News for 'Commerce Ministry'

Trade settlement in rupee: Govt, RBI devise country-specific plan

Trade settlement in rupee: Govt, RBI devise country-specific plan

Rediff.com14 Dec 2022

The central government and the Reserve Bank of India have devised a country-specific plan towards implementation of overseas trade in rupee, people aware of the matter said. To start with, a small number of banks will be allowed to manage cross-border transactions in domestic currency with a particular country. "Small countries that are dollar-deficient have shown interest in doing trade in rupee.

Board exams twice a year; Class 11, 12 students to study 2 languages

Board exams twice a year; Class 11, 12 students to study 2 languages

Rediff.com23 Aug 2023

Students can then appear for a board exam in subjects they have completed and feel ready for.

Modi to review ministries' work in quest for turnaround

Modi to review ministries' work in quest for turnaround

Rediff.com3 Jan 2020

Starting today, Modi and top officials in the Prime Minister's Office will be briefed by various central ministries and departments on their plans as well as agenda for the next five years. They will also apprise the PMO of the work they have done so far in realising the agenda of government's second term in office.

Wholesale inflation contracts to (-) 4.12% in Jun

Wholesale inflation contracts to (-) 4.12% in Jun

Rediff.com14 Jul 2023

The wholesale price-based inflation rate declined to (-) 4.12 per cent in June on easing prices of food, fuel and manufactured items. The wholesale price index (WPI) based inflation in May was (-) 3.48 per cent. In June last year, it was 16.23 per cent.

'The level of isolation in North Korea was amazing'

'The level of isolation in North Korea was amazing'

Rediff.com2 May 2023

'In 1984, Pyongyang just had one hotel and one could not move out without an official escort.' 'India was the only country with an embassy, apart from the socialist countries.'

Dissatisfied govt returns retail study

Dissatisfied govt returns retail study

Rediff.com3 Aug 2007

Move could delay FDI liberalisation in the sector.

Rice exporters seek nod for SRK ad

Rice exporters seek nod for SRK ad

Rediff.com3 Jul 2007

Upset over objections raised by the government on their Rs 21-crore (Rs 210 million) proposal to launch a global Basmati promotion campaign featuring Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan, rice exporters will present their case before the commerce ministry.

Govt bans export of onions with immediate effect

Govt bans export of onions with immediate effect

Rediff.com14 Sep 2020

In the national capital, onion prices were ruling at around Rs 40 per kilogram.

Govt nods EV policy; min investment fixed at $500 mn

Govt nods EV policy; min investment fixed at $500 mn

Rediff.com15 Mar 2024

The government on Friday approved an electric-vehicle policy, under which duty concessions will be given to companies setting up manufacturing units in the country with a minimum investment of $500 million, a move aimed at attracting major global players like US-based Tesla. According to an official statement, the companies setting up manufacturing facilities for e-vehicles will be allowed to import a limited number of cars at lower customs duty. The policy seeks to promote India as a manufacturing destination for EVs and attract investment from reputed global EV manufacturers, it added.

India's Startup Scorecard

India's Startup Scorecard

Rediff.com2 Apr 2024

For the startup ecosystem in India, the scorecard so far has been a mixed bag, observes Akhil Gupta.

Wholesale price based inflation remains negative for 5th month

Wholesale price based inflation remains negative for 5th month

Rediff.com14 Sep 2023

Wholesale price-based inflation remained in the negative territory for the fifth straight month in August at (-)0.52 per cent, but prices of food articles and fuel showed an uptick. The wholesale price index (WPI) based inflation rate has been in the negative since April and was (-)1.36 per cent in July. In August last year it was 12.48 per cent. Inflation in food articles remained in double digit at 10.60 per cent in August, lower than 14.25 per cent in July.

E-commerce: 25% cap on sales to end monopoly of few vendors

E-commerce: 25% cap on sales to end monopoly of few vendors

Rediff.com3 Apr 2016

After 100% FDI, DIPP has put a condition an e-commerce entity will not be permitted more than 25% of sales through its marketplace from one vendor or their group companies

D K Mittal front runner for post of commerce secretary

D K Mittal front runner for post of commerce secretary

Rediff.com16 May 2012

Even as the government today gave Saurabh Chandra, secretary, department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP), the additional charge of secretary, Department of Commerce, Dinesh Kumar Mittal has emerged as the front runner for the post.

Retail FDI: Govt for more reforms

Retail FDI: Govt for more reforms

Rediff.com9 Feb 2007

Defending its policy of liberalising foreign direct investment in retail, the government confirmed that it would go ahead with its plan to expand its ambit.

Exports up 23.52%; trade deficit at record $26.18 bn

Exports up 23.52%; trade deficit at record $26.18 bn

Rediff.com14 Jul 2022

Exports in June rose by 23.52 per cent to $40.13 billion while the trade deficit ballooned to a record level of $26.18 billion mainly due to jump in gold and crude oil imports, the government data said on Thursday. The country's export growth in May was 20.55 per cent. Imports expanded by 57.55 per cent to $66.31 billion in June compared to the year-ago month, the data showed.

Exports slip 0.8% in Dec; trade deficit widens to $15.71 bn

Exports slip 0.8% in Dec; trade deficit widens to $15.71 bn

Rediff.com2 Jan 2021

The country's exports declined marginally by 0.8 per cent to $26.89 billion in December 2020, due to contraction in sectors like petroleum, leather and marine products, according to preliminary data released by the commerce ministry on Saturday. The trade deficit in December widened to $15.71 billion, as imports grew by 7.6 per cent to $42.6 billion, the data showed. Export in December 2019 was $27.11 billion, while imports stood at $39.5 billion.

E-commerce definition too wide in GST, may even cover commodity exchange

E-commerce definition too wide in GST, may even cover commodity exchange

Rediff.com17 Apr 2017

The chamber has sought clarity from government to remove uncertainty among businesses

Will SEZs create jobs? Tell us

Will SEZs create jobs? Tell us

Rediff.com5 Sep 2006

A policy was introduced on 1 January 2000 to set up special economic zones in India to provide an internationally competitive environment for exports.

Government plans to allow FDI in e-commerce before April

Government plans to allow FDI in e-commerce before April

Rediff.com31 Dec 2013

Floats discussion paper for stakeholders' feedback with a deadline of January 28.

Govt to release buffer onion stock in open market immediately

Govt to release buffer onion stock in open market immediately

Rediff.com11 Aug 2023

The government on Friday announced it will release onion from its buffer stock in the targeted regions with immediate effect to ensure prices remain under check till the new crop arrives from October onward. The government is exploring multiple options for disposal of onion: e-auction, e-commerce as well as through states at discounted rates via retail outlets of their consumer cooperatives and corporations, it said. The government has currently maintained 3 lakh tonnes of onion under the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) to meet any exigencies, if rates go up significantly during the lean supply season.

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.

Exports up 22.36%; trade deficit widens to $21.19 bn in Feb

Exports up 22.36%; trade deficit widens to $21.19 bn in Feb

Rediff.com2 Mar 2022

India's exports rose by 22.36 per cent to $33.81 billion in February on account of healthy growth in sectors like engineering, petroleum and chemicals, even as the trade deficit widened to $21.19 billion, according to preliminary data released by the commerce ministry on Wednesday. Imports during the month too jumped by about 35 per cent to $55 billion, with inbound shipments of petroleum and crude oil surging 66.56 per cent to $15 billion. The trade deficit -- the difference between imports and exports -- stood at $13.12 billion in February 2021.

Govt keen on Indo-Pak tea trade

Govt keen on Indo-Pak tea trade

Rediff.com27 Sep 2003

Union commerce ministry will make efforts to remove hurdles at the Indo-Pakistan border in the way of tea trade, a top government official said in Coonoor on Saturday.

Gold imports fall 57% over low demand in Covid times

Gold imports fall 57% over low demand in Covid times

Rediff.com18 Oct 2020

Gold imports, which have a bearing on the current account deficit (CAD), plunged 57 per cent to USD 6.8 billion (around Rs 50,658 crore) during the first half of this fiscal amid a slump in demand due to the Covid-19 pandemic, showed data by the commerce ministry.

Retail majors unite to stand up to e-commerce onslaught

Retail majors unite to stand up to e-commerce onslaught

Rediff.com4 Dec 2014

The big boys of India's traditional retail have finally come together to fight the onslaught of their online counterparts.

FTAs: who did the homework?

FTAs: who did the homework?

Rediff.com10 Aug 2004

Bharat Rice to be sold at Rs 29/kg in retail market from next week

Bharat Rice to be sold at Rs 29/kg in retail market from next week

Rediff.com2 Feb 2024

The Centre on Friday said it will sell 'Bharat Rice' in the retail market at Rs 29 per kg from next week to give relief to the common man and has also directed traders to disclose rice/paddy stock, as part of its efforts to control prices that have risen by around 15 per cent in the last one year. In a press conference, Union Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra exuded confidence that these two measures along with the various restrictions of exports will help in cooling down the prices. Seeking to dispel market rumours, he categorically said the government has no plans to lift restrictions on rice exports any time soon.

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.

Govt bats for 50% foreign investment in e-commerce

Govt bats for 50% foreign investment in e-commerce

Rediff.com8 Jan 2014

Government seeks stakeholders' comments by Jan 30 on discussion paper.

Exim policy to focus on CIS

Exim policy to focus on CIS

Rediff.com6 Feb 2003

As part of efforts to boost exports to the Commonwealth of Independent States, the government is likely to unveil a Focus-CIS programme in the forthcoming Exim Policy.\n\n\n\n

Exports rise; trade deficit widens in Jan

Exports rise; trade deficit widens in Jan

Rediff.com1 Feb 2022

The country's exports rose by 23.69 per cent to $34.06 billion in January on healthy performance by engineering, petroleum and gems and jewellery segments even as trade deficit widened to $17.94 billion during the month, according to provisional data of the commerce ministry. Imports in January grew by 23.74 per cent to $52.01 billion, the data, released on Tuesday, showed. Trade deficit widened to $17.94 billion during the month as against $14.49 billion in the same month last year.

Why gifts from abroad are no more a good idea

Why gifts from abroad are no more a good idea

Rediff.com4 Feb 2020

The government can argue the change targets only those residing abroad but the fact remains that it does affect the kin and friends in India of non-residents.

PLI scheme incentive outgo could be less than Rs 40,000 crore by FY25

PLI scheme incentive outgo could be less than Rs 40,000 crore by FY25

Rediff.com31 Jul 2023

The total incentive outgo under the ambitious production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme is estimated to be less than Rs. 40,000 crore by the fiscal year 2024-25 (FY25), when it completes the fourth year of implementation, according to the government's internal estimates. This means only a fourth of the allocated Rs 1.97 trillion is expected to be utilised by the end of FY24, indicating that not all the 14 PLI schemes would have taken off fully. While three of the 14 schemes - large-scale electronics manufacturing, bulk drugs, and medical devices - were introduced in 2020, the remaining were launched the following year.

200 SEZs likely to be exempt from 18.5% MAT

200 SEZs likely to be exempt from 18.5% MAT

Rediff.com28 Jan 2016

Commerce ministry monitoring remedial measures to promote exports in key markets.

Commerce Minister in Pakistan to boost trade ties

Commerce Minister in Pakistan to boost trade ties

Rediff.com13 Feb 2012

Anand Sharma, Union Commerce Minister, crossed over to Pakistan early Monday morning with a large delegation comprising of officials of his ministry, members of the trade chambers and journalists to launch India show in Lahore where goods from India would be displayed for the visitors who are keen to buy them.

Exports dip for the 5th consecutive month in Dec

Exports dip for the 5th consecutive month in Dec

Rediff.com15 Jan 2020

Imports too declined by 8.83 per cent to $38.61 billion, bringing down the trade deficit to $11.25 billion during the month under review.

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

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

Rediff.com25 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.

USISPF Or USIBC? Who Gets Modi's Vote?

USISPF Or USIBC? Who Gets Modi's Vote?

Rediff.com12 Jun 2023

Prime Minister Narendra D Modi's itinerary for his June 21-24 US visit could include an address to a fledgling business advocacy group, the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum.

DIPP bats for FDI curbs in pharma

DIPP bats for FDI curbs in pharma

Rediff.com9 Feb 2011

The commerce ministry has sought a review of foreign direct investment policy in the pharmaceutical sector, in the light of recent takeovers of domestic companies by multinationals.