eznews.in
The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council has underscored the necessity of securing a favourable trade deal for Indian cotton textiles in the European Union (EU) markets, where current tariff barriers hinder competitiveness against countries with preferential access. Chairman Vijay Agarwal highlighted that India's annual exports of over $1.3 billion could significantly benefit from a zero-duty regime, bolstering MSME exporters and promoting sustainable growth. As negotiations near completion, the textile industry looks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for support in achieving a level playing field. At the recent Heimtextil Show in Frankfurt, Indian exporters expressed optimism about the impending India-EU trade agreement, which could unlock new growth opportunities. A Sakthivel, Chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council, noted that as competing nations lose preferential access, India stands poised to enhance its market position, aiming for an ambitious target of $40 billion in apparel exports by 2030. 
Published: Jan 25 2026, 10 ameznews.inPiyush Arora, MD and CEO of Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, has highlighted the need for policy continuity, infrastructure development, and a robust electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem in the upcoming Union Budget to sustain growth in the automotive sector. In a recent interview, he emphasized the positive impact of last year's GST reforms on the domestic passenger vehicle industry and called for customs reforms and bilateral trade agreements to enhance global integration. Arora noted that the India-EU free trade agreement could benefit brands under the Volkswagen umbrella, while the group's strategy focuses on localizing production for both domestic and export markets. He revealed that Skoda sold a record one million cars globally last year, with India emerging as a key market. Looking ahead, Arora anticipates a 5-6% growth in the passenger vehicle market by 2026 and stressed the importance of addressing challenges in EV adoption, including price parity and charging infrastructure.
Published: Jan 25 2026, 11 ameznews.inVedanta's iron ore mining subsidiary, Sesa Goa, has called on the Indian government to implement incentives for the beneficiation of low-grade iron ore, highlighting the need for targeted policy support and infrastructure investment to enhance economic viability. The beneficiation process improves the iron content of low-quality ores, making them suitable for steel production, which is crucial as India's steel demand is expected to reach 300 million tonnes by 2030. Currently, while higher-grade ore meets domestic needs, significant low-grade reserves remain untapped due to high upfront costs and regulatory hurdles. Sesa Goa CEO Navin Jaju emphasized the urgency for a beneficial duty structure and argued against export duties on low-grade ore, advocating for free pricing to stimulate growth. With India's iron ore production reaching 289 million tonnes in FY25, the company seeks a time-bound framework in the upcoming Union Budget to unlock the potential of low-grade reserves, transforming them into a strategic asset for the nation.
Published: Jan 25 2026, 11 ameznews.inUnion Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced on Saturday that India's maritime sector is set to attract investments exceeding ₹80 lakh crore in the coming years, aiming to restore the country's historical nautical dominance. Speaking at the inauguration of the second phase of Vizhinjam port's development, Sonowal highlighted that investments in the sector, which reached over ₹12 lakh crore in 2025, are expected to create 1.5 crore jobs. He emphasized that the completed Vizhinjam port will become a significant regional transshipment hub. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the maritime sector has seen substantial growth, including increased shipyards and cargo movement. Sonowal noted that Kerala is pivotal in this transformation, with 56 Sagarmala projects underway, totaling over ₹24,000 crore, enhancing trade and empowering coastal communities. He expressed confidence that the maritime ecosystem in Kerala will bolster India's position in the global supply chain.
Published: Jan 25 2026, 10 ameznews.inIn a significant market update, India's benchmark indices faced declines, with the SENSEX dropping by 769.67 points to close at 81,537.70, while the NIFTY fell by 241.25 points to settle at 25,048.65. In contrast, crude oil prices rose by 182.00 to reach 5,622.00, while gold prices decreased by 386.00 to 155,955.00. Silver, however, saw a notable increase of 7,611.00, bringing its price to 334,900.00. Meanwhile, the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) has called on the government to eliminate duties on seafood exports to the European Union and remove non-trade barriers to enhance market access. SEAI President G. Pawan Kumar emphasized that such measures would support market diversification and bolster India's seafood exports, which have already surged by 28% in quantity and 37.8% in value over the past year, following the EU's approval of 102 new fishery units.
Published: Jan 25 2026, 9 ameznews.inAs India gears up for Union Budget 2026, the agricultural sector, which contributes 17.8% to the national GDP and employs over 46% of the workforce, faces critical challenges that necessitate comprehensive reform. Despite decades of policy efforts, issues like low productivity, inefficient water use, and fragmented landholdings persist. Incremental measures have proven insufficient, prompting calls for a shift from consumption-based subsidies to performance-driven incentives that enhance productivity and sustainability. Key reforms should include digitised land records to clarify ownership, technology-enabled supply chains to reduce post-harvest losses, and an integrated approach to water, soil, and climate management. Furthermore, establishing stable, long-term policies is essential for fostering global competitiveness. The success of Budget 2026 hinges on a unified reform strategy that addresses these interconnected issues, aiming for a transformative reset in Indian agriculture to secure farmer livelihoods and bolster food security.
Published: Jan 25 2026, 10 ameznews.inIndia's agriculture sector is undergoing a significant transformation through the nationwide implementation of the Digital Agriculture Mission, with AgriStack at its core. This national Digital Public Infrastructure aims to provide seamless access to entitlements and services for all farmers, regardless of their land size or documentation. AgriStack comprises three key registries: a Farmer Registry for authenticated identities, Geo-Referenced Village Maps for accurate land mapping, and a Crop Sown Registry for detailed crop records. This system enhances governance by replacing fragmented processes with real-time verification, ensuring that benefits like Direct Benefit Transfers and insurance claims reach the right recipients efficiently. Notably, during the 2025 Maharashtra floods, AgriStack facilitated rapid relief disbursement to over 61 lakh farmers. The initiative also combats fraud in procurement and fertilizer distribution, while integrating non-land owning farmers into the system, ultimately aiming for a cohesive, data-driven agricultural ecosystem that supports all cultivators.
Published: Jan 25 2026, 9 ameznews.inIn a significant development for Kerala's transportation infrastructure, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced plans for a high-speed rail network that will drastically reduce travel time from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur to just 3.15 hours. The project, which is set to replace the previously proposed Silverline initiative, is estimated to cost between ₹86,000 crore and ₹1 lakh crore and is expected to be completed within five years. E Sreedharan, known as 'Metroman' and former head of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, revealed that 70% of the rail line will be elevated, 20% underground, and only 10% at ground level, minimizing land acquisition needs. The trains will feature eight coaches, accommodating 560 passengers, and will operate at speeds of up to 200 km/h, stopping at 22 stations. While the initial route will terminate at Kannur, future extensions to Kasaragod or Mangaluru may be considered.
Published: Jan 25 2026, 6 ameznews.inA severe winter storm is set to impact the eastern United States, with forecasters predicting heavy ice accumulation and record cold temperatures that could paralyse the region. Nearly 4,000 flights were cancelled on Saturday as the storm, described as "historic" by President Donald Trump, prompted federal emergency disaster declarations across multiple states, including South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia. The National Weather Service warned of widespread ice and "crippling to locally catastrophic impacts," with dangerously low wind chills expected to extend into the Great Plains by Monday. Major airlines, including Delta, are adjusting schedules and relocating staff to manage the storm's effects, while utility companies are on high alert to prevent blackouts. As of Saturday evening, over 8,800 flights for Sunday have also been cancelled, highlighting the storm's extensive disruption.
Published: Jan 25 2026, 6 ameznews.inKaran Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), inaugurated the second phase of the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on January 24, 2026, marking a significant investment of ₹16,000 crore. This expansion will extend the container berth from 800 to 2,000 metres and increase the breakwater to approximately 3,900 metres, with completion expected by 2028. The port's capacity is projected to rise from 1 million TEUs to 5.7 million TEUs by 2029, part of a larger ₹30,000 crore investment in Kerala. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan highlighted the port's potential to become a key international transshipment hub for Africa and the Middle East, enhancing Kerala's maritime competitiveness. Notably, Vizhinjam has already established itself as the fastest Indian port to handle one million TEUs, achieving this milestone within just 15 months of operations.
Published: Jan 24 2026, 10 pm
For the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
India
World
Economy
Science
Health
Showbiz
Contact