By Jane Lee — According to the South Korean Ministry of Unification, the number of North Koreans entering South Korea annually has decreased over time since the late 2000s. The continued dramatic decline was observed since Kim Jong-un assumed power…
By Mukesh Butani — Status: Incomplete – While the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has updated the foreign portfolio investment regulations in 2019, any reform to raise the ceiling on foreign institutional or portfolio investors has not yet occurred. Low…
Union Cabinet approves a $19 billion rural sanitation scheme; Madhya Pradesh approves act to fast-track investment approvals; Tamil Nadu declares Cauvery Delta as protected agricultural zone; Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Mizoram, and Odisha present state budgets; Punjab notifies Water Resources Management…
Andhra Pradesh power regulator orders utilities to uphold clean energy PPA; Haryana approves $173.8 million package for Mega Projects; MOUs worth $10 billion signed at Karnataka’s investors meet; Uttar Pradesh approves Ground Water Act-2020 to improve ground water levels; West…
First National e-Governance Service Delivery Index Assessment (NeSDA) 2019 rankings out; Aam Aadmi Party wins Delhi elections; Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to provide $3 billion loan to Andhra Pradesh; Haryana launches a $210 million social security scheme; Union Cabinet approves…
By Thomas Lutken — Status: Not Started — While nearly 1,300 goods and 500 services are covered by the goods and services tax (GST), electricity, oil and gas, real estate, and alcohol are not currently in the ambit of the…
By Richard Rossow & Thomas Lutken — This issue: Madhya Pradesh tops our electric vehicle (EV) policy breakthrough index with subsidies for manufacturers, mandates on charging infrastructure, and a campaign to raise public awareness on EVs. Close runners up include…
By Richard Rossow — As we close out 2019, India’s mantra of “competitive federalism” to encourage state-level business reforms barely has a pulse. The Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry has not updated its rankings of Indian states through the…
Union Cabinet allocates 30 percent of north eastern council’s budget for developing deprived areas; Indian Oil Corporation to invest $1.94 billion for expanding Barauni refinery’s capacity; Delhi discom signs an MOU with France’s Schneider Electric; Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission…
By Richard Rossow — Status: Not Started — In her July 2019 Budget Speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hinted that the central government may play a larger role in electric power pricing. However, no concrete action has yet been taken.…
Gujarat tops SKOCH state of governance rankings 2019; Haryana approves installation of 10,000 smart electricity meters; Maharashtra approves “Mumbai 24 hour policy”; Kuwait’s Al Kharafi makes $6.8 billion investment in Tamil Nadu; New excise policy in Uttar Pradesh; Communication blockade…
By Claire Reade — The United States has been conducting a highly disruptive experiment in its trade negotiations with China and the waves of tariffs imposed over the past 18 months. With a “Phase One” deal now signed, we need…
By Kelli K. Clark — Status: Not Started — Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in direct business-to-consumer retail e-commerce is currently not allowed unless items are all being sold under a single brand, or inventory is not owned or controlled by…
