News for '-commerce-and-industry'

Cash-strapped Afghanistan on verge of economic collapse

Cash-strapped Afghanistan on verge of economic collapse

Rediff.com17 Sep 2021

The IMF and World Bank have stopped loans, and the FATF warned its 39 member nations to block Taliban assets.

Govt brings ordinance to tackle air pollution in Delhi-NCR

Govt brings ordinance to tackle air pollution in Delhi-NCR

Rediff.com29 Oct 2020

Violation of the provisions entails a punishment of a jail term up to five years or with fine up to Rs 1 crore or with both, the ordinance released by the Ministry of Law and Justice on Thursday said.

Trade deficit in Nov jumps to $22.91 billion

Trade deficit in Nov jumps to $22.91 billion

Rediff.com14 Dec 2021

India's merchandise exports jumped 27.16 per cent to $30.04 billion in November on the back of good performance by sectors like petroleum products, engineering goods and electronic items, official data showed on Tuesday. The exports stood at $23.62 billion in November 2020. Imports in November were at $52.94 billion, showing an increase of 56.58 per cent over inbound shipments of $33.81 billion in the year-ago month.

Feb WPI inflation spikes to 13.11% on costlier crude

Feb WPI inflation spikes to 13.11% on costlier crude

Rediff.com14 Mar 2022

The wholesale price-based inflation in February rose to 13.11 per cent on hardening of prices of crude oil and non-food items, even though food articles softened. After two months of mild easing, WPI inflation accelerated in February and remained in double digits for the 11th consecutive month, beginning April 2021. WPI inflation last month was 12.96 per cent, while in February last year, it was 4.83 per cent. The rise in crude oil and natural gas prices after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, beginning February 24, has put pressure on the wholesale price index, even though food articles saw softening across categories of vegetables to pulses to protein-rich items.

WOW! A Fashion Show In The Metaverse!

WOW! A Fashion Show In The Metaverse!

Rediff.com5 Jul 2022

'You can choose who you would like as your showstopper.' 'You have the freedom to create your own background -- sun, moon and the stars, which may sometimes not be possible in a physical show.'

India's imports from China dip 27.63% during Apr-Aug

India's imports from China dip 27.63% during Apr-Aug

Rediff.com21 Sep 2020

Goyal said, there is no proposal under consideration on withdrawal of MFN status to China.

Core sectors' growth slows to 2.1% in Feb

Core sectors' growth slows to 2.1% in Feb

Rediff.com1 Apr 2019

According to the commerce and industry ministry data, during April-February 2018-19, the eight sectors recorded a flat growth rate of 4.3 per cent over the same period previous fiscal.

WPI inflation eases to 1.22% in December

WPI inflation eases to 1.22% in December

Rediff.com14 Jan 2021

The annual rate of inflation based on monthly wholesale price index (WPI) was 1.22 per cent in December as compared to 1.55 per cent in the previous month. It was 2.76 per cent in December 2019. The decline last month was mainly due to lower increase in food prices, data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry showed on Thursday. The food inflation for December dropped to 0.92 per cent as compared to 4.27 per cent in the previous month.

Centre waives off customs duty on oxygen, vaccines

Centre waives off customs duty on oxygen, vaccines

Rediff.com24 Apr 2021

This will boost availability of these items as well as make them cheaper, it said, adding that Modi also directed the revenue department to ensure seamless and quick custom clearance of such equipment.

FDIs rise to $12.1 bn in May: Piyush Goyal

FDIs rise to $12.1 bn in May: Piyush Goyal

Rediff.com23 Aug 2021

Foreign direct investments into the country is on the rise, jumping to $12.1 billion in May this year, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday. He also said the government is working on a mission mode to achieve exports target of $400 billion in 2021-22. "India has received the highest ever FDI inflow in 2020-21. "It surged by 10 per cent to $81.72 billion and FDI during May 2021 is $12.1 billion, i.e. 203 per cent higher than May 2020," he said while addressing a meeting of different industry associations on promoting exports.

Eight core industries' output grows 56.1% in April

Eight core industries' output grows 56.1% in April

Rediff.com31 May 2021

The output of eight core sectors jumped by 56.1 per cent in April mainly due to a low base effect and uptick in production of natural gas, refinery products, steel, cement and electricity, official data released on Monday showed. The eight infrastructure sectors of coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity had contracted by 37.9 per cent in April 2020 due to lockdown restrictions imposed to control the spread of coronavirus infection. In March this year, the eight sectors had recorded a growth rate of 11.4 per cent.

Shehbaz Sharif set to become next PM of Pakistan

Shehbaz Sharif set to become next PM of Pakistan

Rediff.com10 Apr 2022

With the Sharif family set to return to power in Pakistan amid the fast-deteriorating economic situations and political instability, it is to be seen if Shehbaz Sharif infuses fresh energy into the system, or the much-tainted family continues to resort to its old ways.

Core sectors output contracts 4.6% in Feb

Core sectors output contracts 4.6% in Feb

Rediff.com31 Mar 2021

The output of eight core sectors declined by 4.6 per cent in February, the steepest contraction in the last six months which experts said could drag the overall industrial production in the month into the negative territory. All the key segments, including coal, crude oil, natural gas, and refinery products, witnessed a decline in production, according to the official data released on Wednesday. The growth rate of the eight infrastructure sectors -- coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity -- stood at 6.4 per cent in February 2020. Last time in August 2020, the sectors had recorded a negative growth of 6.9 per cent.

WPI inflation at all-time high of 10.49% in April

WPI inflation at all-time high of 10.49% in April

Rediff.com17 May 2021

The wholesale price-based inflation shot up to an all-time high of 10.49 per cent in April, on rising prices of crude oil and manufactured items. Also, a low base of April last year contributed to the spike in inflation in April 2021. The WPI inflation was 7.39 per cent in March 2021, and (-) 1.57 per cent in April 2020. This is the fourth straight month of uptick seen in the wholesale price index (WPI)-based inflation.

Eight core sectors' output up 8.9% in June

Eight core sectors' output up 8.9% in June

Rediff.com30 Jul 2021

The output of eight core sectors grew 8.9 per cent in June, mainly due to a low base effect and uptick in production of natural gas, steel, coal and electricity, official data showed on Friday. The eight infrastructure sectors of coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity had contracted by 12.4 per cent in June 2020 due to the lockdown restrictions imposed to control the spread of coronavirus infections. In May this year, these key sectors had recorded a growth of 16.3 per cent, while it was 60.9 per cent in April.

Agriculture minister meets Shah after farmers reject govt's proposal

Agriculture minister meets Shah after farmers reject govt's proposal

Rediff.com9 Dec 2020

The government, in its proposal circulated among the leaders on Wednesday, offered to amend 7-8 issues, including providing a written assurance of minimum support price.

Farmers' protest: Over Rs 70,000 cr economic loss in Q3

Farmers' protest: Over Rs 70,000 cr economic loss in Q3

Rediff.com31 Dec 2020

The farmers' agitation against new agri laws will lead to economic loss of over Rs 70,000 crore in the December quarter owing to supply chain disruptions, particularly in Punjab, Haryana and border areas of Delhi, the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry said on Thursday. The chamber's president Sanjay Aggarwal said "the 36 days farm agitation so far will have more than Rs 70,000 crore economic loss in the Q3 FY 2020-21 due to...disruption in supply chains and day-to-day economic activities particularly in the progressive states of Punjab and Haryana and border areas of national capital Delhi."

Shah, Tomar, Goyal meet ahead of talks with farmers

Shah, Tomar, Goyal meet ahead of talks with farmers

Rediff.com29 Dec 2020

Sources said they discussed and finalised the government's position for the Wednesday meeting.

Govt waives import duty on Remdesivir

Govt waives import duty on Remdesivir

Rediff.com20 Apr 2021

This import duty exemption would remain in force till October 31 this year.

Govt reshuffles bureaucrats, Air India chairman is aviation secretary

Govt reshuffles bureaucrats, Air India chairman is aviation secretary

Rediff.com22 Sep 2021

Air India Chairman Rajiv Bansal has been appointed as the new aviation secretary as part of a major top-level bureaucratic reshuffle effected by the Centre on Wednesday. K Rajaraman, additional secretary in the department of economic affairs, has been appointed as secretary, department of telecommunications, a personnel ministry order said.

Wholesale price inflation inches up to 8-year high of 7.39%

Wholesale price inflation inches up to 8-year high of 7.39%

Rediff.com15 Apr 2021

Such a high level of WPI was last recorded in October 2012, when inflation was 7.4 per cent.

Amid Twitter standoff, Union ministers shifting to Koo

Amid Twitter standoff, Union ministers shifting to Koo

Rediff.com11 Feb 2021

Koo, which works on similar lines as Twitter, was born with a focus on regional language, unlike Twitter and Facebook, which are very popular but primarily cater to an English-speaking audience, reports Neha Alawadhi.

Exports snap six-month losing streak, rise 5.27% in Sep

Exports snap six-month losing streak, rise 5.27% in Sep

Rediff.com1 Oct 2020

After contracting for six months in a row, the country's exports grew by 5.27 per cent to $27.4 billion in September, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday.

GST Council likely to meet early Jan; may discuss rate rationalisation

GST Council likely to meet early Jan; may discuss rate rationalisation

Rediff.com20 Dec 2021

The Centre is looking to convene a meeting of the all-powerful Goods and Service Tax Council in early January. The meeting is likely to focus on rectifying the inverted duty structure for a few more items and will also serve as a platform for pre-Budget discussions between Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and state finance ministers, Business Standard has learnt. "The current Winter Session of Parliament ends on December 23, followed by the Christmas-New Year period. "After that we would like to have a meeting of the GST Council, depending on whether there can be a quorum," a top government official said.

WPI inflation eases to 0.16% in October

WPI inflation eases to 0.16% in October

Rediff.com14 Nov 2019

For manufactured products, the wholesale inflation was at (-)0.84 per cent in October 2019.

8 core industries' output contracts 1.3% in Dec

8 core industries' output contracts 1.3% in Dec

Rediff.com29 Jan 2021

The output of eight core infrastructure sectors contracted for the third month in a row by 1.3 per cent in December 2020, dragged down by poor show by crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertiliser, steel and cement sectors. The core sectors had expanded by 3.1 per cent in December 2019, according to the provisional data released by the Commerce and Industry Ministry on Friday. Barring coal and electricity, all sectors recorded negative growth in December 2020. During April-December 2020-21, the sectors' output declined by 10.1 per cent against a growth rate of 0.6 per cent in the same period of the previous year.

How much do you know about Jyotiraditya Scindia?

How much do you know about Jyotiraditya Scindia?

Rediff.com14 Mar 2020

Think you know everything about Jyotiraditya Scindia?

Existing foreign trade policy to be extended till March '22: Goyal

Existing foreign trade policy to be extended till March '22: Goyal

Rediff.com27 Sep 2021

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said the existing foreign trade policy (FTP) will be extended for six months till March 31 next year. The government had earlier extended the FTP 2015-20 until September 30 this year due to the Covid-19 crisis. The FTP provides guidelines for enhancing exports to push economic growth and create jobs.

WPI inflation rises 0.16% in Aug on costlier food

WPI inflation rises 0.16% in Aug on costlier food

Rediff.com14 Sep 2020

RBI in its policy review last month kept interest rates unchanged and said it sees an upside risk to inflation.

PM Modi, Union ministers wish nation on Republic Day

PM Modi, Union ministers wish nation on Republic Day

Rediff.com26 Jan 2021

India is celebrating its 72nd Republic Day, the day its Constitution came into force in 1950.

Eight core sectors grow by 5.1% in May

Eight core sectors grow by 5.1% in May

Rediff.com1 Jul 2019

According to a commerce and industry ministry statement, the growth rate for these eight key sectors for April 2019 has been revised upward to 6.3 per cent from 2.6 per cent reported earlier mainly due to upward revisions in production of coal, crude oil, steel, cement and electricity.

FADA seeks govt support over compensation for Ford dealers

FADA seeks govt support over compensation for Ford dealers

Rediff.com23 Sep 2021

Automobile dealers' body FADA has urged the government to formulate a task force to monitor the compensation structure being worked out by Ford India for its dealer partners across the country. In a letter to Heavy Industries Minister Mahendra Nath Pandey, FADA president Vinkesh Gulati also requested the government to instruct Ford India to keep the industry body in the loop regarding the compensation structure for the dealerships. "We humbly request your Ministry's intervention... Create a task force which takes day-to-day updates from Ford India to monitor the compensation plan for automobile dealers and dealership employees," Gulati said in the letter.

WPI inflation at 8-month high of 1.48% in Oct

WPI inflation at 8-month high of 1.48% in Oct

Rediff.com16 Nov 2020

The wholesale price-based inflation rose to an eight-month high of 1.48 per cent in October, as manufactured products turned costlier. The WPI inflation was 1.32 per cent in September and zero per cent in October last year. This is the highest level of wholesale price index-based (WPI) inflation since February when it was 2.26 per cent.

Gujarat provides best ecosystem for start-ups

Gujarat provides best ecosystem for start-ups

Rediff.com11 Sep 2020

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal urged start-ups to focus on three Ps - product, process, people - for building Aatmnirbhar Bharat.

Amazon accused of violating FEMA norms

Amazon accused of violating FEMA norms

Rediff.com4 Nov 2020

Traders' body CAIT on Wednesday accused e-commerce major Amazon of indulging in serious contraventions of FDI policy and Foreign Exchange Management Act. The body also blamed the online firm for not seeking the government's approval for conducting multi-brand retail activities in India.

8 core industries' output contracts 2.6% in Nov

8 core industries' output contracts 2.6% in Nov

Rediff.com31 Dec 2020

Contracting for the ninth consecutive month, the output of eight core infrastructure sectors dropped by 2.6 per cent in November, mainly due to decline in production of natural gas, refinery products, steel and cement. The production of eight core sectors had recorded a growth of 0.7 per cent in November 2019, data released by the commerce and industry ministry showed on Thursday. Barring coal, fertiliser and electricity, all sectors -- crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, steel and cement -- recorded negative growth in November 2020.

WPI inflation cools to 4-month low of 1% in March

WPI inflation cools to 4-month low of 1% in March

Rediff.com15 Apr 2020

As per commerce and industry ministry data, food inflation fell to 4.91 per cent in March from 7.79 per cent in the previous month.

Border incidents with China will continue till...: Army chief

Border incidents with China will continue till...: Army chief

Rediff.com30 Sep 2021

....a long-term boundary agreement is reached between the two countries.

India receives highest ever FDI in April-August FY21

India receives highest ever FDI in April-August FY21

Rediff.com20 Oct 2020

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in India has increased by 16 per cent year-on-year to $27.1 billion during April-August this year, the Commerce and Industry Ministry said on Tuesday. During April-August last year, India had received FDI worth $23.35 billion. The ministry said that the total FDI, which includes reinvested earnings, grew by 13 per cent to $35.73 billion.

Exports jump 58.23% to $34 bn in March

Exports jump 58.23% to $34 bn in March

Rediff.com1 Apr 2021

The country's exports jumped by 58.23 per cent to $34 billion in March as key sectors such as engineering, gems and jewellery and pharmaceuticals recorded healthy growth rate during the month, according to the Commerce Ministry's provisional data. Exports during April-March 2020-21, however, dipped by 7.4 per cent to $290.18 billion compared to $313.36 billion in 2019-20, the data showed. Imports during 2020-21 contracted by 18 per cent to $388.92 billion compared to $474.71 billion during 2019-20. In March 2020, the exports stood at $21.49 billion, which was a decline of about 34 per cent over March 2019 due to global slowdown induced by the Covid-19 crisis.