By 2050 India will be among world’s ‘Big 3′

November 23, 2009

Washington: Discerning a dramatic shift in the world’s economic balance of power, a US think tank has projected that by 2050 India will be in the ‘big three’ league. India is projected to emerge as one of the three largest economies of the world along with the US and China.

Growing at a projected rate of 6.19 percent between 2009 and 2050, India would grow most rapidly among the G-20 group of world’s leading economies the making Indian economy 97 percent as large that of the US in terms of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), two experts at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace wrote.

In an article on ‘The G-20 in 2050′, in the November 2009 issue of International Economic Bulletin of the think tank they noted that in dollar terms, India’s GDP is expected to increase by 16 times from the current $1.1 trillion to $17.8 trillion by 2050.

‘The world’s economic balance of power is shifting dramatically,’ noted experts Uri Dadush, the director of Carnegie’s

International Economics Programme and Bennett Stancil a Junior Fellow in the Programme.

By 2050, the United States and Europe, long the traditional leaders of the global economy, will be joined in economic size by emerging markets in Asia and Latin America, they wrote.

China will become the world’s largest economy in 2032, and grow to be 20 percent larger than the United States by 2050, the two experts predicted suggesting ‘over the next forty years, nearly 60 percent of G20 economic growth will come from Brazil, China, India, Russia, and Mexico alone.’

Over the next 40 years, the G20 GDP is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 3.6 percent, rising from $38.3 trillion in 2009 to $161.5 trillion in 2050, in real US dollar terms.

Nearly 60 percent of this $123 trillion dollar expansion will come from Brazil, Russia, India, China and Mexico (BRIC+M), Dadush and Stancil projected.

‘These five economies will grow at an average rate of 6.1 percent per year, raising their share of G20 GDP from 18.7 percent in 2009 to 49.2 percent in 2050.’

China, India, and the United States will emerge as the world’s three largest economies in 2050. Their total GDP, in real US dollar terms, will be over 70 percent more than that of the other G20 countries combined, they said.

In China and India alone, GDP is predicted to increase by nearly $60 trillion-the current world GDP-but the wide disparity in per capita GDP among these three will persist.

Of the G20 countries, India is predicted to grow most rapidly, but its current modest size will prevent it from surpassing either China or the United States in real US dollar terms. India’s PPP GDP, however, will be 97 percent as large as that of the United States by 2050.

A growing population – India is expected to become the world’s most populous nation in 2031 – and an average exchange rate appreciation of 0.9 percent per year will push annual GDP growth to an average of 6.2 percent, the two experts said.

India’s US dollar GDP will balloon to $17.8 trillion in 2050, sixteen times its current $1.1 trillion level, Dadush and Stancil predicted.

Despite impressive GDP growth in the developing world, relative per capita GDP (or wealth) will remain low. By 2050, the five largest economies, in both real US dollar and PPP terms, will include three of the G20’s poorest-India, China, and Brazil, they said.

In 2009, by contrast, seven of the G20’s largest eight members were among its richest, in US dollar terms.

Source: IANS


Airtel Launches m-Commerce Service

August 28, 2009

Bharti Airtel has announced the launch of its m-Commerce service – ‘mChek on Airtel’ on the voice platform. The service promises seamless and secure use of voice (IVR) for m-Commerce transactions for all Airtel mobile customers. The customer has to call 543219 to access the service which is toll free.

“There is tremendous potential for voice enabled m-Commerce services in India and we are giving a huge thrust in this area,” said, Atul Bindal, President, Mobile Services, Bharti Airtel. Further added, “We believe that m-Commerce has the power to facilitate a paradigm shift in the way mobile users do commercial transactions and business in future.”

The mChek on Airtel service on voice will enable the 100-million-plus Airtel customers to pay Airtel mobile and fixed-line bills, recharge Airtel pre-paid and digitalTV accounts, recharge Delhi-Gurgaon expressway toll tags, pay insurance premiums, buy gifts, tickets and shop using their mobile phones. To avail this service, Airtel customers have to call 543219, create their own 6 digit mChekPIN and link their VISA/Mastercard credit card. The one-time registration links the user’s credit card automatically to the mChek on Airtel service. For all future transactions the user is required to only enter a six-digit mChekPIN on their registered mobile number to authorize the transaction.

mChek on Airtel provides an on-demand solution for mobile payments with a unique two-step authentication process, the mChekPIN and the Mobile Number. mChek on Airtel is already available on various access mediums like SMS, USSD , J2ME and SIM application and WAP.

Post-paid customers can -

- Pay their own postpaid bill
- Pay for others postpaid bill
- Make full or partial bill payment (customer driven)
- Recharge for other prepaid customers
- Pay any Airtel landline Bill
- Recharge his Digital TV account
- Recharge Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway toll tag ( for Delhi/NCR users )
- All other merchant payments

Pre-paid customers can –

- Recharge for self
- Pay Landline Bill
- Recharge Digital TV account
- Recharge Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway toll tag ( for Delhi/NCR users)
- All other merchant payments


10 ways to use your credit card right!

July 27, 2009

10 ways to use your credit card right!

July 27th, 2009

Never exceeding 40% of your credit limit has a very beneficial effect on your credit score. This shows your credit limit is high but you have not burnt it up and have plenty in reserve. This logic helps you attain a much higher credit score. This is the same logic that suggests you should not close any credit card accounts, as they collectively will provide you a high credit limit, which is good for the score.

Your credit card can be the single most important factor in improving and increasing your credit score. On the other hand it can also plummet your score to dark depths if you are not careful. Think smart and use your credit cards to your advantage. Here is some pointers on what to do and what not to do in order to achieve this reality.

1. No debts so far. Opting for a brand new credit card for the first time.

This makes sense for your credit score. Making use of a credit card judiciously will help you improve your credit score. Just make sure you open your credit card with a respected and popular brand name.

2. Opening a new credit card account.

When you already have a couple of credit cards, opening a brand new credit card account can cause a dip in scores. By all means obtain a new credit card if you are not planning to get into more debt, else think several times before opting for one.

3. Low credit limit.

Keep a tab on the credit limit of your credit card. Open a credit card account with a company that will provide you with the highest credit limit possible. High credit limits, even if they are not used will add merit to your credit score and improve it.

4. Closing credit card accounts.

Even if you do not use your credit cards, don’t rush to close them. Keep them as long as you can. If you must close them, then do that over a period of time. Closing too many too quickly will harm your credit score significantly.

5. Choosing the ideal credit card to close.

The number of years you hold a credit card account has an impact on your credit scores. Hence, let your oldest credit card be, if you must close a card opt for the most recent cards and close them one at a time, maybe once a month over a period of time.

6. Rotate usage of multiple credit cards.

It is a smart move if you utilise different credit cards for your various different expenses instead of constantly using only one credit card for most of your purchases. Make it a point to use each credit card you have once in six months. Some credit card companies might even close your account if they feel you don’t use the card at all. In such instances, it affects your credit score. To be on the safer side, try and use every card from time to time.

7. Bargain for a lower interest rate

If you have never defaulted on a payment for a few years, make use of your good repayment track record and speak to the bank officials for a better bargain. Request them to lower your interest rate citing the good track record you hold with them. Keep following up with your bank from time to time and you may just get your wish!

8. Request for an increase in credit limit

You may have purchased your most recent card because of the higher credit limit. If at a later date you wish to close some of your cards and you know it makes better sense to close the most recent card, you have a dilemma. The most recent card has the highest credit limit. The oldest card has the lowest credit limit. What do you do? In such instances, if you have a good repayment track record, approach the bank and negotiate for a higher credit limit especially since you have been their customer for quite a few years. Most banks will oblige and you can then proceed to close the most recent card if you absolutely must do so.

9. Keep a self imposed credit limit, which is much lower than the actual credit limit

Never exceeding 40% of your credit limit has a very beneficial effect on your credit score. This shows your credit limit is high but you have not burnt it up and have plenty in reserve. This logic helps you attain a much higher credit score. This is the same logic that suggests you should not close any credit card accounts, as they collectively will provide you a high credit limit, which is good for the score.

10. Paying off credit card dues quickly will dramatically improve your credit score.

Try not to encourage too much credit card debt. Be wise and pay the dues quickly and keep rotating your cards. Paying off dues will cause a spike in your credit score, which is highly favourable.


Intel to shut plants, cuts 6,000 jobs

January 22, 2009

NEW YORK: Intel Corp said that it would close manufacturing plants in Malaysia and the Philippines, as well as its only remaining factory in Sil
icon Valley, cutting as many as 6,000 jobs.

The announcement comes a day after the world’s largest maker of microprocessors used in personal computers slashed prices on a number of its chips and a week after it reported a decline in fourth-quarter revenue.

Intel said it would close two assembly test facilities in Penang, Malaysia, and one in Cavite, Philippines. It will also halt production at a wafer fabrication facility in Hillsboro, Oregon, as well as its Santa Clara, California plant — a factory connected to its headquarters and the only one left in Silicon Valley.

The actions will result in a reduction of 5,000 to 6,000 jobs, Intel said. It ended 2008 with around 84,000 employees.

Not all cuts at the affected plants will lead to job losses and some workers will be offered positions at other facilities, it said, adding that the restructuring will take place between now and the end of 2009.

“It’s not a surprise given that their first quarter is probably going to be challenging, and they’re trying to do what they can to cut costs in places that make sense,” said Taunya Sell, an analyst at Ragen Mackenzie, a division of Wells Fargo.

Intel said it was not halting production at any of its more advanced factories. Intel shares rose about 1 per cent to $13.40 in after-hours trading, after rising 3.11 per cent to close at $13.26 on the Nasdaq stock market.


Sathyam Bail-Out Plan

January 14, 2009
Govt considering a bail out package for Satyam?
Tuesday, 13 January , 2009, 22:16
Last Updated: Wednesday, 14 January , 2009, 09:38
 

 

Govt considering a bail out package for Satyam?New Delhi: Speculation is rife that the government is considering a package of up to Rs 2,000 crore to bail out the crisis-ridden Satyam Computer but no confirmation could be obtained.

Satyam: The truth at last!

Shortly after the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s review meeting on Satyam on Tuesday, there was media speculation that government would be considering a financial assistance ranging between Rs 500 crore and Rs 2,000 crore. However, the PMO office declined to comment on it.

PM reviews Satyam case with ministers

“We have nothing to say on this,” a top PMO official said when asked if the government was considering giving financial aid to Satyam which is confronting a cash crisis.

Pricewaterhouse assisting agencies on Satyam

Meanwhile, official sources indicated that the government appointed Satyam board has written a letter to the Finance Ministry raising concerns about the liquidity crunch in the troubled company.

Satyam shadow clouds IT firms Q3 results

Talking to reporters after the first meeting of the new board in Hyderabad, HDFC chairman Deepak Parekh, who is member of the board, had said: “Working capital issues require immediate attention and we will work with the team to tide over this situation.”

ICAI sets up special committee to look into Satyam audit

Satyam has 53,000 employees and needs over Rs 500 crore a month to meet the staff cost.

Commerce Minister Kamal Nath, who attended PM’s review meeting, said on Monday that the government was open to consider a financial package for Satyam.


Invest – Secure Future & Retire before you need to….

September 14, 2007

At some point in our life all of us have dreamt of retiring early and doing what we always wanted to. Some of us want to live in a cottage in the hills, others want to pursue passions like photography or theatre, while others just want a quiet life.

The only obstacle we foresee in realising these fantasies is financial security. We are scared of retiring early at the cost of a regular source of income. If only we could be assured that financial security is possible, that we won’t be left high and dry in pursuit of our dreams…

All over the world there are people who meticulously planned their financial future and then took the plunge. But to do this they started investing early – as early as possible and reaped benefits of the simple mathematical concept: compounding.

They also invested in an aggressive portfolio to achieve the all-important, high returns. Gaining financial independence is one of the key pre-requisites for retiring early – owning a house and having good insurance policies are absolute essentials.

To begin with you need a home loan, in case you are not already living in your own house. It should be followed by a life insurance policy, which adequately covers the bread earner’s life. Along with life, it is also important to have a reliable and adequate health cover for all members of the family.

An early retiree’s income must last far longer than a normal retiree’s income. Factoring in inflation, the Retirement Fund has to be much larger in order to have a safety net. A major portion of the portfolio needs to be invested in equities to achieve high returns. Part of this exposure can be through the Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) route and the rest can be invested directly in stock markets.

It is advisable to have an aggressive and actively managed portfolio with an exposure to mid-caps, penny stocks, turnaround stocks and companies of emerging sectors. For this, one needs to have the time, knowledge and temperament to do equity research.

Alternatively, one can take the help of a good financial advisor who invests on your behalf and monitors your portfolio. One can also invest a small portion of the investment fund in exotic options like art, wines and precious stones. Though risky and illiquid, these investments have the potential to generate phenomenal returns in the long run.

To put these investment options in perspective, let’s look at a practical example. Mr Prudent is 30-years-old and wants to retire at 45. His current annual income is Rs 10,00,000 and his monthly expenditure is Rs 50,000. Considering 5 per cent per annum rate of inflation, his monthly expenditure at the time of retirement would be around Rs 1,04,000 per month.

To generate this monthly income, increasing at the rate of inflation, Mr Prudent needs a retirement corpus of Rs 1,82,09,590. This retirement option should be further invested in a relatively safer investment instrument, expecting 12 per cent rate of return to get a monthly income of Rs 1,04,000.

Now, to reach the target corpus of Rs 1,82,09,590 at retirement, Mr Prudent needs to start investing Rs 27,250 per month for the next 15 years, targeting a 15 per cent annual rate of return.

To conclude, listed below are some key points one should focus on if one wants to retire early:

* To be financially independent, you should own your house and take adequate insurance policies
* Money left after paying your housing loan EMIs and insurance premiums should be invested primarily in stocks with high-growth potential in a regular and systematic way
* Top-up your portfolio with some investments in unconventional options like art and precious stones

Realising your dreams is not difficult. What’s required is careful planning and execution, and regular monitoring of your financial goals. Happy investing.