Joe C Mathew &Amp; Nayanima Basu

Stories by Joe C Mathew &Amp; Nayanima Basu

Pharma majors under fire over trial compensation

Pharma majors under fire over trial compensation

Rediff.com   5 May 2011

The ministry has asked 44 pharmaceutical companies, including global drug majors such as Eli Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Bayer, Merck, Johnson & Johnson and Sanofi Aventis, to explain why they have not given the compensation, which is mandatory under the current drug laws.

India, Pakistan trade pact after grant of MFN

India, Pakistan trade pact after grant of MFN

Rediff.com   3 May 2011

While Pakistan has been showing considerable interest in having a bilateral trade deal with India that would help them access the country's booming markets, India has stated this can only become a possibility only when it recognises India as their non-discriminatory trading partner, commerce secretary Rahul Khullar told in an interview.

Govt likely to modify M&A rules

Govt likely to modify M&A rules

Rediff.com   8 Apr 2011

The central government is likely to notify the merger and acquisition (M&A) rules meant to operationalise M&A provisions prescribed under the Competition Act, 2002 by mid-April.

India-Asean goods FTA faces hiccups

India-Asean goods FTA faces hiccups

Rediff.com   6 Apr 2011

The India-Asean free trade agreement (FTA) in merchandise goods has failed to realise its full potential, even as the deal was implemented in January 2010 to facilitate greater trade in the region. As a result, reduction of duties on several products might get delayed.

EU clears water for Indian pharma firms

EU clears water for Indian pharma firms

Rediff.com   31 Mar 2011

European countries are trying to woo back the Indian customers they had lost following seizure of drug consignments by Customs authorities of several European Union members.

We want an ambitious outcome from Doha: US

We want an ambitious outcome from Doha: US

Rediff.com   17 Mar 2011

The US has emphasised on the need for an "ambitious and balanced outcome", even as the World Trade Organization (WTO) is gearing up to circulate another set of texts to push all its 153 members to wrap up the Doha Round of global trade talks by the end of this year.

Real FDI fall not as sharp as magnified: Study

Real FDI fall not as sharp as magnified: Study

Rediff.com   17 Mar 2011

FDI is essentially long-term investments that come with added benefits such as better technology, management and marketing assistance, says the study.

Health Min may ban two drugs soon

Health Min may ban two drugs soon

Rediff.com   16 Mar 2011

The move comes after international studies revealed that Gatifloxacin posed 17 times higher risk of developing serious hyperglycemia than other antibiotics in elderly patients.

Govt to liberalise FDI policy on JVs, tech tie-ups

Govt to liberalise FDI policy on JVs, tech tie-ups

Rediff.com   16 Mar 2011

The revised version of the FDI policy, which will be released on March 31, is expected to do away with Press Note 1, 2005, to bring in the above-mentioned change.

Merck aims to be in the top league

Merck aims to be in the top league

Rediff.com   11 Mar 2011

A lot of global products are yet to be launched in the country. In the last eight months, we have launched six products from our global product portfolio.

Indian-Asean services deal to be signed this year

Indian-Asean services deal to be signed this year

Rediff.com   7 Mar 2011

Under the services sector, India had been demanding greater opening, so that more professionals like doctors, nurses, chefs, accountants get greater job opportunities.

Service tax relief for exporters

Service tax relief for exporters

Rediff.com   21 Feb 2011

Ministry will give relief to exporters through a mechanism that will enable a timely refund of credit balance and time-bound refund of additional duty of customs.

India, US to discuss trade irritants

India, US to discuss trade irritants

Rediff.com   21 Feb 2011

India and the US are set to address some of the prickly issues that have acted as major irritants in the commercial relations between both countries recently, to ensure greater flow of trade and investment.

India-EU FTA: Healthcare norms discussed

India-EU FTA: Healthcare norms discussed

Rediff.com   21 Feb 2011

India may have to abide by a series of international standards and regulatory practices in the healthcare sector, if it agrees to some proposals that are part of the ongoing India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.

Companies Bill may exclude a cap on subsidiaries

Companies Bill may exclude a cap on subsidiaries

Rediff.com   18 Feb 2011

If implemented, the measure would have choked the availability of funds for real estate firms and infrastructure companies, which typically have several layered subsidiaries.

'We expect similar reciprocity in India'

'We expect similar reciprocity in India'

Rediff.com   14 Feb 2011

We welcome all companies from India to come and invest and do business there. We have almost no restrictions in any sector at all. However, we expect similar reciprocity in India for our apples, pistachios, helicopters, and disaster relief materials, besides other products. We do not restrict such items from entering the US markets.

ICAI seeks info from Sebi, Reliance Infra

ICAI seeks info from Sebi, Reliance Infra

Rediff.com   10 Feb 2011

The letters were meant to assess if there had been any professional misconduct by any auditors of Reliance Infra and Reliance National Resources Ltd that led to the alleged misrepresentation of investments by these companies.

2G scam cases up for further investigation

2G scam cases up for further investigation

Rediff.com   9 Feb 2011

The ministry of corporate affairs - under new minister Murli Deora - has reopened for further investigation the cases of two companies allegedly involved in the unravelling 2G scam. A senior official said that the ministry was currently probing Swan Telecom and Loop Telecom.

FDI cap: Govt to wait for RBI stand

FDI cap: Govt to wait for RBI stand

Rediff.com   8 Feb 2011

The finance ministry said it would wait for RBI guidelines, a development which will provide much relief to ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank. Both are already known as Foreign Owned Indians Controlled entities, after foreign investment in them rose much above 50 per cent, following new norms of calculations by the commerce ministry.

Daiichi shifts 6 early drug programmes to India

Daiichi shifts 6 early drug programmes to India

Rediff.com   7 Feb 2011

Daiichi Sankyo, Japan's third-largest drug maker, has transferred six of its early drug discovery programmes in inflammatory and infectious diseases from its Japanese research & development (R&D) facilities to India.