Thursday, August 20
China removed a three-decade-old tax exemption on contraceptive drugs and devices from January 1 in new steps to spur a flagging birth rate.Condoms and contraceptive pills now incur value-added tax of 13%, the standard rate for most consumer goods.The move comes as Beijing struggles to boost birth rates in the world's second-largest economy. China's population fell for a third consecutive year in 2024 and experts have cautioned the downturn will continue. China exempted childcare subsidies from personal income tax and rolled out an annual childcare subsidy last year, following a series of "fertility-friendly" measures in 2024, such as urging colleges and universities to provide "love education" to portray marriage, love, fertility and family in a positiv
After a year dominated by premium housing and institutional activity, 2026 is shaping up to be a turning point for retail participation in Indian real estate. As investors look beyond traditional home ownership, demand is rising for structures that offer income visibility, professional management, and liquidity—without the high entry barriers of direct property investments.Speaking to Kshitij Anand of ETMarkets, Praveen Sharma, CEO of REA India (Housing.com), explains how REITs and regulated fractional ownership platforms are set to play a much bigger role in democratising access to institutional-grade real estate.He discusses why yield-focused assets, improved transparency, and maturing regulations are drawing retail investors closer to commercial real estate, while reshaping how Indian
