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India and Australia have concluded the 11th round of negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) in New Delhi, held from August 18-23, 2025. This round aims to enhance bilateral trade and economic ties, building on an interim trade deal implemented in December 2022. The discussions encompassed various sectors, including goods, services, digital trade, and environmental and labor standards, with the goal of achieving greater alignment on outstanding issues. The commerce ministry emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum through virtual intersessions to facilitate ongoing dialogue. Both nations expressed a strong commitment to finalizing a mutually beneficial CECA, reflecting their shared ambition for a future-ready economic framework. The negotiations signify a significant step towards deepening the economic partnership between India and Australia, with both countries keen on fostering a robust trade relationship. 
Published: Aug 23 2025, 7 pmeznews.inKerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the Kerala Aviation Summit, urging for enhanced accessibility in air travel through reduced operational costs and a strategic approach to the aviation sector's growth. The event, organized by Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), highlighted the importance of lowering capital costs and ensuring efficient travel. Vijayan praised CIAL for its public-friendly model, which has generated over 30,000 jobs and significantly boosted Kerala's tourism and diaspora connectivity. He emphasized the state's potential to evolve into a civil aviation hub, attracting more tourists. Additionally, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Airport Public Health Office Health Centre at CIAL, aimed at enhancing health services. The summit's objectives include leveraging Kerala's aviation facilities, promoting digital air travel awareness, and strengthening regional aviation and logistics hubs.
Published: Aug 23 2025, 10 pmeznews.inThe Tamil Nadu government has announced a significant expansion of its crop loan scheme, initially launched in Dharmapuri on August 17, now set to benefit farmers statewide. This year, the government plans to extend Rs 17,000 crore in crop loans and an additional Rs 3,000 crore for livestock development. Last year, Rs 15,062 crore was disbursed to 17.37 lakh farmers, alongside Rs 2,645 crore for 4.43 lakh livestock beneficiaries. Under the leadership of Chief Minister M K Stalin, the innovative instant crop loan scheme allows farmers to receive loans on the same day they apply online, eliminating the need for in-person visits to Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS). Each farmer can secure up to Rs 5 lakh through this streamlined process, which aims to enhance accessibility and efficiency in agricultural financing across the state.
Published: Aug 23 2025, 10 pmeznews.inThe National Institution for Quality and Reliability (NIQR) is set to host its 18th Global Quality Convention in Chennai on August 28 and 29, attracting over 800 delegates worldwide. Keynote sessions will feature global thought leaders discussing the evolving challenges and opportunities for the Indian industry amid significant geopolitical shifts. NIQR President S. Murali Shankar highlighted India's growing recognition for its technical capabilities, bolstered by increased R&D investments and enhanced industry-academia collaborations. Dr. Vinod Surana, Chairman of the NIQR Advisory Board, emphasized the critical importance of 'reliability' in sectors like Defence, where even minor product failures can have severe consequences. The convention aims to compile discussions into a compendium for grassroots dissemination within the industry. Notable speakers include Vivek Joshi, N Ravichandran, and Giridhara Gopalan, who will contribute insights on enhancing quality and reliability in Indian manufacturing.
Published: Aug 23 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIn India, a transformative shift in agricultural financing is underway as farmers and agritech companies increasingly turn to crowdfunding, bypassing traditional financial institutions. This grassroots movement allows individuals to directly support initiatives, from smallholder farmers seeking funds for irrigation to agritech firms developing innovative solutions. Crowdfunding not only democratizes access to capital but also fosters community engagement, with contributors becoming ambassadors for campaigns that resonate with their values around food security and sustainability. As smartphone usage rises and digital literacy improves, these platforms are gaining traction, enabling farmers to secure essential resources and innovate in response to climate challenges. State governments are exploring hybrid models that integrate crowdfunding with microfinance, signaling a potential policy shift. This collaborative approach redefines the relationship between consumers and agriculture, transforming it into a shared responsibility and paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient future for Indian farming.
Published: Aug 23 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe deployment of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in India is encountering significant hurdles, including underbidding in auctions and delays in power purchase agreements (PPAs), according to a report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA). Despite the auctioning of approximately 12.8 gigawatt hours (GWh) of BESS capacity from 2022 to May 2025, only 219 megawatt hours (MWh) are operational, raising concerns about the viability of ongoing projects. The report highlights a 40% drop in turnkey BESS costs in 2024, which, coupled with aggressive bidding, may jeopardize project success. Delays in signing PPAs, particularly with distribution companies, and the complexity of hybrid project contracts further exacerbate the situation. Additionally, India's renewable energy growth is outpacing its transmission infrastructure, leading to curtailments and underutilized capacity, despite the government's ambitious plans to integrate 500GW of renewables by 2030.
Published: Aug 23 2025, 7 pmeznews.inRenowned agricultural scientist Dr. MS Swaminathan's vision for Indian agriculture is being realized through the innovative efforts of farmers like Hariman Sharma, L Hangthing, and Subhash K Sharma, who were recently awarded the Padma Shri for their sustainable practices. Sharma, dubbed the "Apple Man of India," has transformed apple cultivation with his HRMN–99 variety, making it viable in warmer climates. This shift is part of a broader 'Green Revolution 2.0,' where farmers are increasingly adopting modern techniques and technology to enhance productivity and sustainability. The Indian government is actively supporting this transformation through initiatives like the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund and digital platforms that facilitate market access and resource management. As farmers embrace precision agriculture and digital tools, the sector is poised for significant growth, promising economic stability and food security while addressing environmental challenges. This evolution reflects a commitment to making agriculture both intellectually satisfying and economically rewarding.
Published: Aug 23 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIndia's seafood exports remained stable at $7.45 billion for the fiscal year 2024-25, despite a decline in volume to 1.7 million tonnes, according to the commerce ministry. This figure reflects a slight increase in value from the previous year's exports, which were worth approximately $7.38 billion for 1.78 million tonnes. Frozen shrimp continued to dominate the export market, accounting for a significant portion of both quantity and revenue, with the US and China being the largest importers. The US imported seafood worth $2.71 billion, an increase from $2.55 billion in 2023-24, while China imported $1.27 billion. Other notable markets included the European Union, Southeast Asia, Japan, and the Middle East. The primary ports for seafood exports were Vizag and JNPT, underscoring India's strategic position in the global seafood trade.
Published: Aug 23 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndia's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar confirmed on Saturday that trade negotiations with the U.S. are ongoing, but emphasized that New Delhi has "redlines" it must defend, particularly concerning the interests of farmers and small producers. This statement comes just days before the implementation of additional U.S. tariffs of up to 50% on Indian goods, linked to India's increased purchases of Russian oil. A planned visit by U.S. trade negotiators to India has been cancelled, dampening hopes for a resolution. Jaishankar criticized the U.S. approach, noting that President Trump's public foreign policy stance is unprecedented. He also pointed out that concerns over India's oil purchases are not consistently applied to other major buyers like China and the EU. Analysts warn that if the tariffs take full effect, India's economic growth could be adversely impacted by 0.8 percentage points in the coming years, potentially undermining its status as a global manufacturing hub.
Published: Aug 23 2025, 2 pmeznews.inThe Adani Group has inaugurated a ₹600 crore logistics park in Kalamassery, Kerala, covering approximately 70 acres, with the promise of creating 1,500 jobs in the region. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan attended the ceremony, highlighting the project as part of the "Invest in Kerala" initiative, which aims to foster inclusive development. Ashwani Gupta, CEO of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, emphasized the park's role in establishing a comprehensive multimodal infrastructure in Kerala, linking air, sea, and land transport to enhance the state's economic prospects. The facility will incorporate electric vehicle charging stations and advanced logistics solutions, positioning it as a global logistics hub. Gupta noted that India's warehousing sector is growing at a 16% annual rate, and the new park will expand Adani's network to 21 logistics parks nationwide, with plans to increase this to 30, while also projecting that Vizhinjam port will soon handle over one million containers annually.
Published: Aug 23 2025, 1 pm
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