Trade links with Israel have strengthened in the past few years, even as the value of goods exchanged with Iran has diminished. Iran accounted for $3.9 billion worth of India's exports in the four quarters ending December 2019, compared to $3.6 billion to Israel. However, India's exports to Iran dropped to $1.2 billion as of December 2023, on a rolling four-quarter basis, while exports to Israel grew to $6.1 billion in the same period.
Embargo on imports from a neighbouring country would send a chilling signal to foreign investors who look for transparency and companies with manufacturing units in India had requested the government to publish any change in port policy "to provide the business community with the visibility they need to function", says United States-India Strategic Partnership Forum.
The $100-million fund, which has the option to raise a further $200 million, will benefit small and medium enterprises engaged in defence production.
Three foreign single-brand majors apply in the past one month.
The government has decided to set up a joint venture company with industry body Ficci for encouraging investment in the country."The Invest India company, a joint venture between the department of industrial policy and promotion and Ficci, would be funded by the government and managed by the chamber," commerce and industry Minister Kamal Nath said
The Industry Ministry is in favour of allowing foreign airlines to invest in domestic carriers, saying it would help the cash-crunch industry to raise equity, an issue that does not find support among many Indian airlines.
The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), the nodal department that handles intellectual property rights (IPR) related matters under the commerce ministry, is launching an ambitious Rs 300-crore (Rs 3 billion) project to sensitise all stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, scientists, companies, ministries and the general public on IPR issues.
One of the papers could be on liberalising the foreign direct investment regime in the retail sector.
The industry department had planned to get 10,000 price quotations from producers in order to have a new-look WPI, which incorporates a better snapshot of the economy. Out of this, 8,000 products are manufactured items. However, it now emerges that the DIPP may get price quotations from only 6,400 industrial units and factories.
Ruling out any rollback of the policy to allow foreign investment in multi-brand retail in the country, the government on Thursday said it would issue the guidelines in due course.
The report highlights that India's population in 2036 is expected to be more feminine compared to the 2011 population, as reflected in the sex ratio which is projected to increase from 943 in 2011 to 952 by 2036, highlighting a positive trend in gender equality.
Representatives from four states including Maharashtra and Karnataka will also be members of the panel.
The role of the youth is very important in achieving the goal of 'ease of living' to give a better life to the poor, he told students.
Anand Sharma, who took charge of the nodal ministry for FDI on May 29, said there is no need for a relook at the policy amended in February by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion. While the policy does not allow overseas inflow into this sector, the changes in February were perceived to be opening the sector to FDI up to 49 per cent in an Indian firm that has a downstream subsidiary firm in retailing.
DEA objects to the company's 29 Indian stores having sub-brands as a rule violation; DIPP doesn't agree.
It plans an investment Rs 20 crore.
This is the largest investment in the single-brand retailing ever since the government has allowed foreign direct investment.
The Union ministry of agriculture and the department of land resources under the ministry of rural development have given "in principle approval" to a proposal of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) to invite FDI for developing non-arable land through better technology into fertile and cultivable land.
The Indian government has asked the cement industry to concentrate on modernisation and upgradation of technology, optimisation of operations and increased application of automation and information technology.
New policy to give greater flexibility to foreign players.
The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion has been working on the draft for the last several months. The areas coming up for review may include sports goods and airport ground handling services, besides gas and petroleum.
New foreign trade policy to stress manufacturing exports.
Currently, 100 per cent FDI in is permitted if the companies manufacture cigars or cigarettes or allied products.
The Union Cabinet is expected to soon consider a proposal to increase foreign direct investment cap in broadcasting services like Direct-to-Home and cable TV networks to a uniform 74 per cent.
In a discussion paper, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion has suggested creation of new service entities to which most of the statutory compliances, under the labour laws for small and medium enterprises, can be outsourced.
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.
The dust over the controversy around foreign direct investment (FDI) in the defence sector appears to have settled.
The commerce and industry ministry is not in favour of allowing foreign airlines to buy stake in Indian carriers on the ground that the sector is sensitive.
While foreign direct investment is not allowed in the multi-brand retail, the organised retail stores promoted by the domestic industrial houses have been steadily growing.
What stood out in his 15-year journey as a member of the political executive at the Centre was his glowing record as India's most successful and effective finance minister. Both as prime minister and finance minister, he understood the importance of gradualism, except when the economy or the polity was in a crisis.
The retail company has sought approval to invest Rs 10,500 crore to set up single-brand retail stores in the country.
It will provide a single-stop shop for all business licences and permits, eliminate the need for a physical interface with various regulatory authorities at the central, state and local government levels and provide all business-related information 24x7 on a single portal.
The commerce and industry ministry has informed the Prime Minister's Office that the Bharti Group has conveyed to the government that its joint venture with Wal-Mart was in compliance with the existing FDI policy.
The new Consolidated Foreign Direct Investment Policy, effective from April 1, limits FDI in defence units to 26 per cent. But the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion of the commerce ministry is in favour of raising this limit.
The Union ministry of food and consumer affairs proposes to insert a new clause in the fresh discussion note for the Cabinet on allowing foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail.
Ecommerce firms will have it tough as govt turns down FDI proposal.
Retailers can buy existing facilities if they spend $50 mn to create additional infra.
Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma along with officials from his ministry were in the Nordic country for a two-day visit. They were accompanied by Indian industrialists led by the Confederation of Indian Industry.
American retail major Walmart has snapped ties with Indian partner Bharti but its plans to enter the country's multi-brand retail space appears intact.
