eznews.inIndia has extended its minimum export price (MEP) for natural honey to USD 1,400 per tonne for an additional three months, now lasting until March 31, 2026. This regulation, initially introduced in March 2024, prohibits exports below this price threshold. The key markets for Indian honey include the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, India’s honey exports reached a value of USD 177.52 million. To further support the sector, the Indian government has launched the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM), aimed at promoting scientific beekeeping practices. The primary honey-producing states in India are Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab, Bihar, and Rajasthan, contributing significantly to the country's honey production and export capabilities. 
Published: Dec 31 2025, 11 pmeznews.inSagarmala Finance Corporation Ltd (SMFCL), a maritime-focused non-banking financial company, has officially entered the maritime lending sector by approving loans totaling approximately Rs 4,300 crore. Of this amount, Rs 4,000 crore is allocated for a greenfield port project, while the Dredging Corporation of India and Goa Shipyard will receive Rs 150 crore and Rs 110 crore, respectively, to enhance dredging capacity and indigenous shipbuilding capabilities. Inaugurated in June by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, SMFCL aims to address financing gaps in the maritime sector, targeting a loan book of Rs 8,000 crore by 2025-26. The corporation is also designated as the nodal agency for the Maritime Development Fund, which has a total corpus of Rs 25,000 crore. With upcoming guidelines for the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme, SMFCL plans to offer tailored financial products to support various maritime projects and enterprises.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 11 pmeznews.inIndia's economy is projected to maintain strong growth despite facing near-term risks from external geopolitical and trade tensions, as highlighted in the latest Financial Stability Report (FSR) by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Governor Sanjay Malhotra emphasized the resilience of the domestic financial system, supported by robust consumption, investment, and healthy balance sheets across financial sectors. While stress tests indicate that banks and non-banking financial institutions (NBFCs) can withstand adverse scenarios, the report warns of potential impacts from increased exchange rate volatility and a downturn in US equities. Household debt has risen to 41.3% of GDP, primarily driven by non-housing retail loans, yet remains lower than in many emerging market economies. Overall, the FSR underscores the importance of maintaining strong guardrails to protect the economy from external shocks while highlighting the stability of the financial system amid global uncertainties.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 10 pmeznews.inThe Indian Finance Ministry has announced that from February 1, the Health Security se National Security Cess Act and the Central Excise (Amendment) Act will come into effect, maintaining the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on tobacco products, including cigarettes and pan masala, at 28%. The new cess will fund public health and national security initiatives, while revenues from excise duties will contribute to the divisible tax pool. The Central Excise (Amendment) Act introduces a new excise duty on various tobacco products, replacing the existing compensation cess, with rates ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹11,000 per 1,000 cigarettes, and up to 100% on nicotine products. This move ensures that taxation on these 'sin goods' remains high, even after the compensation cess, which was extended until March 2026 to offset revenue losses from the GST implementation during the pandemic.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 10 pmeznews.inThe Indian government's Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the automotive sector has made significant progress, with investments totaling ₹35,657 crore and cumulative incentives of ₹2,321.94 crore disbursed as of December 31, 2025, according to the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI). The initiative has also created nearly 49,000 jobs. The PLI scheme promotes products with a domestic value addition of at least 50%, with eight applicants in the champion original equipment manufacturer (OEM) category and ten in the component champion category receiving DVA certification for various electric vehicle models. Notably, incentives have been allocated for over a million electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, four-wheelers, and buses. In the first performance year of FY 2023-24, ₹322 crore was disbursed to four companies, while for FY 2024-25, ₹1,999.94 crore has been allocated to five approved applicants, including major players like Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn the first four months of the 2025-26 sugar season, India’s sugar release quota has reached 88 lakh tonnes, marking a 4.3% decline compared to the same period last year. The government has allocated 22 lakh tonnes for domestic sales in January, a decrease of 2.2% from 22.5 lakh tonnes in January 2025, amid lower demand and sales, which have dropped by approximately 50,000 tonnes compared to October-November 2024. Karnataka's sugar factories face an 18% reduction in their sales quota, while Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have seen increases. Mills are allowed to swap domestic quotas for export quotas, with Karnataka's Sameerwadi sugar factory surrendering over 12,000 tonnes for this purpose. Overall, India’s sugar production is projected to rise to 343 lakh tonnes, up from less than 300 lakh tonnes last season, despite a reduction in the ethanol quota from 35 lakh tonnes to 29 lakh tonnes.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndia is negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) with the EU, focusing on securing exemptions from the upcoming Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which will impose carbon taxes on imports starting January 1, 2026. This mechanism aims to ensure that imported goods, including steel and aluminium, carry a carbon price equivalent to that of EU-produced items, potentially forcing Indian exporters to reduce prices by 15-22% to remain competitive. The CBAM will require independent verification of emissions data, adding administrative burdens for Indian micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). New Delhi is urging Brussels to consider these challenges in FTA discussions, particularly regarding CBAM and the EU Deforestation Regulations. Both parties aim to finalize the FTA before the visit of EU leaders for India's Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2026, coinciding with the India-EU Summit.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 8 pmeznews.inKanishka Sethia, Whole Time Director and CEO of Western Carriers, announced the company's ambitious plans to expand its logistics operations following the recent launch of a multi-modal cargo terminal in Halvad, Gujarat. The terminal, which began operations three months ago, is expected to reach full capacity within a year, currently handling 8-10 rakes monthly, with potential to triple that volume. Spanning over 30 acres, the facility facilitates transportation to major cities including Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, and Kolkata. Sethia reported a significant 25.39% quarter-on-quarter increase in domestic cargo volume, while the EXIM sector showed signs of recovery despite geopolitical challenges. Looking ahead, Western Carriers aims to establish at least four additional logistics hubs across India over the next four to six years, with a capital expenditure plan of ₹400 crore. The strategic expansion reflects the growing importance of last-mile delivery innovations in the logistics sector.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 8 pmeznews.inFrom January 1, 2025, car and two-wheeler prices in India are set to rise due to escalating input costs and macroeconomic challenges, including the high cost of precious metals and ongoing foreign exchange issues. Hyundai Motor India announced a modest price increase of approximately 0.6% across its models, while JSW MG Motor India and Renault India will implement hikes of up to 2%. In the luxury segment, Mercedes-Benz India cited persistent currency volatility, with the euro consistently trading above ₹100, as a key factor for its price adjustment. The company has attempted to shield customers from the full impact of these costs. Additionally, BMW Motorrad India plans to raise prices by up to 6%, while Triumph Motorcycles will discontinue discounts on models over 350 cc. These adjustments reflect the broader economic pressures affecting the automotive industry.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn a recent announcement, the Finance Ministry confirmed that interest rates for various small savings schemes will remain unchanged for the January-March quarter of FY26, marking the eighth consecutive quarter without adjustments. The Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme will continue to offer an interest rate of 8.2%, while three-year term deposits will maintain a rate of 7.1%. The Kisan Vikas Patra will yield 7.5% with a maturity period of 115 months, and the National Savings Certificate (NSC) will remain at 7.7%. Additionally, the Public Provident Fund (PPF) and post office savings deposits will retain their rates at 7.1% and 4%, respectively. These small savings schemes, primarily managed by post offices and banks, provide government-backed guarantees on principal and interest, ensuring stability for investors amid fluctuating market conditions.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 8 pm
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