News for 'Commerce Ministry'

Govt starts talks on trade deal with BIMSTEC

Govt starts talks on trade deal with BIMSTEC

Rediff.com26 Sep 2006

The exercise is aimed at finalising India's position for a free trade agreement with BIMSTEC nations.

Jamiat, 2 firms booked for issuing 'forged' halal certificates to boost sales

Jamiat, 2 firms booked for issuing 'forged' halal certificates to boost sales

Rediff.com18 Nov 2023

The case has been registered against entities such as the Halal India Private Limited Chennai, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust Delhi, Halal Council of India Mumbai, Jamiat Ulama Maharashtra and others for allegedly exploiting religious sentiments to boost sales by providing halal certificates to customers of a specific religion, the UP government said in a statement on Saturday.

ComMin wants Rs 280 crore to boost exports

ComMin wants Rs 280 crore to boost exports

Rediff.com14 Jan 2010

Under the 11th Five-Year Plan (2007-12), Rs 550 crore (Rs 5.5 billion) was provided for promoting exports through Market Access Initiative scheme.

Why India Is Buying 5 Argentine Lithium Mines

Why India Is Buying 5 Argentine Lithium Mines

Rediff.com2 Jan 2024

The Centre will invest around Rs 200 crore over five years for the exploration and development of these mines.

Safta: Bangla to ask for revised 'sensitive' list

Safta: Bangla to ask for revised 'sensitive' list

Rediff.com8 Aug 2007

A high-powered inter-ministerial committee was expected to finalise the list based on the suggestions and recommendations from different chambers, business houses and trade experts, the Daily Star newspaper reported.

March exports fall a record 30 per cent

March exports fall a record 30 per cent

Rediff.com8 Apr 2009

Overall exports in 2008-09 grow at slowest pace in 7 yrs.

Tax refunds on cement export revoked within a day

Tax refunds on cement export revoked within a day

Rediff.com3 Jun 2008

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade on Monday notified Duty Entitlement Pass Book Scheme (refund of local taxes) on cement exports. The commerce ministry had lifted the 46-day old ban on cement exports on May 27. However, it had allowed shipments only through ports in Gujarat. The state accounts for 95 per cent of the total cement exports.

India seeks higher H-1B quota

India seeks higher H-1B quota

Rediff.com15 Oct 2003

Trade declines for first time in 7 years

Trade declines for first time in 7 years

Rediff.com3 Mar 2009

India's exports and imports have together dipped for the first time in seven years, signalling weakening of domestic and external demand in the backdrop of global economic crisis. Government officials said the sale of Indian goods in overseas markets was likely to see a dip in February as well.

Nike's Rs 300 cr plant in Tamil Nadu

Nike's Rs 300 cr plant in Tamil Nadu

Rediff.com6 Jun 2007

Hong Kong-headquartered Growth-Link Overseas has announced it would invest Rs 300 crore to build a manufacturing facility for Nike footwear at Cheyyar, near Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu.

Exports from SEZs to grow by 15% this fiscal

Exports from SEZs to grow by 15% this fiscal

Rediff.com5 Nov 2009

In the previous fiscal, exports from the SEZs was Rs 99,689 crore (Rs 996.89 billion). Exports from Reliance Industries' Jamnagar refinery is likely to contribute substantially to the total shipments this fiscal, another official said.

January exports slipped on 24% dip in oil products

January exports slipped on 24% dip in oil products

Rediff.com6 Feb 2009

A dip in petroleum product exports for the first time in the current fiscal has contributed to a 22 per cent decline in merchandise exports in January, commerce ministry data reveals.

Trade policy may unveil sops for exporters

Trade policy may unveil sops for exporters

Rediff.com10 Apr 2008

Relief for exporters, additional incentives for export of farm products other than those in short supply and more steps to check inflation through hassle-free and cheap imports are likely to be announced on Friday in the last review of Foreign Trade Policy by the UPA government.

Transaction time for exporters to be reduced

Transaction time for exporters to be reduced

Rediff.com10 Apr 2008

A revamped Electronic Data Interface system and easier norms for the Accredited Clients Programme are some features likely to be introduced to reduce the transaction time and costs of exporters. Some of the measures may figure in the annual supplement to the Foreign Trade Policy, which is being released on Apr 11. ComMin officials expect the new Electronic Data Interface System to become operational by the end of this fiscal. Exporters will have to submit lesser documents.

Sensex jumps 184 points to close at new record high

Sensex jumps 184 points to close at new record high

Rediff.com7 Nov 2019

Top gainers in the Sensex pack included Sun Pharma, IndusInd Bank, RIL, ITC, Vedanta, Asian Paints, HDFC and Infosys, advancing up to 3.02 per cent.

Export growth to decline for the third month

Export growth to decline for the third month

Rediff.com5 Jan 2009

Initial commerce ministry estimates suggest a 10 per cent contraction in exports in December. Coming after 12 and 9.9 per cent falls in October and November respectively, India is unlikely to meet the export target of $ 200 billion in the current fiscal. The last quarterly dip occurred in 2001, when exports were in the negative territory for six consecutive months ending December that year, data provided by the Reserve Bank of India and the commerce ministry showed.

COVID-19: Govt bans export of anti-malarial drug

COVID-19: Govt bans export of anti-malarial drug

Rediff.com25 Mar 2020

Indian Council of Medical Research Director General Balram Bhargava had on Monday recommended the use of hydroxychloroquine for treating healthcare workers handling suspected or confirmed coronavirus cases.

Exports post first rise in 7 months, grow by 2.91% in Feb

Exports post first rise in 7 months, grow by 2.91% in Feb

Rediff.com13 Mar 2020

Trade deficit marginally widened to $9.85 billion as against $9.72 billion in February 2019.

FinMin says no to relief package for exporters

FinMin says no to relief package for exporters

Rediff.com23 Nov 2007

Finance Minister P Chidambaram has so far given three packages to exporters aggregating Rs 5,200 crore (Rs 52 billion) as the $160 billion export target for 2007-08 appears difficult to meet. He has expressed hope that exports target would be met. Palanimanickam said government was already providing 100 per cent tax benefits on profit on exports apart from indirect tax incentives.

Export growth revised up 72%

Export growth revised up 72%

Rediff.com17 Dec 2002

Has the FTP achieved its objectives?

Has the FTP achieved its objectives?

Rediff.com1 Sep 2008

The boom in world trade has ensured that export has grown by over 20 per cent. Has the FTP contributed to the stellar growth in exports? T N Rajagopalan thinks it did.

India inflation lifts rate rise prospects

India inflation lifts rate rise prospects

Rediff.com22 Aug 2008

India's inflation rate shot up to its highest level in more than 16 years this month, increasing the chances of the fourth rise in interest rates in Asia's third-largest economy since June.

SEZs defy critics, get good results

SEZs defy critics, get good results

Rediff.com15 Oct 2007

Since the SEZ Act was notified in February 2006, 22 SEZs have been up and running. In the last financial year (2006-07), these SEZs collectively exported goods worth Rs 33,000 crore (Rs 330 billion) , roughly 6 per cent of India's total exports of Rs 5,71,641 crore (Rs 5716.41 billion). Officials also pointed out that 52,000 people have found employment in the new SEZs set up after 2005.

India firm on duty-free access to EU market

India firm on duty-free access to EU market

Rediff.com28 May 2009

While admitting India's persistent stand on the issue might delay the agreement, a top commerce ministry official said the talks were on track. "We will maintain a hardline stand," said the official. It is to be noted, the sixth round of EU-India trade negotiation in Delhi in March ended without any substantial progress because of the tariff-related issues. The EU is India's largest trading partner and the total bilateral trade stood at over $70 billion in 2008-09.

Exports up 48.34% in June; trade deficit at $9.37 bn

Exports up 48.34% in June; trade deficit at $9.37 bn

Rediff.com15 Jul 2021

The country's exports rose by 48.34 per cent to $32.5 billion on account of healthy growth in shipments of petroleum products, gems and jewellery, and chemicals, leather and marine goods, according to the data released by the Commerce Ministry on Thursday. Imports in June too rose by 98.31 per cent to $41.87 billion, leaving a trade deficit of $9.37 billion as against a trade surplus of $0.79 billion in the same month last year. During April-June 2021, the exports increased by 85.88 per cent to $95.39 billion.

India's software exports down 96%

India's software exports down 96%

Rediff.com22 May 2009

India's software exports suffered a severe setback in March declining by 96.6 per cent to $1 million from the year-ago period due to recession in world's major economies like the US and the Europe.

All about the new inflation index

All about the new inflation index

Rediff.com14 Sep 2010

Inflation for the month of August stood at 8.51 per cent, according to the new Wholesale Price Inflation (WPI) series.

Govt bans oil trade with ISIS-linked organisations

Govt bans oil trade with ISIS-linked organisations

Rediff.com30 Jun 2015

Iraq has urged the international community to help prevent ISIS from gleaning profits from oil smuggling

$800/tonne minimum export price imposed on onion

$800/tonne minimum export price imposed on onion

Rediff.com28 Oct 2023

The government on Saturday imposed a minimum export price (MEP) of $800 per tonne on onion exports till December 31 this year with a view to increase availability of the vegetable in the domestic market and contain prices. The decision will come into effect from October 29. Besides, the government has also announced the procurement of additional 2 lakh tonnes of onion for the buffer, over and above the 5 lakh tonnes already procured.

US must get serious on WTO talks: Pillai

US must get serious on WTO talks: Pillai

Rediff.com10 Aug 2006

The US must make substantial cuts in farm subsidies and scale down demands for tariff reductions by developing countries to enable the stalled WTO talks to move forward, India's top trade negotiator said on Thursday.

Ministers to decide infrastructure limit in SEZs

Ministers to decide infrastructure limit in SEZs

Rediff.com24 Jul 2007

The commerce ministry had, in March, put on hold this change in the SEZ rules.

Centre firm on not scrapping Goa SEZs

Centre firm on not scrapping Goa SEZs

Rediff.com5 Jun 2008

The commerce ministry on Wednesday reiterated that the three notified special economic zones in Goa could not be scrapped by the Centre. It added that the issue had to be sorted between the state government and developers of the zones. Even as the Goa government has raised the issue of scrapping three notified special economic zones with the Centre, the state administration has till date not sent any formal communication to the SEZs in this regard.

Goa firm on SEZs, asks Centre to reconsider stand

Goa firm on SEZs, asks Centre to reconsider stand

Rediff.com4 Jun 2008

In view of popular sentiments, the Goa government had decided to scrap 12 SEZs and sought denotification of three SEZs from the Centre. In view of popular sentiments, the Goa government had decided to scrap 12 SEZs and sought denotification of three SEZs from the Centre. The three SEZs for Meditab Specialities, Peninsula Pharma Research Centre and K Raheja Corporation had started work on the sites before the state government issued them stop-work orders.

India lifts ban on Chinese toys

India lifts ban on Chinese toys

Rediff.com2 Mar 2009

India on Monday lifted the ban on importing toys from China provided they conform to international safety norms.

Doha: India says no to farm protection cut

Doha: India says no to farm protection cut

Rediff.com14 May 2008

"It will become clear in the next few days whether the US and other developed countries are serious to conclude the Doha negotiations, which have dragged for seven long years," a senior commerce ministry official told PTI. India along with other members of the G-33 (a group of countries with protective interest) is apprehensive of the US exerting pressure on the negotiating group to cut the number of Special Products.

India's import bill shrinks for first time in 9 yr

India's import bill shrinks for first time in 9 yr

Rediff.com7 Feb 2009

India's import bill contracted for the first time in almost nine years during January 2009, led by crude oil and capital goods, which constitute nearly half the total imports.

Double taxation relief for Indian IT cos in Australia

Double taxation relief for Indian IT cos in Australia

Rediff.com11 Apr 2022

In a major relief to Indian information technology (IT) companies operating in Australia, Canberra has agreed to amend its domestic laws to stop taxing offshore income of such Indian companies, as part of the free trade deal inked. This may lead to savings up to $200 million each year for over 100 Indian IT companies operating in Australia. "The Government of Australia has agreed to amend the domestic taxation law to stop the taxation of offshore income of Indian firms providing technical services to Australia. "This will resolve the issue that the Indian government has raised about the double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA) between the two governments for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income," said a commerce ministry official.