Foreign direct investment approvals authorised across sectors while several proposals deferred for policy and compliance scrutiny.
Nineteen foreign investment proposals were approved by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board permitting induction of non-resident equity, issuance of warrants and establishment of wholly owned subsidiaries across multiple sectors, with sector specific conditions noted. Sixteen proposals were deferred pending further scrutiny of foreign equity increases, WOS formations, ex post approvals and participation in sensitive sectors where policy restrictions or factual disputes apply. Two proposals were rejected and one withdrawn under applicability of Consolidated FDI Policy provisions.

Employment and skill development drive pre-budget consultations to promote inclusive growth and enhance youth employability.
Pre-budget consultations with trade unions focused on employment as central to inclusive development, balancing growth with sustainability. The Finance Minister outlined a multi-pronged strategy to reduce poverty and expand access to health and education, emphasising empowerment via education and the National Skill Development Mission to raise employability. He cited increased allocations for anti-poverty programmes and the need for improved implementation, noted the administrative role of unique identity numbers for better targeting, and referenced Labour Bureau reports and sectoral employment gains as indicators of recovery, inviting trade union suggestions for budget measures.

Investment and trade potential between India and South Africa urged to be unlocked, with PTA and sectoral cooperation driving growth.
Huge untapped investment and trade potential exists between India and South Africa, with calls to diversify sectoral engagement into construction, mining, renewable energy and space science. The note urges early conclusion of an India-SACU Preferential Trade Agreement to boost trade in pharmaceuticals, machinery and automobiles, and highlights MMTC's new Johannesburg office to strengthen direct sourcing of metals, minerals, rough diamonds and coal, including joint exploration ventures and pan African business outreach.

Import trends of sensitive items show sectoral shifts: crude edible oil up, refined oil down and mixed commodity movements.
Imports of designated sensitive items rose in April-October 2010 versus the prior year, increasing by about fourteen percent while representing a marginally smaller share of gross imports. Commodity movements were mixed: declines occurred in pulses, fruits and vegetables, cotton and silk, spices and tea and coffee, while edible oil, automobiles, rubber, SSI products, milk and milk products, marble and granite, alcoholic beverages and food grains increased. Edible oil imports shifted toward higher crude and lower refined oil, largely due to increased soya-bean crude oil imports, and country-level import flows showed both increases and decreases across trading partners.

Export growth signals strong trade recovery; imports declined and trade deficit narrowed on quick-estimate data.
Exports showed a strong monthly and year to date increase through April-December 2010, reaching the highest monthly export level in 33 months while December imports declined and the monthly balance of trade was the lowest in three years; the published numbers are quick estimates subject to change. Sectoral gains driving export growth included engineering, gems and jewellery, petroleum and products, leather products, carpet, plastics and linoleum, cotton yarn, and chemicals.