News for 'commerce ministry'

Govt bans export of onions with immediate effect

Govt bans export of onions with immediate effect

Rediff.com14 Sep 2020

In the national capital, onion prices were ruling at around Rs 40 per kilogram.

FTAs: who did the homework?

FTAs: who did the homework?

Rediff.com10 Aug 2004

Will govt restart rupee-rouble trade?

Will govt restart rupee-rouble trade?

Rediff.com10 Mar 2022

The government may soon give the green light to bilateral trade between Russia and India in their national currencies to avoid any trade disruptions, multiple people aware of the matter said. While the Department of Commerce has recommended the proposal, an announcement is likely to be made by the finance ministry after further deliberations between the Department of Economic Affairs and Department of Financial Services. "The finance ministry will take a call on how to peg the two currencies," a senior government official told Business Standard. In the past, the two nations have had rupee-rouble trade, and when such an arrangement is implemented again, it will bypass the sanctions imposed on Russia by the West.

Retail majors unite to stand up to e-commerce onslaught

Retail majors unite to stand up to e-commerce onslaught

Rediff.com4 Dec 2014

The big boys of India's traditional retail have finally come together to fight the onslaught of their online counterparts.

Exim policy to focus on CIS

Exim policy to focus on CIS

Rediff.com6 Feb 2003

As part of efforts to boost exports to the Commonwealth of Independent States, the government is likely to unveil a Focus-CIS programme in the forthcoming Exim Policy.\n\n\n\n

Exports decline sharply in Oct; trade deficit widens

Exports decline sharply in Oct; trade deficit widens

Rediff.com15 Nov 2022

India's exports entered negative territory after a gap of about two years, declining sharply by 16.65 per cent to $29.78 billion in October, mainly due to global demand slowdown, even as trade deficit widened to $26.91 billion, according to data released by the commerce ministry on Tuesday. Key export sectors, including gems and jewellery, engineering, petroleum products, ready-made garments of all textiles, chemicals, pharma, marine products, and leather, recorded negative growth during October. Imports during the month under review rose by about 6 per cent to $56.69 billion on account of increase in the inbound shipments of crude oil and certain raw materials such as cotton, fertiliser and machinery.

Growth Question Looms Large Over Chandigarh

Growth Question Looms Large Over Chandigarh

Rediff.com28 May 2024

As Chandigarh braces for a fierce contest between Congress candidate Manish Tewari and the BJP's Sanjay Tandon, its industry leaders harbour a fervent wish: Replicate the success of the National Capital Region model in this Union Territory.

Exports slip 0.8% in Dec; trade deficit widens to $15.71 bn

Exports slip 0.8% in Dec; trade deficit widens to $15.71 bn

Rediff.com2 Jan 2021

The country's exports declined marginally by 0.8 per cent to $26.89 billion in December 2020, due to contraction in sectors like petroleum, leather and marine products, according to preliminary data released by the commerce ministry on Saturday. The trade deficit in December widened to $15.71 billion, as imports grew by 7.6 per cent to $42.6 billion, the data showed. Export in December 2019 was $27.11 billion, while imports stood at $39.5 billion.

Govt bats for 50% foreign investment in e-commerce

Govt bats for 50% foreign investment in e-commerce

Rediff.com8 Jan 2014

Government seeks stakeholders' comments by Jan 30 on discussion paper.

200 SEZs likely to be exempt from 18.5% MAT

200 SEZs likely to be exempt from 18.5% MAT

Rediff.com28 Jan 2016

Commerce ministry monitoring remedial measures to promote exports in key markets.

Wholesale inflation remains in red for the 6th month

Wholesale inflation remains in red for the 6th month

Rediff.com16 Oct 2023

The wholesale price index-based inflation remained in the negative territory for the sixth straight month in September at (-)0.26 per cent, on easing prices of food articles. The WPI-based inflation rate has been in the negative since April and was (-)0.52 per cent in August. In September last year, it was 10.55 per cent.

Commerce Minister in Pakistan to boost trade ties

Commerce Minister in Pakistan to boost trade ties

Rediff.com13 Feb 2012

Anand Sharma, Union Commerce Minister, crossed over to Pakistan early Monday morning with a large delegation comprising of officials of his ministry, members of the trade chambers and journalists to launch India show in Lahore where goods from India would be displayed for the visitors who are keen to buy them.

Sitharaman to ensure 'Ease of Living' during Modi 3.0

Sitharaman to ensure 'Ease of Living' during Modi 3.0

Rediff.com12 Jun 2024

Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday assumed charge as the Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister for the second consecutive term and is slated to soon present the final Budget for FY '25 that is going to set the tone for the Modi 3.0 government's priorities and direction for Viksit Bharat. Upon her reaching the North Block office, Sitharaman was greeted by Finance Secretary T V Somanathan and other top officials. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary was also present. Chaudhary assumed charge on Tuesday evening.

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.

Wholesale price inflation inches up to 8-year high of 7.39%

Wholesale price inflation inches up to 8-year high of 7.39%

Rediff.com15 Apr 2021

Such a high level of WPI was last recorded in October 2012, when inflation was 7.4 per cent.

Gold imports fall 57% over low demand in Covid times

Gold imports fall 57% over low demand in Covid times

Rediff.com18 Oct 2020

Gold imports, which have a bearing on the current account deficit (CAD), plunged 57 per cent to USD 6.8 billion (around Rs 50,658 crore) during the first half of this fiscal amid a slump in demand due to the Covid-19 pandemic, showed data by the commerce ministry.

A Heartfelt Letter To College Freshers

A Heartfelt Letter To College Freshers

Rediff.com25 Jul 2024

Explore, engage, participate and excel in as many co-curricular activities and hackathons as possible to improve your self-confidence, communication skills and overall personality, advises rediffGURU Chocko Valliappa.

Retailers to protest against IT cos favouring e-commerce firms

Retailers to protest against IT cos favouring e-commerce firms

Rediff.com13 Nov 2014

In order to counter the growing penetration of e-commerce portals, the ICT industry in Gujarat is also mulling initiation of its own portal for selling products.

After multiple attacks, China hires private agency to secure assets overseas

After multiple attacks, China hires private agency to secure assets overseas

Rediff.com28 Dec 2023

This may be in line with Russia's private military company, Wagner Group, which was controlled until 2023 by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a former close ally of Russia's president Vladimir Putin. The group used the infrastructure of the Russian Armed Forces.

Why gifts from abroad are no more a good idea

Why gifts from abroad are no more a good idea

Rediff.com4 Feb 2020

The government can argue the change targets only those residing abroad but the fact remains that it does affect the kin and friends in India of non-residents.

Trade settlement in rupee: Govt, RBI devise country-specific plan

Trade settlement in rupee: Govt, RBI devise country-specific plan

Rediff.com14 Dec 2022

The central government and the Reserve Bank of India have devised a country-specific plan towards implementation of overseas trade in rupee, people aware of the matter said. To start with, a small number of banks will be allowed to manage cross-border transactions in domestic currency with a particular country. "Small countries that are dollar-deficient have shown interest in doing trade in rupee.

Share of US in India's crude basket rises to record 14% in December

Share of US in India's crude basket rises to record 14% in December

Rediff.com15 Feb 2023

India has substantially increased its crude oil imports from the US, with the country's share in India's crude basket hitting a record 14.3 per cent in December, commerce ministry data showed.

Exports dip for the 5th consecutive month in Dec

Exports dip for the 5th consecutive month in Dec

Rediff.com15 Jan 2020

Imports too declined by 8.83 per cent to $38.61 billion, bringing down the trade deficit to $11.25 billion during the month under review.

Exports up 23.52%; trade deficit at record $26.18 bn

Exports up 23.52%; trade deficit at record $26.18 bn

Rediff.com14 Jul 2022

Exports in June rose by 23.52 per cent to $40.13 billion while the trade deficit ballooned to a record level of $26.18 billion mainly due to jump in gold and crude oil imports, the government data said on Thursday. The country's export growth in May was 20.55 per cent. Imports expanded by 57.55 per cent to $66.31 billion in June compared to the year-ago month, the data showed.

Why it is necessary to have a Cabinet panel on exports

Why it is necessary to have a Cabinet panel on exports

Rediff.com17 Feb 2016

Exports are slowing and economic growth in major markets for Indian goods has taken a hit.

Exports up 22.36%; trade deficit widens to $21.19 bn in Feb

Exports up 22.36%; trade deficit widens to $21.19 bn in Feb

Rediff.com2 Mar 2022

India's exports rose by 22.36 per cent to $33.81 billion in February on account of healthy growth in sectors like engineering, petroleum and chemicals, even as the trade deficit widened to $21.19 billion, according to preliminary data released by the commerce ministry on Wednesday. Imports during the month too jumped by about 35 per cent to $55 billion, with inbound shipments of petroleum and crude oil surging 66.56 per cent to $15 billion. The trade deficit -- the difference between imports and exports -- stood at $13.12 billion in February 2021.

Govt seeks to allay concern over 'retaliatory' duty cut on US apples

Govt seeks to allay concern over 'retaliatory' duty cut on US apples

Rediff.com20 Sep 2023

India's recent move to remove additional 'retaliatory' duty on eight products from the United States (US), including apples and walnuts, would not have any negative impact on the domestic producers, the government clarified, even as the issue threatened to snowball into a political slugfest between the ruling and Opposition parties. The move would, in fact, result in competition in the premium market segment, ensuring better quality at better prices for consumers, especially for apples, a senior government official said. "There were certain concerns that were being raised on the mutually agreed solution that has come in, more specific to seven-eight agriculture products where we had levied additional import duties in retaliation to the steel and aluminum measures (imposed by the US)," Peeyush Kumar, additional secretary in the commerce department, told reporters in a briefing.

2 central co-ops to sell tomatoes at Rs 50 per kg

2 central co-ops to sell tomatoes at Rs 50 per kg

Rediff.com14 Aug 2023

The Centre on Monday directed cooperatives NCCF and NAFED to sell tomatoes at a reduced rate of Rs 50 per kilogram from Tuesday in view of the decline in prices in the wholesale markets. Since July, both NCCF and NAFED have been selling tomatoes at a discounted rate on behalf of the consumer affairs ministry in Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar to boost domestic availability and contain price rise. Initially, the ministry had asked the two cooperatives to sell tomatoes at a subsidised rate of Rs 90 per kg and later reduced the price to Rs 80 per kg. Further, the price was cut to Rs 70 per kg.

'The level of isolation in North Korea was amazing'

'The level of isolation in North Korea was amazing'

Rediff.com2 May 2023

'In 1984, Pyongyang just had one hotel and one could not move out without an official escort.' 'India was the only country with an embassy, apart from the socialist countries.'

Scindia wants stimulus for exports to go on

Scindia wants stimulus for exports to go on

Rediff.com9 Feb 2010

The commerce ministry wants the stimulus packages for exporters to continue for some more time till the sector recovers completely.

Exports rise; trade deficit widens in Jan

Exports rise; trade deficit widens in Jan

Rediff.com1 Feb 2022

The country's exports rose by 23.69 per cent to $34.06 billion in January on healthy performance by engineering, petroleum and gems and jewellery segments even as trade deficit widened to $17.94 billion during the month, according to provisional data of the commerce ministry. Imports in January grew by 23.74 per cent to $52.01 billion, the data, released on Tuesday, showed. Trade deficit widened to $17.94 billion during the month as against $14.49 billion in the same month last year.

Pakistan's new President Zardari to forgo salary, here's why

Pakistan's new President Zardari to forgo salary, here's why

Rediff.com12 Mar 2024

Pakistan's newly-elected President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday announced that he would not draw any salary during his tenure as part of his bid to help the cash-strapped country face the challenging economic hardship.

Bar-coding technology to monitor medicines

Bar-coding technology to monitor medicines

Rediff.com1 Jun 2011

If such bar-coding covers government procurement, pinpointing the culprits will become easier.

Wholesale inflation contracts to (-) 4.12% in Jun

Wholesale inflation contracts to (-) 4.12% in Jun

Rediff.com14 Jul 2023

The wholesale price-based inflation rate declined to (-) 4.12 per cent in June on easing prices of food, fuel and manufactured items. The wholesale price index (WPI) based inflation in May was (-) 3.48 per cent. In June last year, it was 16.23 per cent.

Board exams twice a year; Class 11, 12 students to study 2 languages

Board exams twice a year; Class 11, 12 students to study 2 languages

Rediff.com23 Aug 2023

Students can then appear for a board exam in subjects they have completed and feel ready for.

Jairam Ramesh gets commerce, Subbirami in mines

Jairam Ramesh gets commerce, Subbirami in mines

Rediff.com31 Jan 2006

With this the only minister without a portfolio is Oscar Fernandes

Why India Inc is moving to Dubai in droves

Why India Inc is moving to Dubai in droves

Rediff.com7 Nov 2022

Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani might have made news for purchasing the most expensive beach-side villa in Dubai recently, but he is not the only Indian eyeing the city for investment. Since Dubai allowed foreign investors full ownership in specific sectors in June 2021, a horde of Indian companies have moved or expanded into the desert city. The list even includes a kindergarten, an elementary and middle school, and a hotel that has sought 100 per cent ownership.

Not a ministry reshuffle for 2019

Not a ministry reshuffle for 2019

Rediff.com4 Sep 2017

'The days when less government, more governance were spoken of are well and truly behind us.' 'More government, it is now believed, means more governance,' says Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

Pak's U-turn on MFN: Status NOT granted to India, says Gilani

Pak's U-turn on MFN: Status NOT granted to India, says Gilani

Rediff.com5 Nov 2011

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has made it clear that Pakistan has not granted the Most Favoured Nation status to India, saying the commerce ministry has only been tasked to move forward on the issue in bilateral negotiations.

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.