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E-way bill generation in India surged by over 20% in March, surpassing ₹12 crore for the first time since its introduction in 2018, reflecting heightened business activity as companies rushed to close their financial year. Experts attribute this increase to improved compliance, with more businesses formally reporting transactions, alongside the natural year-end push to clear inventories. Amit Baid from BTG Advaya noted that better compliance lays the groundwork for sustainable revenue growth, while Sudipta Bhattacharjee from Khaitan & Co highlighted the role of enhanced enforcement against GST fraud in boosting compliance levels. The upcoming GST collection data for April, traditionally a record-setting month, is expected to correlate positively with the rise in e-way bills. However, analysts caution that the sustainability of this growth may be challenged by global economic uncertainties affecting consumer spending. 
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Apr 14 2025, 7 pmeznews.inDuring her address to the Indian diaspora at the India Community Centre in San Francisco, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that India aims to conclude the first tranche of its Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by fall 2023. She emphasized India's proactive engagement with the new US administration to foster a mutually beneficial trade relationship, highlighting recent visits by Prime Minister Modi and other officials. Sitharaman also reassured attendees of the government's commitment to reducing the fiscal deficit below 4.5% by 2026, following a strategic plan initiated post-COVID-19. As India is recognized as the fastest-growing economy, she reiterated the government's vision of achieving 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047, focusing on key demographics and emerging sectors like Digital Public Infrastructure. Sitharaman's US visit includes a keynote speech at Stanford University and high-level meetings with the IMF, World Bank, and G20 counterparts to discuss investment and technological advancements.
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Apr 21 2025, 11 ameznews.inIndia's domestic tractor sales are set to reach a record high of approximately 9.75 lakh units in the current fiscal year, marking a 3-5% increase from the previous year's 9.45 lakh units, according to CRISIL Ratings. This growth is supported by a new capital expenditure cycle worth ₹4,000 crore, driven by the introduction of new emission norms and the robust financial health of major manufacturers. Factors such as an anticipated above-normal monsoon, higher minimum support prices for crops, and rising rural sentiment are expected to further boost sales. The upcoming TREM V emission norms, effective April 1, 2026, may lead to a 10-20% increase in tractor prices, prompting pre-buying. While agriculture remains the primary driver of tractor demand, analysts warn that macroeconomic factors, including rainfall patterns and commodity prices, will be crucial to monitor in the medium term.
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Apr 21 2025, 11 ameznews.inThe Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) has established a drafting committee to revise the state's Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) policy, originally formulated in 2008. This initiative follows the introduction of a national IPR policy in 2016, which urged states to develop their own frameworks. The committee includes notable members such as RS Praveen Raj, Senior Principal Scientist at CSIR-NIIST, and legal experts from various institutions. The newly designated IPR Rights Information Centre-Kerala will serve as the nodal agency for IPR matters, advising on policy formulation. The revision aims to broaden the scope of the original policy, which primarily focused on protecting traditional knowledge, to align with national standards. Raj has proposed incorporating IPR education into school curricula and establishing an IPR academy, alongside initiatives like a Traditional Knowledge Docketing System and the Kerala Traditional Knowledge Authority.
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Apr 21 2025, 10 ameznews.inSilver is projected to remain in deficit for the fifth consecutive year in 2025, according to the World Silver Survey 2025 released by The Silver Institute. While gold has outperformed silver, gaining 26.75% this year to reach $3,326.7 an ounce, silver has only increased by 12.57%, trading at $32.51 an ounce. The survey attributes silver's underperformance to macroeconomic and geopolitical factors that have favored gold's status as a quasi-monetary asset. Despite strong supply-demand conditions, silver's price has been restrained by ample above-ground stocks and its industrial applications. The institute remains optimistic about silver's future, predicting potential price peaks in the coming months, although it cautions that a lower deficit of 3,659 tonnes this year may limit gains. Overall, while uncertainties persist, silver's healthy fundamentals could support its price, albeit with expectations of a softer market tone by late 2025.
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Apr 21 2025, 9 ameznews.inIndia's Chief Economic Advisor, V. Anantha Nageswaran, emphasized the significant challenges posed by artificial intelligence, technology, and robotics as the country aims to become a developed nation by 2047. Speaking at the Columbia India Summit 2025, he highlighted the urgent need to create 8 million jobs annually over the next decade and to increase the manufacturing sector's contribution to GDP, particularly in light of China's dominance. Nageswaran noted that while external conditions may not be favorable, India must integrate its businesses into global value chains and bolster its small and medium enterprises. He acknowledged the declining contribution of exports to GDP growth and stressed the importance of enhancing quality, research, and logistics. Despite the challenging global landscape, he expressed optimism about sustaining a growth rate of 6.5% and potentially exceeding 7% through domestic deregulation and strategic policy priorities.
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Apr 21 2025, 9 ameznews.inU.S. Vice President JD Vance has commenced a four-day official visit to India, marking his first trip to the country. Arriving at Air Force Station, Palam in New Delhi around 9:30 AM IST on April 21, Vance was formally welcomed at 10:00 AM. A key highlight of his visit includes a scheduled meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 6:30 PM, where discussions are expected to focus on enhancing economic, trade, and defense cooperation between the two nations. Accompanied by his Indian-origin wife, Usha, and their children, Vance's itinerary also includes visits to the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Taj Mahal, and subsequent trips to Jaipur and Agra. This visit underscores the ongoing efforts to strengthen U.S.-India relations, particularly in the realms of trade and defense.
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Apr 21 2025, 9 ameznews.inCathay Pacific's cargo terminal has successfully completed its first end-to-end trial of autonomous electric tractor (AET) operations at Hong Kong International Airport. The trial featured a fully autonomous electric tow-tractor that transported four cargo dollies from the terminal to the west cargo apron (WCA), where it autonomously docked for loading. A key innovation of this initiative is the precise docking solution, which allows the AET to align its towing dolly chains with the transfer deck for efficient loading of unit load devices (ULDs). Enhanced security measures enable the AET to be digitally checked in and out of the terminal without compromising safety. In related news, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched LAR Verify, a digital portal aimed at improving the welfare and safe transport of animals by air, reflecting a growing demand for specialized cargo, with nearly 200,000 animal shipments recorded globally in 2024.
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Apr 20 2025, 9 pmeznews.inFlight services between India and Hong Kong have resumed, marking a significant step towards restoring air connectivity that has been absent since early 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent military tensions in Ladakh. The Indian government is now seeking feedback from airlines regarding their past operations in China as it prepares to restart direct flights between the two nations. Delegation-level talks have been initiated to address key issues, including airfare regulations imposed by China on Indian carriers and the potential entry of Chinese low-cost airlines into the Indian market. Both countries aim to revive tourism and business travel by easing restrictions and streamlining operational procedures, such as slot allocations and ground handling contracts. Industry executives express optimism about the resumption, noting that flights to China previously enjoyed high demand, with load factors reaching up to 90%.
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Apr 20 2025, 7 pmeznews.inAs India prepares for crucial trade talks with the US this week regarding an "early tranche" of the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA), industry leaders have identified a limited number of sectors—such as auto components, textiles, and electronics—where zero-for-zero tariffs could be feasible. However, key US priorities, including automobiles and agricultural products, are notably absent from India's list, reflecting a desire for protection in these areas. Ongoing consultations between the Indian government and industry stakeholders aim to balance US tariff reduction expectations with domestic sensitivities. Additionally, industry representatives have called for stringent rules of origin to prevent third-country exports from benefiting from the BTA's tariff cuts. With the US remaining India's largest export market, the Indian delegation is set to negotiate in Washington, seeking to finalize a deal within the 90-day reciprocal tariff pause initiated by President Trump.
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Apr 20 2025, 8 pmeznews.inMangaluru airport is currently awaiting land acquisition to establish a second ‘runway safety basic strip’ aimed at enhancing operational safety. This strip, which runs alongside the runway, is crucial for improving safety during take-offs and landings, and the airport currently has a 140-metre strip on one side but requires an additional 32.97 acres on the opposite side. The airport, operated by Mangaluru International Airport Ltd (MIAL) under a public-private partnership with the Adani Group since October 2020, has faced challenges in securing this land. The Karnataka government has been approached to facilitate the acquisition, but has yet to agree to a free transfer. Recent discussions in the Lok Sabha highlighted these obstacles, with local MP Capt Brijesh Chowta expressing optimism that the Union Civil Aviation Minister will expedite the process. The acquisition is expected to bolster passenger safety and confidence, particularly during adverse weather conditions.
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Apr 20 2025, 8 pm
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