eznews.in
Kirit Bhansali, Chairman of the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), has hailed the newly-signed India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a crucial boost for India's jewellery sector, which has seen exports to the US plummet by 44%. He described the FTA as the "mother of all trade deals," aiming to double bilateral trade to ₹91,000 crore within three years. The agreement provides zero-duty access to the EU, the world's largest consumer market, which is expected to benefit export hubs in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and West Bengal. Bhansali emphasized that the deal will enhance profit margins, improve competitive design and craftsmanship, and create jobs, while also allowing Indian jewellery retailers to expand their brands across Europe. This timely pact is seen as a vital opportunity for Indian exporters to recover from recent losses and leverage the country's design expertise. 
Published: Jan 27 2026, 3 pmeznews.inIn a significant move for India's aviation sector, Brazilian aerospace giant Embraer has partnered with Adani Defence and Aerospace to develop a made-in-India regional transport aircraft (RTA) capable of seating around 90 passengers with a range of 500–900 km. The memorandum of understanding, signed in New Delhi, emphasizes local assembly and increased indigenisation, aiming to establish a final assembly line (FAL) for the RTA. This collaboration seeks to create a comprehensive ecosystem for regional aircraft manufacturing, including supply chains and pilot training, in line with India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and the UDAN regional connectivity scheme. Embraer’s CEO, Arjan Meijer, highlighted the partnership's focus on combining aerospace expertise with industrial capabilities, while Adani Defence's Jeet Adani noted the growing importance of regional aviation in enhancing connectivity to smaller cities. The initiative is also expected to strengthen strategic ties between India and Brazil. 
Published: Jan 27 2026, 7 pmeznews.inThe recent Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union is set to significantly boost the country's seafood exports, particularly shrimp, frozen fish, and value-added products, benefiting coastal communities in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Kerala. The Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) hailed the agreement as a vital relief for the sector, which has faced high tariffs from the US. The FTA will reduce export duties from 4.2 to 7.5 percent to zero, enhancing India's competitiveness in the EU market. In the current financial year, seafood exports to the EU surged by 28 percent in quantity and 37.8 percent in value, reaching $988.22 million. Industry leaders believe the FTA will facilitate market diversification and strengthen India's position in the $30 billion import market, particularly in Southern and North-Western Europe, while supporting the long-term goal of moving up the seafood value chain. 
Published: Jan 27 2026, 7 pmeznews.inCropin has unveiled the ‘Cropin Ecosystem’, an AI-driven platform aimed at enhancing resilience in the agri-food sector by helping retailers, commodity traders, and food processors manage agricultural and procurement risks. This innovative ecosystem offers a plug-and-play model to tackle challenges such as data interoperability, climate change, and supply chain disruptions. Key components include strategic guidance from BCG, digital integration by Wipro and Global HITSS, and advanced AI capabilities from Google Cloud, which together facilitate predictive intelligence and actionable insights. The ecosystem also incorporates satellite data for precise crop monitoring and climate intelligence from providers like Meteomatics and Google Weather. By integrating IoT sensors and drone imagery, Cropin aims to provide real-time field intelligence, ultimately transforming traditional supply chains into more efficient, sustainable systems. Founder Krishna Kumar emphasized the need for modern solutions in agriculture, stating that the ecosystem can revolutionize operations within six months. 
Published: Jan 27 2026, 7 pmeznews.inIn a significant boost to Chennai's maritime infrastructure, Shipping Secretary Vijay Kumar inaugurated three key projects at Chennai Port on January 3, 2026, with a total investment of ₹54.27 crore. The projects include the Andaman & Nicobar Passenger Terminal, valued at ₹29.8 crore, an Indigenous Vessel Traffic Monitoring System costing ₹22.58 crore, and channel buoys and navigational aids at ₹0.39 crore. Additionally, Kumar laid the foundation stone for the renovation of Port Gate 2, which is budgeted at ₹1.5 crore. During his visit, he also reviewed the port's operational and financial performance, emphasizing ongoing infrastructure development and future growth plans. This initiative is expected to enhance the efficiency and safety of maritime operations in the region, reflecting the government's commitment to improving port facilities. 
Published: Jan 27 2026, 7 pmeznews.inGourav Vallabh, a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, emphasized the importance of self-sufficiency in food production during the recent MEWA India 2026 exhibition in New Delhi. He advocated for the mantra "grow in India what we eat in India," highlighting India's impressive economic growth of over 7% amid controlled inflation, which is enhancing per capita incomes and shifting consumption towards nutritious foods like nuts and dry fruits. Vallabh described these products as vital to the vision of Viksit Bharat, aligning with India's self-reliance goals. Union Minister Bhagirath Choudhary echoed this sentiment, noting the strategic significance of the nuts and dry fruits sector in boosting farmers' incomes and integrating them into global markets. The exhibition featured over 300 exhibitors from 30 countries, showcasing advancements in trade, processing, and sustainability, reinforcing India's role as a key player in the global food value chain. 
Published: Jan 27 2026, 4 pmeznews.inThe Federation of Indian Tea Manufacturers Association (FITMA) is set to host its national conclave on January 29 in the Nilgiris, gathering tea producers from Assam, North Bengal, and the Nilgiris to address current challenges and outline a future strategy for the Indian tea industry. The conclave aims to enhance dialogue among stakeholders and collaborate with the Tea Board to improve policy frameworks, quality standards, and promote sustainable growth within the tea ecosystem. A significant focus will be on FITMA’s “Mission 1K,” which seeks to boost India’s per capita tea consumption from 860 grams to 1,000 grams, positioning tea as a healthy and culturally significant beverage. Additionally, FITMA advocates for greater representation of its members in Tea Board meetings to ensure regional perspectives are included in policymaking. Representing over 650 Bought Leaf Tea Manufacturers, FITMA plays a crucial role in the production of nearly 50% of India’s tea output. 
Published: Jan 27 2026, 4 pmeznews.inMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced plans for a 35-km Metro corridor linking Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, with an estimated cost of ₹18,000 crore. The decision, made during a Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure meeting, will see the project developed under a public-private partnership model, involving both state and central government funding. Fadnavis has instructed agencies to expedite the project, aiming for completion in 3.5 years instead of the original five. The corridor will feature 25 stations, with approximately 9 km underground, and is designed to alleviate congestion in densely populated areas between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. The new line is expected to enhance connectivity, reduce travel times, and improve last-mile access, ultimately supporting the operationalisation of the Navi Mumbai International Airport and contributing to the city's long-term urban mobility and decongestion objectives. 
Published: Jan 27 2026, 5 pmeznews.inBrazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will lead a significant delegation to India from February 19 to 21, aiming to enhance trade relations, attract investments, and establish strategic partnerships crucial for Brazil's development. This visit is part of Brazil's strategy to diversify its economic ties away from traditional partners like the US and China, focusing instead on emerging economies such as India. The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency has opened registration for up to 200 business leaders to join the mission, with nearly 150 already confirmed, reflecting strong corporate interest. Recent months have seen intensified Brazil-India relations, including discussions on defense cooperation and trade agreements. Notably, India became Brazil's tenth-largest export destination in 2025, with exports reaching USD 6.9 billion. The visit is also politically significant, reinforcing Lula's image as a global leader advocating for Brazil's interests in a competitive international landscape. 
Published: Jan 27 2026, 3 pmeznews.inAsia's largest civil aviation event, Wings India 2026, is set to take place at Begumpet from January 28 to 31, 2026, focusing on commercial, general, and business aviation, as well as advanced air mobility. The event will be inaugurated by Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu and will attract top aviation executives globally. The first two days will feature a global CEO forum and industry roundtables discussing airport transformation, aircraft leasing, and the role of women in aviation, while the last two days will showcase the latest aircraft and technologies to the public. India, currently the third-largest domestic civil aviation market, has seen significant growth in its aircraft fleet and airport numbers, with new greenfield projects like Jewar and Navi Mumbai enhancing capacity. The Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector is projected to reach $4 billion by 2030, bolstered by 100% FDI. Wings India 2026 is co-organized by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India, and FICCI. 
Published: Jan 27 2026, 3 pm
For the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
