India's economic engine is revving up, but navigating the global headwinds requires sharp strategy. The rupee's recent volatility against the dollar underscores the complexities facing Indian businesses, impacting everything from import-export trade to domestic inflation. This week alone, we've seen significant shifts in the IT sector, with major players announcing restructuring and a renewed focus on AI-driven solutions. Meanwhile, the burgeoning startup ecosystem continues to attract substantial funding, despite a cautious global investor sentiment. The government's recent policy announcements on infrastructure development and digitalization are poised to further shape the business landscape, creating both opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs and established corporations alike. Understanding these market dynamics is crucial for success in today's rapidly evolving Indian economy. Stay informed with Abtak.com for the latest insights and analysis on key sectors including finance, manufacturing, and technology – empowering your business decisions in a dynamic market. Explore the complete business news section now to stay ahead of the curve.
New Delhi: In a bid to boost climate finance, the Union ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) plans to urge the finance ministry to offer tax incentives to green bond buyers, according to two people familiar with the matter. The consideration aims to boost investor interest in green bonds, which is necessary to meet the financing requirements for the clean energy targets. "Though sovereign green bonds were launched a few years back, they are yet to pick up. Now the interest rate of green bonds and other bonds is largely similar. So, there is no incentive for green bond buyers when premiums are low. So, the ministry is looking at ways to make them more attractive and may propose to the finance ministry for some sops in the form of tax rebates to those who invest in green bonds," said one of the two people mentioned above. Green bonds have emerged as a popular investment tool for climate finance globally. They fund projects with positive environmental impact while offering investors returns. These bonds are issued by public, private, or multilateral entities to raise capital for initiatives that contribute to a more sustainable economy and generate identifiable climate, environmental, or other benefits. Green bonds fund projects like renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean transport, conservation, and certified green buildings. In India, green bonds are issued by the Reserve Bank of India, which are known as sovereign green bonds. State-run financial institutions, including REC Ltd, Power Finance Corp, and Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (Ireda), are among the major issuers of green bonds in the country, along with corporates. Saurabh Agarwal, tax partner, EY India, said, "Tax incentives for green bonds would represent a strategic and critical policy tool for India's clean energy transition. By making green bonds more lucrative, the government can effectively channel a significant volume of private capital towards the nation's ambitious sustainability goals." He added that the targeted fiscal measure will be instrumental in attracting the additional funding required to promote the energy transition, ensuring that capital markets play a pivotal role in building India's resilient and sustainable future. Citing Climate Bonds Initiative, a report by The Energy Resources Institute (Teri) last year noted that as early as 2016, India had about $15.7 billion of unlabeled climate-aligned bonds used toward low-carbon transport and renewable energy assets. Officially, India entered the green bonds market in 2015 with Yes Bank issuing the first green bond maturing in 10 years for financing renewable energy projects. Since then, several banks and corporates have entered the market. The report noted that despite the promising prospects, the issuance of green bonds in India has progressed slowly over the last few years. At the macro level, the Indian bond market is currently in a nascent stage, and Indian green bonds' coupon rates have averaged mainly in the range of 2.75-6% for dollar-denominated issuances, and in the range of 7.5-10% for rupee-denominated issuances. This difference has resulted from currency risk associated with the rupee -- greater hedging costs due to the volatility of the currency and low liquidity and trading within the Indian secondary market, it said. "For instance, the two tranches of the sovereign green bonds issued by the government of India in 2023 were able to initially obtain a 'greenium' or a price advantage for the local currency issuance -- reflecting cheaper financing costs and suggesting a strong appetite for green bonds among domestic investor; but the lack of trading activity and the consequent illiquidity has led to issuance losing its greenium," it said. Greenium or green-premium is the savings made by an issuer due to a lower coupon rate payment to investors on a green bond, compared to conventional bonds. It added that strategizing policy and market interventions to accelerate the growth of the green bonds market in India requires an understanding of the factors driving the demand and supply of green bonds and the factors enabling their green premium over regular corporate bonds. With its plan to achieve 500 GW non-fossil power generation capacity by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, stakeholders feel there is immense potential for the green bond market to grow. Climate Bonds Initiative, an international non-governmental organization mobilizing global capital for climate action had said in a statement in June this year that India ranks as the fourth-largest emerging market source of aligned green, social, sustainability and sustainability-linked (GSS+) debt globally with cumulative issuance of $55.9 billion by December 2024, up 186% from $21.4 billion in 2021. Since January 2023, the Union government has issued eight sovereign green bond tranches totalling ₹47,700 crore ($5.7 billion). The government announced that it would introduce sovereign green bonds in the FY23 budget to raise more capital to curb climate change and for energy transition needs. Queries mailed to the ministries of new and renewable energy, and finance remained unanswered till press time.
New Delhi [India], December 2: The IVCA GreenReturns Summit 2024 commenced today in New Delhi, convening over 400 visionaries, investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to chart a transformative path for India's green economy. The Summit is dedicated to aligning India's climate goals with its trillion-dollar economic aspirations for a 'Viksit Bharat,' spotlighting high-impact investment opportunities, addressing funding gaps, and driving actionable solutions for net-zero and climate adaptation. Also Read | Mamata Banerjee Says West Bengal Yet To Get INR 14,000 Crore From Centre for Supply of ...Read More >
nion Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje cited statistics in the Lok Sabha on Monday to show that youth unemployment rates in India were lower than global levels. The minister cited a report by the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Institute for Human Development (IHD) which states that the worldwide youth unemployment rate was 15.6 per cent in 2021. Further, as per World Employment and Social Outlook Trends, 2024 by ILO, globally, in 2023, the youth unemployment rate was 13.3 per cent. On the other hand, the latest annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS ...Read More >
However, the NCLT did not pass the approval order on Thursday and deferred the decision, scheduling the next hearing for 6 December. It is expected that the tribunal will pass the liquidation order and may approve the CoC's proposed liquidator at that time. Venkatasubramanian is a Chartered Accountant and is registered as an Insolvency Professional with the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Board of India. He is a partner at Ernst & Young Restructuring, specializing in crisis stabilization, liquidity management, and the restructuring and turnaround of distressed companies. He is an expert in sectors su ...Read More >
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], December 2 (ANI): Ambuja Cements has taken a step toward achieving its Net Zero goals. The company has partnered with Finland-based technology leader Coolbrook to implement its proprietary RotoDynamic Heater (RDH) technology. According to the exchange filing, this cutting-edge, zero-carbon heating solution, powered by renewable electricity, will drastically reduce the company's dependence on fossil fuels and lower its carbon emissions, aligning with its sustainability vision. Ambuja Cements will significantly reduce its fossil fuel dependence by harnessing renewa ...Read More >
Bengaluru, 4th December 2024- PURE EV, one of India's leading electric two-wheeler manufacturers, has unveiled an ambitious roadmap to strengthen its presence nationwide and expand globally while introducing innovative solutions for sustainable mobility. Over the next 30 months, the company aims to add 250 new dealerships, taking its total network to over 320 across India. The expansion will be driven by the growing demand for long-range scooters, electric motorcycles, large B2B contracts, and the company's entry into the house-hold brand space. Dr. Nishanth Dongari, Founder & MD of PURE EV, ...Read More >
The Reserve Bank of India raised the interest rate caps on Foreign Currency Non-Resident Bank (FCNR-B) deposits to attract more capital inflows, amid pressures on the rupee. Starting December 6, banks can offer higher rates -- up to 400 basis points for 1-3 year deposits and 500 basis points for 3-5 year deposits -- until March 31, 2025. This move comes as the rupee faces volatility.The Reserve Bank of India on Friday announced a raise in the interest rate caps on the Indian diaspora's foreign cu ...Read More >
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's retail inflation eased in November as soaring vegetable prices moderated, boosting expectations of an interest rate cut by the central bank at its next policy review amid concerns around slowing growth. Retail inflation eased in November to 5.48%, lower than 6.21% in the previous month and below a 5.53% forecast by economists in a Reuters poll. Food inflation slowed down to 9.04% from 10.87% a month earlier. Food accounts for nearly half of the consumption basket. Vegetable prices rose 29.33% in November from a year earlier after rising 42.18% in October. Indi ...Read More >
Noting that the evolution of Quad has been a "notable development," External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said the Indo-Pacific is experiencing "significant changes" including new convergences and partnerships. "In an era of collaborative endeavours, the Indo-Pacific will require practical solutions, nimble diplomacy, greater adjustment and more open conversations. The G7 can be one such partner," Mr. Jaishankar said as he attended the G7 FMM Outreach Session with Indo-Pacific partners in the Italian city of Fiuggi on Tuesday. G7 ministers throw support behind Israel-Hezbollah ceasefir ...Read More >
This is a Mint Premium article gifted to you. Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. New Delhi: The debate on laboratory-grown meat, dairy, and egg products may soon be settled, with the issue reaching India's apex food regulator, three people aware of the development said. The development comes in the backdrop of concerns about public health, food security and ecological sustainability. While the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has put in place a regulatory framework for plant-based protein products, manufacturers and sellers of fermentation-derived and cultivated protein ...Read More >
At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 84.49 against the greenback, registering a fall of 2 paise over its previous close The rupee fell 2 paise to trade at 84.49 against the U.S. dollar in early trade on Friday (November 29, 2024) dragged down by significant foreign fund outflows and month-end dollar demand from importers. Forex traders said the rupee remains in a weakening mode due to dollar demand from importers and foreign banks. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 84.49 against the greenback, registering a fall of 2 paise over its previous close. On ...Read More >
H.E. Josel Francisco Ignacio, current Ambassador of the Philippines to India shares his credentials with President Droupadi Murmu On 16 November 1949, the Philippines and India, the two independent democracies would forge diplomatic ties. The two republics were born just a few years apart, first set out on the road to their bilateral friendship and collaboration. This inaugurated a period of closer government interaction, commerce and investment, and other bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Building on much common ground in history, democratic ideals, socio-economic imperatives and aspi ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 12 (PTI) The government on Thursday came out with the definition of green steel and asked the industry to take measures to bring down carbon emissions below the level of 2.2 tonnes on per tonne of finished products. Union Steel Minister H D Kumaraswamy also released a 'taxonomy on green steel' with parameters for giving star ratings on products based on the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted during the production process. The steel industry has been the backbone of India's industrial growth and it is imperative that this vital sector undergoes a transformative shift towards ...Read More >
Canara Bank has got exemption from the Centre to hold stake beyond the 30% upper limit under the Banking Regulation Act in joint ventures Canara Robeco Asset Management Company and Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company. The bank, which owns 51% each in the two JVs, had approached the government seeking permission to divest 13% in the asset management entity and 14.5% in the insurer, by way of initial public offers, Canara Bank said in a filing on Wednesday. The Centre, on the recommendation of the Reserve Bank of India, has decided that the provisions of sub-section (2) of Section 19 of the Bank ...Read More >
New Delhi, December 4: In a significant move to enhance customer experience and protect citizens, the Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which allows bank account holders to have up to four nominees in their accounts. The higher number of nominees aims to reduce unclaimed deposits in banks. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that depositors will have the option of successive or simultaneous nomination facility, while locker holders will have only successive nominations. Another sweeping change relates to redefining 'substantial interest' for directors ...Read More >
Markets opened on a cautiously optimistic note on Wednesday, with the Sensex and Nifty showing marginal gains, while investors closely monitored global economic indicators and upcoming domestic policy decisions. The Sensex opened higher at 81,036.22 from its previous close of 80,845.75 and is currently trading at 81,168.92 as of 9.45 am, up by 323.17 points or 0.40 per cent. Similarly, the Nifty opened at 24,488.75 compared to its previous close of 24,457.15 and is now at 24,558.20, rising by 101 ...Read More >
(Bloomberg) -- Indian bonds are poised to gain while the rupee is set to weaken as analysts bet on a softer monetary policy after the government named career bureaucrat Sanjay Malhotra as the new Reserve Bank of India governor. Most Read from Bloomberg Malhotra, a surprise pick, will take charge from Shaktikanta Das under whom the RBI kept borrowing costs unchanged for almost two years. While Malhotra's views on monetary policy are largely unknown, he recently urged revenue officials to prioritize economic growth, and the markets may read his appointment as dovish. The central bank is expec ...Read More >
The Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2024, one of India's largest platforms for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, is set to culminate in its Grand Finale at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee from 11th to 15th December 2024. As part of its 7th edition, SIH 2024 continues to exemplify the vision of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji to make India self-reliant and globally competitive through youth empowerment and innovation. He will interact with young innovators at the Grand Finale of Smart India Hackathon 2024 on 11th December 2024, at around 4:30 PM, via video con ...Read More >
Still, the ongoing U.N. climate talks have thrown a spotlight on their efforts to tackle global warming. While the COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, is tasked with agreeing a goal to mobilize hundreds of billions of dollars for climate, leaders of the Group of 20 major economies half a world away in Rio are holding the purse strings. G20 countries account for 85% of the world's economy and are the largest contributors to multilateral development banks helping to steer climate finance. "The spotlight is naturally on the G20. They account for 80 percent of global emissions," U.N. Secretary Ge ...Read More >
Cybercrime is quickly increasing in India, with reports surfacing daily about victims losing large sums of money to scammers. These scammers often use tactics like threatening a "digital arrest" to instill fear and pressure individuals into transferring money. They typically operate from foreign countries to evade capture by law enforcement. The Indian government, including Prime Minister Modi, is actively raising awareness about these scams. Recently, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued a warning to the public regarding international fraud calls. They advised people to be caut ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 12 (ANI): The gross NPA ratio of public sector banks declined to 3.12 per cent in September 2024 from 4.97 per cent in March 2015 and a peak of 14.58 per cent in March 2018, the government stated on Thursday, reaffirming the robustness of the banking system. The government emphasised its proactive support for the banking ecosystem, addressing both business needs and employee welfare to ensure stability, transparency, and growth. Also Read | Places of Worship Act Validity: Supreme Court Restrains Courts in Country Not to Entertain, Pass Orders on Suits Related to R ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], November 26: Elitas Appliances, a brand synonymous with quality and innovation in home appliances, has officially launched its product line in India. Known for combining cutting-edge technology with elegant design, Elitas seeks to establish itself as a key player in the consumer durables sector, providing Indian households with superior, eco-friendly products. Also Read | From Nana Patekar's 'The Attacks of 26/11' to Dev Patel's 'Hotel Mumbai', 5 Movies and Shows That Explored the Horrific 2008 Mumbai Attacks and Where To Watch Them Online. Elitas's range of home appliance ...Read More >
Guwahati, November 27 (IANS): Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Wednesday underscored the northeastern region's legacy, cultural diversity, and natural wealth emphasising its rich cuisine, crafts and biodiversity while inaugurating the 12th edition of the four-day long International Tourism Mart (ITM) in Assam's Kaziranga. Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister said that the ITM is a remarkable opportunity for the northeast India to showcase its rich culture and diversity to the world, adding that the event also offers a platform for people from across the g ...Read More >
Stock market today: The Indian stock market clocked healthy gains for the third consecutive session on Tuesday, December 3, led by gains in shares of select heavyweights, including Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank and Larsen and Toubro. Benchmark index Nifty 50 jumped 0.70 per cent to the level of 24,445.80, breaking above its 50 and 100-day exponential moving averages (DEMA). According to Trendlyne, an equity research platform, Nifty 50 is above its 100-day EMA of 24,306 and 50-day EMA of 24,364. However, the index is yet to breach its 50-day and 100-day simple moving averages (SMAs) of 24,643 ...Read More >
Dec 3 (Reuters) - India's top renewable energy agency said on Tuesday it withdrew its ban prohibiting Reliance Power (RPOL.NS), opens new tab from participating in tenders for clean energy projects after a court directive. Last month, the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) had barred Reliance Power from bidding for its tenders for three years and was weighing criminal proceedings against the company after a bank guarantee turned out to be a fake endorsement. The High Court of Delhi had granted a stay last week on the notice of debarment after the Anil Ambani-owned company challenged th ...Read More >
PNN New Delhi [India], December 12: In the 21st century, the world is going green in phases, and therefore using renewable sources of energy isn't going to harm the environment, but it's going to benefit your pocket. On average, the IEA has anticipated an increase of renewable energy sources' capacity by 75% from 2022 to 2027, spearheaded by solar and wind energy. Renewable energy investment is already at more than $50 billion annually in the United States. It is projected to climb even higher as federal incentives such as the Inflation Reduction Act push this sector forward. To the industr ...Read More >
MUMBAI (Reuters): The Indian rupee weakened to its lifetime low on Tuesday, hurt by concerns about a widening trade deficit and likely outflows from local equities, although intervention by the central bank capped losses. The rupee hit a low of 84.93 against the US dollar, before closing at 84.8950, down 0.04% on the day. Benchmark Indian equity indexes BSE Sensex and Nifty 50, closed lower by over 1% each, dragged by weakness in financial stocks and Reliance Industries. Investor sentiment was also dampened after data on Monday showed that India's merchandise trade deficit rose to a record h ...Read More >
New Delhi, November 27, 2024: The Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (CESD), SIST, Jamia Hamdard, organized a thought-provoking lecture on "Climate Change and Green Transition: Global Impact on Natural Disasters and their Management" on 25 November 2024. The event was part of CESD's ongoing initiatives to promote awareness and action on critical environmental issues. Professor (Dr.) M. Z. Abdin, Director of CESD, delivered the welcome address and introductory remarks, setting the stage for the session. He emphasized the urgency of transitioning to green energy and sustainable ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 12 (PTI) Gross non-performing assets (NPAs) of public sector banks (PSBs) have declined to a decade low of 3.12 per cent at the end of September 2024 from a peak of 14.98 per cent in March 2018 on the back of measures like the 4Rs -- recognition, recapitalisation, resolution, and reform -- taken by the government, the finance ministry said on Thursday. Since 2015, the government implemented a comprehensive 4Rs strategy of recognising NPAs transparently, resolution and recovery, recapitalising PSBs, and reforms in the financial system to address the challenges faced by PSBs, it ...Read More >
Andhra Pradesh is reviewing government files and will explore if it is possible to cancel a power supply contract linked to the Adani Group, whose billionaire founder has been indicted in the United States, a top official told Reuters. U.S. authorities have charged Gautam Adani and seven others with agreeing to pay bribes of $265 million to unnamed Central government officials to obtain solar power-supply contracts in Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and the federal territory of Jammu and Kashmir, between 2021 and 2022. Also read: Fitch takes negative rating actions on Adani ...Read More >
The rupee declined to a new all-time low after data showed a sharp slowdown in the economic growth. Bonds extended gains on bets the central bank may cut interest rates sooner than anticipated. The rupee fell 0.2 per cent to 84.6637 per dollar after a government report on Friday showed the economy grew at the slowest pace in almost two years. A stronger dollar spurred by US President-elect Donald Trump demanding a commitment from the so-called BRICS nations to using the greenback also weighed on emerging-market assets. Also read: RBI to keep repo rate unchanged at meeting next week, chances ...Read More >