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The recently established India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is poised to significantly enhance India's semiconductor manufacturing capabilities by reducing costs and streamlining import processes. Duty cuts on European machinery and electronic components, which constitute approximately 70% of semiconductor fabrication capital expenditure, are expected to lower project costs for setting up semiconductor fabs. Industry leaders, including Ashok Chandak of the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association, highlight that the phased reduction of machinery duties from 44% to zero will be transformative. Additionally, the FTA promotes easier access to advanced equipment, such as Extreme Ultraviolet lithography machines from ASML, and facilitates collaboration between Indian and European firms. Experts emphasize that the FTA not only alleviates financial pressures but also accelerates customs clearance and harmonizes quality standards, ultimately fostering closer integration with Europe’s technology base and supporting long-term innovation in the sector. 
Published: Jan 28 2026, 7 pmeznews.inIndia's recent Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union aims to balance consumer access to premium European wines while safeguarding local producers. To protect Indian wine makers, no tariff concessions will be offered on lower-priced European wines under €2.5, and duties on wines priced between €2.5 and €10 will gradually decrease to 30% over seven years, with a final cap of 20% for wines above €10. This phased approach allows India's domestic wine industry to enhance its competitiveness. Additionally, Indian wines will benefit from reduced customs duties in the EU, and India will receive duty-free entry for 85,000 tonnes of table grapes. Industry experts, including Sula Vineyards, have expressed optimism about the agreement, noting it protects over 90% of Indian wines while promoting market expansion. The deal is seen as a significant step towards enriching India's retail landscape with diverse European products and improving the overall quality of offerings.
Published: Jan 28 2026, 8 pmeznews.inIndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers has emphasized that three days of flight disruptions in December should not overshadow the airline's two-decade performance. As India’s largest airline, IndiGo faced significant challenges affecting numerous customers, but Elbers remains optimistic about the airline's growth trajectory. The airline received 55 Airbus A320Neo aircraft in 2025 and will continue to add new planes weekly, including nine A321XLRs for international routes. Elbers stated, “We can’t let three days define what we have built over 20 years,” highlighting the airline's ambition to become one of the world's largest. Additionally, IndiGo has launched a new ancillary service called Upfront, offering customers enhanced seating, complimentary snacks, and flexible cancellation options. Elbers noted that as IndiGo evolves from a domestic carrier to a global player, it is committed to providing reliable, affordable, and personalized travel experiences to meet changing customer expectations.
Published: Jan 28 2026, 8 pmeznews.inUrea sales in India rose by 3.8% to 31.16 million tonnes from April to December 2025, according to the Fertiliser Association of India (FAI). Despite a 3% decline in domestic urea production to 22.44 million tonnes, imports surged by 85.3% to 8 million tonnes. Urea remains a crucial fertiliser for small farmers due to its subsidised price of Rs 267 per 45 kg bag, significantly lower than other fertilisers like di ammonium phosphate (DAP) and muriate of potash (MOP). DAP production fell by 3.9% to 3.03 million tonnes, while imports increased by 45.7% to 5.95 million tonnes. MOP sales grew by 5.3% to 1.77 million tonnes, despite a 22.4% drop in imports. FAI officials highlighted the importance of balanced fertilisation practices and coordinated production planning to meet nutrient needs effectively as the Rabi season progresses.
Published: Jan 28 2026, 8 pmeznews.inChemical giant BASF has announced plans to establish a global Digital Hub in Hyderabad, set to open in the first quarter of 2026. This new center will enhance BASF's existing digital network across Europe and Asia Pacific, consolidating digital services to improve efficiency and service delivery. Dirk Elvermann, BASF's Chief Financial Officer and Chief Digital Officer, emphasized that the hub will ensure competitive digital service delivery. Preparations are already underway, with hiring for the new entity, BASF Digital Solutions Private Limited, commencing immediately. The Hyderabad hub will complement BASF's long-standing operations in India, which include manufacturing and R&D facilities, and aims to support the company's goal of streamlined operations. With over 130 years in India and a workforce of 2,411, BASF reported sales of approximately €2.4 billion in 2024, underscoring its significant presence in the region.
Published: Jan 28 2026, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's pulse imports are projected to decline by approximately one-third to around 5 million tonnes in the current financial year, down from 7.3 million tonnes last year, primarily due to higher carried forward stocks, a weakening rupee, and a 30% duty on yellow peas. Bimal Kothari, Chairman of the India Pulses & Grains Association, noted that imports fell significantly, with around 4 million tonnes recorded by December and an expected additional million tonnes by March. The rupee's depreciation, which has seen a 7-8% decline in four months, has further increased import costs. Despite some price increases in certain varieties, Kothari assured consumers that availability remains stable, with good stocks and prices below the minimum support price. The overall pulse imports from January to November 2025 decreased by 8%, while production estimates for the kharif 2025 season are slightly lower at 74.13 lakh tonnes.
Published: Jan 28 2026, 8 pmeznews.inThe shipping industry in Kochi has welcomed the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), anticipating a significant boost in trade volumes through Cochin Port. Currently, exports to the EU represent 15-17% of total trade, with marine products accounting for 12-15%. The revised tariff structure is expected to enhance these figures, potentially leading to increased capacity and new shipping services, according to Varghese George, president of the Kerala Steamer Agents Association. The agreement, which eliminates tariffs on key sectors such as textiles, apparel, and clothing—reducing rates from 12% to 0%—is set to drive a substantial increase in trade, particularly from India to Europe. Marine products will also benefit, with tariffs dropping from 26% to nil. This development is particularly advantageous for Kerala, known as South India's reefer hub, and is expected to elevate export activity and foreign exchange earnings for the government.
Published: Jan 28 2026, 6 pmeznews.inIndia has announced a new import policy for apples from European Union countries, setting a Minimum Import Price (MIP) of ₹80 per kg along with a 20% duty. The policy includes a quantitative restriction, initially capping imports at 50,000 tonnes, which will gradually increase to 100,000 tonnes over the next decade. This move aims to protect domestic apple growers, as the effective landed cost for EU apples will remain at ₹96 per kg, ensuring price stability and safeguarding farmer incomes. In 2024, India imported approximately 500,000 tonnes of apples, with the EU contributing 56,717 tonnes. The government emphasized that the quota-based access is designed to replace existing imports without significantly increasing overall volumes. Additionally, Indian apples will enjoy zero duty for 5-7 years when exported to EU countries, creating new opportunities for domestic growers in the European market.
Published: Jan 28 2026, 7 pmeznews.inThe Tamil Nadu government has established a high-level committee aimed at bolstering Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in the state, where over 460 FPOs have been formed under a government initiative. The committee, which is expected to report within two months, will assess the functioning of these organisations and propose strategies to enhance their scale and reach. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan initiated this move following discussions with FPO members in Erode, where he acknowledged the operational and market challenges they face. The committee will comprise representatives from various agricultural bodies, including Nabard and Nafed, as well as officials from the Agriculture Ministry. It will focus on critical issues such as governance, sustainability, technical support, and market linkages, with particular attention to key crops in Tamil Nadu, including banana, turmeric, and coconut, aiming to improve business models and support systems for FPOs.
Published: Jan 28 2026, 7 pmeznews.inTVS Supply Chain Solutions Ltd (TVS SCS) has announced the acquisition of Hyderabad-based 3PL company Swamy & Sons 3PL (S&S3PL) for an enterprise value of ₹88 crore. This strategic move grants TVS SCS an additional 4 million sq ft of warehousing space across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, expanding its portfolio to 116 warehouses and over 600 vehicles. K Sukumar, CEO of TVS SCS for India, the Middle East, and Africa, highlighted that the acquisition will enhance their distribution capabilities, particularly in textiles, confectionery, and FMCG sectors, while also introducing value-added services like co-packing and temperature-controlled warehousing. The deal, funded through internal accruals, follows a previous acquisition in 2021 and positions TVS SCS among India's leading warehousing 3PL providers. Arun Swamy, the promoter of S&S3PL, will continue to lead the company during the transition.
Published: Jan 28 2026, 7 pm
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