Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Simplified
Paras Kuhad &
Associates
Doing Business in India
Simplified
Introduction
The geopolitical changes that have taken place around the
world in the last few years and the gradual changes in India’s
economic policies have led to a transformation in the bilateral
relationship between India and the US which is best reflected in
the vastly increased co-operation of the two countries in
political, strategic and economic spheres.
Indo-US co-operation in battling terrorism around the world is
well established, as is India’s commitment to promote
globalization and democracy, to alleviate poverty both at home
and abroad and to work closely with the US to contain
regionally focused armed tension and promote global peace.
Strategic co-operation between the two countries is probably
at an all time high with the much debated Indo-US nuclear
deal.
In the economic sphere, waves of economic
reform that swept through the Indian economy
from 1991 onwards brought a sea change in the
economy as well as the global perception of it.
India started being perceived as an attractive
destination for investments. The India story
comes for an interesting telling and at this point
the world is witnessing a strong, fast-growing and
vibrant Indian economy, which is rapidly
integrating with the global economy.
Reasons that make India an
attractive investment
destination
• India is the world’s largest democracy with a
stable political environment.
• India has an abundant English speaking,
educated, skilled human resource base which
offers its services at far cheaper rates than that
may be found in any other developing or
developed country.
• India is world’s leader in global outsourcing with
more than 80% of the market.
• India has at this time a young population with
roughly 80% of its population below 45 years of
age.
• The India market is made more attractive by the
fast growing consumer-class that is markedly
western in its orientation
• With favourable foreign investment policies, tax
incentives and strong economic fundamentals,
India offers attractive returns to prospective
investors.
India’s Industrial Policy
The Indian government has removed bureaucratic controls on industry, under its
liberalization policy. However, licensing and restrictions still exist in the following sectors:
• Two sectors reserved for public sector viz., Atomic Energy and Railways
• Five Industries in which licensing is compulsory –
Distillation and brewing of alcoholic drinks
Cigars and cigarettes of tobacco
Electronic Aerospace and Defence equipment
Industrial explosives
Hazardous chemicals
• Manufacture of items reserved for Small Scale
Sector.
• Proposals attracting locational restrictions
Nanotechnology
• 100% FDI permitted without prior approval.
Outbound Tourism
• With the rise in living standards, India has
become an impressive source for outbound
tourist traffic.
• Thomas Cook, Cox & Kings India Limited, Star
Luxury Cruises, Queen Mary II Cruise Liners etc
have launched full fledged operation in India
• The introduction of package tours to all five
continents by various travel agencies/companies
has become very popular over the past few
years.
Other growth sectors
• Energy
• Infrastructure
• Real Estate
• Media/Broadcasting
• Telecommunication
Forms of enterprises in India
• Branch Office
A Branch Office is basically an extended arm of the
foreign company and can undertake export/import of
goods, consultancy, research, coordination with local
buyers and sellers and provide technical support for
products sold in India, development of software and
operations related to airline/shipping business. However,
a Branch Office is not allowed to undertake
manufacturing activities except research work in which
the parent company is engaged. Prior approval of
Reserve bank of India is required to set up a Branch
office.
Forms of enterprises contd…
Liaison Office
Project Office
• Customs Duty
• Sales Tax
• Value Added Tax
• Service Tax
• R&D Cess
• Turnover Tax
• Purchase Tax