Prelim Bits 13-09-2023 | UPSC Daily Current Affairs

BRSR Framework

IICA and UNICEF jointly organize workshop to provide a comprehensive understanding of the BRSR framework.

• BRSR - Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting.
• Launched by- SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) in 2021.
• Predecessor – Business Responsibility Report (BRR), launched in 2012, has evolved into BRSR.
• Aim - To encourage listed companies to adopt sustainable business practices and disclose information related to their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance.
• Features – It mandates the top 1,000 listed entities (by market capitalisation) to file BRSR as part of the Annual Report with SEBI.
• Principle - These listed entities report on their performance against the 9 principles as per ‘National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct’ (NGBRCs).
• BRSR Principles

• Advantages
  • Increased value creation
  • Attraction and retention of talent
  • Stronger brand positioning

References

1. PIB | Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR)
2. BRSR | About
3. INDIA CSR | BRSR

Inward & Outward FDI Trends 2023

A recent census by the Reserve Bank of India shows that Total outward direct investment by Indian firms rose by 19.46% in FY2023.

• This census relied on foreign liabilities and assets (FLA) data, which encompassed cross-border assets and liabilities of various entities such as companies, limited liability partnerships, alternative investment funds, and partnership firms engaged in inward and outward direct investment (DI).
• Outward direct investment (ODI) – It is a business strategy in which a domestic firm expands its operations to a foreign country.
• It distinguishes from the foreign portfolio investment.

• Singapore was the largest beneficiary of outward direct investment (ODI) by Indian firms.
• Also, 3 countries Bermuda, Jersey and Cyprus which are known for their tax benefits are in the top 10 countries that received Indian ODI.
• Inward FDI Trends – US was the largest source of inward foreign direct investment (FDI) followed by Mauritius, the UK and Singapore which collectively accounted for 60% of the inward FDI in the country.
• Sector wise - The manufacturing sector continued to attract the largest share of FDI equity, both at market value as well as at face value.
• Services - Among services, information & communication and financial & insurance activities were the major FDI recipient sectors.
• Market Value - In terms of market value, ODI growth outpaced the growth in FDI and, as a result, the ratio of inward to outward direct investment stood at 5.5 times in 2023 as compared with 6.1 times in 2022.

Reference

1. The Indian Express | ODI

Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF)

The investments of SWFs in India have seen a steady rise over the past few years.

• Sovereign wealth fund – It is a state-owned investment fund comprised of money generated by the government, often derived from a country's surplus reserves.
• An SWF is used to invest in capital assets such as real estate, metals, stocks, and bonds.
• SWFs also invest in alternative investments such as private equity funds and hedge funds.
• The main objective of the SWFs is to allocate funds for the betterment of the country’s economy.
• India’s SWF - The National Infrastructure and Investment Fund (NIIF) is India’s first-ever sovereign wealth fund (SWF).
• The funding for a SWF can come from a variety of sources.
• Sources
  • Balance of payments surpluses
  • Official foreign currency operations
  • The proceeds of privatizations
  • Governmental transfer payments
  • Fiscal surpluses
  • Receipts resulting from resource exports

• Recent trends – The total assets of 6 of the top 10 SWFs investing into Indian equities rose by more than 50% in the year to June.
• The Singapore government was the largest SWF followed by Norway’s Norges and Kuwait Investment Authority.
• Investment from Abu Dhabi Investment Authority rose to 400%, the most in percentage terms among the top 10 SWFs.
• India has also overtaken China as the most attractive emerging market for investing in emerging market debt.
• Saudi Arabia is now considering setting up an office for its SWF at GIFT City in Gandhinagar.
• Reasons - Since 2020, SWFs have been granted tax exemptions under the Indian tax laws when they invest in specified infrastructure companies directly.
• Such exemption has also been extended to investments in units of InVITS and AIFs which invest in infrastructure companies.
• The exemption has not only increased the net return in the hands of SWFs, but has also acted as a catalyst for increasing SWF investments in the infra sector.

References

1. The Hindu Business Line | sovereign wealth funds
2. Live Mint | Saudi plans to set up wealth fund office
3. Investopedia | Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF)
4. SWFI Institute | What is a Sovereign Wealth Fund?

Gifts to G20 Leaders

Different heads of states & leaders representing their countries at the recently held G20 summit in New Delhi got a special gift hamper from the government of India.

• Some of the products are the product of centuries of tradition & cherished across the world for their unparalleled workmanship and quality.
• The hamper had the following products:

References

1. The Times of India - Gifts to G20 leaders
2. News 18 - Gifts G20 Leaders Took Home from India

Nipah Virus

A recent outbreak of cases of Nipah infection have been found in Kerala again, after two people were confirmed to have died of the viral disease in Kozhikode district.

• About - It is a zoonotic disease that spreads primarily between animals and humans.
• Transmission - Nipah virus can be transmitted to humans from animals (such as bats or pigs), or contaminated foods and can also be transmitted directly from human-to-human.
• Fruit bats are known to transmit this virus to other animals like pigs, and also dogs, cats, goats, horses and sheep.
• Cause - The natural host of the Nipah virus are fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family and Pteropous genus, widely found in South and South East Asia.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the infection has been found to be fatal in 40% to 75% of the infected patients.

• Symptoms - Fever, headache, cough, sore throat, difficulty in breathing, and vomiting.
• Patients either show no symptoms of the infection (asymptomatic infections), thereby making it difficult to detect.
• Otherwise, patients develop acute respiratory problems, or encephalitis that often becomes fatal.
• Treatment - There is currently no specific treatment available for the Nipah virus. No drugs or vaccines specific to Nipah are currently available, as per WHO.
• Countries - Common in Asia, primarily Bangladesh and India.

References

1. WHO | Nipah Virus
2. The Indian Express | Nipah kills 2 at Kozhikode