BUSINESS
India’s agtech investments are rising but they’re not enough to transform the agri-sector
In the absence of transformative laws that incentivise fundamental changes, India’s agtech revolution cannot drive deep-seated, consequential tech-related change
BUSINESS
Qatar’s geopolitical clout on display even as global gas investments decline
Qatar’s China deals not only give Doha a bandwagon relationship with a rising superpower that has begun to establish itself in the Middle East and West Asia, but they also offer considerable regional and global geo-economic and geopolitical clout
TECHNOLOGY
What the US-China tech war means for Chinese private capital, semiconductors
China will have the ability to meld state and business interests moving capital from misallocated sectors to technology. It can also try and weaponise its supply chain advantages
POLITICS
How Israel has built its formidable military-technology-industrial complex
Israel is a technology powerhouse, one that developed, built and deployed technology that was both disruptive and risk minimizing, closely allied with the military but with a creep over into non-military areas
BUSINESS
India’s net-zero transition needs a loose purse and a risk meter
An RBI report states that the real challenge for India will be in arranging new investment, estimated to be in the range of $7.2 trillion (baseline scenario) to $12.1 trillion (accelerated scenario) till 2050
BUSINESS
Cost efficient nuclear energy is making a quiet global comeback
Small Modular Reactors promise to be the gamechanger that nuclear energy needs for its comeback. They can be built in half the time that the older larger reactors took—about five to six years—and they’re safer
BUSINESS
India will drive global aluminium growth, but challenges remain
India’s per capita aluminium consumption is just 2.5 kg against the global norm of 11 kg and is poised to grow. The challenge is to increase domestic capacity but with a low carbon footprint
BUSINESS
IEA road to net zero doesn't count all costs
The critical pathway to the transition will involve largescale combinations of blended finance, technology dispersion at low costs and globally dispersed production chains
BUSINESS
Lessons for India from China’s EV strategy
The core of the Chinese strategy is to build cost-efficient scale with policies targeting the complete value chain— from inbound raw materials across operations down to marketing and sales
BUSINESS
Spice route versus Silk route: Which one has the upper hand?
China has already taken the lead in building soft economic power with Europe, offering efficient trade connectivity. Is there room for one more pathway?
BUSINESS
India needs to fix its farm infrastructure urgently to avoid another tomato burst
India’s storage capacity for food grains is 790 million tonnes. But its cold storage facilities at 37.5 million tonnes are largely limited to four states and do not cater to large sections of agri-produce, each of which has distinct storage characteristics
BUSINESS
The world is unwilling to give up on fossil fuel subsidies
These pernicious forms of subsidies not only divert public and private funds from other useful economic activities, but also harm the environment
BUSINESS
Beyond state schemes, India’s MSMEs need strategic govt push to flourish
The strategically focused push that envisages the MSME sector as a vital link in a massive industrial value chain-driven machine is missing
BUSINESS
Resolving India’s BRICS dilemma calls for shrewd exercise of limited leverage
India needs to be inside the BRICS room to build its sphere of influence in the Global South and prevent a quite takeover by China but also be counted among its Westphalian friends
BUSINESS
Xi Jinping’s ideological dictums leave China in a soup over economic growth
The contradictions in Xi’s ideology, as a functional instrument beyond political rhetoric, that seeks to mobilize economic instruments for growth, negatively impact the very economic governance system that gave China its growth
BUSINESS
There’s a war below the sea over submarine cables
Globally, of the 486 cables currently in use, 148 undersea cables are slated to reach the end of their service life within the next ten years and need to be replaced. Another 80 are under construction and slated to be ready around 2025
BUSINESS
A slowing Saudi economy has little choice but to cut production
Saudi Arabia finds itself in a catch-22 situation. Oil production cuts have slowed its economy, but weakening demand prospects aren’t giving the Kingdom the benefit of the cuts
BUSINESS
Why global capital is souring on China
Geopolitics, and hegemonic rivalry, are part of the story—a key part but not the whole story. Geoeconomics, a troubled economy, domestic policy, and the risk of war over Taiwan are the other parts to the growing unease towards China
BUSINESS
Why is Vietnam a destination of choice for global FDI?
Vietnam’s proximity to China, competitive costs, a relatively skilled workforce, extensive free trade agreements (FTA) make it an enviable investment destination for global firms
BUSINESS
India’s warehousing and logistics sector is in the midst of a boom
India’s growing economy is leading to a boom in the setting up of infrastructure such as logistics parks, warehouses with the latest technology. Investors are pouring money into these assets
BUSINESS
India’s infrastructure stock is growing, but private sector is yet to bite big
Private investments have either been crowded out or have grown at a much slower pace, arguably because demand inducements have been absent
BUSINESS
With Russian oil bonanza on the wane, India needs to refocus on Iraq
Infrastructure and engineering sectors are where India has seen an opportunity
INDIA
India must make haste in securing finance to gain edge in critical minerals
Scarcely any Indian company or financial institution has made concurrent attempts to build the funding capabilities required to catapult India into the next orbit of critical minerals development
BUSINESS
The Green Pivot: China is painting its industries green with an enviable finance strategy
China needs around $21.3 trillion in debt financing to reach its net zero emissions target by 2030, which looks achievable with its current strategy
