economy
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The curious case of India’s quality control orders
How India’s QCO spree became a master-class in shooting ourselves in the foot Several years ago, a group of important policy makers and officials sat down to discuss how to boost domestic production and curtail imports. Some bright spark provided a (seemingly) magic solution – the use of “Quality Control Orders” (QCOs). Under a QCO, Continue reading
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Rare Earths and India: Trying to run with one leg tied
Rare Earths and India: Trying to run with one leg tied In recent months, the term “rare earths” has entered drawing-room conversations, fueled by continuous media coverage. The immediate cause for this is China’s blockade of these (and other critical) minerals and their derivative products, in retaliation for Trump’s tariffs. Suddenly, we learnt that India Continue reading
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Diwali Fireworks and FDI
While complaining to a friend about writer’s block (side effect of an overdose of Diwali sweets?), he suggested I look at the recent Emirates NBD acquisition of RBL Bank. This deal is significant for several reasons. It’s the first time we’re seeing a majority stake sale in a listed Indian bank. The investment amount is Continue reading
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Wilful destruction of the world’s most powerful economic engine
Wilful destruction of the world’s most powerful economic engine Sitting in my favourite armchair, far from the shenanigans of the US president, one can only watch with shock and awe – the haphazard (or is it systematic?) devastation of an economy that has dominated the world for almost a century. Ever since World War II, Continue reading