Nevin John, P B Jayakumar In Mumbai

Stories by Nevin John, P B Jayakumar In Mumbai

Anil's men skip Mukesh peace meet

Anil's men skip Mukesh peace meet

Rediff.com   8 Jul 2008

A day before the deadline of exclusive takeover talks between Anil Ambani's Reliance Communications and South African company MTN expires, Reliance Industries has invoked the dispute resolution clause of the non-competition agreement against RCom. However, RCom plans to go ahead with its proposed merger with MTN without taking RIL's claim into account.

Ranbaxy, others to scrap 60 drug combinations

Ranbaxy, others to scrap 60 drug combinations

Rediff.com   7 Jul 2008

The voluntary move comes a little more than a year after the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, the central authority that approves new drugs for marketing, had asked the drug makers to withdraw the 'combination drugs' as they are 'unnecessary' and may pose health hazards. The Drugs Controller General of India had banned 294 combination drugs sold under nearly 1,053 brand names from the market in June 2007.

RCom may get 20% fresh equity in MTN

RCom may get 20% fresh equity in MTN

Rediff.com   5 Jul 2008

Move to skirt public offer for S African telco.

After Esmark, Essar loses Kenya refinery

After Esmark, Essar loses Kenya refinery

Rediff.com   1 Jul 2008

The Kenyan government has dumped the Mumbai-based group in favour of a Libyan company for a 50 per cent stake in a refinery project in Mombasa. Essar officials said they are still negotiating with the Kenyan government so that they can invest in the project.

Asarco buy: Sterlite may retaliate legally

Asarco buy: Sterlite may retaliate legally

Rediff.com   17 Jun 2008

Sterlite Industries, the flagship firm of London-listed Vedanta Resources, may consider legal action if the bankruptcy court favours Grupo Mexico's counter-offer of $4.1 billion for Asarco, the US copper mining giant. Sterlite's takeover bid for Asarco hit a bump when a judge of a bankruptcy court in Texas signalled on Friday that he might give Grupo Mexico, Asarco's estranged corporate parent, a last chance to resume control of its US subsidiary.

ONGC, others eye Canadian sand beds

ONGC, others eye Canadian sand beds

Rediff.com   12 Jun 2008

On the sidelines of crude oil price rise, Indian oil majors including Reliance Industries, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation and Essar Oil are eyeing exploration opportunities at the oil-rich sand beds of Alberta in Canada. The firms are believed to be drawing up plans in consultation with the central government and considering tie-ups with international firms for sand-oil exploration.

Ranbaxy deal may spur hostile bids in India

Ranbaxy deal may spur hostile bids in India

Rediff.com   12 Jun 2008

Aurobindo pharma, cipla, orchid chemicals are the prominent takeover targets.

RIL signs MoUs with 9 cos for KG basin gas sale

RIL signs MoUs with 9 cos for KG basin gas sale

Rediff.com   7 Jun 2008

Reliance Industries has signed agreements with nine fertiliser and power companies for gas sales from its field in the Krishna-Godavari basin over the past three months. India's largest private sector company has signed memorandums of understanding with Nagarjuna Fertilisers, GVK Industries, Konaseema Power (all in Andhra Pradesh), Kribhco, Chambal Fertilisers, Iffco, Torrent Power (all in Gujarat), Tata Power and Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilisers in Maharashtra.

Unwell? Get counselling before treatment

Unwell? Get counselling before treatment

Rediff.com   6 Jun 2008

Health experts point out that it will take decades for India to reach the level of health education and infrastructure in developed countries. Our per capita health expenditure is estimated at $23, which is only 6.1 per cent of the gross domestic production.

Mikati nod for RCom-MTN reverse merger

Mikati nod for RCom-MTN reverse merger

Rediff.com   6 Jun 2008

Anil Ambani has won Lebanon-based M1 Chief Executive Officer Azmi Mikati's approval for a possible merger of Reliance Communications and South Africa's MTN Group following a meeting between the two.

Ispat eyes stakes in Global Steel mines

Ispat eyes stakes in Global Steel mines

Rediff.com   4 Jun 2008

Global Steel owns 70 per cent stakes in iron ore mine in Brazil and two coal mines in Columbia and Mozambique. The company is setting up three special purpose vehicles for isolating financial and regulatory risks. Ispat will purchase the stakes in these SPVs, which are held by Global Steel. The iron ore mine has an estimated reserve of 500 million tonne while the coal mines hold reserves of 120 million tonne.

IPL: Now, Mallya bats for rival teams

IPL: Now, Mallya bats for rival teams

Rediff.com   29 May 2008

Vijay Mallya has ensured that his brands do not fall out of Indian Premier League (IPL) viewership, though his team Royal Challengers Bangalore bowed out of the tournament. After RC's series of defeats, the UB Group chairman decided to cash in on his smaller investments in rival teams such as Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Daredevils, Chennai Superkings and Mumbai Indians.

Videocon set for operational rejig

Videocon set for operational rejig

Rediff.com   26 May 2008

"The factories need consolidation and control as they operate independently with different human resource (HR) and logistic policies. The segmented operations cannot have power and focus on quality," K R Kim, vice-chairman and CEO (global operations), Videocon, who steered LG to market leadership in his earlier stint, told Business Standard.

RPower, GMR to bid for Singapore plants

RPower, GMR to bid for Singapore plants

Rediff.com   26 May 2008

The Singapore government-controlled Temasek Holdings, which controls over 90 per cent of power generation and distribution in Singapore, will soon call for bids to privatise the two companies. The Indian companies are exploring various options to bid for these assets, said sources familar with the developments. Spokespersons of both Reliance Power and GMR Infrastructure declined to comment.

Videocon plans major global retail foray

Videocon plans major global retail foray

Rediff.com   23 May 2008

Videcocon Industries plans a major consumer electronics retail foray across West Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America under the brand name "VC" to raise global revenue shares from the current 2 per cent to 50 per cent by 2011.

Bharti Airtel, SingTel to float SPV for MTN buy

Bharti Airtel, SingTel to float SPV for MTN buy

Rediff.com   20 May 2008

Indian firms, including Tata Steel, in the past have formed SPVs to acquire foreign companies to protect local operations and also to avoid legal hindrances. The SPV may be registered in a tax-haven country, like Mauritius or Bahamas, the sources said. The move to float an SPV will help Bharti Airtel to continue being listed on Indian stock exchanges, while MTN's promoters will be given a stake in the SPV.

Wanbury eyes contract research firms in US

Wanbury eyes contract research firms in US

Rediff.com   16 May 2008

"We are looking at targets with a bottom line of Rs 50-60 crore (Rs 500-600 million) to expand our CRAMS business in various markets," said Ashok Shinkar, director, Wanbury. The company plans to increase its turnover to over Rs 900 crore (Rs 9 billion) within the next three years.

Pharmaceutical firms opt for inlicensing

Pharmaceutical firms opt for inlicensing

Rediff.com   15 May 2008

According to analysts, Indian drug makers are forging alliances with overseas companies such as CD Pharma, Gnosis SpA, Crawford Healthcare and Syrio Pharma to sell drugs for chronic and acute cases. According to analysts, Indian drug makers are forging alliances with overseas companies such as CD Pharma, Gnosis SpA, Crawford Healthcare and Syrio Pharma to sell drugs for chronic and acute cases.

Tata moves to secure key companies

Tata moves to secure key companies

Rediff.com   15 May 2008

To up stakes in 'globally active' firms by 3 to 4% this year.

Reliance to use closed fuel outlets for malls

Reliance to use closed fuel outlets for malls

Rediff.com   12 May 2008

Reliance Industries Ltd, India's biggest firm by market capitalisation, is drawing up plans to convert its fuel retail outlets, which were recently closed owing to unviable operations, into malls and multiplexes.