News for 'US Trade Representative'

e-Rupee: RBI creates Rs 1.71 crore of digital currency for retail pilot

e-Rupee: RBI creates Rs 1.71 crore of digital currency for retail pilot

Rediff.com2 Dec 2022

The pilot project for central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the retail segment went live on Thursday with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issuing Rs 1.71 crore to four participating banks based on their indents. The central bank has identified four banks for the first phase of the pilot - State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, Yes Bank and IDFC First Bank - in four cities, Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru and Bhubaneswar. The highest indent was received from one private sector bank.

India, not China, better suited to resolve Ukraine war: US Congressman

India, not China, better suited to resolve Ukraine war: US Congressman

Rediff.com16 Jun 2023

'I certainly think India can play a leading role in helping us resolve the Russia-Ukraine crisis. India obviously has an old relationship with Russia'

US open to FTA with India, sets terms

US open to FTA with India, sets terms

Rediff.com6 Mar 2007

The US is open to a Free Trade Agreement with India but wants bilateral economic engagement to increase further, a senior US government official said.

Current account deficit likely to narrow in 2023

Current account deficit likely to narrow in 2023

Rediff.com20 Jan 2023

Lead indicators suggest that domestic current account deficit (CAD) is likely to reduce in 2023, while macro-economic stability has received a boost from inflation being brought back to the official tolerance band, according to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) January 2023 Bulletin. "With the merchandise trade deficit reaching an all-time high of $83.5 billion in a quarter, and a rise in net outgo from the income account, the current account deficit increased to 4.4 per cent of GDP in Q2FY23," the State of the Economy article in the bulletin said. "It is noteworthy, however, that the CAD for Q1 was revised down from 2.8 per cent to 2.2 per cent on account of downward adjustment in Customs data.

86% entertainment software pirated in India!

86% entertainment software pirated in India!

Rediff.com11 Feb 2005

The video game industry singled out Malaysia and China as among the worst havens for piracy in this year's 'Special 301' filing submitted to the US Trade Representative by the association representing computer and video game publishers.\n\n

Indo-Pak trade normal, may suffer in the long run

Indo-Pak trade normal, may suffer in the long run

Rediff.com7 Nov 2007

Exports from India to Pakistan increased by 95.63 per cent to $1.3 billion in 2006-07 against $690 million in the previous fiscal. Imports from Pakistan in the same year were worth $320 million, an 80 per cent increase over the year-ago figure of $180 million. Within the SAARC block, India has been the biggest trading partner of Pakistan in the last six years. According to analysts, India's share in Pakistan's total trade over the last six years stands at almost 50%

India-US investment treaty to take time

India-US investment treaty to take time

Rediff.com12 Aug 2009

Commerce minister Anand Sharma had taken up the treaty when he was in the US in June. The two are also trying to bridge differences on the investment protection treaty.

BPO: Shourie junks US criticism

BPO: Shourie junks US criticism

Rediff.com11 Mar 2004

Rejecting US criticism that India has a closed economy, the government on Thursday said growth in imports were a testimony to the liberalising economy and expressed confidence that the IT industry would find a "creative solution

'India, China must act for Doha deal'

'India, China must act for Doha deal'

Rediff.com10 Mar 2010

Noting that Obama Administration is fundamentally committed to developmental premise of Doha Round, US Trade Representative Ron Kirk has said that advanced developing countries like China and India need to come in the same spirit as the United States for its success.

'Narasimha Rao was a prime minister with an open mind'

'Narasimha Rao was a prime minister with an open mind'

Rediff.com2 May 2023

'Narasimha Rao asked me why China was doing so well in attracting foreign investments and I gave my frank opinion.' 'I told him that giving thrust to exports had to be a national effort.' 'But in India, the system was very centralised in the Government of India and the state governments had no role to play.'

India to receive record remittances but experts worry CAD will still widen

India to receive record remittances but experts worry CAD will still widen

Rediff.com30 Dec 2022

Of $90 billion remittances that India is expected to receive in 2022, only $27.4 billion has come in the first half of the year.

Uber likely to sell 7.8% stake in Zomato for $373 mn

Uber likely to sell 7.8% stake in Zomato for $373 mn

Rediff.com2 Aug 2022

Ride-hailing app Uber is selling off its entire holding in Indian food delivery company Zomato for at least $373 million (Rs 2,939 crore) through a block deal of shares, merchant banking sources said on Tuesday. The development comes on a day when the Zomato scrip witnessed a nearly 20 per cent surge to close at Rs 55.60 apiece on the BSE. The sources said the offer price range for the deal to be carried out on Wednesday will be between Rs 48-54 per share.

This man 'topi pehnau-ed' India: Mahua Moitra on Adani row

This man 'topi pehnau-ed' India: Mahua Moitra on Adani row

Rediff.com8 Feb 2023

Moitra brought two birthday caps in the House to press her argument that the businessman being most talked about had "topi-pehnau-ed" the government.

WTO talks collapse, no agreement on food security

WTO talks collapse, no agreement on food security

Rediff.com14 Dec 2017

The fate of the ministerial conference was sealed after assistant US trade representative Sharon Bomer Lauritsen said permanent solution to the food stockholding issue was not acceptable to America.

'In India, A Child Goes Missing Every 8 Minutes'

'In India, A Child Goes Missing Every 8 Minutes'

Rediff.com31 Aug 2023

'The pandemic had a significant impact on child trafficking.' 'With economic hardships, traffickers exploited the situation to target desperate parents and children.'

US against ban on outsourcing

US against ban on outsourcing

Rediff.com13 Jun 2003

Markets in consolidation phase; prudent to book profit now: Analysts

Markets in consolidation phase; prudent to book profit now: Analysts

Rediff.com19 May 2023

The markets may be entering a consolidation phase and are expected to trade sideways for now after a good run in the last few weeks, suggest analysts. In this backdrop, they suggest investors can book profits at the current levels and enter the market again on a decline from a medium-to-long term perspective. Thus far in fiscal 2023-24 (FY24), the S&P BSE Sensex has moved up around 5 per cent to nearly 62,000 levels.

Not big players, but small brands catering to the needs of India: CAIT

Not big players, but small brands catering to the needs of India: CAIT

Rediff.com18 Apr 2022

Thousands of small brands are ruling the consumer market despite the predatory pricing and deep discounting by foreign e-commerce companies and efforts of certain FMCG companies to sideline the distributor network, said the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), which represents about 70 million traders in the country. "If the government gives support policies to non-corporate sector and tighten the e-commerce companies to obey the policy and the law both in letter and spirit, the retail trade of the country is bound to blossom in pursuance of the vision of PM Narendra Modi for Make in India and Atmnirbhar Bharat," said CAIT national president BC Bhartia and secretary general Praveen Khandelwal.

Another top Indian-American official bows out

Another top Indian-American official bows out

Rediff.com23 Feb 2008

Prakash Khatri, who created history when he was appointed the first-ever Ombudsman of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services of the Department of Homeland Security tendered his resignation, effective February 29.

Budget 2022: Industry groups want Sitharaman to rationalise I-T slabs

Budget 2022: Industry groups want Sitharaman to rationalise I-T slabs

Rediff.com22 Dec 2021

Rationalisation of income tax slabs, infrastructure status for digital services and incentives to hydrogen storage as well as fuel cell development were some of the suggestions made by various stakeholders at the pre-Budget consultation meeting convened by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The customary pre-Budget consultation meetings were held with the finance minister virtually between December 15 and December 22, as per the finance ministry statement. More than 120 invitees representing seven stakeholder groups participated in eight meetings, scheduled during this period, it said.

Jaishankar holds talks with US NSA, reviews ties

Jaishankar holds talks with US NSA, reviews ties

Rediff.com28 May 2021

'Sullivan and Jaishankar welcomed the cooperation in recent weeks that resulted in deliveries of over USD 500 million in COVID-19 relief supplies from the US federal and state governments, US companies and private citizens across America for the people of India'

Excise case: Sisodia kingpin of conspiracy, CBI tells HC

Excise case: Sisodia kingpin of conspiracy, CBI tells HC

Rediff.com20 Apr 2023

The submissions were made by the CBI in a short written reply while opposing the senior Aam Aadmi Party leader's bail plea, which it said was devoid of any merit and was an attempt to misuse the intricacies of law to thwart the progress of investigation in the case.

US offers to cut farm subsidies

US offers to cut farm subsidies

Rediff.com10 Oct 2005

The United States has offered to cut its agricultural subsidies by 60 per cent over a period of next five years as demanded by the G-20 developing nations and Britain in its bid to revive the Doha round of trade talks.

India asks the US to amend Border security bill

India asks the US to amend Border security bill

Rediff.com20 Aug 2010

The provisions of the border security bill, which allows massive increase in the fees on categories of H-1B and L1 visas, is discriminatory against the Indian companies, India has said and asked the United States to amend it.

'Reduce slavery to foreign goods': Modi calls for 'vocal for local'

'Reduce slavery to foreign goods': Modi calls for 'vocal for local'

Rediff.com6 May 2022

He asked to focus on the 'vocal for local' mantra during the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebrations.

Meagre hike in MEA budget; Rs 990 cr allocated towards G20 presidency

Meagre hike in MEA budget; Rs 990 cr allocated towards G20 presidency

Rediff.com1 Feb 2023

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been allocated a total of Rs 18,050 crore in the Union Budget for 2023-24 which is an increase of around 4.64 per cent over last year's allocation of Rs 17,250 crore.

Egypt's strategic partnership for India, highest award for Modi

Egypt's strategic partnership for India, highest award for Modi

Rediff.com25 Jun 2023

El-Sisi welcomed Modi, who is on a two-day state visit to Egypt, at the Presidential Palace where the two leaders were closeted for one-on-one meeting after which the two sides signed a memorandum of understandng.

No multiple trading codes to single client: FMC

No multiple trading codes to single client: FMC

Rediff.com11 Aug 2008

"The National Exchanges were directed on July 23 to ensure that multiple client codes are not given to a single client," Forward Markets Commission said. A separate sting or suffix may be provided after the unique client code to represent different characteristics and branches of the client, if any, it said, adding that these directions would come in force from January 2009.

Why Adani group's Sensex dream may have to wait

Why Adani group's Sensex dream may have to wait

Rediff.com11 Oct 2022

Two firms belonging to the Adani group - India's most valued conglomerate - are part of the Nifty 50 index. The group, however, has no representation in the Sensex. And it could stay this way if a proposed index qualification rule change gets approved. Recently, Asia Index, a joint venture between S&P Dow Jones Indices and BSE responsible for index composition, floated a consultation paper where it proposed that a stock must have a derivative contract to be eligible for inclusion in the flagship 30-share Sensex index.

Nepal: A dramatic political turn amid a turbulent 2022

Nepal: A dramatic political turn amid a turbulent 2022

Rediff.com29 Dec 2022

Nepal witnessed political turbulence in 2022 that dramatically turned rivals into allies and throned former guerrilla leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' as the prime minister for a third time, as Kathmandu made efforts to balance ties with immediate neighbours India and China with high-profile talks and visits.

Karan Bhatia lands top job in GE

Karan Bhatia lands top job in GE

Rediff.com7 Apr 2008

For nearly seven years, Bhatia served in the first and second George W Bush Administrations, first in the department of commerce and then in the department of transportation, before finally enjoying a more than two-year stint as deputy US trade representative, the senior-most administration position ever served by an Indian American, before he resigned end October last year, to return to the private sector.

Moody's, Fitch downgrade Russia's rating to 'junk' following sanctions by West

Moody's, Fitch downgrade Russia's rating to 'junk' following sanctions by West

Rediff.com3 Mar 2022

Moody's and Fitch on Thursday downgraded Russia's sovereign rating to 'junk' grade following severe sanctions by western countries. While Moody's Investors Service downgraded Russia's long-term issuer and senior unsecured (local-and foreign-currency) debt ratings to 'B3' from 'Baa3', Fitch pulled down the rating on the country to 'B' from 'BBB', putting it on 'Rating Watch Negative'. The downgraded rating is in speculative or junk category reflecting default risk. It signifies that even through financial commitments are currently being met, the sovereign is vulnerable to high credit risk.

Should Banks Be Closed On ALL Saturdays?

Should Banks Be Closed On ALL Saturdays?

Rediff.com25 Jul 2023

Currently, banks are closed every second and fourth Saturday of a month. Why shouldn't they be shut every Saturday? When most customers carry their banks in their pocket (the app on the mobile phone), there is no need to keep banks open on Saturdays, argues Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

India created 300,000 jobs in US

India created 300,000 jobs in US

Rediff.com19 Jun 2009

"Indian foreign direct investment in the US is more than America's FDI in India."

US Open PIX: Djokovic eases into Round 3; Tsitsipas stunned

US Open PIX: Djokovic eases into Round 3; Tsitsipas stunned

Rediff.com31 Aug 2023

Images from Day 3 of the US Open, at Flushing Meadows, New York.

Exporters demand fiscal incentives, credit at affordable rates in Budget

Exporters demand fiscal incentives, credit at affordable rates in Budget

Rediff.com24 Nov 2022

Exporters on Thursday demanded fiscal incentives, tweaking in customs duties on certain products and credit at affordable rates in the forthcoming Budget to boost exports and create jobs. In a pre-budget virtual meeting with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) said the depreciation of the rupee against the US dollar is affecting exports' competitiveness and the sector requires more support. "Creation of employment is the biggest challenge faced by the country...We would urge the government to provide fiscal support to units which provide additional employment in the export sector," the exporter's body said.

India no IPR pariah: US drug lobby report

India no IPR pariah: US drug lobby report

Rediff.com29 Aug 2007

The PhRMA's observation is significant against the backdrop of Swiss pharma major Novartis AG's decision to relocate its R&D investments from India.

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.

Xi pushes free trade vision as APEC leaders meet

Xi pushes free trade vision as APEC leaders meet

Rediff.com11 Nov 2014

President Xi Jinping on Tuesday pushed China's free trade vision for the Asia Pacific region and asked APEC to "break open closed doors" as leaders of the grouping held talks on forging consensus over opening up commerce in the resource-rich and economically dynamic region.