This paper explores the role of institutional and political factors in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in the economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) and the comparative importance of these factors in attracting FDI. This study uses panel data for a period of 10 years (2000–2010) in order to examine the significant determinants of FDI in BRICS from a holistic approach. Analysis has been done using the panel unit‐root test and multiple regressions. This study takes into account Macroeconomic Stability (Inflation Rate), Political Stability/No Violence, Government Effectiveness, Regulatory Quality, Control of Corruption, Voice and Accountability, and Rule of Law as potential institutional and political determinants of FDI. These factors are based on their relative importance from previous empirical literature. The overall results show that two factors, namely Government Effectiveness and Regulatory Quality, are positively related to FDI inflow in BRICS. Three variables in the model, namely Political Stability, Voice and Accountability, and Control of Corruption, have a negative impact on FDI inflow in BRICS economies, which implies that these three factors are not important for attracting more FDI inflow.

The phasing out of the Multi-Fibre Arrangement opens up many opportunities and challenges for the developing countries. The Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC) is now an integral part of the WTO with a 10-year transitional agreement with a four-stage integration programme. The paper covers many areas of the ATC, which are of concern to India. Also, it attempts to highlight Indian textile industry's strengths, weaknesses, production technology, international competition and challenges to be faced in this context by India. Authors also highlight some of the problems, which need to be addressed in future negotiations of the ATC.

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We examine the comparative performance of branch productivity of selected Indian public and private sector banks during 2001 to 2015. Ten branch productivity ratios have been selected for measuring the branch productivity. Study finds that private sector bank branches are more competent than public sector bank branches as out of ten indicators in terms of ratios, nine ratios reflect better performance in case of private sector banks and one ratio i.e. burden per branch was same in both banks. One tailed 't' test result shows that the burden per branch of both public and private sector banks is same. However, the public sector banks are improving in branch productivity as their CGR has upward trend and comparatively the growth rate is greater than private sector banks.