An infrastructure financing bridge is a collaborative initiative between India and the UK aimed at planning and implementing major infrastructure projects. In this context:
Niti Aayog: Niti Aayog is a policy think tank of the Indian government responsible for formulating and guiding policies and initiatives in various sectors, including infrastructure development.
City of London Corporation: The City of London Corporation represents the governing body of the historic center of London, known as the "City of London." It plays a significant role in supporting London's financial services industry.
The infrastructure financing bridge leverages the expertise and resources of both entities to facilitate the financing and execution of large-scale infrastructure projects. It serves as a platform for collaboration and coordination between India and the UK in the field of infrastructure development.
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Talks:
India and the UK have agreed to conduct investment negotiations in parallel with the goods negotiations as part of their FTA talks. An FTA is a trade agreement between two or more countries that aims to reduce or eliminate barriers to trade, such as tariffs and import quotas. In this case:
Goods Negotiations: These negotiations focus on trade in physical goods, including products and commodities.
Investment Negotiations: Investment negotiations address matters related to cross-border investments, including protections for investors, intellectual property rights, and investment facilitation.
The parallel negotiations indicate that both countries are working on multiple aspects of the FTA simultaneously to expedite the conclusion of the trade agreement. The goal is to reach an agreement that benefits both nations by enhancing trade and investment opportunities.
Listing of Indian Companies on International Exchanges:
Indian businesses are currently not permitted to list directly on international exchanges. However, they can utilize instruments like depository receipts to access international capital markets. Key points regarding this matter include:
Listing on International Exchanges: Indian companies are restricted from directly listing their shares on foreign stock exchanges.
Depository Receipts: Indian companies can list their depository receipts on international exchanges. These receipts represent shares of the Indian company held by a depository, allowing investors to trade them on foreign markets.
The discussion between India and the UK regarding Indian companies' listing on overseas exchanges indicates an interest in exploring options to potentially enable direct listings of Indian firms on international stock markets. Such a move could provide Indian companies with greater access to global investors and capital.
Overall, these developments represent efforts to strengthen economic ties between India and the UK through infrastructure financing, trade negotiations, and potential changes in listing regulations for Indian companies on international exchanges.
