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The Commerce Department has unveiled the Market Access Support (MAS) initiative, allocating ₹4,531 crore over six years to bolster India's export capabilities, particularly for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and first-time exporters. This initiative is part of a broader ₹25,000 crore Export Promotion Mission approved by the Union Cabinet in November. Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary at the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, emphasized the scheme's focus on diversifying beneficiaries and enhancing India's global market presence through structured interventions. The MAS will facilitate activities such as Buyer-Seller Meets and participation in international trade fairs, with a minimum of 35% MSME participation mandated. Additionally, small exporters with turnover up to ₹75 lakh will receive partial airfare support. A dedicated portal will streamline processes for event management, ensuring transparency and accessibility for all stakeholders involved in the export sector. 
Published: Dec 31 2025, 2 pmeznews.inAs the New Year approaches, the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh regions are set to experience widespread heavy snowfall and rainfall due to a western disturbance moving in from north Pakistan, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). On January 1, residents may wake up to significant precipitation, while light to moderate rain and snow are expected to persist in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The disturbance, which originated from southern Iran, is anticipated to raise nighttime temperatures in North-West India by 2-4°C before a subsequent drop. Meanwhile, isolated rainfall is forecasted for Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi, with thunderstorms expected in southern regions like Tamil Nadu and the Andaman Islands. The arrival of this weather system may also lead to dense fog and cold wave conditions across North-West and Central India, impacting temperatures and visibility as the year begins.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 5 pmeznews.inAir India and IndiGo have announced ambitious plans for 2026, with Air India set to reintroduce two fully refurbished Boeing 787-8 aircraft in February, followed by two more each month. The airline aims to modernize nearly 65% of its widebody fleet and over 50% of its international services by the end of 2026, alongside the opening of new flagship lounges in Delhi and San Francisco. Meanwhile, IndiGo, which faced significant operational disruptions earlier this month, is focusing on enhancing reliability and expects to carry over 123 million passengers in 2025. The airline will also introduce India's first Airbus A321XLR and expand its international routes, including non-stop services to Athens. IndiGo's CEO, Pieter Elbers, emphasized the importance of learning from past challenges as the airline prepares for a new year of growth and operational improvement.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIn 2025, India’s seafood export sector faced significant challenges, primarily due to a series of tariff increases from the United States, which imposed a 5.77% Countervailing Duty (CVD) and a 2.49% Anti-Dumping Duty (ADD). The situation deteriorated further with a proposed 26% retaliatory tariff, disadvantaging Indian exporters compared to competitors like Ecuador and Vietnam. Although a temporary suspension of country-specific tariffs provided brief relief, a subsequent 25% basic customs duty and an additional 25% penal tariff from August exacerbated cost pressures. Consequently, seafood exports to the US fell by $62 million (4.2%) from April to October 2025, with a sharper decline of $174.57 million (33.34%) from August to October. However, exports to the EU and China increased significantly, contributing to an overall 16% rise in seafood exports. Analysts predict a strong outlook for 2026, with India’s market share in the US expected to remain above 40%, bolstered by potential trade agreements with the EU and UK.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 4 pmeznews.inNavi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) began commercial operations on December 25, 2025, enhancing air travel capacity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. However, the Cellular Operators’ Association of India (COAI) has raised concerns with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) regarding NMIA's alleged refusal to grant Right of Way (RoW) permissions to telecom providers, including Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea. COAI claims that NMIA is imposing exorbitant charges for its own telecom network, demanding around ₹92 lakh per month from each operator, which it argues is disproportionate and violates RoW regulations. The association contends that NMIA's actions create monopolistic conditions, stifling competition and consumer choice. COAI has urged the DoT to intervene, ensure compliance with RoW laws, and address NMIA's misleading statements attributing connectivity issues to telecom operators, emphasizing the need for regulatory neutrality to benefit passengers.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndia is developing an index to assess exporter performance based on Importer Exporter Codes (IECs), with data tracking over a five-year period, according to Ajay Bhadoo, Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). This initiative aims to enhance data-driven export promotion and market diversification, with the index expected to be compiled within a year. Bhadoo emphasized that India has shifted away from export subsidies under its New Trade Policy, aligning with global trade norms, and is now focusing on duty remission mechanisms to alleviate domestic tax burdens on exports. He acknowledged ongoing reforms in Special Economic Zones and noted that the export promotion mission seeks to address long-standing challenges faced by exporters. The government is also exploring various policy tools, including Free Trade Agreements and the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme, to support exporters effectively.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 3 pmeznews.inThe Indian government has unveiled a ₹4,531 crore market access support initiative aimed at bolstering exporters facing a challenging 50% tariff imposed by the US. This initiative is part of a broader ₹25,060-crore export promotion mission, with funds allocated over six years from 2025 to 2031, including ₹500 crore for the fiscal year 2025-26. Director General of Foreign Trade Ajay Bhadoo announced that the support will facilitate participation in international trade fairs, exhibitions, and Buyer-Seller Meets, with a structured calendar of events to aid planning. The initiative mandates that at least 35% of participants be from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), focusing on new markets to diversify exports. Additionally, small exporters with a turnover of up to ₹75 lakh will receive partial airfare support to encourage their involvement in these market access activities.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 2 pmeznews.inThe Commerce Department has unveiled the Market Access Support (MAS) initiative, allocating Rs 4,531 crore over six years to bolster India's export capabilities, particularly for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and first-time exporters. This initiative is part of a broader Rs 25,000 crore Export Promotion Mission approved by the Union Cabinet in November. Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary at the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, emphasized the scheme's focus on diversifying beneficiaries and enhancing India's global market presence through structured interventions. The MAS will facilitate activities such as Buyer-Seller Meets and participation in international trade fairs, with a minimum of 35% MSME participation mandated. Additionally, small exporters with turnover up to ₹75 lakh will receive partial airfare support. A dedicated portal will streamline processes for event management, ensuring transparency and accessibility for all stakeholders involved in the export sector.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIndia, now the world's fourth-largest economy with a GDP of $4.18 trillion, is poised to sustain its 'goldilocks' phase of strong growth and low inflation, bolstered by robust banking performance and ongoing reforms. The BJP-led government's upcoming Budget is anticipated to introduce measures aimed at enhancing capital expenditure and attracting private investment, despite global tariff and geopolitical uncertainties. Real GDP growth reached 8.2% in Q2 of 2025-26, while retail inflation fell below the Reserve Bank's lower tolerance band of 2%. Experts predict that growth will remain resilient, supported by strong domestic demand and easing inflation, although external challenges persist. Major global firms, including Microsoft and Amazon, have announced significant investments, further enhancing India's economic landscape. The government is also expected to finalize a trade deal with the US, which could boost exports and industry, while maintaining its capital expenditure targets to foster overall investment.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 12 pmeznews.inThe Indian Finance Ministry has announced new rules regarding foreign direct investment (FDI) in insurance companies, following the recent passage of the 'Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Act.' The updated regulations, effective from December 30, 2025, eliminate the requirement for a majority of directors and key management personnel to be Indian residents, although at least one of the Chairman, CEO, or Managing Director must be an Indian citizen. The changes also remove previous stipulations regarding profit retention and independent director composition, streamlining governance for foreign-invested firms. Additionally, references to outdated regulations have been updated to align with current laws. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized that the aim of increasing FDI is to enhance choice and efficiency in the insurance sector, while also reinforcing public sector insurance firms through significant financial support.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 10 am
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