Shreya Nandi &Amp; Aryaman Gupta

Stories by Shreya Nandi &Amp; Aryaman Gupta

100-day plan: Govt platform for exporters to boost trade

100-day plan: Govt platform for exporters to boost trade

Rediff.com   21 Jun 2024

The commerce department has reaffirmed its plans to launch the 'Trade Connect' e-platform to help exporters connect with stakeholders of international trade, as a part of the new government's 100-day action plan, a senior government official said.

FTAs, reviving exports to be commerce ministry's focus

FTAs, reviving exports to be commerce ministry's focus

Rediff.com   18 Jun 2024

Another priority in the first 100 days could be the launch of an e-platform -- Trade Connect -- to help exporters connect with stakeholders of international trade.

D2C brands hitch a ride on the quick commerce wagon

D2C brands hitch a ride on the quick commerce wagon

Rediff.com   17 Jun 2024

As quick-commerce players find their foothold among consumers, brands are all set to step up their presence on these platforms.

Youth Are 83% Of The Unemployed

Youth Are 83% Of The Unemployed

Rediff.com   3 Jun 2024

'The youth is stressed and students are depressed.'

Growth Question Looms Large Over Chandigarh

Growth Question Looms Large Over Chandigarh

Rediff.com   28 May 2024

As Chandigarh braces for a fierce contest between Congress candidate Manish Tewari and the BJP's Sanjay Tandon, its industry leaders harbour a fervent wish: Replicate the success of the National Capital Region model in this Union Territory.

Premium devices to dial up growth in India's smartphone market in 2024

Premium devices to dial up growth in India's smartphone market in 2024

Rediff.com   23 May 2024

Indian smartphone sales, traditionally dominated by the entry and mid-range segments, are set to change as high-end and super-premium devices capture consumer attention. The premium category is expected to grow by more than 20 per cent in calendar year (CY) 2024 compared to the previous year. While the overall smartphone market is expected to w

Spice row: Govt plans greater scrutiny, SOPs

Spice row: Govt plans greater scrutiny, SOPs

Rediff.com   13 May 2024

The government is formulating guidelines on the use of ethylene oxide (ETO) in samples of spices for the domestic market and exports, people aware of the matter said, as it plans to step up efforts to make quality checks more stringent. ETO, a flammable, colourless gas, is typically used as a disinfectant. It is also used as a sterilising agent and an insecticide to reduce microbial contamination in spices. However, its use is considered carcinogenic, beyond permissible limits.

19 major commodities see export volume growth, but value declines

19 major commodities see export volume growth, but value declines

Rediff.com   9 May 2024

Exports of 19 major commodities, including petroleum products, coal and marine items, saw growth in terms of volume during April 2023-February 2024, even as they witnessed contraction in value terms during the same period. Government officials said the rise in export volume despite a decline in value implies that these commodities show a stronger market demand.

India's spice exports at potential risk, needs urgent action: GTRI

India's spice exports at potential risk, needs urgent action: GTRI

Rediff.com   2 May 2024

Countries that raised concerns about the quality of Indian spices have called for urgent attention and action, Delhi-based think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said on Wednesday. The stakes are high since India exported spices worth about $692.5 million to the United States (US), Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and Maldives in the financial year 2023-24 (FY24), it said. During FY24, India's spice exports were worth $4.25 billion, accounting for a 12 per cent share of the global spice exports.

Taiwan keen to help India become leader in chip space

Taiwan keen to help India become leader in chip space

Rediff.com   29 Apr 2024

Taiwan is keen to collaborate with India and help it become a leader in the semiconductor space, Jason Ho, chairman of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce in India, said, asserting that the Taiwanese companies have the supply chain for things that the Indian market needs. Manufacturing semiconductors - used in electric and hybrid cars, drones, and communication devices - is fairly complicated, entails huge investment, and can be a cumbersome process.

Basmati rice exports rose 22% till February FY24 on West Asia demand

Basmati rice exports rose 22% till February FY24 on West Asia demand

Rediff.com   28 Apr 2024

Exports of high-quality basmati rice from India grew by 22 per cent to $5.2 billion during April 2023-February 2024, amid robust demand, primarily from West Asia. According to data compiled by the commerce department, exports of basmati rice increased to 4.68 million metric tonnes (MMT) in April-February, from 4.1 MMT during the same period a year ago, registering a growth of 14 per cent.

Swiggy gets one step closer to $1.25 bn IPO

Swiggy gets one step closer to $1.25 bn IPO

Rediff.com   26 Apr 2024

Food delivery major Swiggy has received approval from its shareholders for a $1.25 billion initial public offering (IPO), according to filings made with the Registrar of Companies sourced by Tofler. The Bengaluru-based firm plans to raise as much as Rs 3,750 crore (around $450 million) via a fresh issue and up to Rs 6,664 crore (around $800 million) through an offer-for-sale (OFS) component, the filings stated.

Quality Control Orders: What does this mean for domestic industry?

Quality Control Orders: What does this mean for domestic industry?

Rediff.com   25 Apr 2024

From toys, footwear and furniture to insulated flasks, smart meters, and air coolers - the Central government over the last decade has mandated higher standards for production and imports of such items. Sample this: Till 2014, there were 14 Quality Control Orders (QCOs) covering 106 products. By the latest count, there are 156 QCOs on 672 products.

Centre in a huddle to understand impact of the Iran-Israel tensions

Centre in a huddle to understand impact of the Iran-Israel tensions

Rediff.com   16 Apr 2024

Top government officials in New Delhi have started discussions with stakeholders ranging from shipping and container companies to export promotion councils to understand the impact of the Iran-Israel tensions and plan ahead. Inter-ministerial talks are also being lined up amid the crisis situation in West Asia, sources confirmed. While the crude flows are not directly under any threat, elevated oil prices remain a concern, according to officials.

Officials Prepare For Modi 3.0

Officials Prepare For Modi 3.0

Rediff.com   12 Apr 2024

Government departments have been tasked with identifying major goals, which will include annual targets from the financial year 2024-2025 to 2028-2029.

Revamped SEZ law unlikely before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections

Revamped SEZ law unlikely before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections

Rediff.com   24 Feb 2024

The revamped Special Economic Zone (SEZ) law is unlikely to see the light of the day before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, two people aware of the matter said. The commerce department had sought the Union Cabinet's nod to bring amendments to the existing SEZ Act, 2005 late last year. The plan, thereafter, was to introduce the Bill in the winter session of Parliament. Cabinet's approval remains pending.

Q3 sees startups turn a profitable corner

Q3 sees startups turn a profitable corner

Rediff.com   23 Feb 2024

The third quarter (Q3) of 2023-24 (FY24) has proven to be pivotal, witnessing some startups turning profitable and others enhancing their performance as their businesses finally begin to deliver. Startups like Delhivery, Zomato, PolicyBazaar, Mamaearth, and Nykaa have either become profitable or improved their profit margins in Q3FY24. A renewed focus on profitability, supported by operational efficiencies, expense rein-in, and robust demand during the festival season, has empowered companies to strengthen their performance.

Fintech major PhonePe takes on Google, Apple with homegrown Indus Appstore

Fintech major PhonePe takes on Google, Apple with homegrown Indus Appstore

Rediff.com   22 Feb 2024

Fintech major PhonePe on Wednesday announced the launch of its homegrown Indus Appstore specifically for the Indian market, in a bid to compete with global incumbents like Google Play Store and Apple's App Store. The Indus Appstore is PhonePe's attempt at creating a more competitive and localised mobile app store economy for India, which is already the world's largest market for mobile apps.

UpGrad's founder blames Raveendran, investors for current state of Byju's

UpGrad's founder blames Raveendran, investors for current state of Byju's

Rediff.com   16 Feb 2024

Byju Raveendran, chief executive officer (CEO) and co-founder of Byju's, along with its nearly 51 investors, are responsible for the beleaguered edtech firm's current predicaments, said Ronnie Screwvala, executive chairman and co-founder of edtech platform UpGrad. Speaking at the second edition of the ASU+GSV & Emeritus Summit in Gurugram, he emphasised that "one rotten apple" should not affect the entire edtech sector.

PMO Monitoring Red Sea Crisis

PMO Monitoring Red Sea Crisis

Rediff.com   16 Feb 2024

Any government support or incentive to help exporters deal with high freight and insurance costs is unlikely.