The commerce ministry in India is expected to seek an extension of the interest equalisation scheme for five more years in the upcoming Budget. This scheme assists exporters in obtaining competitive rupee export credits, particularly benefiting MSMEs during challenging economic times. Exporters and organizations like FIEO are supporting the extension, emphasizing its importance for maintaining competitiveness.
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India supported a global carbon tax on shipping. The UN agency, IMO, passed the measure to cut ship emissions. Ships must use cleaner fuels or pay a pollution fee. The tax aims to generate funds for decarbonizing the shipping sector. Some nations opposed the move. Technical details are yet to be finalized.
The government's subsidy burden for FY25 is projected to exceed budget estimates, reaching nearly Rs 4.1 to Rs 4.2 lakh crore due to higher food and fertiliser costs. Despite efforts to rationalise subsidies, fertiliser subsidies alone may exceed budget due to increased import costs and a stronger US dollar.
Reliance Industries Ltd has achieved the second-best brand ranking globally in the FutureBrand Index 2024, rising 11 places from its previous position. The Index evaluates companies on brand perception and ability to align with evolving market and consumer dynamics, with Samsung taking the top spot.
7-Eleven's parent company, Seven & i Holdings, is exploring store sell-offs with Canadian firm Alimentation Couche-Tard (ACT) to address antitrust concerns and a potential merger. Joint efforts by financial advisors are underway to find buyers, aiming to create a feasible divestiture plan. This follows measures to counter ACT's takeover bid, previously rejected for undervaluation.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sees no threat to Italy from Elon Musk's company investments, emphasizing the evaluation of each investment through a national interest lens. Musk has praised Meloni, calling her honest and truthful. They have discussed opportunities in space and AI sectors, with Italy welcoming foreign space companies under a new regulatory framework.
The Reserve Bank of India has lifted the restrictions on Asirvad Micro Finance and DMI Finance, effective immediately, following their corrective measures and compliance with regulatory guidelines. The restrictions had been placed on 21 October last year, preventing them from sanctioning and disbursing loans.
Three years ago, Liang Wenfeng's hedge fund firm faced a major setback, but he used that time to develop DeepSeek, an AI startup. DeepSeek's breakthrough technology has shaken global AI markets, challenging the US lead. Liang's achievement is notable given his local team, limited resources, and constrained access to advanced tech.
Air India is establishing a massive flying training organization (FTO) in Amravati, Maharashtra, by mid-2025. The airline has ordered 34 trainer aircraft from US and Austrian manufacturers to facilitate the training of 180 pilots annually. This ambitious project aims to address India's growing pilot demand and bolster the nation's aviation infrastructure, aligning with the 'atmanirbhar Bharat' vision.
US President Donald Trump's tariff announcement has caused a significant drop in tech stocks, with Indian IT firms experiencing falls of 3% to 10%. The uncertainty surrounding these restrictive trade measures poses a threat to growth prospects, as the US accounts for more than 50% of revenue for large-cap IT companies.
Alexandre de Rothschild, the seventh-generation leader of the Rothschild banking dynasty, emphasizes the need to prove oneself before joining the family business, rejecting the notion that a family name alone guarantees a seat. Rothschild & Co is considering expanding into wealth management in India to capitalize on the country’s optimistic growth mindset.