News for 'Commerce and Industry Ministry'

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.

Exports up 47.91% to $35.17 bn in July

Exports up 47.91% to $35.17 bn in July

Rediff.com2 Aug 2021

The country's exports grew by 47.19 per cent to $35.17 billion on account of healthy growth in the outbound shipments of petroleum, engineering, and gems and jewellery, according to the provisional data of the commerce ministry. Imports during the month also rose by 59.38 per cent to $46.40 billion, leaving a trade deficit of $11.23 billion. Exports of petroleum, engineering, and gems and jewellery in July increased to $3.82 billion, $2.82 billion and $1.95 billion respectively, the data showed.

Modi Cabinet reshuffle: Who got what

Modi Cabinet reshuffle: Who got what

Rediff.com8 Jul 2021

Fifteen Cabinet ministers and 28 Ministers of State were sworn-in by President Ram Nath Kovind at a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday evening.

India's core sector growth slows to 2.6% in August

India's core sector growth slows to 2.6% in August

Rediff.com30 Sep 2015

The growth of eight core sectors slowed down to 2.6 per cent in August mainly due to contraction in steel output.

Will end of Bezos-Murthy's e-com JV hit Amazon's biz?

Will end of Bezos-Murthy's e-com JV hit Amazon's biz?

Rediff.com27 Aug 2021

Last year in January at Amazon's flagship event Smbhav, Infosys Co-founder N R Narayana Murthy had to shorten his keynote speech from 20 minutes to about five because the event was delayed by 1.5 hours. "I will try to finish it in five minutes, because I am not used to delays," said Murthy, while addressing hundreds of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) about building businesses that last. In the audience was Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Murthy referred to Bezos' prediction that the 21st century will be the Indian century. "That confidence enhances our enthusiasm," said Murthy. The relationship between Murthy and Bezos dates to 2014, when Prione, a 49:51 joint venture (JV) between Amazon and Murthy's venture capital company Catamaran, was formed.

Indian govt prepares to battle US pressure on trade laws

Indian govt prepares to battle US pressure on trade laws

Rediff.com22 Apr 2014

A certain segment of the US pharma industry have become vocal about Indian policies on domestic content requirements and IPR.

Startups get tax breather upto Rs 10 cr investment

Startups get tax breather upto Rs 10 cr investment

Rediff.com12 Apr 2018

Giving major relief to budding entrepreneurs, the government on Thursday allowed startups to avail tax concession only if total investment including funding from angel investors does not exceed Rs 10 crore.

India's rising medical devices imports hurt small and medium units

India's rising medical devices imports hurt small and medium units

Rediff.com19 Jul 2022

India's medical devices imports surged 41 per cent to touch Rs 63,200 crore in 2021-22, led by a 48 per cent year-on-year (YoY) jump in imports from China to Rs 13,538 crore, the commerce ministry data analysed by the Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) has showed. Local industry players say this has led to several small and medium units to shut shop. Rakesh Vaid of Usha Fabs, a garments exporter, had started making N95 masks in his Gurgaon factory during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

FDI in railways should be examined carefully, quickly: Survey

FDI in railways should be examined carefully, quickly: Survey

Rediff.com9 Jul 2014

The Commerce and Industry Ministry has circulated a draft Cabinet note for inter-ministerial consultations.

Media one of most adversely affected sectors due to COVID-19

Media one of most adversely affected sectors due to COVID-19

Rediff.com23 May 2020

The report suggests that one of the major impacts of COVID-19 on the media and entertainment industry is the instability caused and the downfall in the advertising revenues across all media segments

Himanta inducts 2 cabinet ministers, rejigs several seniors' portfolios

Himanta inducts 2 cabinet ministers, rejigs several seniors' portfolios

Rediff.com9 Jun 2022

The expansion was the first by Sarma since he assumed chief ministership of the state about 13 months ago.

Why govt wants to classifying jobs based on skills

Why govt wants to classifying jobs based on skills

Rediff.com13 Nov 2019

In the draft rules, among 681 listed professions, armed security guards, supervisors, surveyors, and carpenters (class I) are proposed to be treated as highly skilled professionals; electricians, tailors and drivers are skilled; cooks and cobblers as semi-skilled and dairy coolies, office peons and sweepers as unskilled.

Around 55% land bank of SEZs in Tamil Nadu lying vacant

Around 55% land bank of SEZs in Tamil Nadu lying vacant

Rediff.com10 Dec 2014

Around 55 per cent of land in the 36 operational special economic zones (SEZs) in Tamil Nadu is lying vacant owing to various reasons, including the recent economic slowdown.

Imports from Russia jump 33% to $1.1 bn in March

Imports from Russia jump 33% to $1.1 bn in March

Rediff.com9 May 2022

Shipments from Russia rose nearly 33 per cent to $1.1 billion in March from $831.17 million in the previous month, which was when the country mounted aggression on Ukraine and faced sanctions from Western nations, the data accessed by Business Standard shows. Growth in imports was largely on account of oil, people aware of the matter said. The Department of Commerce is learnt to have written to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), seeking details of imports, including the payment mechanism, which India has not made public.

FDI policy in pharma set for major overhaul

FDI policy in pharma set for major overhaul

Rediff.com16 Aug 2013

After a high-level meeting held on Friday chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, it has been decided that the Commerce and Industry would soon start a consultation process to address 'dangers inherent' in the current model of FDI in brownfield pharma units.

Budget 2022: India Inc pitches for more reforms and tax stability

Budget 2022: India Inc pitches for more reforms and tax stability

Rediff.com16 Dec 2021

India Inc on Thursday pitched for continuation of reforms while ensuring tax and policy stability in the forthcoming Budget to prop up the economy hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the virtual pre-Budget consultation held with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, industry chambers said that government measures will help firmly entrench the nascent signs of recovery being currently seen in private investment. Capital expenditure by the government through enhanced infrastructure spending should in the meantime continue to support growth, CII president TV Narendran said.

Core sector growth slows to 3.4% in Jan

Core sector growth slows to 3.4% in Jan

Rediff.com28 Feb 2017

The growth rate of eight infrastructure sectors of coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity was 5.7 per cent in January 2016.

FDI in automobile sector drops 85% in April-May this year

FDI in automobile sector drops 85% in April-May this year

Rediff.com18 Aug 2014

The other sectors where inflows have declined include pharmaceuticals ( $680 million).

After US ban Israel distances itself from Pegasus-maker NSO

After US ban Israel distances itself from Pegasus-maker NSO

Rediff.com8 Nov 2021

"NSO is a private company, it is not a governmental project and therefore even if it is designated, it has nothing to do with the policies of the Israeli government," Israel's Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid, said at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman at the Prime Minister's Office on Saturday evening.

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.

Govt gets its act together as Korean investments threatened

Govt gets its act together as Korean investments threatened

Rediff.com4 Apr 2014

The government is believed to be working on a strategy to resolve the matter related to Wednesday's Supreme Court order asking Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee to appear within six weeks before the Ghaziabad trial court in a pending payment case.

Gold imports surge to $4.17 billion in Oct

Gold imports surge to $4.17 billion in Oct

Rediff.com17 Nov 2014

Gold imports surged by nearly four-fold to $4.17 billion in October to meet the festival season demand.

Reliance Retail says e-com cos bypassing FDI norms

Reliance Retail says e-com cos bypassing FDI norms

Rediff.com26 Mar 2021

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Retail on Thursday told the government that complex legal structures have been used by some firms to bypass the country's e-commerce rules which from the very beginning do not allow foreign capital in the inventory-based model. At a meeting called by the commerce ministry on allegations that foreign online retailers created complex structures to bypass foreign investment rules and damage small traders, Amazon urged the government not to issue any clarification until investigations into its business practices had been concluded, sources said. At the meeting, Reliance Retail's representatives said the Indian e-commerce policy does not allow foreign capital in the inventory-based model and foreign investment is allowed only in pure technical infrastructure/ platform that facilitates the meeting of buyer with sellers.

India Inc red-flags exodus of workers to government

India Inc red-flags exodus of workers to government

Rediff.com29 Mar 2020

16 national and regional industry bodies and sectoral business lobbies video-conferenced with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday and raised key concerns facing Indian industry in the wake of the 21-day lockdown over coronavirus.

Hit by Partha episode, Trinamool plans major overhaul, cabinet rejig

Hit by Partha episode, Trinamool plans major overhaul, cabinet rejig

Rediff.com30 Jul 2022

Sources said the reshuffle will also aim at an image makeover for the party hit by school jobs scam probe.

Shah, Sitharaman stand tall among ministers

Shah, Sitharaman stand tall among ministers

Rediff.com22 Jul 2021

Strengthening the portfolios of the home minister and the finance minister is a message that should not be missed, points out A K Bhattacharya.

Core sector growth jumps to 4-month high of 6.3% in Oct

Core sector growth jumps to 4-month high of 6.3% in Oct

Rediff.com1 Dec 2014

The Reserve Bank of India is expected to hold interest rate at 8 per cent in its fifth bi-monthly monetary policy review on Tuesday.

Exports grow 47% to $32.46 bn in June; trade deficit at $9.4 bn

Exports grow 47% to $32.46 bn in June; trade deficit at $9.4 bn

Rediff.com2 Jul 2021

The country's exports rose by 47.34 per cent to $32.46 billion in June on account of healthy growth in sectors such as engineering, gems and jewellery and petroleum products, even as trade deficit aggregated at $9.4 billion during the month, according to the data released by the commerce ministry on Friday. Exports in June last year stood at $22 billion and $25 billion in June 2019. In May 2021, the outward shipment was worth $32.27 billion, while in April this year, it was $31 billion. Imports in June 2021 grew by 96.33 per cent to $41.86 billion, from $21.32 billion in June last year. In June 2019, imports stood at $41 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.

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.

Guess Who Akshay Kumar's Hero Was!

Guess Who Akshay Kumar's Hero Was!

Rediff.com2 Jun 2022

'I just want to keep on working till they have to shoot me down.'

Has Apple's Roller-Coaster Ride In India Ended?

Has Apple's Roller-Coaster Ride In India Ended?

Rediff.com21 Apr 2023

The new mantra was to align Apple's ambition with the government's, focusing on Modi's favourite themes of Make in India, employment generation and India as a high-tech export hub.

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.

Trade deficit at 29-month high

Trade deficit at 29-month high

Rediff.com16 May 2017

Exports rise for 8th month, albeit at lower pace

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.

Core sector growth slows to 1.1% in July

Core sector growth slows to 1.1% in July

Rediff.com31 Aug 2015

Growth in output of coal, cement and electricity slowed to 0.3%.

Not considering any plan to introduce FDI in e-com retail: Govt

Not considering any plan to introduce FDI in e-com retail: Govt

Rediff.com22 Jul 2015

As many as 14 central government services have already been integrated with the e-biz portal.

Customs allows e-clearance for moving laptops

Customs allows e-clearance for moving laptops

Rediff.com27 Mar 2020

The Customs clearance required for moving equipment like laptops, desktops, etc out of SEZ units was delaying things as the clearance had to be taken in person after a first level of approval online.

Modi's meeting with FM, FinMin officials postponed

Modi's meeting with FM, FinMin officials postponed

Rediff.com19 Sep 2017

Two years ago, India was touted as a rare bright spot in a gloomy global economy with GDP growth outpacing a slowing China.

Global economic uncertainties may cast shadow on India's exports in 2023

Global economic uncertainties may cast shadow on India's exports in 2023

Rediff.com23 Dec 2022

India's exports may have touched an all-time high of $422 billion in 2021-22 but recession in key western markets and geo-political crisis due to the Russia-Ukraine war are expected to impact the growth of the country's outbound shipments in 2023. All the global trade promoting factors like political stability, movement of goods, adequate availability of containers and shipping lines, demand, stable currency and smooth banking systems are in disarray. Adding to the woes, COVID cases have again started rising in countries like China, Japan, South Korea and the US.