eznews.inThe confirmation of avian influenza in Kerala's Alappuzha and Kottayam districts has raised concerns among poultry farmers as the Christmas and New Year season approaches. The Animal Husbandry department identified the highly pathogenic virus through tests at the National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal, with infections reported in eight panchayats in Alappuzha and four villages in Kottayam. Affected birds include chickens and ducks, with the outbreak likely linked to migratory birds. Despite the situation, no restrictions on poultry meat consumption have been imposed. Former veterinary director T.P. Sethumadhavan noted that the outbreak could impact broiler chicken producers, especially during peak consumption periods, although the industry remains optimistic about a short-term regional effect. Authorities are implementing preventive measures, including culling birds and restricting poultry movement within a 10-kilometer radius of the affected areas, while monitoring continues. 
Published: Dec 23 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIndian leather exporters are facing significant losses in the US market due to steep tariffs of up to 50% imposed by the Trump administration, leading to a 25% decline in shipments from major hubs like Bantala and Ambur. As a result, many exporters are offering discounts of 10-40% to retain clients, but are losing business to competitors in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia. The US, previously the largest market for Indian leather, accounted for over 21% of exports, but the tariffs have made it increasingly unviable for American clients to purchase from India. Companies are bracing for layoffs, particularly those with high exposure to the US market, as fresh orders dwindle. Industry leaders are now seeking alternative markets in Europe and West Asia to mitigate the impact of the tariffs, which have already led to a significant downturn in growth and profitability within the sector.
Published: Dec 23 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIndia has inaugurated its first indigenous water-soluble fertilizer (WSF) pilot plant in Nagpur, a significant move towards reducing reliance on imported specialty fertilizers. Anupam Agnihotri, Director of the Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre (JNARDDC), officially launched Phase I of the facility, which was completed nearly a month ahead of schedule. This pilot plant, supported by JNARDDC-funded research, aims to bolster domestic production of critical soluble fertilizers currently imported annually. The facility is expected to be scaled up and adopted by leading Indian fertilizer companies, contributing to the nation’s self-reliance in this sector. The green technology utilized for the production, developed by Ishita International, has rapidly advanced from bench to pilot scale, highlighting the effectiveness of institutional support in fostering indigenous technologies essential for India's self-sufficiency goals.
Published: Dec 23 2025, 5 pmeznews.inAdani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) has successfully acquired a 100% stake in NQXT Australia, a deep-water export terminal located at Abbot Point in North Queensland, primarily serving mining clients from the Bowen and Galilee basins. The acquisition, finalized on Tuesday, involved the issuance of over 14.38 million equity shares to Carmichael Rail and Port Singapore Holdings Pte Ltd. APSEZ views this acquisition as a pivotal step towards achieving its goal of handling 1 billion metric tonnes of cargo by 2030. NQXT, which boasts a contracted capacity of 40 million tonnes and generated A$228 million in EBITDA for FY25, is expected to bolster APSEZ's presence in the East-West trade corridor, complementing its international ports in Israel, Colombo, and Tanzania. The terminal primarily exports to markets in North and South-East Asia, enhancing APSEZ's strategic growth prospects.
Published: Dec 23 2025, 5 pmeznews.inThe Union Budget for 2026-27 is anticipated to bolster economic growth by enhancing domestic demand through targeted fiscal measures, aligning with the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) growth-focused monetary policy, according to EY Economy Watch. Despite potential revenue sacrifices from income tax and GST reforms, unbudgeted non-tax revenues and reduced revenue expenditures may help the government meet its fiscal deficit and capital expenditure targets. Recent legislation has introduced excise duties on tobacco products and a cess on pan masala, effective from a date to be announced. EY's Chief Policy Advisor, D K Srivastava, emphasized the need for resilient domestic demand to sustain growth amid global challenges, projecting an average growth rate of 6.5% in the medium term. The Indian economy recorded growth rates of 7.8% and 8.2% in the June and September quarters, respectively, with the RBI forecasting a 7.3% GDP growth for the current fiscal year.
Published: Dec 23 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThe Commerce Ministry has announced that legal amendments in New Zealand will facilitate the registration of Indian wines, spirits, and other geographical indication (GI) goods under a newly concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two nations. Currently, New Zealand's GI law permits only the registration of Indian wines and spirits, but the new commitment requires amendments within 18 months of the FTA's implementation. A GI tag, which signifies a product's origin and quality, offers legal protection and prevents unauthorized use, thereby promoting exports. Notable Indian products eligible for GI status include Basmati rice, Darjeeling tea, and Mysore silk. Ganesh Hingmire, founder of the Great Mission Group Society, hailed the move as beneficial for boosting exports and increasing income for Indian producers. The FTA is expected to be implemented within 7-8 months following the signing of the agreement.
Published: Dec 23 2025, 4 pmeznews.inUnder the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, India has established quota-based duty concessions for New Zealand's apples, kiwifruit, and Manuka honey, contingent upon the delivery of agriculture productivity action plans by New Zealand. The implementation of these plans will be overseen by a Joint Agriculture Productivity Council (JAPC) to ensure that market access is balanced with the protection of India's sensitive agricultural sectors. New Zealand's action plans aim to enhance productivity and quality through initiatives such as establishing centres of excellence and providing technical support for growers. Initially, India will grant duty concessions on 32,500 metric tonnes of apples in the first year, increasing to 45,000 metric tonnes by the sixth year, with a minimum import price to safeguard domestic farmers. The agreement also includes a tariff rate quota system to manage imports while ensuring quality and consumer choice.
Published: Dec 23 2025, 4 pmeznews.inChief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran has urged a shift in the mindset surrounding the scrutiny of India's economic data methodologies, particularly when positive growth figures emerge. Speaking at a consultative workshop on the base revision of key economic indicators, Nageswaran highlighted a tendency to question data quality only when growth surprises on the upside, as seen with the recent 8.2% GDP growth for the July-September quarter. He noted that similar concerns were absent during periods of disappointing data, such as a reported 25% contraction. Nageswaran criticized the selective skepticism towards Indian statistical methods, contrasting it with a lack of scrutiny when negative figures are reported. Meanwhile, Saurabh Garg, Secretary of the Statistics Ministry, indicated that upcoming revisions to GDP data are not expected to significantly alter growth expectations, while new initiatives aim to enhance data quality and accuracy in measuring the service sector's contribution to the economy.
Published: Dec 23 2025, 4 pmeznews.inRail Energy Management Company Limited (REMCL), a public sector entity under the Government of India, has awarded a long-term Operation and Maintenance (O&M) contract to POWERCON for its 26 MW wind power project in Dangri, Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan. Effective from December 16, 2025, the project features 13 wind turbine generators, each with a capacity of 2 MW, supplied by InoxWind, which have completed their initial 10-year operational phase. As the project transitions into a more demanding operational stage, POWERCON will conduct a thorough technical health assessment of the turbines and infrastructure, followed by targeted remediation efforts. The engagement will unfold in two phases: the first focusing on diagnostics and safety enhancements, and the second, over a decade, aimed at maximizing energy availability and extending asset life. POWERCON's CEO, Praveen Kakulte, emphasized the commitment to improving reliability and performance throughout the project's lifespan.
Published: Dec 23 2025, 3 pmeznews.inA report by Apna.co has revealed a significant increase in women's workforce participation and a shift in freshers' job preferences towards structured, service-oriented, and digitally skilled roles. In 2025, sectors such as quick commerce, BFSI, e-commerce, retail, and healthcare demonstrated robust hiring demand, with small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) leading the way, contributing 10 lakh job postings compared to 4 lakh from large enterprises. The total job postings on Apna reached 14 lakh, marking a 15% rise from the previous year, driven by digital adoption and expansion into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Notably, women submitted around 2 crore applications from Tier 1 cities and 1.8 crore from smaller cities, reflecting a 30% increase. Freshers increasingly favored roles in administrative services, digital operations, and IT support, indicating a preference for stability and alignment with the growing service economy.
Published: Dec 23 2025, 3 pm
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