Links for 30/3/07

‘Magik’ to revolutionise animation filmmaking in India
Monsters and Critics
Indian filmmakers, who have so far ignored animation films, are now endorsing them in a big way and the latest to join the race is Media Factory India which is going to invest $5 million in its animated 3-D film 'Magik'.

India to relax hedge fund restrictions
Financial Times
India plans to selectively allow hedge funds to invest in the markets, Forbes reported on Thursday.

Doing business in India
Conservatives
Indian High Commissioner H.E. Kamalesh Sharma hosted a business networking reception at India House in London, on Monday 26th March. At the event he and Richard Spring MP, Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party, spoke of Britain and India's historically strong economic relationship.

India's FIPB again defers decision on Vodafone's Hutch Essar deal - report
Hemscott
India's Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) has deferred a decision on Vodafone's proposed acquisition of Hutchison Telecom's (HTIL) stake in Hutch Essar for the second time, the Hindu Business Line reported.

Lanxess mulling greenfield plant, acquisitions in India
ABC Money
Lanxess is mulling setting up a greenfield ion exchange resin manufacturing plant in India and is also evaluating some chemical companies for prospective acquisitions, reported the Business Standard citing Dr Jorg StraBburger, country representative, Lanxess.

BMW’s first Indian plant in gear with rise in luxury tastes
Times Online
BMW, the German carmaker, yesterday opened its first factory in India to meet a rising demand for Western luxury brands in the world’s second fastest-growing economy.

RPT DaimlerChrysler to enter Indian market without local partner
Hemscott
German auto maker DaimlerChrysler AG has decided to venture into the Indian market alone, after talks to increase its stake in Eicher Motors Ltd seem to have failed, The Economic Times reported.

Merrill to Invest $1 Bln in India expansion
Reuters
U.S. investment bank Merrill Lynch (MER.N: Quote, Profile , Research) plans to invest $1 billion to expand its Indian operations over in the next two years, the Financial Express reported on Friday, quoting unnamed government officials.