BUSINESS
India aims to wrap up EU FTA by early 2026, says Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal
Agarwal said the final phase of negotiations effectively begun over the past two to three months, with regular engagement at all levels, including ministerial.
BUSINESS
'Optimistic of finding a solution this year,' says Commerce Secy on first tranche of India-US trade deal
It is only a matter of time when this decision has to be taken when the two countries have to find the right landing zone to announce the first tranche of the deal, says Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal
BUSINESS
India in active FTA discussions with US, talks with Canada kick off next week, says Piyush Goyal
India is in talks with 14 countries or blocs on free trade agreements, the commerce minister has said
BUSINESS
‘Everybody is waiting for RBI’: Piyush Goyal hints at room for rate cut as inflation hits series low
The commerce minister also urges the industry to bank on self-reliance at a time when 'trade is being weaponised'
BUSINESS
How tariffs are eating into export gains from a weak rupee
This year, steep US tariffs are offsetting the benefit of an undervalued rupee
BUSINESS
GST complaints ‘nearly negligible’; faster case redressal recovers Rs 14 crore, says Consumer Affairs Secy Khare
In an exclusive interview with Moneycontrol, Khare detailed the government’s push to curb manipulative online practices, strengthen enforcement bodies and speed up consumer complaint resolution.
BUSINESS
EPF Act remains operational despite being repealed in new labour laws - Here's why
The Code on Social Security under Section 164 (3) repeals the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, or the EPF Act, but this clause has not been notified yet.
BUSINESS
Govt may weigh action as Amazon delays dark-pattern declaration
Authorities will continue monitoring grievance channels such as the national consumer helpline. If complaints pour in, punitive action could follow.
BUSINESS
Labour Codes notified: Govt to form panel to fix national floor wage, frame rules in next 45 days
The ‘national floor level minimum wage’, will be fixed by the Centre, under the Code of Wages, and will act as benchmark for states' minimum wages
BUSINESS
Blueprint to roll out 4 long-pending labour codes likely in FY27 Budget, sources say
As part of efforts to finalise this blueprint, Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and senior officials are likely to meet about 10 trade unions early on November 21.
BUSINESS
Trade unions demand social security fund, halt to privatisation in pre-budget meeting with Finance Minister
They have sought a central government sponsored social security fund for the unorganised and agriculture workers, with the aim of providing them a minimum pension of Rs 9,000 per month, and have asked for the repeal of labour codes.
BUSINESS
India mulls wider Swadeshi manufacturing policy to cut import dependence amid FY27 Budget preparations
More labour-intensive sectors may be added as India looks to expand the scope of its manufacturing policy beyond the existing clusters.
BUSINESS
India’s GDP to grow at 7% in FY26, beating world estimates, says Piyush Goyal
The second quarter GDP, which is yet to be released, will also grow around 7 percent, Goyal said during an event
BUSINESS
Tradition to tariffs: How India’s gold import tripled ahead of wedding season, defying record prices
When international gold prices see a sharp uptick, many buyers perceive it as an opportune moment to accumulate gold, anticipating that the prices may continue to rise further.
BUSINESS
Smartphones may be powering a surprise jump in India’s exports to the US
Shipments to the US rose 15.4% in October 2025, despite a steep 50% reciprocal duties, likely buoyed by tariff-exempt smartphones, which recorded a 31% sequential surge in exports.
BUSINESS
US exemption to benefit $1 billion of India’s farm exports, says commerce ministry
“While this applies to all trading partners, it creates a level playing field for Indian exporters,” the ministry said.
BUSINESS
EU FTA talks in final phase, talks with US focused on reducing tariffs: Commerce Ministry official
Negotiations for the trade deal with New Zealand are also in the final phase, while a fresh round of discussions is expected in December on the ongoing review of the ASEAN FTA.
BUSINESS
Merchandise trade deficit widens to $42 bn on 200% surge in gold imports
Merchandise exports for October 2025 stood at $34.38 billion, while the imports came in at $76.06 billion during the same period
BUSINESS
RBI offers moratorium for tariff-hit exporters, extends FX realisation window
The central bank has spelt out the 20 sectors that would be eligible for the moratorium, which includes organics chemicals, plastics, apparels, and footwear.
BUSINESS
NITI Aayog report calls for pause on Quality Control Orders for capital goods, backs easier certification norms
The yet-to-be-released report by the High-Level Committee on Non-Financial Regulatory Reforms under NITI Aayog has recommended deferring the implementation of upcoming QCOs and cross-sector technical standards (OTRs) for raw materials and capital goods.
BUSINESS
Govt’s new Credit Guarantee Scheme may offer up to Rs 50 crore to each eligible exporter, sources say
It will remain open till March 31, 2026, or until guarantees worth Rs 20,000 crore are issued, with each loan having a tenure of four years, including a one-year moratorium on repayment, sources indicated.
BUSINESS
Exporters await clarity as only Rs 2,600 crore likely left under Export Promotion Mission in FY26
The Rs 20,000-crore Credit Guarantee Scheme will ease access to bank finance for exporters but may not offer any relief for existing NPAs.
BUSINESS
Small textile exporters face NPA risk as Trump tariffs cause order cancellations, payment delays
Liquidity pressure is mounting on certain MSME exporters, with increasing calls for a moratorium on payment of dues to banks as well as government-backed credit support.
BUSINESS
Piyush Goyal slams ‘ridiculous’ rating norms that compare MSMEs with billion-dollar firms
Goyal also pointed out that rating agencies often exaggerate minor disruptions or policy changes, creating unnecessary panic, adding that several strong and fundamentally sound companies end up suffering due to such reactions, which fail to take into account India’s broader economic context.
