Giftease launches brand merchandise store for small businesses

Small businesses would want their employees to flaunt their logos, as much as large corporates do. However, getting employees to become brand ambassadors, is often challenging for start-ups and small businesses. Managing a brand merchandise program, which entails sourcing products, customization,…

Diamond traders fear the rough edge of GST

India’s diamond industry fears that the Goods and Services Tax on each level of the supply chain will starve firms of cash for daily operations, crippling businesses in the $20 billion export-driven sector. “We work on thin margins and the working capital requirement is high given the cost of dia…

State govt moots new PSU to support MSMEs in Andhra Pradesh

In a move to consolidate the footprint in micro, small and medium enterprises sector, the state government has decided to set up an exclusive corporation. Stating that focus on MSME sector is going to realise more employment opportunities, Industries Minister N Amaranath Reddy said that they will…

Cattle slaughter crackdown ripples through India’s leather industry

In the backstreets of Agra’s Muslim quarter, where shoes have been made for centuries, small-scale manufacturers are firing workers and families cutting back on spending as a government crackdown on cattle slaughter ripples through the community. Authorities in India’s most populous s…

Telangana ready to roll-out GST from July 1: Official

Telangana is ready to roll out the GST from July one from technology and preparedness perspective, according to a key government official. “We are ready. We have not asked for any postponement (of the launch date)”, Revenue Secretary Somesh Kumar told . “As far as technology and…

Ahead of GST rollout, producers & traders feel taxed

Recently, pharmacists in many cities sent out mailers to some of their regular clients, especially senior citizens. Stock up on your essential drugs, the customers were told. The ‘advisory’ was not triggered by any trouble at the manufacturing end, but by apprehensions arising from the July 1 rol…

Lending start-up MoneyTap raises $9m from Sequoia, others

Consumer lending start-up MoneyTap has raised $9 million in a funding round led by Sequoia India. Existing investors NEA and Prime Venture Partners also participated in the round. Founded in 2015 by Bala Parthasarathy, Anuj Kacker and Kunal Varma, the platform provides credit to salaried employee…