News for '-commerce-and-industry'

India, US to end 6 WTO disputes, Delhi to drop tit-for-tat tariffs

India, US to end 6 WTO disputes, Delhi to drop tit-for-tat tariffs

Rediff.com23 Jun 2023

In a major development, India and the US have agreed to end six trade disputes at the WTO through mutually agreed solutions, while New Delhi will remove retaliatory customs duties on certain American products such as almonds, walnuts, and apples.

RBI likely to hold repo rate at 6.5% on June 8

RBI likely to hold repo rate at 6.5% on June 8

Rediff.com4 Jun 2023

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will maintain the policy repo rate at 6.5 per cent during its upcoming June 8 announcement, considering the easing of retail inflation in April and the potential for further decline, indicating the effectiveness of previous policy rate actions, anticipate experts. Headed by Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das, a meeting of the six-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is scheduled for June 6-8. The decision of the 43rd meeting of the MPC would be announced on Thursday, June 8.

Indian Millennials Spend Rs 4K A Month On Fitness

Indian Millennials Spend Rs 4K A Month On Fitness

Rediff.com30 Jun 2023

India is among the top three emerging markets in the wellness economy.

Food articles remain expensive but wholesale inflation at 29-month low

Food articles remain expensive but wholesale inflation at 29-month low

Rediff.com17 Apr 2023

The wholesale price-based inflation eased to a 29-month low of 1.34 per cent in March on easing prices of manufactured products and fuel items, even though food articles turned expensive.

Wholesale price based inflation eased to 2-year low of 4.73% in Jan

Wholesale price based inflation eased to 2-year low of 4.73% in Jan

Rediff.com14 Feb 2023

The wholesale price-based inflation eased for the eighth consecutive month to 4.73 per cent in January on easing prices of manufactured items, fuel and power. The wholesale price-index (WPI) based inflation rate was 4.95 per cent in December 2022 and 13.68 per cent in January 2022. Inflation in food articles, however, rose to 2.38 per cent in January, from (-) 1.25 per cent in December, 2022.

Watch Live! All the action in Parliament

Watch Live! All the action in Parliament

Rediff.com24 Mar 2022

The stormy second part of Budget Session continues. Both houses of Parliament have been facing continuous protests by opposition parties over issues like fuel price hike.

Australian parliament approves FTA with India

Australian parliament approves FTA with India

Rediff.com22 Nov 2022

India and Australia would now implement the free trade agreement on a mutually agreed date as the Australian Parliament on Tuesday approved the pact between the two countries. "BREAKING: Our Free Trade Agreement with India has passed through parliament," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a tweet. The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA) needed ratification by the Australian parliament before its implementation.

India keen to take international trade to $2 trn by 2030: Goyal

India keen to take international trade to $2 trn by 2030: Goyal

Rediff.com7 Sep 2022

India's goods and services exports have already crossed $675 billion in last fiscal year and the country is now aspiring to take international trade to $2 trillion by 2030, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said. Interacting with faculty, researchers, and students at the Stanford University here, Goyal also said by the time India would celebrate the 100th anniversary of its independence, it would be a $30 trillion economy. "...by 2047-2050 period, when India would be completing 100 years of Independence, we will be at least a $30 trillion economy on a business as usual scenario and possibly a $35-45 trillion economy if some of the aggressive plans that the government is putting together work well.

WPI inflation at record high of 15.08% in April

WPI inflation at record high of 15.08% in April

Rediff.com17 May 2022

Wholesale price-based inflation spiked to a record high of 15.08 per cent in April on rising prices across segments from food to commodities. The WPI-based inflation was 14.55 per cent in March and 10.74 per cent in April last year. "The high rate of inflation in April 2022 was primarily due to rise in prices of mineral oils, basic metals, crude petroleum & natural gas, food articles, non-food articles, food products and chemicals & chemical products etc. as compared to the corresponding month of the previous year," the commerce and industry ministry said in a statement.

15 more firms selected under PLI scheme for white goods

15 more firms selected under PLI scheme for white goods

Rediff.com28 Jun 2022

As many as 15 companies, including Adani Copper Tubes, LG Electronics and Wipro Enterprises, with committed investment of Rs 1,368 crore, have been selected as beneficiaries under the PLI scheme for the white goods sector, the government said on Tuesday. In March, the commerce and industry ministry had reopened the application window for its Rs 6,238-crore PLI scheme for white goods -- air-conditioners (ACs) and LED lights-- with an aim to accommodate more players as several firms had expressed interest in the initiative. Last year, as many as 46 firms, including Daikin, Panasonic, Syska and Havells, with committed investment of Rs 5,264 crore were selected in the first round the scheme.

WPI inflation spikes to record 15.88% in May on costlier food items, crude oil

WPI inflation spikes to record 15.88% in May on costlier food items, crude oil

Rediff.com14 Jun 2022

Wholesale price-based inflation rose to a record high of 15.88 per cent in May on rising prices of food items and crude oil. The Wholesale Price Index-based inflation was 15.08 per cent in April and 13.11 per cent in May last year. "The high rate of inflation in May, 2022 is primarily due to rise in prices of mineral oils, crude petroleum & natural gas, food articles, basic metals, non-food articles, chemicals & chemical products and food products etc. as compared to the corresponding month of the previous year," the commerce and industry ministry said in a statement.

'Z' category protectee Swamy moves Delhi HC for security at private home

'Z' category protectee Swamy moves Delhi HC for security at private home

Rediff.com27 Oct 2022

Former Bharatiya Janata Party MP Subramanian Swamy approached the Delhi high court on Thursday, stating that in spite of an earlier assurance the Centre has not made any security arrangements at the accommodation he would be residing in after vacating the government-allotted bungalow.

What Sitharaman wants public sector banks to do

What Sitharaman wants public sector banks to do

Rediff.com25 Aug 2021

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said she has requested banks to work with all state governments to push the 'one district, one product' agenda. Banks have also been requested to have interaction with export promotion agencies, chambers of commerce and industry to understand and address the requirement of exporters on a timely manner, Sitharaman said while addressing the media in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Indo-Australia trade pact: Over 6000 products to get free access

Indo-Australia trade pact: Over 6000 products to get free access

Rediff.com28 Dec 2022

The interim free trade agreement between India and Australia will come into force on Thursday, providing duty-free access to thousands of domestic goods such as textiles, and leather in the Australian market. The agreement will help almost double the bilateral commerce to $45-50 billion in around five years, according to exporters and industry players. The Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which was signed on April 2, would provide duty-free access to Indian exporters of over 6,000 broad sectors, including textiles, leather, furniture, jewellery and machinery in the Australian market.

FDI inflow to India declines to $74.01 billion in 2021

FDI inflow to India declines to $74.01 billion in 2021

Rediff.com23 Mar 2022

Total foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow to India declined to $74.01 billion in the calendar year 2021, which is 15 per cent lower from $87.55 billion recorded in the previous year, the ministry of commerce & industry said on Wednesday. The FDI inflow includes equity inflow, equity capital of unincorporated bodies, re-invested earnings and other capital. "FDI is largely a matter of commercial business decisions and FDI inflow depends on a host of factors such as availability of natural resource, market size, infrastructure, political and general investment climate as well as macro-economic stability and investment decision of foreign investors.

US report flags 'downward trend of democratic values' in India

US report flags 'downward trend of democratic values' in India

Rediff.com10 Feb 2023

As the United States focuses on the Indo-Pacific, in particular the Quad, the Biden administration needs to address India's ties with Russia and its 'downward trend of democratic values and institutions', said a report by the Democratic Party of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee.

Eight core sectors' output up 4.4% in Sep

Eight core sectors' output up 4.4% in Sep

Rediff.com29 Oct 2021

The output of eight core sectors rose 4.4 per cent in September on account of healthy performance by segments like natural gas, refinery products and cement, official data showed on Friday. The eight infrastructure sectors of coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity had grown by 0.6 per cent in September 2020, as per the data released by the commerce and industry ministry.

India's Foreign Trade Policy 2023 eyes $2 trillion exports by 2030

India's Foreign Trade Policy 2023 eyes $2 trillion exports by 2030

Rediff.com31 Mar 2023

The government on Friday came out with Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 which seeks to boost the country's exports to $2 trillion by 2030 by shifting from incentives to remission and entitlement based regime. Unlike the practice of announcing 5-year FTP, the latest policy has no end date and will be updated as and when needed, said Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Santosh Sarangi while briefing media about FTP 2023. Earlier, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal unveiled FTP 2023 which will come into effect from April 1, 2023.

SP Group's Pallonji Mistry passes away at 93

SP Group's Pallonji Mistry passes away at 93

Rediff.com28 Jun 2022

Shapoorji Pallonji Group's head Pallonji Mistry died at his residence here, company officials said on Tuesday. Mistry, the largest individual shareholder in the Tata Group with a 18.4 per cent holding in the conglomerate, was 93.

'FICCI is focusing on start-ups'

'FICCI is focusing on start-ups'

Rediff.com19 May 2023

'For our traditional membership base, it would be an access to disruptive ideas,' FICCI President Subhrakant Panda tells Asit Mishra/Business Standard.

After curbing import of toys, India to turn tap off for Chinese fans, smart meters

After curbing import of toys, India to turn tap off for Chinese fans, smart meters

Rediff.com3 Dec 2022

We are looking at bringing quality control orders for mass production items such as smart meters and ceiling fans. This will benefit our own industry and consumers, a government official said.

Trade bodies impose 12-hr bandh in Nagaland over 'illegal taxation'

Trade bodies impose 12-hr bandh in Nagaland over 'illegal taxation'

Rediff.com16 Sep 2021

The shutdown has been complete in not only major cities like Kohima, Dimapur and Mokokchung, but even smaller towns such as Tuli, Jalukie, Pfutsero, CNCCI president Khekugha Muru told PTI.

Dissociate from Hindutva, Muslims not untouchable, says BJP ally Apna Dal-S chief

Dissociate from Hindutva, Muslims not untouchable, says BJP ally Apna Dal-S chief

Rediff.com7 Feb 2022

Stressing that the Apna Dal-S stands for social justice, Union minister Anupriya Patel on Monday dissociated her party from "Hindutva and all those issues" and said it is ideologically different from the Bharatiya Janata Party.

WPI inflation hit 4-month high of 14.55% in Mar

WPI inflation hit 4-month high of 14.55% in Mar

Rediff.com18 Apr 2022

The wholesale price-based inflation rose to a four-month high of 14.55 per cent in March, mainly due to hardening of crude oil and commodity prices, even though vegetables witnessed easing of price pressures. As per the government data released on Monday, WPI inflation has remained in double digits for the 12th consecutive month beginning April 2021. The last time such a level of WPI was recorded was in November 2021, when inflation was 14.87 per cent.

UPSC takes 31 pvt sector experts as jt secretaries

UPSC takes 31 pvt sector experts as jt secretaries

Rediff.com8 Oct 2021

Minister of state for personnel Jitendra Singh said it is a major step to place the right talent for the right role.

Why India Inc is moving to Dubai in droves

Why India Inc is moving to Dubai in droves

Rediff.com7 Nov 2022

Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani might have made news for purchasing the most expensive beach-side villa in Dubai recently, but he is not the only Indian eyeing the city for investment. Since Dubai allowed foreign investors full ownership in specific sectors in June 2021, a horde of Indian companies have moved or expanded into the desert city. The list even includes a kindergarten, an elementary and middle school, and a hotel that has sought 100 per cent ownership.

After 4 months, WPI inflation eases; food prices rise

After 4 months, WPI inflation eases; food prices rise

Rediff.com14 Jan 2022

The wholesale price-based inflation bucked the 4-month rising trend in December 2021, and eased to 13.56 per cent, mainly on account of softening in fuel, power and manufacturing items even though food prices hardened. WPI inflation has remained in double digits for the ninth consecutive month beginning April. Inflation in November was 14.23 per cent, while in December 2020 it was 1.95 per cent.

Thousands take out rally to seek early solution to Naga issue

Thousands take out rally to seek early solution to Naga issue

Rediff.com5 Aug 2022

Thousands of people joined a public rally organised by Nagaland People's Action Committee (NPAC) on Friday to demand an early solution to the Naga political issue.

Why India's gig workforce is still outside purview of basic benefits

Why India's gig workforce is still outside purview of basic benefits

Rediff.com7 Apr 2023

If you have seen Zwigato, Param Kumar's story will sound familiar. Laid off from his job as a repairman at a Gurugram-based water purifier provider, he now delivers groceries and food for a mobile-based delivery app, in Delhi. Kumar, who started making deliveries last August, told Business Standard that he is working longer hours than his older salaried job as an RO repairman, and has no paid leaves or health insurance. Kumar is part of India's estimated 7.7 million-strong force of gig workers.

Biden urged to enter into a trade deal with India

Biden urged to enter into a trade deal with India

Rediff.com5 Apr 2022

A top Republican lawmaker has welcomed India signing a trade deal with Australia, and urged the Biden administration to enter into a similar arrangement with New Delhi that can advance Washington's strong economic agenda in the strategically vital Indo-Pacific region. "I'm pleased to see #Australia & #India sign a strong trade deal," Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch said in a tweet. "The US needs to do the same and advance a strong economic agenda in the #IndoPacific. "The Biden Admin's failure to lead hurts US growth and our partnership in the region," Risch said in another tweet.

As Budget session convenes, Oppn seeks debate on Adani row, govt to go by rules

As Budget session convenes, Oppn seeks debate on Adani row, govt to go by rules

Rediff.com30 Jan 2023

The session will commence with the maiden address of President Droupadi Murmu to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament. The address essentially highlights the government's achievements and policy priorities.

Good ties to continue with Gulf nations, says Goyal amid Prophet remark row

Good ties to continue with Gulf nations, says Goyal amid Prophet remark row

Rediff.com7 Jun 2022

When asked about a social media campaign to boycott Indian products in the wake of the row, the minister said he has not heard of any such thing.

WPI inflation eases to 12.96% in Jan; food prices harden

WPI inflation eases to 12.96% in Jan; food prices harden

Rediff.com14 Feb 2022

The wholesale price-based inflation eased for the second consecutive month in January at 12.96 per cent, even though food prices hardened, the government said on Monday. WPI inflation has remained in double digits for the tenth consecutive month beginning April 2021. Inflation in December 2021 was 13.56 per cent, while in January 2021, it was 2.51 per cent.

Import of paper will be under compulsory registration from Oct 1

Import of paper will be under compulsory registration from Oct 1

Rediff.com27 May 2022

In a bid to protect the domestic paper industry, the commerce and industry ministry on Thursday said it has decided to make registration compulsory for importing major paper products such as newsprint, handmade paper, envelopes, among others. All imports arriving on or after October 1 will be governed by the Paper Import Monitoring policy that aims to put an end to dumping of such products and address the issue of re-routing of goods through other countries in lieu of trade agreements. "The import policy of major paper products has been amended from 'Free' to 'Free subject to compulsory registration under Paper Import Monitoring System," an official statement said.

Langer hits out at 'bull**** politics' in Cricket Australia

Langer hits out at 'bull**** politics' in Cricket Australia

Rediff.com26 May 2022

The day after quitting his job, Langer had a heated conversation with Freudenstein.

Settling trade in rupee: FTP tweaks may allow traders export benefits

Settling trade in rupee: FTP tweaks may allow traders export benefits

Rediff.com15 Jul 2022

The Union government will soon make amendments to the foreign trade policy (FTP) to enable exporters to claim export benefits for settling trade in rupees. These benefits are, so far, available for export payments received in foreign currencies. After the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) unveiled a mechanism to settle international trade transactions in the local currency on Monday, exporters have been demanding that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry come up with a clarification on the matter.

Mamata removes Partha Chatterjee from cabinet, all TMC posts

Mamata removes Partha Chatterjee from cabinet, all TMC posts

Rediff.com28 Jul 2022

The ED had arrested Chatterjee, who is also the Trinamool Congress secretary-general, on July 23 in connection with its investigation into alleged irregularities in the recruitment drives by the School Service Commission.

Russia-Ukraine war may spell boon for Chhattisgarh's export profile

Russia-Ukraine war may spell boon for Chhattisgarh's export profile

Rediff.com29 Jun 2022

The Russia-Ukraine war is likely to improve the export profile of landlocked Chhattisgarh, which has already nearly tripled during the past three years. Chhattisgarh's exports reached Rs 25,241.13 crore in the financial year 2021-22 against Rs 9,067.92 crore worth of products shipped in 2019-20, according to the state government's data. While exports of iron and steel surged seven and a half times, rice shipping increased 4.68 times.

Infrastructure sectors' output rises 16.8% in May

Infrastructure sectors' output rises 16.8% in May

Rediff.com30 Jun 2021

The output of eight core sectors grew by 16.8 per cent in May, mainly due to a low base effect and uptick in production of natural gas, refinery products, steel, cement and electricity, official data released on Wednesday showed. The eight infrastructure sectors of coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity had contracted by 21.4 per cent in May 2020 due to the lockdown restrictions imposed to control the spread of the COVID-19 infections. In March this year, these key sectors had recorded a growth of 11.4 per cent, and 60.9 per cent in April.

At $4.3 bn, imports from Russia jump nearly 7 times in June

At $4.3 bn, imports from Russia jump nearly 7 times in June

Rediff.com20 Aug 2022

India imported goods worth $4.23 billion in June from sanctions-hit Russia, up 6.8 times as compared to last year, as demand for shipments of crude oil grew at the fastest pace during the month. Crude oil worth $3.02 billion was imported in June, which translates into a share of 71 per cent of the total imports from Russia, commerce and industry ministry data showed. Similarly, during the April-June quarter, India's imports from Russia were valued at $9.27 billion, up 369 per cent on year.