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.
BUSINESS
Centre open to further cutting duties on essential drugs, says Piyush Goyal
The minister suggested that hospitals could allow up to 10 percent of foreign patients and channel part of the revenue towards Ayushman Bharat or CSR initiatives for underprivileged communities
BUSINESS
India seeks steel tariff relief from EU for auto duty cuts in FTA talks
Sources say New Delhi is seeking relief from the EU’s proposal to double duties on steel to 50% and tighten steel import quotas, while weighing tariff concessions on high-end European cars under the FTA
BUSINESS
India moves to streamline quality control orders amid FTA talks
The Centre is unlikely to issue any new QCOs while the review is underway, which also aims to ease the regulatory burden on MSMEs, who face higher costs and sourcing difficulties due to existing orders being heavily focused on raw materials.
BUSINESS
Spain is the new European destination for Indian petroleum, exports skyrocket 46,000%
The move reflects a strategic shift in India’s European fuel trade, reducing reliance on northern distribution hubs such as The Netherlands in favour of direct end markets such as Spain
BUSINESS
'Significant progress' in critical minerals talks in latest rounds of FTA negotiations with Peru, Chile
India and Peru agreed to hold intersessional meetings to address pending issues ahead of the next round of negotiations to be held in New Delhi in January
BUSINESS
FTA talks with EU, Chile, New Zealand may conclude this year as India seeks export markets, rare‑earth supplies
The trade deal with EU could even happen by November, it is learnt, given that there is consensus on key issues such as automobiles, whisky and wine, on which the 27-nation bloc is seeking significant tariff reductions.
BUSINESS
High US tariffs prompt exports pivot to UAE, China, Europe
Shipments to markets such as UAE, China, and Spain show growth, but reliance on the US remains high
BUSINESS
EU negotiators in New Delhi from November 3 to 7 to advance FTA talks
As part of the visit, European Commission’s trade chief Sabine Weyand will hold high-level talks with Commerce Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal in New Delhi on November 5 and 6.
