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Seminar on new Capital Gains and Buyback tax regime

Pursuant to stakeholder representations, Finance (No.2) 2024 has transformed the tax treatment of capital gains and buy back of shares. The government has tried to reduce the categories of various asset classes and bring uniformity & consistency in holding period and long term/short term capital gains tax rates. Responding to post budget representations, the indexation benefit was also restored at the enactment stage in a limited manner to ensure that long term capital gains tax burden of land or building or both on resident individuals/HUFs is not increased for assets acquired prior to July 23, 2024. The taxation of buyback of shares is restored in the hands of shareholders as a combination of dividend and capital gains instead of buyback distribution tax in the hands of the company.

The transformative changes in capital gains and buyback taxation for both residents and non-residents requires an in-depth evaluation for both tax compliance and future tax planning. In view of the above, Bombay Chamber organised a half-day physical seminar where tax experts from Deloitte Haskins & Sells LLP, viz. Hiren Shah and Akhil Muchhala discussed the aspects with practical case studies on the new Capital Gains tax regime and new Buyback tax regime. The session was attended by good participation and it was very interactive and very informative.

The next three decades belong to India, says Dhiraj Relli at Envision 2024

In the first half of 2024, Indian companies raised an impressive $8.6 billion through Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), surpassing the combined figures from the previous two years. India now accounts for 25% of global IPO listings, positioning itself as a key player in the global capital markets. With upcoming billion-dollar IPOs from companies like Swiggy, LG Electronics, and Hyundai Motor, investor confidence in India’s economic growth continues to soar.

These developments were highlighted during the panel discussion, Envision 2024: India’s Growth Story With Capital Markets, organised by the Bombay Chamber in partnership with Kirtane & Pandit Consulting, the Knowledge Partner. The event focused on India’s burgeoning IPO market and its implications for future economic expansion.

In his keynote address, Dhiraj Relli, Managing Director and CEO of HDFC Securities, emphasised India’s long-term growth potential. “The next three decades belong to India, with the ‘Viksit Bharat’ theme driving our economic progress,” Relli stated. He also highlighted that India’s investor base has tripled in the last five years, now standing at 10 crore investors.

Relli pointed to a shift in investor behavior, noting that retail and High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs) are becoming more adept at navigating the markets. “For the first time in my three decades of experience, I’ve seen retail investors consistently making money in the markets,” he said. This marks a significant departure from past cycles, where retail investors often suffered losses during market downturns.

He further explained that India has seen a 12x increase in market participation over the last decade. “Equity premiums have surged 10x in the last five years, and IPO activity is booming with ₹61,000 crore raised this financial year, excluding SME IPOs, which have also gained momentum.”

Relli also warned of the risks of falling into the middle-income trap, stressing that India must grow rich before it grows old. Comparing India to China, he highlighted the country’s potential for greater penetration in consumer goods. “Our per capita income and affordability will increase, leading to a shift in consumerism. The economic structure is moving from a pyramid to a diamond shape, where more of the population will experience affluence.”

He projected that by 2029, India could become a $7 trillion economy, with the potential to reach $10 trillion by 2032, provided it sustains a growth rate of 11%.

The event also featured a panel discussion on IPO readiness, titled IPO Readiness- The Road to Going Public, moderated by CS Shweta Gokarn, Founder of Shweta Gokarn & Co. and STGY Global Consulting.

Panelists included Subhadeep Majumdar, Chief Manager at NSE, Atul Juvle, Senior GRC Advisor, Priyanka Jain, Partner at Vaish Associates Advocates, and Akshay Purandare, Partner at Kirtane & Pandit. They shared best practices and insights on navigating the IPO process, emphasising the need for thorough preparation and adherence to disclosure obligations. The session covered essential topics such as the role of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in facilitating IPOs, economic factors driving India’s growth, and the legal and compliance challenges companies face when going public.

Advanced Certificate Course on International Trade and Custom Regulations

Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised an Advanced Certificate Course on International Trade and Custom Regulations on September 19 & 20, 2024 at the Ruby by renowned trade consultant Dr Joshua Ebenezer.

The certificate course was attended by professionals from diverse industries, focusing on enhancing their understanding of global trade, customs regulations, and audit practices.

Day 1: Global Trade Fundamentals and Post-Clearance Audits

The session kicked off at 10:30 AM, with an insightful discussion on the genesis and evolution of global trade organizations such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the World Customs Organisation (WCO). Participants learned about the core functions of these institutions, their impact on global trade, and the obligations of member countries under various trade agreements.

The session also covered post-clearance audits and the advance ruling mechanism, offering participants practical insights into navigating the complexities of customs compliance and decision-making processes within the international trade framework.

Day 2: Customs Valuation, Rules of Origin and Advanced Audits

Due to popular demand, the second day commenced earlier at 9:30 AM. The focus was on customs valuation, rules of origin, export controls, and audits and investigations, with special attention to the newly introduced advanced customs audit processes. Participants engaged in a robust Q&A session, where they discussed complex scenarios and solutions tailored to their industries.

The day concluded at 5:00 pm, with participants praising the content-rich program and the interactive format that kept them fully engaged without distractions from their phones or work.

Feedback and Future Sessions

The participants provided very positive feedback about the program, appreciating both the content and the interactive nature of the sessions. Based on this encouraging response, the Chamber is exploring the possibility of conducting more such sessions shortly to meet the growing demand for expertise in customs and international trade.

The program was a resounding success, providing attendees with invaluable insights into international trade and customs regulations. This initiative marks a milestone in the Bombay Chamber’s efforts to provide high-quality certification courses, and we look forward to welcoming more participants in future sessions.