Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics & Information Technology Shri Jitin Prasada Concludes Official Visit to Morocco; Co-Chairs...
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal Chairs India-Japan Industry Roundtable on Semiconductors and Artificial Intelligence in Toky...
Preferential trade agreement exploration advances bilateral market access, pharmaceutical cooperation, investment partnerships, and diversified trade. India-Morocco economic cooperation is expanded through the seventh Joint Commission framework, targeting deeper and more diversified trade, investment, industrial collaboration and market access across goods and services. An India-Morocco Joint Working Group is to examine bilateral trade opportunities and the feasibility of a preferential trade agreement, including tariff and non-tariff barriers, improved market access and trade facilitation. Cooperation also addresses pharmaceutical market authorisation and approval timelines, food safety, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and phosphates and fertilisers.
Hybrid cyber fraud exploits stolen smartphones and intercepted verification codes to compromise digital banking and payment accounts. Hybrid cyber fraud combines physical smartphone theft with digital financial exploitation. Offenders obtain screen-lock credentials, steal devices and use control of the active SIM card to intercept verification codes and reset UPI and digital banking credentials. Preventive measures include withholding PINs, passwords and OTPs; avoiding storage of financial and identity records on phones; and immediately blocking the SIM card and freezing digital banking and UPI services after a theft.
CEPA review aims to expand bilateral trade engagement, address export barriers, and support regulatory registrations for exporters. India and Japan are considering a review of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to make the bilateral trade framework more contemporary and expand its scope, scale and commercial opportunities. The review is linked to balanced trade and to identifying export barriers arising from procedural requirements, language issues and time involved in market access. Regulatory compliance assistance may support product registrations required for overseas markets, including costly chemical registrations and pharmaceutical registrations.
Personal loan reward eligibility depends on successful campaign-period disbursal, alongside review of borrowing costs and repayment capacity. Loan Utsav 2026 provides a limited-period reward bundle to eligible customers whose personal loan is successfully disbursed during the campaign period, subject to applicable terms and conditions. Personal loans are collateral-free and available subject to eligibility, customer profile, documentation and applicable loan terms. Applicants may choose a loan amount and repayment tenure based on their requirements. Extended tenures can reduce monthly EMI obligations but may increase total interest payable. Customers should review interest rates, EMI, processing charges, other loan costs and repayment capacity before accepting a loan offer.
Deep-tech investment cooperation advances through capital corridors, innovation bridges, manufacturing integration and startup pitching platforms for cross-border growth. India-Japan startup cooperation is proposed to advance through a deep-tech capital corridor, a two-way innovation bridge, manufacturing and technology integration, and joint startup pitching platforms. Collaboration is directed towards patient capital, early-stage research, deep-tech commercialisation, technology validation, precision manufacturing, investment and market access. The partnership also emphasises MSME integration with startups and global supply chains, co-investment mechanisms, plug-and-play infrastructure, and institutional links among universities, research institutions, incubators and industry.
Sugar price-control measures combine raw-sugar imports, stockholding limits and export restrictions to curb retail price pressures. Sugar price-control measures combine authorised raw-sugar imports, stockholding limits for dealers and bulk consumers, and an existing export prohibition to address elevated domestic prices. Imports are permitted within the specified period, while stockholding restrictions seek to curb speculation and hoarding. Retail prices continued to rise despite lower ex-mill prices, and the regulatory approach focuses on augmenting supply, limiting stock accumulation, and preventing export-related pressure on domestic availability.
Alternative dispute resolution enabled settlement of long-pending disputes, alongside reporting on court administration and regulatory compliance concerns. Legal developments include resolution of long-pending tenancy, commercial and property disputes through a special Lok Adalat mechanism, including a digitally signed international settlement. Other matters concern a challenge to a riot-related murder conviction, allegations of administrative irregularities and selective case listing, fast-track court pendency, cancellation of a recruitment process following suspected examination malpractice, fraudulent identity documents used to claim citizenship, medical-qualification standards, and opposition to uranium exploration and mining.
MSME co-lending supports digital paperless credit delivery through rural banks for underserved rural and semi-urban enterprises. SIDBI-RRB MSME co-lending arrangement is proposed for expansion to increase credit access for micro, small and medium enterprises in rural and semi-urban areas. The arrangement combines SIDBI's understanding of MSME credit requirements with Regional Rural Banks' local reach. SIDBI's Co-Lending Origination Platform provides an end-to-end digital credit process intended to enable faster, paperless loan processing, in-principle sanction communication, documentation and direct account disbursement without branch visits.
Input tax credit mismatch alone cannot support fraud-based GST demand without an assessing officer's recorded satisfaction of fraud or suppression. Section 74 GST demand proceedings require the assessing officer's independent satisfaction of fraud, wilful misstatement or suppression of facts. An input tax credit mismatch or alleged short payment alone cannot establish these conditions. Unsupported assertions of suppression for invoking extended limitation are insufficient, and audit objections cannot replace the assessing officer's satisfaction. A show cause-cum-demand notice lacking factual allegations of a deliberate device to evade tax or avail excess input tax credit is vulnerable.
Fraudulent Aadhaar procurement exposes identity-verification gaps and prompts disclosure, expedited investigation, deportation, and statutory review measures. Fraudulent procurement of Aadhaar and other identity documents by foreign nationals who infiltrate borders may undermine identity verification, immigration control and national security. Coordinated action is required to trace and deport such persons, prevent re-entry, strengthen document verification, and complete investigations without delay. Amendments to the Aadhaar Act are to be considered to assist investigating agencies, while a dedicated procedure is required to address border infiltration and human trafficking. Aadhaar enrolment records are to be supplied to police, followed by timely deportation proceedings.
Foreign investment liberalisation proposals receive industry support, subject to preserving AIF treatment, grandfathering, and prospective application. Proposed foreign-investment liberalisation, including treatment of stakes below 10 per cent and a greater role for market forces in valuation, is welcomed. Preservation of the existing treatment of Alternative Investment Funds under the IOCC framework is emphasised, together with grandfathering of transactions and funds undertaken under the current regulatory position. Newly introduced requirements should operate prospectively to support a simpler, predictable and investment-friendly foreign-investment framework.
India market expansion guides Nestle 's volume-led growth, export-hub development and long-term investment without compromising product quality. Nestle 's India strategy focuses on volume-led growth, wider consumer reach, portfolio development, efficiency improvements and sustained long-term investment. Growth is intended to combine increased household penetration with pricing, premiumisation, affordability and value offerings. India is also intended to develop further as a production and export hub for global markets, supported by manufacturing capacity and expanding overseas supplies. Product quality and consumer interests remain constraints on the pace of expansion.
Credit awareness through regular score and report review supports responsible borrowing, error detection, and informed credit management. Free online access to the Credit Pulse Report is available through the Bajaj Finance website. Users verify their registered mobile number through OTP authentication, provide identifying particulars including PAN and date of birth, and then view the available credit score. The report may be reviewed and downloaded to examine repayment history, active credit accounts, recent enquiries and other recorded credit information. Periodic review can help identify unfamiliar accounts, inaccurate repayment records, overdue amounts, unupdated information and changes in credit utilisation.
Credit lifecycle consistency requires facility-specific treatment so UPI-linked credit records, repayments and customer obligations remain aligned. CARD91's Credit Lifecycle Consistency Framework calls for facility-specific treatment of Credit Line on UPI transactions and continuing credit events. Credit limits, outstanding balances, repayments, refunds, reversals and EMI conversions should be accurately connected to the relevant customer account and applied according to the underlying facility's terms. Bank policy, customer consent, transaction controls and portfolio actions should remain aligned. Customer-facing applications, statements and alerts should consistently reflect available credit, outstanding obligations and repayment schedules, while disputes and manual corrections follow documented, reviewable processes.
Non-revolving credit lines require term-loan structures supporting multiple drawdowns without replenishing sanctioned limits for NBFC lending products. Proposed restrictions on revolving credit facilities for most NBFCs would generally require credit products to operate as term loans, rather than facilities in which principal repayment automatically restores the available borrowing limit. Compliance may require technology capable of managing multiple drawdowns within an approved sanction, separate repayment schedules, amortisation and servicing workflows, while preventing repaid principal from replenishing the sanctioned limit.
Reciprocal trade tariffs intensify as negotiations confront market access, cultural protections, industrial safeguards, and sovereignty concerns. US-Canada tariff escalation involves reciprocal import duties following failed negotiations over market access and trade in dairy, alcoholic beverages, automobiles, steel, aluminium and softwood lumber. United States tariff action relies on a rarely used trade-law power permitting duties against countries considered to discriminate against American businesses, without a prior investigation or stated time limit. Negotiations also raised concerns about protection of major industries, cultural protections and Canada's freedom to conclude trade agreements with other countries.
Diaspora engagement supports skilled mobility, investment links, remittances, and citizen welfare while encouraging compliance with local laws. Indian diaspora engagement in Japan supports bilateral goodwill, business links, investment opportunities and people-to-people ties. Skilled Indian professionals are encouraged to understand local requirements, learn Japanese language and culture, and pursue opportunities in healthcare, trades, engineering, artificial intelligence, accountancy and maritime work. Diaspora members are also encouraged to maintain connections with India, contribute through digital education and knowledge-sharing, and comply with local laws and regulations. Remittances and government support for citizens' welfare, safety and crisis assistance abroad are recognised as important aspects of diaspora engagement.
Semiconductor and AI cooperation advances through industry engagement, investment facilitation, and accelerated economic partnership review. India-Japan cooperation in semiconductors and artificial intelligence is being strengthened through industry engagement, investment facilitation, technology partnerships and an economic-security-oriented framework. India's semiconductor strategy covers chip design, machinery and materials, fabrication, ATMP/OSAT, research, and talent development, supported by Semicon India initiatives. Bilateral engagement also seeks to address industry concerns, expand manufacturing and innovation partnerships, and accelerate review of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to reflect emerging economic opportunities.
Virtual trader engagement platform strengthens weekly grievance feedback, policy information sharing, and institutional dialogue between government and trading communities. The Virtual Conference Interaction Meetings provide a weekly, accessible forum for retail traders to engage with the Government, receive information on relevant schemes, policies and reforms, and submit grievances and suggestions. The platform enables recurring concerns to be identified and communicated to concerned Ministries and Departments for consideration and redressal. It seeks to strengthen institutionalised dialogue, feedback, transparency, trust and cooperation between the Government and the trader community.
Competition clearance for full acquisition permits Cyient to acquire Tao Digital Solutions, a global digital transformation and technology services provider. Competition Commission of India approved Cyient Limited's acquisition of 100% of Tao Digital Solutions Inc.'s share capital from its existing shareholders. The full share capital acquisition transfers complete ownership of Tao Digital Solutions to Cyient. Tao Digital Solutions provides global digital transformation and technology services, including product engineering, managed services, cybersecurity, payments, digitization and AI, cloud services, and data services, and operates in India through its wholly owned subsidiary, Tao Digital India Private Limited.
Shri Anand Sharma, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry during the bilateral meeting with Mr. Hailemariam Desalegn, Deputy Prime Minister and foreign Minister of Ethiopia here today, expressed satisfaction at the impressive growth in bilateral trade, which has grown from US $ 83 million in the year 2005-06 to US $ 272 million in 2009-10, registering a growth of 227% in the last 4 years. He informed that India's exports to Ethiopia have increased from US $ 74 million in 2005 - 2006 to US $ 253 million in 2009- 2010, and India's imports from Ethiopia have grown from US $ 8 million in 2005 -06 to US $ 18 million in 2009- 2010.
Shri Sharma also conveyed that there was potential to further increase the bilateral trade between both countries, especially the Ethiopian exports to India, in view of the Duty Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme announced by India. The Scheme provides for duty free market access on 85% of India's total tariff lines and Margins of Preference (MOP) on 9% tariff lines. "There is scope for increased trade and joint ventures in areas such as agriculture & agro-processing industries, floriculture, textile and garments, leather and leather products, IT sector, drugs and pharmaceuticals etc.
Interacting with the visiting Minister, Shri Sharma said that India is the largest foreign investor in Ethiopia with approved investment of US $ 4.4 billion. Of this, approximately US $ 1 billion is already on ground or in the pipeline. About 40% of Indian investment is in the field of commercial agriculture.
Major items of export to Ethiopia were machinery & instruments; electronic goods, transport equipments, manufacture of metals, paper wood products etc. while major item of imports from Ethiopia were pulses, oil seeds, leather, spices, non-ferrous metals, raw hides & skins etc.
Duty Free Tariff Preference expands market access, boosting potential for increased bilateral trade and investment ties.
The release stresses that India-Ethiopia trade rose substantially with Indian exports predominating, and that the Duty Free Tariff Preference Scheme-providing duty free access on most tariff lines and Margins of Preference on others-creates market access to expand Ethiopian exports. It identifies priority sectors for trade and joint ventures (agriculture and agro processing, floriculture, textiles, leather, IT, pharmaceuticals) and notes significant Indian approved investment focused largely on commercial agriculture, positioning investment alongside tariff preferences as drivers of further bilateral economic engagement.
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