Travel and Tourism Competitive Index
- The index is prepared by World Economic Forum.
- The Index measures the set of factors and policies that enable the sustainable development of the travel and tourism sector, which in turn, contributes to the development and competitiveness of a country.
- India has moved 12 places up in this ranking from 52nd to 40th position in 2016 among 136 countries.
- India has moved from 65rd position to 52nd position in 2015. In all, in last three years India has cumulatively improved its ranking by 25 places which is a significant achievement.
- India's jump in rankings is attributed to the pro-active steps in terms of development of tourism infrastructure, easing of entry formalities for tourists by introducing the e-visa facilities in November 2014.
Technology Development Fund & Defence Innovation Fund
- Technology Development Fund (TDF) aims at funding the development of defence and dual use technologies that are currently not available with the Indian defence industry.
- The TDF scheme is implemented by DRDO and provides for assistance in the form of grant to public and private industries for design and development of key defence technologies.
- Defence Innovation Fund (DIF) aims at creation of ecosystem to foster innovation and technology development in Defence.
- The DIF is funded by two Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), grants from Government and from other not-for-profit organisations in public or private sector.
Green Growth Equity Fund
- India and the UK announce joint UK-India Fund, Green Growth Equity Fund.
- The fund aims to leverage private sector investment from the City of London to invest in Green Infrastructure Projects in India.
- Both governments reaffirmed their commitment to invest up to 120 million each (i.e. totally 240 million) in the joint fund.
- The fund will be established under the National Infrastructure Investment Fund framework.
