Corporate Tax Planning 

 

Block-1

Indonesia and India have embarked on big, bold and historic hunts for hidden assets. The moves come amid a global shift in attitude toward tax avoidance and offshore holdings, but the emerging economies have singular reasons for seeking undeclared riches. Each wants fresh cash for much-needed infrastructure projects and a chance for a fairer distribution of wealth.

In the last days of September, in the dark of 3 a.m., people began queuing outside a single government building in central Jakarta. They were clutching financial papers that in some cases exposed offshore accounts worth billions of rupiah. Two months earlier, President Joko Widodo had launched a massive tax amnesty campaign to repatriate hidden assets to Indonesia. As the first reporting deadline loomed, crowds swelled into the office that handles the tax affairs of the country's wealthiest individuals and companies.

More than 10,000 people a day answered the president's pitch in September: declare assets now and take advantage of a discounted tax rate -- as little as 2% compared to 25% -- and, in turn, be part of Indonesia's future. Revenue from the nine-month amnesty, continuing through March, is promised to build railway networks, ports and airports in a country whose prospects, politically and economically, have been on the ascent.

Widodo, who was elected in 2014, has cast the program as good for business -- and pivotal to the next generation. Twice before Indonesia tried amnesties to lure money back home but those efforts in 1964-65 and in 1984 failed, in part, due to poor incentives. Now Indonesia has calculated that political stability and a dramatic drop in the tax rate could help to bring in an estimated 11,400 trillion rupiah ($851 billion) parked overseas.

We have a large amount of money outside; Widodo told a group of businessmen in Jakarta this summer. "What is most important now is to bring this money back to our country. We need your participation right now to build the nation."

Indonesia's call for revenue echoes across many countries in Asia where private wealth has risen steeply in the past decade. New wealth accounts for about 60% of the total wealth growth in the Asia-Pacific region excluding Japan and, by 2019, the region is expected to account for 26% of all global financial wealth, according to a recent Boston Consulting Group report. It is those potential taxpayers that emerging economies want to rein in as partners in their next phase of development.

People streamed to banks in New Delhi to try to withdraw or deposit old currency notes banned on Nov. 8. India has taken more radical steps this year, starting with amnesty and then launching a wholesale assault on its shadow economy by banning high-denomination bank notes. Life in the cash-starved society has morphed into a kind of collective suffering. But both India and Indonesia see their experiments as helping to secure economic ballast at a critical time to attract domestic and global investment. Transparent accounting at home will help each country to prepare for tougher global standards for financial information that will go into effect next year.

Indonesia's hunt for revenue is spurred by ambition for this country of 20 million taxpayers. It has enjoyed 5% annual growth for the past few years. In order to keep this growth momentum, the country needs to build and improve its infrastructures such as airports and power grids. The government has estimated 5,500 trillion rupiah is needed through 2019 for infrastructure; the state budget can likely cover a quarter of that.

Amnesty became appealing first to trade associations, law firms and major developers that liked the lower tax rate -- and possibly saw future government contracts for big construction. Wealth managers said tax rates were locked in depending on how early declarations were made. That sparked the September rush. "Just with 2% or 4%, you can bring the 'dark' money under the sun," said a private banker in Singapore. "Once you declare amnesty, the money is no longer 'dark.’ “Note: this is a timed quiz. You may check the remaining time you have at any point while taking the quiz by pressing the keyboard combination SHIFT, ALT, and T... Again: SHIFT, ALT, and T...

 

Question 1

Which two countries are mainly hinting for hidden funds? 

Group of answer choices 

 

• India & Japan

 

• Indonesia & Japan

 

• India & Pakistand

 

• India and Indonesia

 

Q.2. Who said that tax rates were locked in depending on how early declarations were made?

 

Government

 

Economists

 

Marketers

 

Wealth Managers

 

Q.3. Which type of economies are discussed here?

 

Emerging

 

Developing

 

Developed

 

All

 

Q.4. Amnesty became appealing first to whom?, law firms and major developers that liked the lower tax rate

 

Associations

 

Law Firms

 

Developer

 

All

 

Q. 5. What is the main issue in th e case?

 

Increasing tax

 

Bringing money back

 

Punishing Defaulters

 

Increasing GDP

 

Q.6. How much percentage growth, Indonesia has seen in last few years?

 

5

 

10

 

15

 

20

 

Q.7. Who told that we have a large amount of money outside too?

 

Jakarta

 

Businessman

 

ITO

 

Widodo

 

Q.8. Indonesia falls in which continent?

 

US

 

Australia

 

Africa

 

Asia

 

Q.9. The case is primarily about???. Funds.

 

Increasing

 

Decreasing

 

Hunting

 

Pressing

 

Q.10. According to an estimate, how many million taxpayers are in Indonesia?

Group of answer choices

 

10

 

30

 

50

 

20

 

Block 2 ( case study) 

 

Mergers and acquisitions are types of business combinations in which separate entities or operations of entities are merged into one reporting entity. There are three common forms of mergers that are the result of the relationship between the merging parties.

In a horizontal merger, a company acquires a competitor firm that produces and sells an identical or similar product in the same geographic area.

In a vertical merger, a company acquires a customer or supplier.

Conglomerate mergers include a number of other types of business combinations, regardless of common geographic location or industry affiliation. Conglomerate mergers may arise when a company wants to expand for reasons not directly related to competition in the marketplace, such as when a furniture manufacturer buys an appliance manufacturer or when a sales agency in Ohio buys a sales agency in Florida. There are two main methods of mergers.

Under the pooling method, all assets and liabilities were recorded at existing book values while goodwill was not recorded. As a result, the values for the assets and liabilities listed in the accounting records and financial statements of each company involved in a merger or acquisition were carried forward to the surviving company that remained or was created after the business combination. Under the pooling method, no new assets or liabilities were created by the business combination. Further, the income statement of the surviving company included all of the revenues and expenses of the fiscal year for each company. Ultimately, the operating results for both companies were combined for all periods prior to the closing date, and previously issued financial statements were restated as though the companies had always been combined.

The purchase method is now the preferred accounting method used for business combinations. Under the purchase method, the purchase price and costs of the acquisition are allocated to the identified assets that are acquired, whether tangible or intangible and to any liabilities that are assumed based on the current fair market value of the assets and liabilities. If the purchase price exceeds the fair value of the purchased company's net assets, the excess is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill or the excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the net of the amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed, is almost always present because the purchase price of a target or its assets is almost always higher than the sum of the fair values of all of the assets being purchased. This is because a company is more than just the sum of its assets. It also has intangible qualities such as its reputation in the business community that add to its value beyond the market value of its assets. However, the purchase method does not allow the allocated purchase price for any asset to exceed its fair value. Thus, the excess is recorded as goodwill as a type of catchall category.

 

Q.1. Under the ???.. method, all assets and liabilities are recorded at existing book values while goodwill is not recorded.

 

Balance

 

Vertical

 

Pooling

 

Purchase

 

Q.2. Which method is now the preferred accounting method used for business combinations?

 

Balance

 

Vertical

 

Purchase

 

Pooling

 

Q.3. 

 

Q.4. If the purchase price exceeds the fair value of the purchased company's net assets, the excess is recorded as ?????..

 

Profit

 

Loss

 

Goodwill

 

None

 

Q.5. Under the ????. method, no new assets or liabilities were created by the business combination.

Group of answer choices

 

Balance

 

Vertical

 

Pooling

 

Purchase

 

Q.6. In which type of merger, a company acquires a customer or supplier.

 

Horizontal

 

Vertical

 

Conglomerate

 

All

 

Q.7. Which merger includes a number of other types of business combinations?

 

Horizontal

 

Vertical

 

Conglomerate

 

All

 

Q.8. What actually comes in business combination?

 

Merger

 

Acquisitions

 

None

 

Both

 

Q.9. Goodwill is a ????.. Asset.

 

Precious

 

Tangible

 

Intangible

 

Accounting

 

Q.10. In which type of merger, company acquires a competitor firm that produces and sells an identical or similar product in the same geographic area.

 

Horizontal

 

Vertical

 

Conglomerate

 

All

 

Block-3 Assessment- 

 

Valuation of Goodwill and Shares

VALUATION OF GOODWILL

I. Methods for Valuation of Goodwill:

Ø  Capitalisation Method

Ø  Super Profits Method

Ø  Annuity Method

Capitalization Method Steps:

o   Future Maintainable Profits (FMP)

o   Normal Rate of Return (NRR)

o   Normal Capital Employed (NCE = FMP/NRR)

o   Actual Capital Employed (ACE)

o   Goodwill = NCE – ACE

Super Profits Method Steps:

o   Average Capital Employed (Avg CE)

o   NRR

o   Normal Profits (NP = Avg CE x NRR)

o   FMP

o   Super Profits (SP = FMP – NP)

o   Goodwill = SP x No of Years

Annuity Method Steps:

o   SP

o   Goodwill = SP x Annuity Factor

II. Capital Employed:

 

Ø  Liabilities Side Approach = Equity Share Capital + Reserves and Surplus – Non-Trading Assets – Misc Expenditure (+/-) Adjustments in values of Assets or Liabilities

Ø  Assets Side Approach = Total Assets (Excld Misc Expenditure and Non Trading Assets) – Outside Liabilities – Preference Share Capital

Notes:

o   Non Trading assets shall be excluded (Investments mentioned in the balance sheet shall be excluded, if nothing is mentioned assume it as non trading investments. If nothing is given regarding purchase date of investment it is assumed it is purchased at the beginning of the year.

o   Asset must be taken at current cost. If nothing is mentioned take value given in the balance sheet.

o   If we already have goodwill in balance sheet that shall be excluded.

o   Proposed dividend is not an outside liability whereas preference dividend is an outside liability. (Appearing in Balance Sheet)

o   Dividend Paid last year if there is no proposed dividend then the dividend paid shall be taken into consideration for capital employed.

o   Sinking Fund is a part of Reserves and Surplus

o   Workmen’s Compensation fund is a part of Shareholders fund.

o   Preference shares are treated as cumulative and non-participating if nothing is mentioned

o   Unclaimed dividend is considered as outside liability it is different from proposed dividend.

o   If the profits for past and profits for future are given we have to take profits of future for FMP. And less weightage shall be allotted to future profits.

o   Gratuity fund, workmen’s compensation fund is an outside liability.

o   Capital Employed for Long term funds = Capital Employed as calculated above + Loans and Preference Share Capital

o   the difference in Balance sheet is outside liability if it appears on liability side and assets if vice versa.

 

Q.1. Which is not the part of Capitalization Method Process.

 

FMP

 

NRR

 

ACE

 

All

 

Q.2. NRR stands for ?????? rate of return

 

Nominal

 

Negative

 

Normal

 

Average

 

Q.3. Gratuity fund, workmen’s compensation fund is a outside liability.

 

TRUE

 

FALSE

 

Sometimes

 

Never

 

Q.4. Which is not the outside liability?

 

Proposed Dividend

 

Average Return

 

Interest Income

 

Principle Amount

 

Q.5. Unclaimed ???????.is considered as outside liability it is different from proposed dividend.

 

Dividend

 

Liability

 

Asset

 

Loss

 

Q.6. ACE stand for Average ????? Employed.

 

Money

 

Profit

 

Expense

 

Capital

 

 

Q.7. While calculating/Valuating goodwill, asset must be taken at current cost.

 

TRUE

 

FALSE

 

Sometimes

 

Never

 

Q.8. Difference in Balance sheet is outside liability if it appears on Asset side and liability if vice versa.

 

TRUE

 

FALSE

 

Sometimes

 

Never

 

Q.9. Workmen?s Compensation fund is a part of ??????. fund.

 

Stakeholder

 

Propreitor

 

Owners

 

Shareholders

 

Q.10. ?????..Fund is a part of Reserves and Surplus.

 

Profit

 

Loss

 

Suspense

 

Sinking

 

4th Block Assessment-

 

Case Study # Lessening Income Tax Burden

If you are reading this, you are likely to be someone whose income exceeds the threshold of Rs 2.5 lakhs for paying taxes. There are some legitimate ways of saving taxes and the good thing is that most of them also help you grow your wealth. These options usually have a lock-in period and vary in the nature and amount of return they provide. You must also remember that each of these alternatives also serves specific purposes and tax saving is not the purpose but an ancillary benefit of that.

With the current financial year’s end approaching, there is precious little room for procrastination.  According to various research reports, less than 3% of the Indian population (~35 million taxpayers) bears the total income tax burden of the country, of which, 89% fall in the tax slab of 0-5 lakh.

You might have cough up high amounts if you fail to plan your taxes judiciously. Note that any delays in implementing your tax plans invariably result in non-accrual of tax benefits.

Public provident fund

The amount invested in public provident fund can be claimed as a deduction from gross total income under Section 80C. The interest on PPF account is also exempted from income tax. Most experts reckon that this is one of the preferred investment options.

 

National pension scheme

This scheme offers a good tax exemption benefit under Section 80CCD of the act. The contribution made by an employee to the NPS qualifies for this tax benefit and the upper limit of 1.50 Lakh (one lakh up to AY 2014-15) under Section 80C of the act.

Equity savings schemes

If you are invested in the stock market or are interested in doing so, invest in listed equity tax savings schemes (under 80C), for example, Equity Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS). 

National savings certificate

National Savings Certificate is a scheme introduced by the government to promote the habit of savings among people. Under this scheme, the money is accepted by the government through post offices. An investor can avail tax deduction under Section 80C for such investments.

Life insurance

Apart from offering risk coverage, life insurance premium for self and family are applicable for tax deductions. Premiums for life insurance plans covering you, spouse, and dependent children are eligible for a deduction up to Rs. 1 lakh under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.

Health insurance

Not only certain expenses incurred during medical treatment, but health insurance premiums are also eligible for tax deduction. Premiums paid up to Rs. 25,000 for medical coverage for yourself, your spouse, and children are eligible for deduction. Further deduction of Rs. 25,000 is available for medical insurance premiums paid for parents. The limit of Rs. 25,000 gets extended to Rs. 30,000 if the plan is for a senior citizen. Always opt for those tax-saving instruments, which fulfil your financial goals and cut your income tax payments.

 

Q.1. As per this case, up to which amount, there is no tax.

 

2 Lakh

 

2.5 Lakh

 

3 Lakh

 

Not Clear

 

Q.2. The interest on PPF amount is tax free.

 

TRUE

 

FALSE

 

Sometimes

 

Never

 

Q.3. According to income tax act, how much percentage people fall in the tax slab of 0-5 lakh.

 

25,000

 

98%

 

89%

 

2.5 Lakh

 

Q.4. Not only certain expenses incurred during medical treatment, but health insurance premiums are also eligible for tax deduction.

 

TRUE

 

FALSE

 

Sometimes

 

Never

 

Q.5. Under which section of Income Tax act, individuals can do savings and save tax.

 

80 C

 

80 D

 

NPS

 

ELSS

 

Q.6. Who is covered under health insurance?

 

Self

 

Spouse

 

Kids

 

All

 

Q.7. Do senior citizens get some extra advantage under 80 C, for health insurance expenses.

Group of answer choices

 

Always

 

Sometimes

 

Only 80 Years above

 

Only Ex Govt Employees

 

Q.8. Premiums for life insurance plans covering ??????... are eligible for a deduction.

 

Insurer

 

Spouse

 

Kids

 

All

 

Q.9. ELSS investments are made in ???. Market.

 

Money

 

Capital

 

Treasury

 

All

 

Q.10. NSCs are sold by ?????.

 

Banks

 

Insurance Companies

 

Post Offices

 

Government

 

Q.10. NSCs are sold by ?????.

 

Banks

 

Insurance Companies

 

Post Offices

 

Government

 

5th Block Assessment- 

The merger between AOL and Time Warner

The merger between AOL and Time Warner was declared on 10 January 2000 and it was worth $183 billion. That was the biggest merger in the history of American business world. AOL had about 40% share of online service in the United States and the Time Warner have more than 18% of US media and cable households. The merger is considered to be a vertical merger between one amongst the most important web service suppliers and this one amongst the biggest media and entertainment firm. The new company was formed and named as AOL Time Warner and was the fourth biggest company in the US, as evaluated by stock market valuation. After the merger deal, AOL become a subsidiary the Time Warner Company at stage and has operations in Europe, North American countries and Asia. As a web service supplier, AOL on look severely rival from Microsoft, Yahoo and different low price net access suppliers. Thus, the corporate tries to induce advertising and e-commerce growth, thereby separate it by rival (BBC, 2000).

Impact of deal on the performance: After the official announcement of deal merger between AOL and Time Warner growth rate in revenue has dramatically declined. The profitability suffered a good plunge when the alliance. The potency of the new united firm was terribly poor as determined from the asset turnover ratio. Even the liquidity of the firm suffered once the merger as evident from this ratio. There are several reasons for failure however the foremost vital reason was the unequal size of the companies, wherever AOL was overvalued as a result of web bubble. According to New York share exchange before the deal the share price of AOL is 73 and Time Warne is 90 but after announcement of the merger deal the shareholders dissatisfaction shown on share market of AOL and Time Warner and the shares drop down to 47 and 71 respectively. AOL and Time Warner fail to keep up shareholders satisfaction levels this conjointly one among the rationale to loosing stability of share holders according to the Times magazine.

The market valuation of both the companies AOL and Time Warner were decline from the starting of the merger to end of the deal. AOL has drop down approximately 60 percent and Time Warner around 30 percent of market value once the deal has been closed. The market valuation of both the companies from 2000 to 2011 was dropped down drastically. The AOL market value has dropped from 167$ billion to 107$ billion and the Time Warner 124$ billion to 99$ billion and is the biggest dropped down of any company in American history.

Reasons for merger Failures: 1+1 = 3 sounds great but in practice or reality every time it's not working properly and go awry. Historical trends show that roughly 2 thirds of huge mergers can let down on their own terms, which implies they're going to lose worth on the stock exchange. The motivations that mainly drive mergers are frequently blemished and efficiencies from economies of scale might prove elusive (Investopedia, 2010).

Adoption of the new technology takes time for the normal company. In late twentieth century dramatic changes has occur in web. Migration of recent mode of web service is connected with high barricade and a number of other social and legal problems was encircled around and recently established firms like Yahoo, MSN etc was giving high edge competition. Economical rate of inflation is high, to create economy stronger American government has modified the policy and taxation rules have throwing a dispute for AOL to beat this things merger with Time Warner became a fruit to the AOL. Public and private policies are one of the reasons for the merger failure. The reasons of merger failure is overvaluation of AOL shares has shown a dramatic impact on the deal, whereas stake holders are not satisfied and improper communication with consumers damages the trust of user. The merger's fail was a result not only because of the replete of the dot-com bubble but it also the failings by AOL Time Warner management to ever really integrate the two firms.

Conclusion

One size does not match all. Several firms think that the most effective way to get ahead is to expand business boundaries through mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Mergers produce synergies and economies of scale, increasing operations and cutting prices. Investors will take comfort within the idea that a merger can deliver increased market power. The same thing happens with the America's biggest merger deal between AOL and Time Warner. They think that merger is helpful for both the companies, but it not matched for both of them. Both AOL and Time Warner synergies shows diversification is that the main goal of the firms to extend the revenue and to attain the value gain because of the amendment in mode of technology and increase in the competition for the well-established firms. Throughout the phase of merger web bubbles also the main cause for over valuation of shares. In distinction Time Warner was the victim of net bubble. This type merger failure cases shows support the European Commission to restrict the American companies to merge with the European companies. European commission has a right to govern the European market and make stable the Euro Zone market. The European commission (EC) is thought of defending domestic companies from foreign rival and they encourage their zone mergers. So, the European commission doesn't want any problems like dis-economies of scale, clashes of cultures and reduction of flexibilities by the merger of American companies. So, the merger is highly regulated by European Union to avoid major concentration of economic power in euro zone. The merger deals cases like AOL and Time Warner helps the European Commission (EC) to make strict rules to restrict the merger and acquisition (M&A) of American companies with the Euro Zone companies.

 

Q.1. What is normally expected from a merger initiative?

 

Economies of Scale

 

Synergy

 

Cutting Prices

 

All

 

Q.2. The same thing happens with the America's biggest merger deal between AOL and Time Warner.

 

TRUE

 

FALSE

 

Not Given

 

Can't Say

 

Q.3. After the historical merger announced, the US share market???

 

Increased

 

Decreased

 

No Impact

 

Welcomed

 

Q.4. The market valuation of both the companies AOL and Time Warner were ????..from the starting of the merger to end of the deal.

 

Up

 

Down

 

Stable

 

Can't Say

 

Q.5. AS per the case, most of the mergers in US have been ????.

Group of answer choices

 

Successful

 

Failed

 

Welcomed

 

Stable

 

Q.6. The main reason for failure of a merger is not to get the benefit of ?????

 

Goodwill

 

Economies of Scale

 

Reputation

 

All

 

Q.7. What kind of merger it is?

 

Horizontal

 

Vertical

 

Conglomerate

 

None

 

Q.8. The AOL and Warner merger took place in which year.

 

Not Given

 

2001

 

2000

 

2010

 

Q.9. After the deal announced, the sales growth of both the companies noticed ????

 

Fall

 

Increase

 

Stability

 

Can't Say

 

Q.10: After the said merger, new company had which position in the US market.

 

First

 

Second

 

Third

 

Fourth

 

Full Syllabus Assessment- 

Case Study # Is FDI the new engine of growth?

The official discussion paper (DP), Industrial Policy—2017, (goo.gl/jEPs6u) is a welcome effort. That said, while it sets down a laundry list of known constraints, it ignores serious analyses of poor industrial performance. Pedantically discussing competitiveness, the policy paper makes very little reference to trends in global trade, or inadequate domestic industrial demand, falling capacity utilization or negative credit growth (“Economic Reforms and Manufacturing Sector” by R. Nagaraj, Economic And Political Weekly, 14 January 2017).

There is an exception, however. Flagging the boom in foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, the paper claims it as a badge of success for the official policy. The report says, “Total FDI inflow was $156.53 billion since April 2014 ($45.15 billion in 2014-15, $55.56 billion in 2015-16, and $60.08 billion in 2016-17). Highest ever annual inflow ($60.08 billion) was received in 2016-17. FDI equity inflows increased by 52% during 2014-16 and 62% since the launch of Make in India. India is now ranked amongst top 3 FDI destinations (World Investment Report 2016, Unacted) and ninth in the FDI Confidence Index in 2016, up two places from 2015 (AT Kearney)”. 

Laudable as that may be, what did the FDI inflow do for the economy? Did it augment industrial output and investment growth (meeting Make in India goals) as expected in theory? The official paper claims it has. But has it really?

In principle, FDI—as against foreign portfolio investment which flows into the secondary capital market—brings in long-term fixed investments, technology and managerial expertise, together with foreign firms’ managerial control. FDI in green field investment is for fresh capital formation, and in brown field investment for acquiring existing enterprises with the expectation of improving the firm’s productivity and profits.

In practice, however, this may be different. Currently, FDI does not come from leading global producers of goods and services, but from shadow banking entities such as private equity (PE) funds. In 2014-15, PE accounted for 60% of total foreign inflows, and the top three recipients were Flipkart, Paytm and Snapdeal (Bain & Co.’s “India Private Equity Report 2016”). These funds are used to finance retail trade of mostly imported consumer goods to expand their market shares, in order to boost the firm’s market valuations. Since PE investments are highly leveraged (high debt-equity ratios), rising markets valuations help them reap disproportionate gains when they make their exit. 

PE firms do not commit to fresh capital formation or invest in technology, as expected of FDI. India being a bright spot in world economy lately, global retailers such as Amazon are rushing here to build their brand’s value and acquire market share using abundant low-cost international capital. Could such financing of retail trade with short time horizons constitute the (new) engine of India’s industrial growth and employment generation? I wonder.

This is why despite rising FDI inflows, domestic capital formation rate, or industrial capacity utilization, have declined secularly. What is going on, I would contend, is foreign capital financed import-led consumption growth, not augmenting domestic output to meet Make In India goals. Therefore, the current growth pattern would only contribute to economic fragility under free capital flows, as the social costs of servicing the external capital in rupee terms could be significantly high in the longer run. 

The official paper also pins hope on outward FDI to strengthen domestic industrial and services capabilities. Since 2000, the outflow has risen remarkably, often seen as the coming of age of domestic enterprises, acquiring factories and firms (and global brands) mostly in advanced economies, best illustrated by Tata’s acquisition of luxury car maker, Jaguar Land Rover. After a brief dip during the financial crisis, the outflows have maintained momentum. But Indian firms are no longer chasing foreign acquisitions; if anything, they are licking the wounds of hasty misadventures over the past decade—for instance, the Videocon group. 

So where is the outflow going? Apparently, India is being used as a conduit for routing international capital for tax arbitrage. Olivier Blanchard and Julien Acalin’s research paper (What Does Measured FDI Actually Measure, Peterson Institute for International Economics, October 2016) offers an insightful answer. It shows that inward and outward FDI flows across emerging market economies are highly correlated, responding to the US policy rate. India ranks sixth in descending order among 25 emerging market economies (far higher than China). The study’s sharp conclusions seem instructive: “...‘measured’ FDI gross flows are quite different from true flows and may reflect flows through rather than to the country, with stops due in part to (legal) tax optimization. This must be a warning to both researchers and policy makers.” 

Put simply, inward and outward FDI flows apparently represent channeling of global capital via India to take advantage of tax concessions (called “treaty shopping”). Hence such short-term foreign capital movements in and out of the country may contribute little to augment domestic capability. If the findings are correct, then there is a need to re-examine recent FDI’s true contribution. 

Subject to closer verification, if the foregoing arguments and evidence are valid, then the recent FDI flows have contributed little by way of augmenting domestic capabilities, output and employment growth. Inward FDI, increasingly from PE funds, has largely financed e-commerce firms, driving import-led consumption boom. Outward FDI, instead of enabling domestic enterprises to access external markets and technology, has instead helped international capital to take advantage of India’s tax treaties to optimize tax burden of global firms. If the proposed industrial policy is serious about realizing the vision of Make In India, it needs to look elsewhere, not at FDI.

 

Q.1. Foreign Portfolio Investment flows in ??????. Market.

 

Bullion

 

Mutual Funds

 

Capital

 

Money

 

Q.2. FDI in green field investment is for ?????. capital formation.

 

Green

 

Red

 

Traditional

 

Fresh

 

Q.3. which Indian Company didn't receive decent FDI amount?

 

Flipkart

 

Paytm

 

Snap Deal

 

Amazon

 

Q.4. Amazon is a ??????.. Brand.

 

Indian

 

Gujrati

 

Canadian

 

USA

 

Q.5. PE firms do not commit to fresh capital formation.

 

TRUE

 

FALSE

 

Can't Say

 

Sometimes.

 

Q.6. Inward FDI, increasingly from PE funds, has largely financed ???... Firms.

Science

 

Pharma

 

e-commerce

 

Manufacturing

 

Q.7. FDI stands for foreign ??????.. Investment.

 

Dear

 

Direct

 

Distance

 

Demote

 

Q.8. Indian firms are chasing foreign acquisitions.

 

Right

 

Wrong

 

Sometimes

 

Can't Say

 

Q.9. Despite rising FDI inflows, domestic capital formation rate, or industrial capacity utilization, have declined secularly.

 

TRUE

 

FALSE

 

Can't Say

 

Sometimes

 

Q.10. Fdi from 2014 - 17 has shown ??????.. Trend.

Decreasing

Increasing

Neutral

Disturbed

 

Course Summary