Reports indicate that the Finance Ministry allowed sovereign wealth funds to invest in debt instruments floated by state-run companies. It may be noted that the government allowed 13 state-run firms to raise around Rs 48,000 crore by selling tax-free bonds in 2013-14
FlashNews:
Air India Restores Codeshare with Air Canada to Expand India-Canada Flight Network
Indian Railways Freight Loading Surges Past 1 Billion Tonne Milestone This Fiscal
IWAI Signs MoUs to Boost Assam’s Inland Waterways and Industrial Logistics
Air India Express to Launch Services from Navi Mumbai International Airport on Day One
Tata Power, Druk Green Power Corp. Seal ₹1.31 Trillion Pact for Bhutan’s Largest PPP Hydro Project
IndiGo Commits $820 Million to Transform Fleet Ownership Via GIFT City Finance Hub
NHAI Launches RIIMPL to Drive Public InvIT for Highway Monetisation
Northeast to Anchor India’s Inland Waterways Revival, Says Shipping Minister Sonowal
Noida International Airport Boosts Regional Access with UPSRTC Bus Partnership
It’s India’s Turn to Take Global South’s Aspirations to Stars, Say Space Leaders at ISpA Conclave
IndiGo Links Madhya Pradesh’s Indore Commercial Hub with Rewa White Tiger Territory
INOXGFL Group and KP Energy Seal Renewables Partnership for Pan-India Wind and Solar Projects
Green Ferry Infrastructure on Yamuna to Transform Delhi Cruises and Transport: Sonowal
Indian Railways Unveils Cement Freight Policy with Flat Rates, New Containers, and Bulk Terminals
India’s Spacetech Startups Propel Sector Towards $45 Billion Growth, Says Jitendra Singh
THINK Gas Signs Long-Term LNG Supply Agreement with Shell Energy India
Navi Mumbai Airport to Launch on Dec 25 with 23 Daily Flights; IndiGo, Akasa, Air India Lead Rollout
Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya and DRDO Sign MoU to Develop Smart Tech Solutions for National Security
NHAI Launches Fortnightly Updates for Projects Under Bidding
Banks Wary of Lending to NBFC Sector
In the 12 months to June 2013, growth of bank lending to non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) declined to 1.9 per cent compared to 44 per cent in the year-ago period. Banks are said to be wary of lending to NBFCs following stricter guidelines issued by Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Ficci sees $906 bn Investment
Indian construction industry is expected to see investments of over $906 billion this Plan period, according to the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) Deputy Director Jasmeet Singh
ADB Lends $300 m for Highway Project in Bihar
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Central Government signed an agreement for $300 million in additional loan to upgrade 254 km of severely deteriorated highways in northern and southern Bihar.
Srei Hikes Lending Rate
Considering the rise in the cost of funds for the infrastructure sector, Srei Infrastructure Finance raised benchmark lending rate by 50 basis points. Thus, the new benchmark rate stands at 18 per cent per annum effective from September 1, 2013 compared to the earlier rate of 17.50 per cent.
IFC Mulls new Bank Licence
The private sector investment arm of World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC) is looking out to partner with aspirants for new bank licences, as it increases its investment in India to $2 billion this year.
Economic Growth Recovery Later in FY14
In its Annual Report 2012-13, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said the economic growth may recover later in 2013-14 if government delivers better administration, eases supply constraints and maintain stability.
Nabard Fund for Gujarat Agri-Infra
Under its Rural Infrastructure Development Fund-XIX (RIDF-XIX), the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) has sanctioned Rs 175.74 crore to Gujarat.
Free Zone Lures Indian Investors
As Middle Eastern ports vie for Indian transhipment trade, UAE-based Ajman Free Zone (AFZ) has recently expanded its footprint into India in alliance with AFZA International Pvt Ltd. Free Zones in the UAE and the neighbouring region have been luring Indian companies to establish trade hubs in their tax-free economic zones attached to ports.
Port Modernisation
The Union Government has taken up modernisation and expansion of 43 port projects at a cost of Rs 12,000 crore to add about 220 million tonne capacity to the ports. The capacity of all major ports was 744.91 million tonne per annum as on
31 March 2013.

