Category Archives: Economy

India's Prosperity

Posted on November 3, 2009 by

The UK based Legatum Institute conducts an annual prosperity survey of 104 countries, India and China among them. It measures prosperity not just as wealth, but includes factors such as health, safety, democracy, and social capital – the confidence in … Continue reading →

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China and India: The Megamarkets

Posted on October 25, 2009 by

Neither China nor India are easy to enter or operate in. Yet, global rebalancing may force companies to plunge in anyway, ready or not. It’s a tough decision. I’ve been working on an IMA Asia paper on these two hot-spots … Continue reading →

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Global Recovery, Global Rebalancing

Posted on October 15, 2009 by

IMA Asia‘s revising its forecasts for economic growth. Its main scenario (with a 60% probability) is for a weak Asia-led recovery starting now, and edging up over the next three years. The more pessimistic forecast, (20% probability) is for a … Continue reading →

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CIBIL: Consumer Credit Rating

Posted on September 30, 2009 by

India’s made an impressive advance in credit rating for individuals in only two years, with the credit-rating agency CIBIL. It still has glitches, but it’s trying. When I was researching my book in early 2008, Indian lenders were still grumbling … Continue reading →

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Indian Ports – Muddling Through Somehow

Posted on September 21, 2009 by

In fiscal 2008-09, India’s twelve major ports handled only 2% more cargo than the year before. (That compares with 12% growth the year before.) Perhaps it’s just as well. At 530 million metric tons, the major ports were running at … Continue reading →

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Nielsen: The thin layer of Indian affluence

Posted on September 7, 2009 by

Companies planning on selling luxury goods in India should consider Nielsen’s August 2009 survey. For some, it will be a reality check. When I read the press release from Nielsen’s survey of Upper Middle-class and Rich (UMAR) households in India, … Continue reading →

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Harley Davidson Goes to India

Posted on August 28, 2009 by

If you’re wondering why I’ve tricked out the Harley Davidson logo below  in saffron, white and green – it’s because the cool bike is going to India. They’ve set up an office in Delhi, and are planning to sell the … Continue reading →

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China's still growing

Posted on June 25, 2009 by

A recent meeting and paper from IMA Asia came to the conclusion that China’s still growing nicely. There’s a slump in export demand, it’s true; and the export-oriented sector is not doing that well. But what drives China’s economy is … Continue reading →

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An Interview with Beijing Radio

Posted on April 2, 2009 by

A few days ago, I got a surprise e-mail. ” I’m working with China Radio International in Beijing,” said the writer. She had a copy of my book, India Business Checklists, and quite enjoyed reading it.  “I’m doing a radio … Continue reading →

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America on the Star System

Posted on October 10, 2008 by

While the market melts down, I’ve been mulling over the underlying economic philosophy. I’ve come to the conclusion that America’s on the star system. One of the reason Hollywood’s a place of dreams is that a star can come from … Continue reading →

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