Raghavendra Kamath &Amp; Joe C Mathew In Mumbai

Stories by Raghavendra Kamath &Amp; Joe C Mathew In Mumbai

DLF may walk out of Delhi convention project

DLF may walk out of Delhi convention project

Rediff.com   31 Jan 2009

The move comes 18 months after the cash-strapped developer was allotted 35 acres by the Delhi Development Authority to build and maintain an international convention & exhibition centre, hotels and allied commercial facilities. The cost of the project is estimated at Rs 6,000 crore (Rs 60 billion) and was expected to be completed in three years.

PE flows to realty mart may start again

PE flows to realty mart may start again

Rediff.com   23 Jan 2009

Most of the funds have not signed any deals in the past few months as realty prices fell sharply and economic slowdown deepened across the world, which slowed the flow of funds significantly. Red Fort plans to deploy Rs 150 crore (Rs 1.5 billion) in the current quarter and is in talks with a Mumbai developer. But Bedi says finance is a big issue now as most of the projects have been delayed or are yet to take off.

Affordable homes are back

Affordable homes are back

Rediff.com   16 Jan 2009

Ever since the government announced that state-owned banks will provide home loans up to Rs 20 lakhs (Rs 2 million) at not more than 9.25 per cent for the first five years, real estate developers have started working their prices around the Rs 20-lakhz (Rs 2-million) figure. Dozens of real estate developers have announced homes at below Rs 25 lakhs (Rs 2.5 million) in the National Capital Region of Delhi.

Reliance Retail plans private label sale to kirana

Reliance Retail plans private label sale to kirana

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2009

The move is expected to give high retail exposure to its products in innumerable kirana stores in the country, without having to spend much on advertising and marketing expenses apart from generating business volumes. When contacted, Reliance Retail spokesperson said: "As a policy, we do not comment on speculation." In a recent reshuffle at the company, Reliance Fresh head Gunender Kapur was made head of private labels business in the company.

NAVs of India-centric realty funds fall over 90%

NAVs of India-centric realty funds fall over 90%

Rediff.com   7 Jan 2009

The managing director of a US-based pension fund blamed the fall on the carnage in stock markets globally and the heavy pullout by investors. "Last year saw unprecedented pullouts by hedge funds as they faced huge redemption pressure. Lots of investors believed they had paid too much and sold off. Most of the funds were listed in 2006 when realty prices were high. But now, prices have come down in most parts of the world."

Hiranandani's problems mount as merger plan fails

Hiranandani's problems mount as merger plan fails

Rediff.com   5 Jan 2009

Valuations of projects dated, says valuer. Also, angry shareholders could come together to oppose the proposed reverse merger.

Property firms see buyers back in market

Property firms see buyers back in market

Rediff.com   3 Jan 2009

Property developers expect to boost sales of homes and borrow funds at lower rates after the Reserve Bank of India on Friday reduced its key benchmark rate and cut the cash-reserve ratio requirement in a bid to help banks lower interest rates and lend more to cash-starved sectors, including the real estate. They are hopeful of attracting more overseas investment in projects as demand revives.

Debt due till Dec 31 paid, claims DLF

Debt due till Dec 31 paid, claims DLF

Rediff.com   2 Jan 2009

DLF, India's biggest real estate developer, has repaid dues and may not need to approach lenders to take advantage of a central banks relaxed rule that allows banks to restructure cash-strapped real estate companies loans.

Reliance Retail to hasten expansion in six months

Reliance Retail to hasten expansion in six months

Rediff.com   11 Dec 2008

The retail arm of the Mukesh Ambani-led group had almost halted its expansion plans as a credit crunch roiled markets across the globe forcing companies to withhold new projects. The company also froze fresh recruitment.

Slowdown, approval delays hit Unitech's IT SEZs

Slowdown, approval delays hit Unitech's IT SEZs

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2008

Six infotech special economic zone projects of the Unitech Group, which owns the country's second-biggest real estate company, have been delayed by as much as three years owing to slowing demand and delays in government approvals, sources said.

Roche to sell arthritis drug in India

Roche to sell arthritis drug in India

Rediff.com   6 Dec 2008

Roche expects to start selling Actemra by April 2009, company sources said. India will be the second country to launch the drug, Japan being the first. The Indian drug regulator Drug Controller General of India usually approves a new drug marketing application based on safety and efficacy data cleared by regulators in the US, EU and other developed countries.

Now, realtors plan low-cost flats for cash flows

Now, realtors plan low-cost flats for cash flows

Rediff.com   5 Dec 2008

After launching mid-income houses, real estate companies are now targeting low-priced homes in the sub-Rs 10 lakh (Rs 1 million) category to improve cash flows and beat the slump in the property market that has been driven by high borrowing rates.

HC orders review of Roche's drug patent

HC orders review of Roche's drug patent

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2008

First time, an Indian court revisits a patent office order.

Retailers' losses mount as stores remain shut

Retailers' losses mount as stores remain shut

Rediff.com   29 Nov 2008

Retailers, who are already reeling under the economic slowdown, were forced to keep their shops shut in the southern and central parts of Mumbai as terrorists holed up in plush hotels and buildings of the city continued to battle military commandos.

Mumbai stays indoors, shops shut

Mumbai stays indoors, shops shut

Rediff.com   28 Nov 2008

Several malls and retailers downed shutters in the commercial capital city of Mumbai. Kishore Biyani's hypermarket chain Big Bazaar closed two stores its stores in Mumbai Central and Parel, which are half-an-hour's drive from South Mumbai.

Global retailers come calling

Global retailers come calling

Rediff.com   24 Nov 2008

At least 35 per cent, or $400 billion worth of goods, that are sourced from China could shift to countries such as India, Thailand, Vietnam among others over the next 10 years, according to a study by US-based retail and supply chain solutions firm DCB and Company. India is expected to take the lion's share of volume shift compared to its counterparts in the region, the study says, due to its IT prowess, infrastructure and agents network.

'India has to work on its patent laws'

'India has to work on its patent laws'

Rediff.com   24 Nov 2008

Paul Herrling, global head of Novartis' corporate research, spoke to Business Standard about the changing concepts in R&D and Novartis' strategy.

Japanese pharma firm sets up Indian subsidiary

Japanese pharma firm sets up Indian subsidiary

Rediff.com   20 Nov 2008

While Daiichi Sankyo acquired a majority share in the country's biggest drug-maker Ranbaxy, Eisai and Astellas have chosen to set up wholly-owned subsidiaries to promote their patented medicines in the country. In a communication to the Nikkei Stock Exchange on November 18, Astellas said its subsidiary Astellas Pharma India in Mumbai was set up as a marketing arm to sell its immunology and urology medicines.

Banks may not ease lending to real estate

Banks may not ease lending to real estate

Rediff.com   18 Nov 2008

Even though the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has reduced the risk weightage on loans to commercial developers and cut general provisioning for commercial real estate, commercial banks may not start lending to the sector immediately.

USFDA to set up office in India

USFDA to set up office in India

Rediff.com   18 Nov 2008

The US Department of Health and Human Services has decided to employ 10 full-time officials in Delhi -- a country director, four drug inspectors, two senior technical experts in medicines, two technical experts in medical devices and one from the food sector. 'The purpose of the appointment is to help develop food and medical product regulations and agencies improve product safety and conduct inspections in a more timely manner,' said Christopher Kelly, press officer, USFDA.