Market cap of BSE SME companies exceeds $1 billion
The market capitalisation of companies listed on the BSE SME platform has crossed the $1-billion-mark on April 4. As many as 55 companies are listed on the BSE SME platform. The average market cap per company works out to be more than R100 crore, which is similar to ?main board? companies on the BSE. The SME platform was started in March 2012.
Online retail trade reaches $12.6 billion in 2013, up 33%
Online retail reached $12.6 billion (R62,967 crore) in the country last year, an annual increase of 32.63%, the Internet and Mobile Association of India (Iamai) said. In 2012, it was $9.5 billion (R47,349 crore). The industry body said it expects online retail to grow further as policy and FDI issues are addressed and delivery logistics improve. Apparel and jewellery brands were the key drivers of online trade. Iamai estimates the number of online retailers to be over one million.
Shilpa Shetty joins gold rush, launches jewellery firm
Actress Shilpa Shetty has launched own gold bullion and jewellery company, which will have outlets in seven cities. Satyug Gold has made long-term contracts with gold mines across the world and also owns two refineries in India, Shetty said. ?some of the margins we make in our gold business will be passed on to our customers in the form of discounts… This is possible because we are a complete mine-to-refinery-to-customer set up.? Satyug owns 42% stake in AuPtAg Refinery and 50% in Royal Refinery, both located in Navi Mumbai.
Construction body to train 3 lakh workers in one year
To address the shortage of skilled workforce in construction sector, the Construction Skill Development Council of India (CSDCI) aims to train at least three lakh workers over the next one year. CSDCI, constituted under the National Skill Development Corporation, is promoted by the Construction Federation of India, Builders? Association of India, National Highways Builders Federation and Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India.
Indian-American named Prez envoy for global entrepreneurship
An Indian-origin academician has been appointed as one of
the Presidential Ambassadors for Global Entrepreneurship (PAGE), an initiative to help develop the next generation of American entrepreneurs. Salman Khan, whose mother was born in Kolkata and father in Bangladesh, was named as a PAGE ambassador. US President Barack Obama had chaired the first-ever meeting of the PAGE initiative, which is a group of successful American business people who have committed to share their time, energy, ideas and experience to help develop the next generation of entrepreneurs. Khan has produced over 4,800 video lessons. Till date, his Khan Academy channel on YouTube has attracted 1,633,000 subscribers and the Khan Academy videos have been viewed over 355 million times.
