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Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, has highlighted Kerala's pivotal role in India's ambition to become a maritime superpower by 2047. Under the Sagarmala initiative, 54 projects worth ₹24,000 crore are underway in the state, with 20 already completed. Key developments include the expansion of Cochin Port and the operational Vizhinjam International Seaport, India's first fully automated transhipment hub, which has handled over 10.6 lakh TEUs and nearly 500 ships since its launch in 2024. The Kochi Water Metro, Asia's largest integrated water transport system, is enhancing urban connectivity, while National Waterway 3 and the International Cruise Terminal in Kochi are boosting tourism and logistics. The broader Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 aims to attract ₹80 lakh crore in investments and create over 1.5 crore jobs, positioning India as a global maritime leader. 
Published: Sep 17 2025, 1 pmeznews.inGlobal trade is expected to surge by 34-37% by 2040, driven by effective policies that harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) for enhanced productivity and reduced trade costs, according to the World Trade Organization's (WTO) latest report. However, the report warns that non-tariff measures, such as antidumping duties and export restrictions on AI-enabling goods like semiconductors, could hinder the global spread of AI. It emphasizes the necessity for policies that bridge the digital divide, invest in workforce skills, and ensure a stable trading environment. With global trade in AI-related goods reaching $2.3 trillion in 2023, the report highlights the increasing number of quantitative restrictions, which have risen from 130 in 2012 to nearly 500 in 2024, predominantly imposed by high-income economies. The WTO calls for international cooperation to balance data protection with the need for open trade, aiming to make AI benefits more inclusive across all economies.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIndiGo has announced the appointment of Amitabh Kant as an additional director on its board, effective September 15, 2025, following the receipt of necessary security clearance from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA). Kant, who previously served as the CEO of Niti Aayog and as India's G20 Sherpa, was initially announced for the position on July 3. In a regulatory filing, InterGlobe Aviation, IndiGo's parent company, confirmed that Kant will serve as a Non-Executive Non-Independent Director. This appointment marks a significant addition to IndiGo's leadership team as the airline continues to navigate the evolving aviation landscape in India. The announcement was made public on September 17, 2025.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIndia's tea exports saw a slight increase in the first half of 2025, reaching 125.01 million kg, up from 124.57 million kg during the same period in 2024, according to the Tea Board of India. Exports from North India rose significantly to 79.42 million kg, compared to 71.77 million kg last year, while South Indian tea exports fell to 45.59 million kg from 52.80 million kg. The total export value surged to ₹3,639.45 crore, a notable rise from ₹3,129.31 crore in the first half of 2024. Additionally, the unit price realization for tea exports improved to ₹291.13 per kg, up from ₹251.21 per kg in the previous year. In 2024, India's total tea exports amounted to 256.17 million kg, an increase from 231.69 million kg in 2023.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIndia's Adani Group is set to double the capacity of a $840 million container terminal in Colombo, with completion expected by late 2026, ahead of the February 2027 deadline. The Colombo West International Terminal will handle 3.2 million containers annually, enhancing Sri Lanka's strategic role in India-linked trade amid rising geopolitical tensions with China. Despite a financial crisis that has stifled foreign investment, the terminal's first phase became operational in April, with the second phase progressing rapidly. Adani recently withdrew a $553 million funding request from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation following bribery allegations against its chairman, which the group has denied. While Adani has exited two wind power projects in Sri Lanka due to tariff disputes, the government remains optimistic about future investments in renewable energy, highlighting the ongoing partnership with Adani in the Colombo port project.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIndia's cotton production for the 2025-26 season is projected to improve despite a 2.53% reduction in acreage, particularly in key states like Maharashtra and Gujarat, where farmers have opted for more lucrative crops. The overall cotton area has decreased to 109.64 lakh hectares, with Gujarat and Maharashtra seeing significant declines. However, timely rains and lower pest incidences have raised yield expectations, with estimates suggesting a total crop size of 325 to 340 lakh bales, up from 312 lakh bales last season. Southern states, particularly Karnataka and Telangana, are expected to see increased yields, potentially offsetting losses from the north. Despite this optimistic outlook, cotton prices are under pressure due to record imports and muted demand, prompting the Cotton Corporation of India to prepare for significant market intervention. The USDA anticipates a slight drop in imports as production rises, while global cotton production faces challenges from adverse weather conditions.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 12 pmeznews.inThe Indian government is set to launch a ₹5,000 crore initiative aimed at promoting clean steel-making technologies to reduce carbon emissions, Steel Secretary Sandeep Poundrik announced at the ‘FT Live Energy Transition Summit India’ in New Delhi. The proposed National Mission for Sustainable Steel will allocate 75-80% of its funding to secondary steel producers, incentivizing them based on their emission reductions compared to previous years. This initiative aligns with India's commitment to the Paris Agreement and its goal of achieving net-zero emissions. Poundrik highlighted that the domestic steel sector, responsible for 12% of India's greenhouse gas emissions, has been growing at an average rate of 12% annually, with production reaching 152 million tonnes last year. He noted that the impact of US tariffs on Indian steel exports is minimal, as domestic consumption is expected to rise significantly, necessitating an increase in production capacity to meet future demand.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 12 pmeznews.inThe Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has recommended the adoption of the 'Kolkata Model' for assessing capital gains on Joint Development Agreements (JDAs) following the introduction of Section 45-5A in the Income Tax Act post-Finance Act 2017. This section mandates that capital gains be taxed in the year a completion certificate is issued, with the landowner's share valued at the stamp duty rate. The Kolkata Model employs a five-step process to identify potential non-compliance cases. It begins with gathering information from regulatory bodies like RERA, followed by identifying relevant JDAs, cross-referencing tax returns, verifying capital gains disclosures, and issuing summons if necessary. CBDT aims to implement this proactive approach nationwide to enhance compliance monitoring. Last year, the CBDT also sought data on occupancy certificates from field formations to streamline integration with tax systems, further supporting this initiative.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 10 ameznews.inExporters, importers, and logistics operators are sounding the alarm over significant delays in container movement between Kochi and Coimbatore, primarily due to stalled flyover construction and deteriorating road conditions. Travel times for container trailers, which typically take around four hours, have now ballooned to 8-9 hours, complicating logistics and jeopardizing vessel cut-off times, according to Dileep Abraham of the Custom Broker & Shipping Agents Association. The situation has led to increased operational costs, with trailer operators demanding higher charges to cover extra fuel and maintenance expenses. Prakash Iyer, chairman of the Cochin Port Users Forum, noted that the delays are impacting not only truck operators but also shipping lines, while S.P. Kamath of the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry urged authorities to expedite roadworks that have lagged since February 2025. The ongoing issues threaten the competitiveness of Cochin Port and the livelihoods dependent on this vital trade corridor.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 11 ameznews.inIndia's exports to the United States have sharply declined, with August shipments plummeting to $6.7 billion, a 16.3% drop from July, marking the steepest monthly fall of 2025, according to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). This decline follows the Trump administration's imposition of high tariffs, which doubled to 50% by the end of August, significantly eroding the price competitiveness of Indian goods. Exports had already dipped in July and June, following a brief rise in May due to front-loaded purchases before the tariffs took effect. GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava noted that sectors heavily reliant on US markets, such as apparel and pharmaceuticals, are under severe stress, with potential losses of $30-35 billion in exports if the tariffs persist through FY 2026. He urged the Indian government to provide support to exporters to mitigate job losses and maintain trade performance.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 11 am
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