Integrated Approach Required
- TEY (John) Yeong-Sheng
Institute of Agricultural and Food Policy Studies,
Universiti Putra Malaysia
The solution for the global food crisis lies with the New Green Revolution, which is not just to increase
the yield and area cultivated but also to optimize resources utilization, reduce post-harvest losses,
increase food processing efficiency, strengthen food distribution and retailing as well as optimize
consumption. Such integrated approach will become a significant determinant of the wellbeing of a nation's food system.
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Inflation Targeting :
Losing Relevance?
-- Y Bala Bharathi and Sanjoy De
The current financial crisis has raised doubts over the longstanding practice of keeping low
inflation targets by the central banks.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Indian Highways :
Back on Track
-- Rajesh Samson
Partner,
Transaction Advisory Services,
Infrastructure, Real Estate and
Government Services Group,
Ernst & Young Pvt. Limited
There is newfound enthusiasm and resolve in the highways ministry, and so it is quite likely that India
may not only meet but even exceed its set targets.
WORLD ECONOMY
China : Dragging the Dragon
-- Willam Gamble
Founder and President of Emerging Market Strategies
China has been touted, for the past few years, as the future engine of economic growth. Almost
every economic forecast sees China as the global economic superpower of the future. However, there
are reasons to believe that China's immense promise will not be fulfilled.
WORLD ECONOMY
China :
World's Next Growth Engine?
-- N Janardhan Rao
With strong economic resilience, the mainland has emerged as an important growth engine. However,
to continue as the engine of world economy depends on whether it is willing to take necessary steps
to correct its market factor distortions that result in gross underpricing of land, energy and capital.
WORLD ECONOMY
Japan's Loosening Monetary Policy :
On Track to Tame Deflation?
-- Mita H Suthar
Head - Department of Economics,
H.L. Institute of Commerce,
Ahmedabad,
India and Academic Visitor,
Judge
Business School, University of Cambridge, UK
The major problem with the Japanese economy and its deflationary phenomenon is not lack
of government incentives, but lack of private domestic demand.
FINANCIAL MARKETS
Stock Exchanges :
Competition Calling
-- Amit Singh Sisodiya and Ramana Pemmaraju
India's red-hot equity market is the new battleground for bourses, new as well as upcoming ones, as
they aim to grab a bigger pie.
INDUSTRY
Indian Art Market :
Colors and Contours
-- R Venkatesan Iyengar
With reports about a rapid recovery and rebound in valuations in the modern Indian art market
generating renewed interest in art as an investment option, speculators and investors are poised for return to
the market.
CORPORATE STRATEGY
Goldman Shocks! :
The Mighty Falls
-- Amit Singh Sisodiya and Ramana Pemmaraju
The `poster boy' of investment banking is in the line of fire, as regulators, politicians, and
shareholders accuse it of serious breach of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment. It has surely inflicted a severe blow
on the reputation of the once mighty Goldman Sachs. Can it survive what is being seen as the biggest crisis
in its history?
ARTS & ARTISTS
King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table :
Reading Legends
- Nirmala PG
He went on alone, and in due course arrived at a gloomy vault, sunk into the ground, battered with age, and coated with moss,
a ghostly trysting place, desolate and silent.
APOLITICAL
The Greek Tragedy :
It's Pretty Real!
-- grk
The recent happenings in Greece—perceived inability of
Greece to service sovereign debt, falling credit rating
and the resulting rise in interest rates—are so real and hard
hitting that the European Union (EU) should not get simply
carried away by the mere announcement of the rescue plan:
|
