Latest articles from Kala Rao

India’s credit clean-up

July 4, 2005

Efforts by Indian banks to sort out non-performing assets and laws to protect creditors’ rights have made the lending climate more favourable, reports Kala Rao.

HSBC seeks small fry to land big profits

April 4, 2005

HSBC in India is preparing for an expected boom in the SME sector by targeting smaller businesses that have growth potential. Kala Rao reports from Mumbai.
No customer is too small for HSBC, says Subir Mehra, who heads the bank’s small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) business in India. That is what prompted it to mine its retail banking customers in India, looking for small businesses that are poised to grow dramatically in a fast-expanding economy.

India’s IT outsourcers

March 7, 2005

Despite concerns over data fraud, communication problems and a backlash from western countries, India is still a prime destination for banks to outsource their business processes, writes Kala Rao.

The Magnificent ten

October 4, 2004

India’s current government and finance scene includes an energetic, forward-thinking and pragmatic team. Kala Rao profiles the 10 key decision-makers.
When, against the odds, the Congress party triumphed in India’s national elections in May, the country’s stock market nosedived. Investors feared that state intervention and meddling would come back into fashion, interest rates would rise and prospects for economic growth would diminish. In short, India’s reform process would move quickly into reverse.

Decade of reform

June 2, 2004

India’s securities went from third to first world in record time. But is T+1 a step too far, asks Kala Rao.

Two way street

March 3, 2004

A potential trade spat between the US and Indian governments could threaten the bright future of offshore outsourcing, says Kala Rao.

Tortuous path to pensions reform

March 3, 2004

Kala Rao reports on India’s timid yet nevertheless genuine attempts to overhaul its pension system – and on the global players licking their lips in anticipation.

Riding India’s growth wave

March 3, 2004

Foreign investors are bullish on India’s banks and ICICI especially. By Kala Rao and Stephen Timewell in Mumbai.

HSBC takes local stake

January 5, 2004

After a long-term presence in India, HSBC has surprised everyone by buying into the local banking sector in an apparent strategic shift, writes Kala Rao in Mumbai.

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