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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday withdrew the 20 per cent limit on investments by FPIs in corporate bonds of an entity with a view to encourage more foreign investments.  As part of the review of the FPI investment in corporate debt undertaken in April 2018, it was stipulated that no FPI should have an exposure of more than 20 per cent of its corporate bond portfolio to a single corporate (including exposure to entities related to the corporate).  While the provision was aimed at incentivising FPIs to maintain a portfolio of assets, market feedback indicates that foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have been constrained by this stipulation, the RBI said.  "...in order to encourage a wider spectrum of investors to access the Indian corporate debt market, it has been decided to withdraw this provision with immediate effect," the central bank said.  The RBI said the directions in this regard have been issued the Foreign Exchange Management Act. The Business Standard,

The country's exports grew 3.74 per cent to USD 26.36 billion in January on account of growth in sectors such as gems & jewellery, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, according to data from the commerce ministry.  Imports almost remained flat at USD 41 billion during the last month, narrowing the trade deficit to USD 14.73 billion.  The trade deficit stood at USD 15.67 billion in January 2018. Gold imports also grew 38.16 per cent to USD 2.31 billion in January this year as against USD 1.67 billion in the corresponding month of 2018.  During the April-January period of the current financial year, exports grew 9.52 per cent to USD 271.8 billion. Imports rose by 11.27 per cent to USD 427.73 billion.  The trade deficit widened to USD 155.93 billion during the 10 months of the current fiscal from USD 136.25 billion in April-January 2017-18. The Business Standard, 16th February 2019