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India 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.inThe Indian government has unveiled plans for a national coal exchange, designed to facilitate transactions between buyers and sellers of dry fuel through a regulated online platform overseen by the Coal Controller Organisation (CCO). The proposed exchange will implement a double-sided closed auction bidding mechanism aimed at maximizing economic surplus, as outlined in the revised draft Coal Exchange Rules, 2025. Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on these rules by January 13, 2026. The CCO will ensure market integrity by monitoring activities to prevent manipulation, insider trading, and cartelization. This initiative seeks to create a transparent and competitive coal trading environment, moving away from the dominance of state-controlled mining entities. The government envisions a shift from a 'One-to-Many' to a 'Many-to-Many' sales model, promoting greater access to commercial mines and enhancing coal availability for industries, particularly MSMEs.
Published: Dec 23 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIn a significant advancement for eco-friendly products, the Rubber Research Institute of India has successfully developed a latex-based paint, with the technology officially transferred to Kerala Paints Industries Pvt Ltd. During the technology transfer ceremony, Kerala Minister for Ports, Co-operation & Devaswom V.N. Vasavan highlighted the importance of this innovation, which utilizes natural rubber, and stressed the need to boost domestic consumption to benefit rubber growers. M. Vasanthagesan, Executive Director of the Rubber Board, noted that the Rubber Products Incubation Centre (RPIC) is dedicated to converting research findings into commercially viable products, reinforcing the Board's commitment to creating sustainable and innovative solutions from natural rubber. This initiative is expected to enhance the market for natural rubber while promoting environmentally friendly alternatives in the paint industry. The event took place on December 23, 2025.
Published: Dec 23 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI) in Balehonnur, Chikamagaluru, is celebrating its centenary as the world's third oldest coffee research institute. It is focused on developing new coffee varieties that enhance climate resilience, yield stability, and cup quality. Recently, CCRI introduced two new Arabica varieties: CCRI-Suraksha, which is resistant to the destructive white stem borer pest, and CCRI-Shatabdi, a hybrid under stabilization for desirable traits. The institute is leveraging one of the largest coffee germplasm repositories globally to breed climate-resilient varieties and is collaborating with institutions like IIT Roorkee to develop mechanization solutions for coffee harvesting. CCRI is also engaged in a carbon-sequestration study with ISRO and aims to reduce the lengthy breeding timeline for new varieties through advanced molecular techniques. With ongoing trials and innovative methodologies, CCRI anticipates quicker releases of high-quality coffee varieties for Indian growers.
Published: Dec 23 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIndia and Oman are set to implement their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) within three months, following its signing on December 18, 2025. This agreement, India's second with a Gulf Cooperation Council member, aims to enhance trade in goods and services, professional mobility, investment flows, and regulatory cooperation. Oman has granted zero-duty access on 98% of India's tariff lines, significantly benefiting sectors like minerals, chemicals, and processed food, with potential exports increasing by $2 billion in two years. The CEPA also facilitates greater access for Indian service providers in areas such as legal, medical, and engineering services, while allowing for temporary entry of Indian professionals. Additionally, it addresses concerns over Oman’s "Omanisation" policy by providing legal clarity for Indian workers. Strategically, the CEPA strengthens India's foothold in West Asia, offering a competitive edge against other Asian countries, including China.
Published: Dec 23 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIn October 2025, the financial services sector emerged as the largest recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI), capturing approximately 60% of inflows, followed by manufacturing, electricity, and communication services. Despite this, net FDI recorded negative figures for the third consecutive month, with outflows reaching $1.5 billion, attributed to high repatriation and outward investments, as reported by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Gross inward FDI remained stable at $6.5 billion, with Singapore, Mauritius, and the US contributing over 70% of total inflows. In contrast, the outward FDI landscape saw Singapore, the US, and the UAE as primary destinations, accounting for more than half of total outflows, predominantly in financial and business services. Overall, while the FDI landscape showed resilience in the April-October period compared to the previous year, the recent trends highlight ongoing challenges in net investment flows.
Published: Dec 23 2025, 7 pmeznews.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.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 pm
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