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Mumbai-based agtech startup Bharat Intelligence aims to revolutionize horticulture by connecting farmers with skilled agricultural workers, akin to the model of Urban Company. Founded by Azhaan Merchant and Gourav Sanghai, the company has begun supplying skilled labor to grape farmers in Nashik and plans to extend its services to banana farmers in Solapur starting January. Utilizing an AI-powered platform accessible via WhatsApp, Bharat Intelligence addresses labor shortages by providing timely access to skilled workers, who now earn an average of ₹800 per day, up from ₹600. The startup has enrolled around 1,000 laborers, with plans to expand to 10,000 within a year. Collaborating with Tata Strive for training, the company aims to enhance worker skills and productivity. Future plans include targeting other crops like onions and mangoes, while also improving the quality of produce for better market returns. 
Published: Dec 22 2025, 9 ameznews.inAjay Seth, former Union Finance Secretary and Chairman of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA), emphasized the need for analytical clarity and institutional discipline to realize the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ or developed India by 2047. Speaking at the Indian Economic Association's annual conference, he highlighted the challenge of sustaining high growth rates amid global economic uncertainties, noting that while India has the potential to grow at 7% for the next two decades, achieving 8% will require significant effort. Seth pointed out that India, currently the world's fifth-largest economy at $4 trillion, must address critical issues such as the 'Missing Middle' in manufacturing, human resource development, and the 'Middle-Income Trap.' He advocated for a shift towards indigenous innovation and a careful approach to technology, urging that economic policy should enhance human capabilities rather than replace them. His proposed 'Nine-Point Policy Framework' aims for inclusive development and improved outcomes across the nation.
Published: Dec 22 2025, 11 ameznews.inUttar Pradesh has seen a significant surge in Goods and Services Tax (GST) registrations, adding over 35,000 new assesses in November, the first month of a streamlined three-day registration process. This increase positions UP at the forefront among Indian states, with total GST assesses nearing 21 lakh, contributing to a national total of over 1.58 crore. The State Tax Department's proactive outreach, including 20,000 structured interactions with trade associations, has been pivotal in identifying unregistered enterprises. A senior CBIC official emphasized the importance of supporting new assesses to ensure compliance. The GST Council's recent recommendation for an optional simplified registration scheme, effective from November 1, 2025, aims to facilitate low-risk applicants. Additionally, UP's tax department is leveraging advanced analytics and AI to enhance compliance and identify potential registrants, focusing on high-growth sectors and integrating digital insights for more effective governance.
Published: Dec 22 2025, 10 ameznews.inIndia and New Zealand aim to double their bilateral trade within five years, as outlined by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). The strategy includes reducing import duties on select products and enhancing collaboration in sectors such as agriculture, fintech, and education. GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava emphasized the need for more direct flights, simplified visa regulations, and mutual recognition of professional qualifications, particularly in IT and healthcare, to boost trade in services. Negotiations for a comprehensive free-trade agreement, which began in 2010 and were revived this year, are expected to focus on tariff reductions and improved access to services. Currently, bilateral trade stands at approximately $1.3 billion, with India's exports primarily in fuels and textiles, while New Zealand exports mainly raw materials and agricultural products. The agreement is seen as beneficial for both nations, aligning with India's Indo-Pacific strategy and providing New Zealand access to a rapidly growing market.
Published: Dec 22 2025, 9 ameznews.inIn a significant shift in energy trade dynamics, the United States has set a record for propane exports to India in 2025, with an average of 1,327 thousand barrels shipped from January to September, compared to 304 thousand barrels in 2023. This increase comes as India seeks to diversify its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports, traditionally dominated by West Asia, with over 90% of its LPG consumed by households. The Indian Oil Corporation and other major firms have secured a one-year contract to import 2.2 million tonnes of LPG annually from the US Gulf Coast, marking the first structured US LPG deal for India. This move not only supports India's energy needs but also strengthens trade relations with the US amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. Analysts suggest that this growing energy partnership could stabilize bilateral ties, especially as India increases its overall energy imports from the US.
Published: Dec 21 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's exports to the US have shown a rebound in November, increasing by 22.61% to $6.98 billion, following a significant decline from May to September due to the introduction of higher tariffs. A report by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) indicates that this recovery is not a sign of lasting improvement but rather a temporary adjustment to a tougher tariff regime. The decline in exports was attributed to uncertainty surrounding impending tariff hikes, which led to order delays and inventory reductions. Once the tariffs were confirmed, exporters and US buyers adapted by absorbing costs and shifting to less-affected products. Notably, sectors such as gems and jewellery, electronics, and machinery experienced sharp declines followed by partial recoveries. Despite the 50% tariffs imposed in late August, the unusual export pattern highlights the fragility of this rebound, driven by short-term coping strategies rather than sustainable growth.
Published: Dec 21 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIn a significant development for the Kashmir Valley, the first freight train from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has successfully arrived at the Anantnag Goods Terminal, marking a pivotal moment for the region's food supply chain. The train, which departed from Punjab's Firozpur division, delivered 1,384 tonnes of rice intended for storage and public distribution, enhancing economic ties between Punjab and Kashmir. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal emphasized that this operation will bolster infrastructure support and streamline the movement of essential commodities, traditionally reliant on the often-disrupted Srinagar–Jammu national highway. The introduction of rail transport is expected to reduce transit times and alleviate congestion on NH-44, which is frequently affected by landslides and winter closures. This milestone follows recent freight movements to Kashmir, including vehicles and cement, indicating a growing reliance on rail logistics in the region.
Published: Dec 21 2025, 6 pmeznews.inN K Singh, Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission, emphasized the compatibility of democracy and development during his inaugural address at the 108th annual conference of the Indian Economic Association in Hyderabad. He highlighted India's economic journey, noting that while India and China had similar economic sizes until 1980, by 2023, China's per capita income had surged to 5.5 times that of India. Singh criticized India's historical approach to trade, which he described as rationed rather than expanded, contrasting it with the early liberalization of East Asian nations. He warned against repeating past mistakes and stressed the need for macroeconomic stability, advocating for cooperative federalism to align Union and State fiscal policies. The conference, organized by Osmania University's Department of Economics, also featured an exhibition of 108 cartoons by N Ravikanth, celebrating the event's significance.
Published: Dec 21 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndian Railways has introduced a groundbreaking safety initiative for trackside workers through the DOST (Delivering Occupational Safety on Track) system, developed by the Indian Institute of Science and the startup L2MRail. Launched on February 18, 2025, DOST provides real-time alerts about approaching trains and critical updates on block section statuses, significantly enhancing safety for over 700 workers across four railway zones. With plans to expand to 17 zones and nearly 7,000 stations in the next few years, DOST aims to address the alarming statistic of 361 railway worker fatalities in the past five years. The cloud-based system minimizes reliance on manual communication, offering synchronized notifications via smartphones and a central platform for monitoring operations. Workers, like a linesman in Kerala, have praised DOST for alleviating fears of oncoming trains, ensuring they can perform their duties with greater confidence and security.
Published: Dec 21 2025, 7 pmeznews.inExporters are eagerly awaiting the release of detailed guidelines for the revamped Interest Equalisation Scheme (IES), which is expected this week. They are advocating for a subsidy rate of 5% for the MSME sector and 3% for all exporters, particularly in light of rising US tariffs and global uncertainties. However, the Finance Ministry appears hesitant to accommodate these requests, expressing concerns about the scheme's effectiveness in boosting exports. The IES, which provides subsidised credit to exporters, was discontinued at the end of 2024 but has been reinstated as part of a ₹22,060 crore Export Promotion Mission (EPM) approved by the Cabinet. Alongside the IES, the Market Access Initiative (MAI) will also be revised. Despite a 2.62% increase in overall goods exports to $292 billion from April to November 2025, exporters remain uncertain about the level of support they will receive under the new guidelines.
Published: Dec 21 2025, 7 pm
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