News for 'Commerce and Industry Ministry'

Govt to promote India as investment destination for startups

Govt to promote India as investment destination for startups

Rediff.com15 Mar 2016

The campaign will be launched in global as well as domestic markets across the media.

Will Modi govt manage to push labour reforms this time?

Will Modi govt manage to push labour reforms this time?

Rediff.com26 Jun 2019

After assuming power in 2014 with a full majority of its own, the BJP-led NDA government started an ambitious process of reforming labour laws in the form of codes aimed at making the framework less cumbersome with a variety of alterations. It had planned four codes each for industrial relations, wages, social security and welfare, and occupational safety, health and working conditions. To this end, 35 central labour laws were to be converted into four codes that would have had the virtue of streamlining labour relations. But none of the proposed code Bills could be converted into a law principally because neither trade unions nor industry representatives came on board. They hold the key to India's low-growth-high unemployment paradigm but the government may struggle to push them through this time as well. Somesh Jha explains why

India-Japan pact hangs in balance over pharma exports

India-Japan pact hangs in balance over pharma exports

Rediff.com3 Sep 2014

Under MRA, Japan is to recognise Indian medical degrees and treat the country's doctors and other medical personnel on par with its own.

National IPR Policy to be delayed further

National IPR Policy to be delayed further

Rediff.com28 May 2015

The draft is now with ministries.

Nike to open fully-owned stores in India

Nike to open fully-owned stores in India

Rediff.com2 Sep 2014

Nike has been present in India since 1996.

The intriguing tale of India's trade with North Korea

The intriguing tale of India's trade with North Korea

Rediff.com16 Jun 2018

India remains North Korea's 2nd-largest import source after China, according to several estimates by multilateral bodies, says Subhayan Chakraborty.

Sharma to make case for DEPB extension

Sharma to make case for DEPB extension

Rediff.com24 May 2011

Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma will be meeting Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to make a case for the extension of one of the most popular incentives to exporters, the Duty Entitlement Passbook Scheme (DEPB), which is slated for expiry on June 30. DEPB is a duty reimbursement scheme, launched 14 years earlier.

'Swadeshi' goods: Paramilitary canteens put procurement on hold '

'Swadeshi' goods: Paramilitary canteens put procurement on hold '

Rediff.com20 May 2020

The Union home ministry on May 13 had declared that these canteens will only sell indigenous or "swadeshi" products from June 1 in a bid to give fillip to domestic industries.

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.

Fresh insolvency proceedings may be suspended till March

Fresh insolvency proceedings may be suspended till March

Rediff.com22 Dec 2020

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said the government is planning to extend the suspension of fresh insolvency proceedings for another three months, a move which will provide major relief to corporate borrowers hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Addressing the Bangalore Chamber Of Industry And Commerce (BCIC), she said the government has taken several measures, including deferment of tax payment date, to help businesses and people.

DGFT denies blanket ban on food imports from Japan

DGFT denies blanket ban on food imports from Japan

Rediff.com8 Apr 2011

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry denied having imposed any blanket ban on the import of food products from Japan even as it has imposed some strict measures.

Minister voices concern on US immigration bill

Minister voices concern on US immigration bill

Rediff.com29 Oct 2013

According to government statistics, Indian IT firms support 280,000 jobs in the US and have contributed about $15 billion to the US Treasury in the past five years.

The curious case of $100 billion from China that never came

The curious case of $100 billion from China that never came

Rediff.com19 Sep 2014

Ahead of the visit, Chinese embassy officials briefed Indian scholars that investment promised would be $100 billion. How this figure came down to $20 billion is a mystery.

How Modi govt plans to spur economic growth

How Modi govt plans to spur economic growth

Rediff.com27 May 2019

There is talk of a fresh approach to a new labour code as well as reforming land acquisition laws in such a way as to be politically.

Retail inflation at 6-mth high; WPI at record 12.94%on costlier fuel

Retail inflation at 6-mth high; WPI at record 12.94%on costlier fuel

Rediff.com14 Jun 2021

The wholesale price-based inflation accelerated to a record high of 12.94 per cent in May, on rising prices of crude oil and manufactured goods. Low base effect also contributed to the spike in WPI inflation in May 2021. In May 2020, WPI inflation was at (-) 3.37 per cent. This is the fifth straight month of uptick seen in the wholesale price index (WPI)-based inflation. In April, 2021, WPI inflation hit double digit at 10.49 per cent. "The annual rate of inflation, based on monthly WPI, was 12.94 per cent for the month of May, 2021 (over May, 2020) as compared to (-) 3.37 per cent in May 2020.

Stimulus package for economic revival 'inadequate': Par panel

Stimulus package for economic revival 'inadequate': Par panel

Rediff.com28 Jul 2021

The stimulus package announced by the government for the revival of the pandemic-hit economy has been found to be "inadequate", according to a Parliamentary panel report. The report of the department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector has noted that in the process of economic recovery post-first wave of the pandemic, the second wave has even more vigorously ripped the economy particularly the MSME sector. "The committee observes that the stimulus package announced by the government for the economic revival from the pandemic hit economy has been found to be inadequate as the measures adopted were more of loan offering and long-term measures instead of improving the cash flow to generate demand as immediate relief," it said.

India hits back at Uncle Sam with tariff hikes

India hits back at Uncle Sam with tariff hikes

Rediff.com15 Jun 2019

The commerce department has said that earnings through the new tax will equal the losses faced by Indian industry after the US tariffs on steel and aluminium.

Imported apples, ACs may cost more

Imported apples, ACs may cost more

Rediff.com2 Sep 2013

Govt mulls raising duty on non-essential goods with annual import bill exceeding $1 billion

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.

Nirmala Sitharaman gets defence, Piyush Goyal gets railways

Nirmala Sitharaman gets defence, Piyush Goyal gets railways

Rediff.com3 Sep 2017

In the third reshuffle since coming to power, Prime Minister Modi raised the strength of his Council of Ministers from 73 to 76.

Traders threaten to take e-com players to court, if...

Traders threaten to take e-com players to court, if...

Rediff.com15 Feb 2019

Going ahead with its festive sales as per schedule, companies such as Flipkart, Jabong, and Myntra are having week-long Valentines' Day sales, offering discounts of as much as 80 per cent. Amazon India is also offering discounts of almost 40 per cent.

GDP is expected to pick up in Q3, says CEA Subramanian

GDP is expected to pick up in Q3, says CEA Subramanian

Rediff.com29 Nov 2019

Department of Economic Affairs secretary Atanu Chakraborty said that equity capital flows have been positive this year.

Taking on Google, FB, Apple: CCI seeks more teeth to tackle Big Tech

Taking on Google, FB, Apple: CCI seeks more teeth to tackle Big Tech

Rediff.com31 May 2022

Ashok Kumar Gupta, chairman of the Competition Commission of India (CCI), has never minced words while talking about the giant technology companies, referring to them on multiple occasions as "centres for entrenched and unchecked dominance". The anti-trust regulator has, in fact, been cracking down on big technology companies such as Google, Apple, Facebook, and others, after they were hauled up by regulators and lawmakers in Europe and Australia. However, in several instances, existing regulations have prevented the CCI from going all out against these companies for anti-competitive activities.

Indian Army's shopping list worth Rs 300 billion

Indian Army's shopping list worth Rs 300 billion

Rediff.com27 Aug 2020

'The equipment that you make for us must be the best in the world so that it complements the Indian soldier who is without doubt the very best in the world.'

Govt hikes import tariff value on gold, silver

Govt hikes import tariff value on gold, silver

Rediff.com16 Apr 2014

The government on Wednesday hiked the import tariff value on gold and silver to $431 per 10 grams and $646 per kg, respectively, taking firm global cues.

Govt may impose anti-dumping duty on Chinese calculators

Govt may impose anti-dumping duty on Chinese calculators

Rediff.com3 May 2015

Calculators have been exported to India from China below the normal value

Modi needs to listen to our economists

Modi needs to listen to our economists

Rediff.com29 Dec 2020

We have a government with an extremely weak economic team advising a PM who hardly pays attention to their thoughts, says Jayanta Roy.

Indian legal system a hurdle for aircraft lessors: Air India to govt

Indian legal system a hurdle for aircraft lessors: Air India to govt

Rediff.com12 Dec 2022

Tata Group-owned Air India has informed the Centre that aircraft lessors wish to set up their special purpose vehicles (SPVs) outside India since they aren't enthused about the Indian 'legal structure' and are loath to take risks. Indian airlines have a combined fleet of about 700 planes; over 85 per cent are on lease. A majority of lessors are based in Ireland due to its attractive tax policy, light-touch regulations, and swift legal system.

India's exports may dip 13% to $270 billion in 2015-16

India's exports may dip 13% to $270 billion in 2015-16

Rediff.com7 Jan 2016

The declining exports would have implications for the job market.

FDI in single brand retail: Sharma to meet Ravi

FDI in single brand retail: Sharma to meet Ravi

Rediff.com11 Sep 2012

The meeting assumes significance as Swedish furniture retailer IKEA, which plans to invest Rs 10,500 crore (Rs 105 billion) to set up its own stores in India, had sought relaxation in certain conditions related to the mandatory 30 per cent sourcing from micro and small enterprises.

PM accepts Maira report, no FDI cap

PM accepts Maira report, no FDI cap

Rediff.com11 Oct 2011

CCI to clear all pharma M&As.

Govt tightens noose around e-tailers, 9 depts to monitor biz

Govt tightens noose around e-tailers, 9 depts to monitor biz

Rediff.com30 Jan 2015

Each dept could handle a designated area.

Lockdown 3.0 begins on Monday with 'considerable relaxations'

Lockdown 3.0 begins on Monday with 'considerable relaxations'

Rediff.com3 May 2020

In containment areas, movements of people is totally banned and essential services are delivered at the doorsteps.

Pak govt washes hand off row over Indian envoy's Karachi event

Pak govt washes hand off row over Indian envoy's Karachi event

Rediff.com8 Sep 2016

Pakistan has said that Karachi Chambers of Commerce and Industries, which cancelled Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale's public engagement at the last minute, is an independent body, a day after India summoned Pakistani envoy to lodge a strong protest over the incident.

E-com policy, data localisation figure in Indo-US trade talks

E-com policy, data localisation figure in Indo-US trade talks

Rediff.com6 May 2019

However, the countries did not take up the issue of proposed withdrawal of export incentives by the US to Indian exporters under Generalized System of Preference.

Angel tax, a dampener for start-ups: Kris Gopalakrishnan

Angel tax, a dampener for start-ups: Kris Gopalakrishnan

Rediff.com20 Dec 2018

Several start-ups have raised concerns over taxation of angel funds under Section 56 of the Income Tax Act, which provides for taxation of funds received by an entity.

Why reopening LoC trade routes remain a pipedream for Kashmir traders

Why reopening LoC trade routes remain a pipedream for Kashmir traders

Rediff.com26 Apr 2019

The chances of the posts opening remain slim, with security agencies recently identifying 10 suspects who smuggled in weapons, narcotics and fake currency.

'Prices of many APIs, all coming from China, have gone up'

'Prices of many APIs, all coming from China, have gone up'

Rediff.com26 May 2021

'The world over, everybody is asking for the same medicines, same APIs, same KSMs.' 'However, there is just one supplier -- China -- for the entire world.'

India's exports may touch $360 bn this fiscal

India's exports may touch $360 bn this fiscal

Rediff.com6 Jun 2014

India's exports are expected to touch $360 billion in the current fiscal from $312.35 billion in 2013-14, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) said.

India, US have 'almost closed' contours of limited trade pact: Goyal

India, US have 'almost closed' contours of limited trade pact: Goyal

Rediff.com25 Feb 2020

Having almost closed the last contours of the limited trade deal and with the announcement of a much larger trade deal in the offing, we have moved to a new level of engagement: Goyal.