News for 'Commerce Ministry'

'Be prepared for Rs 38 a dollar'

'Be prepared for Rs 38 a dollar'

Rediff.com31 Oct 2007

As foreign fund flows have lifted the rupee to record highs against the dollar, the commerce ministry has started telling exporters to prepare for the Indian currency rising further to 38 against the dollar by December. The strong rupee is already hurting India's exporters, with companies cutting jobs and scaling back expansions. A further appreciation may have even worse consequences for sectors like textile, infotech and automobile.

HC restrains misuse of actor Jackie Shroff's name, voice without consent

HC restrains misuse of actor Jackie Shroff's name, voice without consent

Rediff.com18 May 2024

The court said Shroff is a celebrity and this status inherently grants him certain rights over his personality and associated attributes.

Key infra sector growth rises to 8% in July

Key infra sector growth rises to 8% in July

Rediff.com31 Aug 2023

Growth of eight key infrastructure sectors rose to 8 per cent in July 2023 compared to 4.8 per cent in the same month last year on expansion in production of coal, crude oil, and natural gas, according to the official data released on Thursday. Production of steel, cement and electricity also grew in July, the data showed.

Sino-India border trade at Nathu La postponed

Sino-India border trade at Nathu La postponed

Rediff.com1 May 2008

The annual Sino-India border trade at Nathu La, which was to be reopened for the traders of the two countries on Thursday, has been postponed following the Union Commerce ministry's communique to the Sikkim government authorities, official sources said. Meanwhile, the Chinese authorities have cited the occurrence of landslides in several areas in the Tibet Autonomous Region disrupting the movement of people and goods as the reason behind postponement.

SEZ land allotments raise a stink

SEZ land allotments raise a stink

Rediff.com1 Jan 2007

Questions over proposed changes in land use are piling up, even as the commerce ministry and Maharashtra government are rushing to give in-principle approvals and conditional no-objection certificates to special economic zone developers.

Centre to revise SEZ Act, limiting tax sops and enhancing integration

Centre to revise SEZ Act, limiting tax sops and enhancing integration

Rediff.com16 Nov 2023

The Centre is unlikely to offer new direct tax incentives for units operating in special economic zones (SEZs) and may instead allow the grandfathering of previous exemptions that such units were entitled to, according to proposed amendments to the SEZ Act, 2005, people aware of the matter said. The amendments, proposed by the commerce department, will soon be considered by the Cabinet for approval. This represents a departure from the department's earlier plan to introduce these changes through the Development Enterprises and Services Hubs (DESH) Bill, 2023, which faced strong criticism from the ministry of finance.

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.

Wholesale inflation in negative territory for 7th month

Wholesale inflation in negative territory for 7th month

Rediff.com14 Nov 2023

The wholesale price index-based inflation remained in the negative territory for the seventh straight month in October at (-) 0.52 per cent, on easing prices of food items. The WPI-based inflation rate has been in the negative zone since April and was at (-) 0.26 per cent in September, 2023. In October last year, WPI was at 8.67 per cent.

Wholesale inflation eases to 0.27% in January

Wholesale inflation eases to 0.27% in January

Rediff.com14 Feb 2024

The wholesale price index (WPI)-based inflation eased in January to 0.27 per cent, mainly due to moderation in prices of food items. WPI inflation was at 0.73 per cent in December 2023. The WPI inflation was in the negative zone from April to October and had turned positive in November at 0.39 per cent.

Dissatisfied govt returns retail study

Dissatisfied govt returns retail study

Rediff.com3 Aug 2007

Move could delay FDI liberalisation in the sector.

Digital Competition Bill Wants Interoperability

Digital Competition Bill Wants Interoperability

Rediff.com19 Feb 2024

It is being suggested that apps, such as WhatsApp and Telegram, should share their APIs with each other to ensure there is interoperability, just as it exists across email services.

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.

Key infra sector growth slows to 6-month low of 7.8 pc in Nov

Key infra sector growth slows to 6-month low of 7.8 pc in Nov

Rediff.com29 Dec 2023

The production growth of eight key infrastructure sectors slowed to a six-month low of 7.8 per cent in November due to a decline in the output of crude oil and cement sectors. The growth rate in the production of coal, fertiliser, steel, and electricity also decreased during November this year. According to the data released by the government on Friday, the growth during the month under review, however, is higher than the 5.7 per cent recorded a year ago.

Suresh Prabhu gets charge of civil aviation ministry

Suresh Prabhu gets charge of civil aviation ministry

Rediff.com10 Mar 2018

The decision came a day after the resignation of Telugu Desam Party's Ashok Gajapathi Raju was accepted by President Ram Nath Kovind

Gold imports dip 47% in Apr-Oct to $9.28 bn

Gold imports dip 47% in Apr-Oct to $9.28 bn

Rediff.com17 Nov 2020

Gold imports, which have a bearing on the current account deficit, declined 47.42 per cent to $9.28 billion during April-October due to fall in demand in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data from the commerce ministry. Imports of the yellow metal stood at $17.64 billion in the corresponding period of 2019-20. The imports, however, recorded a growth of about 36 per cent in October.

Growth Question Looms Large Over Chandigarh

Growth Question Looms Large Over Chandigarh

Rediff.com28 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.

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.

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.

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.

India gets USDA nod to export mangoes to America

India gets USDA nod to export mangoes to America

Rediff.com11 Jan 2022

India has secured approval of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the export of domestic mangoes to America in the new season, the commerce ministry said on Tuesday. The export of Indian mangoes has been restricted by the US since 2020 as the USDA inspectors were unable to visit India for inspection of irradiation facilities due to restrictions imposed on international travel because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On November 23, 2021, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the USDA signed a framework agreement for implementing the "2 Vs 2" agri-market access issues.

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

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.

Sitharaman to ensure 'Ease of Living' during Modi 3.0

Sitharaman to ensure 'Ease of Living' during Modi 3.0

Rediff.com12 Jun 2024

Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday assumed charge as the Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister for the second consecutive term and is slated to soon present the final Budget for FY '25 that is going to set the tone for the Modi 3.0 government's priorities and direction for Viksit Bharat. Upon her reaching the North Block office, Sitharaman was greeted by Finance Secretary T V Somanathan and other top officials. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary was also present. Chaudhary assumed charge on Tuesday evening.

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.

A Heartfelt Letter To College Freshers

A Heartfelt Letter To College Freshers

Rediff.com25 Jul 2024

Explore, engage, participate and excel in as many co-curricular activities and hackathons as possible to improve your self-confidence, communication skills and overall personality, advises rediffGURU Chocko Valliappa.

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.

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

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.

Will govt restart rupee-rouble trade?

Will govt restart rupee-rouble trade?

Rediff.com10 Mar 2022

The government may soon give the green light to bilateral trade between Russia and India in their national currencies to avoid any trade disruptions, multiple people aware of the matter said. While the Department of Commerce has recommended the proposal, an announcement is likely to be made by the finance ministry after further deliberations between the Department of Economic Affairs and Department of Financial Services. "The finance ministry will take a call on how to peg the two currencies," a senior government official told Business Standard. In the past, the two nations have had rupee-rouble trade, and when such an arrangement is implemented again, it will bypass the sanctions imposed on Russia by the West.

Exports decline sharply in Oct; trade deficit widens

Exports decline sharply in Oct; trade deficit widens

Rediff.com15 Nov 2022

India's exports entered negative territory after a gap of about two years, declining sharply by 16.65 per cent to $29.78 billion in October, mainly due to global demand slowdown, even as trade deficit widened to $26.91 billion, according to data released by the commerce ministry on Tuesday. Key export sectors, including gems and jewellery, engineering, petroleum products, ready-made garments of all textiles, chemicals, pharma, marine products, and leather, recorded negative growth during October. Imports during the month under review rose by about 6 per cent to $56.69 billion on account of increase in the inbound shipments of crude oil and certain raw materials such as cotton, fertiliser and machinery.

Wholesale inflation remains in red for the 6th month

Wholesale inflation remains in red for the 6th month

Rediff.com16 Oct 2023

The wholesale price index-based inflation remained in the negative territory for the sixth straight month in September at (-)0.26 per cent, on easing prices of food articles. The WPI-based inflation rate has been in the negative since April and was (-)0.52 per cent in August. In September last year, it was 10.55 per cent.

FTAs: who did the homework?

FTAs: who did the homework?

Rediff.com10 Aug 2004

After multiple attacks, China hires private agency to secure assets overseas

After multiple attacks, China hires private agency to secure assets overseas

Rediff.com28 Dec 2023

This may be in line with Russia's private military company, Wagner Group, which was controlled until 2023 by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a former close ally of Russia's president Vladimir Putin. The group used the infrastructure of the Russian Armed Forces.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.