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: The Centre has exempted 40 critical petrochemical feedstocks and intermediates from customs duties until June end to shield domestic industries from supply issues caused by the Iran war, the Finance Ministry announced on Thursday. This includes vital inputs such as ammonia, which plays a key role in fertilizer production and supports India's food security needs. The ministry described the action as a "targeted relief" aimed at guaranteeing the steady flow of essential petrochemicals, lowering costs for downstream businesses, and maintaining stability amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia. "This measure has been taken as a temporary and targeted relief in order to ensure continued availability of critical petrochemical inputs for domestic industry, reduce cost pressures on downstream sectors, and safeguard supply stability in the country," it said. Sectors like plastics, packaging, textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and automotive components will gain the most, as they rely on these materials for products ranging from medicines and paints to adhesives, polyester fabrics, disinfectants, detergents, bottles, and electronics. The waiver will also help to prevent the war from driving up inflation inside India, since experts warn that global supply chain breaks could raise prices and interest rates everywhere. India's consumer price index (CPI) inflation climbed to 3.21% in February from 2.74% in January, pushed higher by costs of precious metals, personal care items, and some food products; March figures are due mid-April. By reducing input expenses, the move helps Indian manufacturers remain competitive even as international trade suffers from the conflict and new US tariffs. In its February monthly economic review, the finance ministry noted that the war could significantly affect growth, inflation, fiscal balances, and external accounts, while highlighting "considerable downside risks" to the FY27 growth projection of 7-7.4%. Last month, the government reduced import duties on petrol and diesel, and added export taxes on jet fuel and diesel, all to ease strain on oil retailers, protect consumers from price hikes, and ensure enough fuel stays in the country.
Bengaluru -- Gold prices rose for a second session on Tuesday as the dollar weakened, with markets evaluating the possible consequences of US President Donald Trump's policies in his second term after his inauguration. Spot gold gained 0.6% to $2,724.74/oz by 2.40am GMT. US gold futures was 0.2% lower at $2,742.50. The dollar was down about 1% after reports suggested any new taxes would be imposed in a "measured" way. A weaker dollar makes gold more attractive to foreign buyers. "There is a sense of relief in risk sentiment to know that tariffs have not been an immediate focus. The unwindin ...Read More >
Mumbai, Feb 10: The rupee on Monday plunged 45 paise and moved closer to the 88 per US dollar-level, weighed down by the strength of the American currency tariff concerns, but eventually settled at 87.45, up 5 paise, following RBI intervention. The American currency gained in the overseas market after US President Donald Trump's plans to impose 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, along with reciprocal tariffs targeting countries taxing US exports. The move has added jitters over the global trade war with China's reciprocal duties coming into effect, they said. At the interban ...Read More >
NEW DELHI, June 3 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Narendra Modi's high-profile attendance at a global airlines conference this week underscores how much India is banking on a boom in aviation to support wider development goals, but headwinds to its ambitions are gathering force. Undeterred by the uncertainty gripping the aviation sector globally due to trade tensions and shaky consumer confidence, India's biggest airlines are ploughing ahead with orders for new planes, following record deals two year ...Read More >
New Delhi: A surge in sales may be around the corner for some of India's leading packaged consumer goods makers, as cheaper inputs and lower import duties craft a perfect recipe for their next stage of growth. Companies and analysts alike said that falling prices of wheat, maize, barley and oils will help expand volumes, in a change from the recent experience of pricier products driving revenue. On 31 May, the government halved the basic customs duty on crude soybean oil, crude palm oil, and crude sunflower oil to 10%, eight months after raising it from nil to 20%. The move had prompted pack ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: On the occasion of World Environment Day, the Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal, Justice Prakash Shrivastava, said that the plastic, in its myriad forms, has become an indispensable part of our lives, yet its convenience masks a devastating reality and from the single-use plastic bags that clog our drains and pollute our water bodies to the microplastics that infiltrate our food chain and even our own bodies, the hazards are undeniable. Citing the 2025 World Environment Day theme, "End Plastic Pollution," the NGT chief underscored the urgent need to acknowledge the inextri ...Read More >
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia and Canada on Monday signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that aims to strengthen economic ties between the two G20 members, three years after negotiations began. The agreement will take effect in 2026 and was signed in Jakarta by trade ministers of both countries. Indonesia's trade minister, Budi Santoso, said Indonesia appreciated Canada's support for its plan to prioritise its critical minerals sector, which was vital for its sustainable growth. "Together, we advance sustainable critical mineral management, supporting Indonesia's net ...Read More >
As per Moneycontrol's calculations, a 7 per cent growth in the remaining two quarters will put India's GDP at 6.5 per cent. The Indian economy would find it challenging to achieve over 7 per cent growth for the fourth consecutive year, economists said. They pointed out that the second-quarter (Q2) Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data, which was announced on November 29, has made the task even more daunting for the government. "A sharper than expected growth slowdown in Q2 has tilted risks to our outlook of 6.8 per cent for the current fiscal downwards," said DK Joshi, chief economist, Crisil. ...Read More >
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Import tariffs expected to be implemented by the administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump could lower economic growth and inflation in the 20 nations sharing the euro, European Central Bank board member Piero Cipollone said on Tuesday. Most economists agree that the possible tariffs would impact growth, though views diverge on the effect on consumer prices. Some argue the U.S. trade barriers will push up the value of the dollar, making imports of key commodities more expensive, while likely retaliation from Europe will also raise costs. Cipollone, speaking i ...Read More >
New Delhi: Three Indian citizens vanished mysteriously in Tehran. Darkness closed in as hope seemed lost. A ruthless Pakistani gang with potential links to ISI snatched them away, casting a shadow of fear. But relentless Indian diplomats refused to back down. Against all odds, a daring rescue mission ignited. Now, the captives are free, and a chilling game of espionage comes to light. The Punjab-based trio - Amritpal Singh from Hoshiarpur, Jaspal Singh from SBS Nagar and Hushnapreet Singh from Sangrur - had landed in Iran on May 1. Promised a clandestine route to Australia via Dubai and Tehra ...Read More >
Trump warns BRICS nations against replacing US dollar Dec 2 (Reuters) - A gauge of emerging market stocks rose on Monday, driven by positive manufacturing data from China and expectations of continued policy support from Beijing, while India's rupee hit a record low because of weaker-than-expected economic data. As of 0932 GMT, the MSCI's index for emerging market stocks had risen by 0.7%, on track for its biggest percentage gain in over three weeks. China's blue-chip CSI 300 climbed 0.8%, and the Shanghai Composite index jumped 1.1% after a private survey indicated that Chinese factory act ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 12 (PTI) Terming the 5.4 per cent GDP growth in the second quarter as a "temporary phenomena", FICCI President Harsha Vardhan Agarwal on Thursday said the industry body expects India to achieve 6.5-7 per cent economic growth in the current financial year, while projecting a pick up in private investment. In an interview to PTI, Agarwal, who is also the Vice Chairman & Managing Director of Emami Ltd, said the RBI needs to manoeuvre a "tight-rope balancing act" between inflation and economic growth, as he opined that the central bank has been doing a prudent job. Notably, the FI ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Former head of Air India and chairman of the Railway Board Ashwani Lohani is the new Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) director. The official order for his appointment was issued on Wednesday. A 1980-batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineering (IRSME), Lohani is known for turning around various organisations during his illustrious career. Following his retirement from IRSME service, he joined the GMR Group as the CEO. According to the order dated June 4, his appointment to the post of director, Prime Ministers Museum and Library in the rank and pa ...Read More >
The U.S. dollar continued its strong run on Monday, bolstered by soaring Treasury yields and expectations of limited Federal Reserve rate cuts. Meanwhile, the yen steadied ahead of a key speech by Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda, where he may hint at a possible rate hike in December, with markets pricing a 55% chance of such a move. Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato's warning on yen intervention caused a temporary pullback, while the dollar index touched a one-year high of 107.07. Analysts forecast further dollar gains as U.S. economic policies and performance outshine global peers. K ...Read More >
Euro zone government bond yields increased slightly as investors await upcoming inflation data that may influence the European Central Bank's policy direction. Concerns over potential tariff hikes from the U.S. could further impact ECB strategies. Germany's bond yields and political tensions in France also add to the economic uncertainties. On Tuesday, euro zone government bond yields saw a minor increase after hitting multi-week lows in the previous session. Investors are keenly awaiting inflation data later this week that could provide insight into the European Central Bank's potential poli ...Read More >
China and Hong Kong stock markets are experiencing a downturn due to rising concerns over the U.S.-China trade war, particularly regarding proposed tariffs and chip sales restrictions. The CSI300 and Shanghai Composite indexes fell, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index dropped 1.32%. Investors are wary of potential new restrictions on semiconductor and AI chip exports to China, further exacerbating market uncertainty. The automotive sector, led by BYD, also suffered from intense price competition among Chinese carmakers. Investor sentiment remains cautious, reflecting fears of escalating trade te ...Read More >
New Delhi, Feb 4 (PTI) Finance Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey on Tuesday said the government has taken measures to lower fiscal deficit and delivered a non-inflationary Budget, and hoped that the RBI's monetary policy will work in tandem with fiscal policy to support growth. He also said that although rupee depreciation increases inflation on imported inputs, it also adds to export competitiveness. Pandey said that the government has bettered its fiscal deficit projections for the current fiscal as well as the next. The fiscal deficit for FY'25 has been pegged lower at 4.8 per cent of GDP, low ...Read More >
New Delhi: Rare earth magnets, essential for EV motors, have become the latest flashpoint in India's growing electric mobility ambitions. These magnets power the core of Brushless DC (BLDC) and Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM), which drive most electric vehicles today, particularly two-wheelers. With China tightening export controls, Indian automakers now face serious supply-side disruptions. If the situation continues, industry experts warn that EV prices could rise, production could slow and expansion plans may take a hit. In April this year, China imposed an export curb on rare- ...Read More >
Sample of Earth Minerals. (Representative) Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. India is negotiating with companies to create long-term rare earth magnet stockpiles. The initiative aims to reduce dependence on China, which controls 90% of magnet processing globally. The government is considering fiscal incentives to boost domestic production of rare earth magnets. New Delhi: India is holding talks with companies to establish long-term stockpiles of rare earth magnets by offering fiscal incentives for domestic production, people familiar with the matter said. Building ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 5 (PTI) National Green Tribunal Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava on Thursday outlined an urgent need to curb plastic pollution as it negatively impacted marine life, suffocated terrestrial ecosystems, leached harmful chemicals into soil and water. In addition, it contributed significantly to air pollution when burnt, he said. The statement came on the occasion of World Environment Day and was uploaded on the NGTs website. Shrivastava said that plastic had become an indispensable part of our lives, yet its convenience masked a devastating reality. "This nonbiodegradabl ...Read More >
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Thursday took strong action against the police officers allegedly responsible for the Bengaluru stampede, suspending several high-ranking officials, including the city's police commissioner. Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also announced a one-man commission to probe the lapses that triggered the deadly stampede. "Cubbon Park Police Station police inspector, station house master, station house officer, ACP, Central Division DCP, cricket stadium in-charge, additional commissioner of police, commissioner of police have been susp ...Read More >
A crucial round of negotiations on a global plastic pollution treaty has begun in Busan, South Korea. Led by Norway and Rwanda, 66 countries and the EU are pushing for a legally binding agreement to control plastic production, consumption, and waste management. However, key points of contention include limits on plastic production and the ban of single-use plastics. With plastic production set to rise 70% by 2040, negotiators aim to protect human health and the environment while promoting recycling, reducing harmful chemicals, and supporting sustainable plastic practices. Industry leaders and ...Read More >
Mumbai, Dec 13 (PTI) Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty slumped on Friday morning dragged down by metal stocks, foreign fund outflows and weak global cues. The 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex tumbled 1,207.14 points to 80,082.82 in the late morning trade. The NSE Nifty tanked 367.9 points to 24,180.80. Among the 30-share Sensex blue-chip pack, JSW Steel, Tata Steel, IndusInd Bank, Bajaj Finserv, Axis Bank, Larsen & Toubro, ITC and Mahindra & Mahindra were the biggest laggards. Bharti Airtel and Hindustan Unilever were the gainers. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities wor ...Read More >
Tata Steel is bolstering its iron ore supply for its planned 40 MTPA steel production by 2030. With four mine leases expiring in 2030, the company is operationalizing two new mines and negotiating with NMDC and OMC for additional ore. These strategies aim to secure the over 60 MT of iron ore required for the expanded steel capacity.Tata Steel has initiated discussions with state-run miners NMDC and Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) to secure future iron ore supplies as the company ramps up its dome ...Read More >
Union Minister J P Nadda has directed officials to ensure the adequate supply of fertilisers for farmers during the kharif season. He emphasized strict measures against hoarding and black marketing and highlighted the importance of sustainable agricultural practices. Coordination with multiple stakeholders, including states and exporters, is key. Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister J P Nadda has issued directives to ensure the sufficient supply of crop nutrients during the crucial kharif se ...Read More >
Trump's pledge to impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada would lead to 400,000 job losses in the US, Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said Wednesday during a press conference alongside President Claudia Sheinbaum. A veteran of confrontational North American trade talks during Trump's first administration, Ebrard gave a presentation on how a new round of levies would affect the Mexico-US relationship. Also Read : France, Germany, Sweden urge EU to avoid China reliance on EV batteries Ebrard said the new tariffs would mainly hit US automotive companies active in Mexico, including General Moto ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar/Gopalpur: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday laid the foundation stones for five major industrial projects at the Tata Steel Special Economic Zone Limited's (TSSEZL) Gopalpur Industrial Park (GIP) in Ganjam district. With a cumulative investment of over Rs 20,500 crore, these projects mark a significant boost to the state's fast-growing industrial base. Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Majhi said, "Ganjam has emerged as a dynamic industrial destination due to its robust infrastructure, a strategically located port, and a pool of skilled manpower. With inv ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 6 (ANI): The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra is set to announce the policy repo rate today at 10 AM in Mumbai, as the three-day Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting comes to a close. This policy meeting comes at a time when inflation in the country has been steadily declining. According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, India's retail inflation fell to 3.16 per cent in April, compared to 3.34 per cent in March. Also Read | Visually Impaired People Day 2025 Date in Germany: Know Significance of the Day That A ...Read More >
Global alliance launched to fight hunger, poverty with 80 nations The countries of the Global South are most adversely impacted by the food, fuel and fertiliser crisis caused by global conflicts and G20 must give primacy to their concerns and priorities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday. In an address on the first day of the G20 summit, Modi complimented the Brazilian presidency of the grouping for taking forward the "people-centric decisions" taken at the bloc's summit in New Delhi last year. The Indian G20 presidency's call for "One Earth, One Family, One Future" continued to r ...Read More >
Investing.com-- Bitcoin fell for a third straight session on Wednesday as traders continued to lock-in profits from a recent rally, while anticipation of more cues on U.S. policy also spurred caution. The world's largest cryptocurrency has been on an extended downturn since late last week as investors locked-in profits from a run-up to record highs. Traders were also somewhat disappointed as the crypto failed to clear the coveted $100,000 level. Risk appetite was further dented by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump threatening to impose more trade tariffs on several countries, sparking fears ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Centre on Monday discussed imposing a safeguard duty on steel to protect against cheap imports, steel overcapacity in China and the impact on India if the incoming Trump administration places curbs on steel imports or levies tariffs on the alloy, as well as the issue of stuck steel consignments at ports. The issues were taken up at a meeting between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Steel and Heavy Industries Minister H D Kumaraswamy. Officials said the steel ministry proposed a 25% safeguard duty on certain steel imports to check the influx of steel without paym ...Read More >