VENTURE CAPITAL POST

Singapore's Ascendas Pte Ltd. on Tuesday said it would raise SGD600 million (USD481.6 million) to invest in real estate in India. Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, GIC Pte Ltd. would be a principal investor in Ascenda's fund.

The CDC Group, the development finance institution of the UK government, will be pouring more investments in India despite the sluggish economy, delayed reforms and a competitive private equity market.

American tire company Cooper Tires & Rubber Co. seeks to obtain a Supreme Court ruling forcing India's Apollo Tyres to complete the merger. The USD2.3 billion deal would make Apollo the seventh-biggest tire maker in the world.

Finland-based mobile social messaging startup Jongla recently raised EUR1.4 million in a funding round from Oy Ingman Finance to be used for the development of its youth-oriented messaging app.

Many local and foreign private equity firms have been seeking the government of India to conduct investigations on alleged fraud and poor corporate standards of some portfolio companies.

With its joint venture agreement with Reliance Retail, Marks & Spencer CEO confirmed plans to expand the number of stores in India from 36 to 80 by 2016.

Pepsico CEO says that India has degraded from 'must invest' to 'must deal with' because of infrastructure issues such as corruption and unclear taxation policy.

The Indian government planned to gather USD 2.3 billion through a share sale of its two state-owned firms to boost public coffers, according to sources interviewed by Reuters.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, in a press conference, discussed the construction of a cancer and surgical cleft center in his state with the help of private entities.

Retail giant Lulu Hypermarkets, under the leadership Yussuffali MA is expanding to Asia, North Africa and Middle East.

The maiden fund of India's Kedaara Capital had reached a total amount of USD540 million.

Only the issues of sovereign guarantees by Pakistan for the purchases of gas from India hinder the finalization of the agreement between the two countries.

Odisha Industries Federation Vice Chairman for the South Zone Rajendra Kumar Mishra filed memoranda with government to intervene and grant tax holidays and moratorium on bank payments.

Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, have caused Indians to loosen purse strings despite high inflation.

Essar Group planned to bid for water projects in India.