RIL infused Rs. 5,027 crorein Reliance Retail Ltd in fiscal year 2012, based on its 2011-2012 annual report. Previously, its investment in the partially paid up shares of the Retail segment accounted forRs. 1,220 crorein the year of 2009-2010. Reliance Digital stores had been on the top of the headlinesfor its massive store expansion in the last financial year ending March 2012. Its store count increased three times extending itself to the four corners of the country and doubled at anaverage every year since the time of its launch.

The annual report of RIL mentioned that the prime focus of Reliance was to provide impetus to its back- end operations and spread out by increasing the number of stores across value and speciality formats in the country.

SaloniNangia, President at TechnopakAdvisors said, “It is necessary to understand the scope of utilizationof this large investment, whether it has been used for augmenting its supply chain or for increasing its area of operations in the country.” Technospak Advisors isa retail-consulting firm.

RIL believes that the retail sector in the country is booming and is set to grow to around Rs. 36 trillion, i.e. $675 billion over the next four years. At present, the retail business in India is estimated to be around $470 billion. WithReliance Retail business witnessing losses in the FY2012, the fresh investment was necessary.

However,thisconglomerate observed a positiveFY2012with its collective losses in the 34 retail entities lowering to around Rs. 434 crore.The losses in the FY10 werecomparatively higher accounting to Rs. Rs. 491.40 crore.

Nangiaalso mentioned that RIL has changed its formats in the retail sector thrice in the past six years. Besides, it has been astutely taking its decisions considering reworking on a few arenas that demanded corrective actions. It has also taken special care to formulate a strong management team by hiring Rob Cissel who serves as the chief executive of Reliance Retail’s Value Format and Shawn Gray,the present chief operations officer. Rob Cissel and Shawn Gray have previously served as the executives at the Chinese Arm of Walmart Stores Inc. They will spearhead around 700 stores that cater to this format including Reliance Mart, Delight, Autozone, Reliance Superior, and Reliance Fresh.Several significant steps were taken in order to increase its efficiency including the consolidation of its six loss making subsidiaries into Reliance Fresh.

Reliance Gems and Jewels Ltd is the first RIL’s retail format to capitalize and announce its net profit. Reliance HypermartLtd, Reliance Supply Chain Solutions Ltd, Reliance Vantage Retail Ltd, Reliance Home Store Ltd, Reliance Leisures Ltd are some of its retail arms that are performing satisfactorily tapering their losses considerably.

Though the Retail concept of RIL has been witnessing losses presently, it will not hinder itsplans or its operations.Reliance Retail will be able to overcome these challenges in overtime paving way for strong retail base in the country, Nangia said.

To begin with, Reliance Digital has announced the launch of a new store at Indiranagar in Bengaluru on 12thMay, 2012 following the success of its present stores. With the launch of this swanky store, the number of stores in Bengaluru is now 14.

There has been a steady increase in the number of Reliance Digital stores in the country since its launch with its store count increasing three times in FY11-12.

Besides, Reliance Digital also rolls out a special initiative possible for consumers to pay for the products they buy in 18 EMI’s (Equated Monthly Installments). The best part is that there is no notion of Interest levied on consumers while paying via EMI’s. This means consumers can pay the same amount spread across 18 EMI’s making it easy and affordable for consumers to get hold of the finest brands.

The Consumer Durables and Electronic Arm of RIL (Reliance Industries Limited) is renowned for the variety of products its houses. Known as the value oriented retail chain, it is determined to offer the best technology at the least possible prices along with consumer friendly services.

About Reliance Digital

Reliance Digital is the consumer durables and information technology concept from Reliance Retail. Reliance Digital seeks to fulfill the dream of every Indian, be it through its nationwide network of conveniently located stores or through its presence on the web, by providing a delightful shopping experience of products & solutions and helping them bring home the latest & best in technology from the widest selection at the lowest assured price with complete peace of mind through lifelong support.

With over 200 international and national brands and over 4000 products at amazing prices, Reliance Digital has the largest display of models to help you find the right solution that fits your lifestyle. The range at Reliance Digital spans Audio and Video products (LED, LCD & Plasma TVs, DVD players, Home Theatres), Digital Cameras, Durables like, Air Conditioners, Refrigerators, Water Purifiers, Kitchen and Home Appliances, Gaming Consoles and Games, Computers and Peripherals, Mobiles and Fixed line instruments,

At Reliance Digital, you get to touch, try and feel every product before you make your decision. The specially designed Experience Zones (for high-end entertainment systems like home theatres, televisions, home and car music systems) simulate exact conditions to familiarize you with your product. The trained staff will be only too happy to understand and advise on the optimum choice of products meeting your needs. What more, Reliance Digital is backed by Reliance ResQ, the service arm that is available for support all 7 days and fully geared to provide end to end solutions. For more information, log on to www.reliancedigital.in

About Reliance Retail Limited

Reliance Retail Limited (RRL), a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited opened its first retail store in November 2006 and today operates more than 1,000 stores in over 86 cities, spanning 14 states and serving over 2.5 million customers every week. RRL is a multi-format retailer that operates

“Reliance Market – a concept for local traders and small businesses ” Reliance Fresh – a neighborhood store concept

” Reliance Super- a super mart concept

” Reliance Mart – a hyper market concept

” Delight – a non vegetarian offering

” Reliance Digital – a consumer durables and information technology concept

” iStore by Reliance Digital- an Apple specialty store concept

” Reliance Trends – an apparel specialty concept

” Reliance Footprint -a footwear concept

” Reliance Jewels – a jewellery concept

” Reliance TimeOut- a books, music & entertainment concept

” Reliance Living – a Furniture, Furnishing, Homeware and Home kitchen concept

” Reliance AutoZone – an automotive specialty concept

About Reliance Industries Limited

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) is India’s largest private sector company on all major financial parameters with a turnover of INR 339,792 crore (US$ 66.8 billion), cash profit of INR 31,994 crore (US$ 6.3 billion) and net profit of INR 20,040 crore (US$ 3.9 billion) as of March 31, 2012.

RIL is the first private sector company from India to feature in the Fortune Global 500 list of ‘World’s Largest Corporations’ and ranks 119th amongst the world’s Top 200 companies in terms of profits. RIL ranks 68th in the Financial ‘Times FT Global 500’ list of the world’s largest companies. RIL is ranked amongst the ’50 Most Innovative Companies – 2010′ in the World in a survey conducted by the US financial publication – Business Week in collaboration with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In 2010, BCG also ranked RIL as the second highest ‘Sustainable Value Creators’ for creating the most shareholder value over the decade in the world.

The refining and petrochemical segment of RIL will have an investment of $ 12 billion in the forthcoming years. The operating cash inflows will be sufficient to support this investment and will not have any impacts on its debt levels.

Its petroleum coke gasification project will introduce syngas that will come as asuitable replacement to LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) that is highly expensive. With an investment of $ 4 billion,RIL will produce syngas that is a combination of hydrogen and nitrogen.

According to Credit Suisse’spost earnings report on this, the Mukesh Ambani led conglomerates operational gasifiers can reckon up the $3 per barrel to the refinery GRM (Gross Refining Margin) entailing $1.3 billion to gross refining earnings.

With the petrochemical and the polymer industry in the country appearing to be optimistic at present, RIL augments its potentials in these sectors including polyester, PFY, PET and its other channels. It also plans to infix new product lines such as rubber and carbon black.

The polymer demand in India has tremendousgrowth potential and is equivalent to 1.2 to 1.4 times the GDP growth rate. The 7.8 MMTPA of the country’s polymer market has potentials to get biggerin the next five years with over 12 MMTPA. Owing to the increase in the income level and its consequence on our lifestyle and that we are witnessing, there are high chances of it assisting this growth scale.

The declining level of present supply ofkey petrochemicals in the country will lead to increase in the import levels further in years to come. Similarly, the world average per consumption of polymer is significantly higher than Indian per capita consumption of the same. Thus, there is a need to work on these sectors considering these factors and fix it up.

Bank of America and Merrill Lynch in their reports have mapped the timeline for the implementation of these projectsindicating the operational works on PET in 2013 andPFY to be carried in the latter half of FY 13. RIL will astir the working on PTA in two stages where the first stage will commence from July until around July 2014 subsequent to Paraxylene that may continue from 2014 to around 2015.Thus, all these projects can be clearly claimed as long term projects entailing a period of around 4-5 years. In the long run, these expansion projects can turn out to be highly promising strengthening the bottom- line of RIL and can even benefit the value of the shares in a period of time for the shareholders.

There are chances that RIL’s EBITDA may increase two fold by 2016-2017, with all these expansion projects without any significant increase in its net debt levels based on the Credit Suisse Report.

This new hospital at Dahej will bring up to the code, health and medical development in the city, which has been lackluster for a while. Irrespective of the tremendous industrial development that Dahej has been witnessing, there was only a primary health centre during emergencies. Besides, one had to travel 45 Km to Bharuch, with it being the nearest place with first- rate hospitals, to be treated. Below Poverty line (BPL) families will be availed of free treatment from this hospital at Dahej. Besides, patients who are registered at the primary health care centre can benefit from treatment, as it will be made available to them at nominal prices, being subsidized by upto 70%.

This Reliance Dahej 50-bed hospital will procure all necessary upgraded features and will have five doctors including a surgeon, orthopedic, physician, gynecologist and a general practitioner. There will be special care taken to pander to burn cases. This hospital at Dahej will also cater to places that are nearby. It may also work to organize mobile services and camps that may benefit a major section of the population and create awareness in the society.

Sushil Kumar, President of Dahej Industries Association has stated that RIL had offered Rs10 crore to Dahej Health and Welfare Society for the maintenance cost of this project. The 9000 square metre land for the hospital is granted by GIDC.

Reliance Industries Limited has participated and sponsored varied philanthropic activities that have benefited scores of people in the country. Reliance Foundation was specially incorporated to support various non – profit organizations that work towards create betterment of the society. One of the most noteworthy ones was the initiation of ‘Project Bij’ for supporting small farming communities by providing technical assistance and enabling them to market it appropriately. BIJ stands for Bhara India Jodo and aims to encourage and assist farmers and enable them to overcome their problems, with the country being prone to a huge number of farmer suicides.

The financial report of RIL this fiscal ended March 31, 2012 gave the conglomerate reasons to cheer. The gearing level increased in comparison to the fiscal ended March 31, 2011, which stood at 13.5%. There were significant growths that RIL witnessed this year in comparison with last year including the highest ever exports of Rs. 208,042 Crore. The consolidated net profit this year is reported to be Rs 19,724 crore and its turnover rose to Rs 339,792 crore increasing by 31.4% that is the highest ever it has ever achieved. However, its net profit for the fourth quarter dropped by 21% to Rs 4,236 crore. The primary investment of this company catered to fixed deposits, certificate of deposits with banks, Government securities and mutual funds.

Mukesh Ambani was known to be delighted about his company‘s strong investment in the mainstay petrochemical business in India and initiating strong base for further growth. When asked to comment about their retail expansion that had made news recently, he stated that the responses they have been receiving from the retail sector have been highly optimistic and they would further endeavor to expand by building more stores across verticals in different places in varied formats. While they are gearing towards the launch of 4G technology, he announced that they would be committed towards providing high-speed wireless data that will be at par with international standards. Since India has a huge potential for wireless market, their broadband services are capable of augmenting their overall growth at a higher level.

Mukesh Ambani is known to be the second richest man in Asia as of 2012 and RIL is the forerunner company of Reliance group that is a leading private sector in the country.

The first phase of this wireless broadband project would involve its leasing around 26, 000 towers which have already attracted bids from varied tower operators. According to some sources, they have already set the ball rolling by looking out for quotes and samples for their carbon fire telecom towers from equipment vendors. With this change of plan, the outlay for their launch will double itself from the one previously settled on i.e. It may increase from $ 4 billion in 2010 to $ 8 -9 billion now.

It is also known that RIL will rent towers from the existing companies other than using its own, in case it is not able to build 1,00,000 towers according to its estimation.RIL ventured into the telecom sector after five years with the dissolution of the non- compete agreement. At present, it owns 95% stake in Infotel Broadband for which it had to pay a whopping amount of Rs. 4800 Crore. In addition, it had to also pay Rs 12,848 Crore for 20 MHz of spectrum to service 22 circles in the country, thus being the only company to do so.

Its opting for carbon towers seems to be a sensible decision as it might reduce its maintenance and base equipment needs. Besides, it is also eco- friendly and grants ease during relocation. However, they may be 25-40% more expensive than the conventional steel ones that are used. These towers have higher possibilities of being set in urban areas due to the demand being higher in these areas initially, owing to the awareness created about the same here. The present overcapacityin the towermarket is known to go down owing to the recent Supreme Court order and a few other existing companies shutting its operation owing to the poor tenacity level it has witnessed.

Indus towers has been the present largest tower company with its possession of around1,10,000 towers. With this plan put toimplementation, RIL has high chances of giving a stiff competition to Indus towers in the forthcoming years.

In comparison to the previous year, their turnover increased to Rs. 339,792 Crore by 31. 4 %. Even their exports have strengthened this year by 41.8 % to Rs.208, 042 Crore. Their Profit before Tax climbed to Rs. 25,750 Crore i.e. by 2.0 %.

The Gross refining Margin stands at $ 7.6 / bbl for the quarter and $ 8.6 / bbl for this year ended 31 March 2012. They recorded a dividend of 85% with a payout of 2,941 Crore.

Outlining the performance of RIL in its consolidated form, the turnover has increased by 34.9% to ` Rs.358, 501 Crore along with their Profit before Tax increase by 5.1% to 25,338 Crore. Their cash profit has witnessed a decline of 3.5 % that accounts for Rs. 32,590 Crore. Their Net Profit has increased by 2.2% this year to Rs.19, 724 Crore.

Speaking about the key events and deals for the year ended 31st March , 2012 ; RIL and BP declared the 30% stake acquisition of BP in 21 RIL Oil and Gas sharing contracts (PCS) including the producing KG-D6 block operating in India on 30th August 2011. Besides, India Gas Solutions Pvt. Ltd is a 50:50 joint venture company incorporated by RIL and BP, which will deal with global sourcing and marketing of natural gas along with improving the infrastructure to intensify transportation and marketing of natural gas in the country.

On 21 April 2011, RIL announced its 70% participating interest in the exploration block CY-PR-DWN-2001/3 (CYPR-D6) that is located in the deep-water Cauvery-Palar basin for its discovery of rich gas in the very first well drilled in this block. This huge block with its area measuring around 8600 km is under the bidding ground of NELP-III. The Optimized Field Development Plan (OFDP) was approved by the Government‘s Management Committee for the development of the discovery of 4 satellite fields (D2/D6/D19/D22) in KGD6 block.

Several proposals catering to the Domestic Oil and Gas business were submitted to the Government for its evaluation and approval regarding KG-D6‘s revised field development plan for D26, CY-D6 ‘S appraisal program in February 2012, CBM’s gas pricing formulae and its discoveries D32 and D40 at NEC- 25.

The Board of Directors of RIL supported the buyback of 3663431 equity shares up to 31 March 2012. It also declared its divestment to TV18 Broadcast Limited (TV18) from its investments in the ETV channel. Reliance Sibur Elastomers Private Limited is a joint venture formed between SIBUR, East Europe’s largest petrochemical company, and RIL together. RIL was the first company to gain recognition as a “Responsible Care Company” under the American Chemistry Council (ACC), USA severe standards. The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) awarded RIL with its highest certification A+ for the settlement and completion of its disclosures.

Mukesh D Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director, Reliance Industries Limited proudly stated that RIL’s businesses have served as the leading path-breakers in the industry, which clearly reflects the quality of assets and the rising demand for the same nationally and internationally. He also believes that they have built a strong foundation that will guarantee future growth and are rigorously investing in their mainstay upstream and petrochemical businesses. Speaking about the Retail business, this business magnate considers it encouraging at present and assures further expansion by building new stores in varied sectors across the country. Besides, he also assured Reliance’s commitment towards providing high-class wireless data services that meet international standards with the launch of their broadband access business.

Nita Ambani, chairperson of Reliance Foundation and wife of RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani, was selected by All India Management Association (AIMA) as the ‘Corporate Citizen of the Year 2012’ for outstanding contributions by a corporate member towards the welfare and upliftment of society.

As the chairperson of Reliance Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), Nita Ambani has been rigorously involved in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects of India’s largest private sector conglomerate. On being awarded the prestigious acclamation, Nita Ambani said, “The Reliance Foundation focuses on five pillars- education, healthcare, agriculture and rural transformation, urban renewal and arts and culture. For me, corporate social responsibility is not a program; it’s a passion and a way of life. So I am quite happy to receive an award for something that I enjoy doing so much”.

Over the years, one cause quite close to Nita Ambani has been that of Education for All. Working along with various NGOs and welfare organizations, Nita has lent her time and support for uplifting underprivileged children and helping them get access to equal education opportunities as their urban counterparts. And although she finds her time divided across a gamut of responsibilities that range from managing her IPL franchise Mumbai Indians to chairing Dhirubhai Ambani International School (DAIS), Nita is devoted to the cause of reducing educational disparities and making provision equal education opportunities for children from underprivileged section of the society. “I think for me the focus always has been for every child to be able to read and write. I plan to spread education into the interiors in whatever way I can. I think the translation of how we do that is another problem that we need to address,” noted Nita Ambani when conferred with questions regarding Right To Education Act proposal for 25% reservation for the poor.

Nita Ambani is also actively involved with various other social causes including Project Drishti- a social initiative by Reliance Industries (RIL) and National Association for the Blind, and UNAIDS.

AIMA Managing Award recognizes those achievers who have made a fundamental difference, creating an edge above peers for others to emulate. Recognizing the contributions of business leaders and visionaries in their respective field, this award accolades the strength, ingenuity, knowledge, foresight of people who make a difference with their work every day of their lives.

Warna Agro is a Kolhapur based private arm of Warna Cooperative Dairy that is presently operating and handling aseptic packaging for a few regional companies that produce fruit based drinks. Along with a 50% stake in Warna Cooperative dairy, it also owns ‘Warna Joy’, a brand that manufactures and markets fruit based drinks in North India. However, there is no confirmation about the same from Reliance Life Sciences. Besides, the time of the launch is also not announced yet.

With fruit drinks making a comeback, many companies have ventured into this market especially the regional ones. Under the brand name U, a new mango fruit drink was launched by Khutwal Foods. Khutwal is a private firm manufacturing milk and packaged drinking water. It is surely an untapped market which has been fascinating many regional brands presently.

Reliance Life Sciences (RLS) caters to business in the spheres of medicine, plant and industrial biotechnology. It is a part of the Reliance Group of companies and its initiatives are considered to be the most biotechnologically advanced company around the world. It accommodates researches, pre-clinical and clinical development other than marketing local sales organization. The Reliance group set up by Mukesh Ambani is the leading private sector enterprise in India with its major activities involving exploration and production of oil and gas, textiles, petrochemicals etc.

It will require demerging of investments of all types including impaired investments involving changes in terms of recovery plans for specific preference shares. It will also enable alleviating any kind of chaos catering to cross holding of shares, loans and advances among the group companies. Crisil that had previously announced satisfactory ratings for Reliance Industries has stated that this move will not affect the aggregate external debts and cash flows for these three companies though the standalone net worth of the companies might fall.

Reliance Industries Holding was commenced with an initiative to lower the cross- holdings and simplify the entire structuring of the personal investments of Mukesh Ambani, the Chairman of Reliance Industries. Reliance Ports and Terminal Ltd manages importing of crude oil and petrochem export needs of RIL (Reliance Industries Ltd).

Mukesh Ambani has been the absolute owner of several companies and this merging will enable harmonizing investments of all these companies. While RIHPL has 100% ownership in RUPPL, RGTIL and PTL, it also holds direct or indirect economic interest in around 370 million RIL shares.

RPTL (Reliance Ports and Terminals), Reliance Gas Transportation Infrastructure (RUPPL ) and RPTL ( Reliance Ports and Terminals) have all collaborated with Reliance Industries Holding (RIHPL) in a new restructuring plan.