INDIA AMONG THE 10 MOST OPTIMISTIC NATIONS

India is among the top 10 countries with an optimistic economic outlook for year 2009, says an year end poll conducted by TNS Gallup International.

The Economic Times

ENTERTAINMENT SECTOR TO GROW 18 % ANNUALLY

With new markets opening up, the entertainment and media sector is poised to witness about 18 per cent annual growth in the next five years. The study, titled 'Global Entertainment and Media Outlook 2008-2012', says India, along with other BRIC nations - Brazil, Russia and China - will see an economic growth of around 13.6 per cent as against 5.9 per cent growth that the rest of the world will witness in this period.

The Economic Times

Modest global growth, US recession: World Bank

The global economy is expected to slow to a modest 3.3% growth pace this year, but the pace could worsen if the United States slips into recession, the World Bank said Tuesday. Despite financial turmoil unleashed by a meltdown in the US mortgage market, global growth slowed in 2007 to 3.6% from 3.9% rate in 2006, the Bank said in a report titled “Global Economic Prospects 2008.” Most of the 2007 slowdown was due to weaker growth in high-income countries. Developing countries cushioned the blow with robust 7.4% growth, virtually unchanged from 2006.

MINT
http://www.livemint.com/2008/01/09104718/
Modest-global-growth-US-reces.html

Biotech industry revenue doubles to $2 bn in a year

The biotech industry is going great guns. The industry’s revenue revenue hit the $2-billion mark during 2006-07, up from $1 billion in 2004-05. The industry is now aiming to garner revenue of $5 billion before 2010. This sterling performance has its roots abroad. According to industry players, escalating research and development expenses and stringent policies are making manufacturers from the regulated Markets look towards India for cutting costs.

The Financial Express
http://www.financialexpress.com/news/
Biotech-industry-revenue-doubles-to-2-bn-in-a-year/256621/

It's US Vs Russia over $40 bn India market

The United States is gearing up to battle Russia and Europe for sales of billions of dollars in jet fighters, cargo aircraft and other arms to India. US officials regard sales to India, with a potential $40 billion arms market including missile-defense systems, as a way to cement strategic ties and boost bilateral military cooperation as a hedge against China's growing clout.

Express India
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/
bIts-US-Vs-Russia-over-40-bn-India-market-b/254477/

World's top IPO - $8-bn; India's total - $8.3-bn

Indian bourses saw over eight billion dollars worth of initial public offers in 2007, but this is just a shade higher than the world's single-largest IPO that was brought by a Russian company, latest data show. The worldwide IPO activity raised a record capital of 255 billion dollars till November in 2007, including 8.3 billion dollars on Indian bourses, according to data compiled by international consultancy firm Ernst and Young. India was the fifth largest market in terms of number of IPOs and seventh largest in terms of the proceeds for the year, E&Y said.

The Financial Express
http://www.financialexpress.com/news/
Worlds-top-IPO-8bn-Indias-total-8-3bn/254467/

Rupee is BRIC’s second fastest growing currency

The rupee has become the second most appreciating currency against the dollar among BRIC currencies, with a surge of 11% in 2007, says an analysis. While all the four BRIC countries — Brazil, Russia, India and China — have seen a sharp rise in their currencies against the dollar, the pace of rupee appreciation is only next to the Brazilian currency since the beginning of this year.

Mint
http://www.livemint.com/2007/12/23123448/
Rupee-is-BRIC8217s-second-f.html