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Tim Clark, president of Emirates, highlighted the impact of outdated air service agreements on Indian passengers, who face higher fares due to capacity restrictions between India and Dubai. Speaking at the International Air Transport Association's annual general meeting, Clark noted that Emirates operates 47 daily flights between the two regions, which are the busiest international routes for Indian travelers, with over 4.4 million passengers annually. However, the bilateral agreement limits capacity to 65,000 seats per week for each country, preventing airlines from increasing flights despite strong demand. Clark emphasized that the lack of supply directly contributes to elevated airfares, stating, "The more you restrict supply the higher will be the fares." He also confirmed that Emirates has no immediate plans to shift operations to the new Navi Mumbai and Jewar airports unless additional traffic rights are granted. 
Published: Jun 01 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn a significant move to bolster agricultural resilience, the Rubber Board has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Agricultural Development and Farmers’ Welfare for the Kerala Climate Resilient Agri-Value Chain Modernization (KERA) project, set to run from 2025 to 2029 with World Bank support. The initiative aims to assist marginal farmers by providing financial aid of ₹75,000 per hectare for rubber cultivation and ₹100,000 for cardamom, applicable to a maximum of two hectares each. Beneficiaries include rubber farmers in six districts—Kottayam, Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta, Kannur, Malappuram, and Thiruvananthapuram—and cardamom farmers in Idukki. The KERA project plans to replant 30,000 hectares of aging rubber plantations with high-yielding, climate-resilient varieties, backed by a total outlay of ₹225 crore. The MoU was signed by key officials, including Rubber Board Executive Director M Vasanthagesan and P Vishnuraj, Director of the Department of Industries and Commerce.
Published: Jun 03 2025, 4 pmeznews.inFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the new headquarters of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Tuesday, urging tax enforcement officials to ground their operations in both 'Data and Dharma.' Emphasizing a holistic approach, she advised officers to view enforcement and facilitation as complementary rather than opposing, and to focus on actionable intelligence from the vast data they receive. Sitharaman highlighted the DRI's critical role in safeguarding India's economic frontiers against smuggling and drug trafficking, which she identified as a significant threat infiltrating even small towns. She called for enhanced inter-agency coordination to effectively tackle these issues and urged officers to target the masterminds behind economic crimes rather than just minor offenders. Echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mantra of 'Reform, Perform, and Transform,' she stressed the need for tangible results in combating organized crime.
Published: Jun 03 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA pioneering maintenance depot for Vande Bharat Express trains is under construction at Bhagat Ki Kothi in the Jodhpur Railway Division, marking a significant development in India's railway infrastructure. This facility, the first of its kind in the country, will service Vande Bharat trains from across India and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Jodhpur Divisional Railway Manager Anurag Tripathi announced that the depot will feature three pit lines, allowing simultaneous maintenance of three trains. Additionally, a proposal for a ₹200 crore workshop and training centre near the depot has been submitted, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and workforce training. The Vande Bharat Express, which began operations in February 2019, symbolizes India's commitment to innovation and sustainable development in rail transport, operating at speeds of up to 160 km/h to improve productivity and performance across the network.
Published: Jun 03 2025, 4 pmeznews.inUnion Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway bridge, on June 6, 2025. This engineering marvel, part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project in Jammu and Kashmir, stands at 359 meters above the riverbed, surpassing the height of the Eiffel Tower. The bridge is designed to withstand winds exceeding 250 kilometers per hour and is constructed using approximately 30,000 metric tons of steel. The USBRL project, which includes 36 tunnels and around 1,000 bridges over a 272-kilometer stretch, faced significant challenges due to the region's seismic sensitivity. The railway aims to enhance connectivity and economic growth in Kashmir, marking a transformative chapter in India's infrastructure. Additionally, the project has improved local access by constructing 200 kilometers of roads, benefiting remote villages previously isolated from essential services.
Published: Jun 03 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIn response to the United States' implementation of "reciprocal tariffs," a NITI Aayog working paper advocates for India to adopt a dual-track approach in its agricultural trade strategy. The paper suggests that India should selectively lower high tariffs on non-sensitive agricultural imports from the US and negotiate non-tariff safeguards for vulnerable sectors like poultry. It highlights the need for India to strategically offer concessions in areas where domestic supply gaps exist, such as edible oils and nuts, while also seeking greater access for its high-performing exports like shrimp and spices. The report emphasizes the importance of safeguarding India's agricultural sector against international market volatility and calls for medium-term structural reforms to enhance competitiveness. Despite a growing agricultural trade surplus with the US, the paper notes that the significance of agriculture in bilateral trade is declining, underscoring the need for diversification and modernization in India's agricultural practices.
Published: Jun 03 2025, 4 pmeznews.inPieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, has outlined the airline's ambitious plans to support India's economic growth as it aims to become the world's third-largest economy by 2027. In an exclusive interview, Elbers emphasized the importance of aviation in this trajectory, noting the evolution of Indian consumers from seeking the cheapest fares to prioritizing quality and international travel. Despite recent challenges, including the closure of Pakistan's airspace that led to the cancellation of 170 flights, IndiGo is undeterred in its expansion plans. The airline has announced new routes to European cities such as Manchester and Amsterdam, alongside plans for ten additional international destinations, including London and Athens. With a significant order of Airbus A350 aircraft and partnerships with major airlines like Delta and Air France-KLM, IndiGo aims to enhance its global network and reflect India's growing ambitions in the aviation sector.
Published: Jun 03 2025, 2 pmeznews.inKLM, part of the Air France-KLM group, is prioritizing its operations in India, which it views as its most significant market. CEO Marjan Rintel announced plans to launch a new route from Amsterdam to Hyderabad in September, capitalizing on the increasing demand for trade and travel. KLM currently serves Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai, and is enhancing its market presence through a codeshare partnership with IndiGo, which will provide greater access to European and US destinations. Rintel highlighted the rise in outbound travel, immigration, and the demand for labor in Europe as key factors driving air travel demand from India. Despite a recent cooling in demand for economy class on US-India routes, business and premium traffic remain strong. Additionally, Air France has increased its flight frequency to Delhi, reflecting the airline's commitment to expanding its capacity in the region.
Published: Jun 03 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIndia and Paraguay are exploring new avenues to enhance their economic partnership, focusing on sectors such as digital technology, critical minerals, energy, agriculture, healthcare, and defence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted these opportunities during talks with Paraguayan President Santiago Pena Palacios in New Delhi. Pena, on a three-day official visit, aims to attract Indian investments, particularly in the automobile, biofuel, and pharmaceutical sectors, while also engaging with Indian business leaders. Modi referenced India's preferential trade agreement with MERCOSUR, suggesting that both nations could collaborate to expand it and improve market access. Additionally, Minister for Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw discussed potential cooperation in digital infrastructure and railway development, particularly in relation to the bi-oceanic corridor. Pena's itinerary includes a visit to Mumbai, where he will meet more business representatives to further strengthen commercial ties.
Published: Jun 02 2025, 9 pmeznews.inUS Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has indicated that a trade deal between India and the United States is imminent, aiming to lower tariffs and address the US trade deficit. Speaking at a US India Strategic Forum event, Lutnick emphasized that while the agreement will not encompass all items, it will facilitate reasonable market access for US businesses in India. He acknowledged India's protectionist tariffs but expressed a willingness to negotiate, suggesting that the US would reciprocate with favorable terms if India reduces its tariffs. The deal is crucial for India to mitigate the impact of US reciprocal tariffs, which were temporarily postponed. New Delhi is seeking greater access for its labor-intensive products and a waiver on steel and aluminum tariffs. A US trade delegation is set to visit India this week to advance negotiations, following discussions between Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Lutnick in Washington last month.
Published: Jun 03 2025, 10 ameznews.inZuari Industries, a diversified business conglomerate, has reported a remarkable performance in the sugar sector, defying the downward trend in Uttar Pradesh. The company’s Gobind Sugar Mills in Lakhimpur achieved a record sugarcane crushing of 15.7 lakh tonnes, an 11% increase year-on-year, and produced 1.48 lakh tonnes of sugar with a recovery rate of 10.61%. This season marked the earliest start of crushing operations in the mill's history, significantly enhancing plant utilization. Sugar sales surged by 47% to ₹602 crore, driven by a substantial government allocation of nearly 100,398 tonnes, up 44% from the previous year. Managing Director Athar Shahab attributed the success to proactive farmer engagement and innovative initiatives, including a mobile app for real-time data and a 'Cane Excellence' program aimed at improving yield and recovery rates. The mill also set a new record by crushing 1.09 lakh tonnes of sugarcane in a single day.
Published: Jun 03 2025, 9 am
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