eznews.inForeign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows to India soared by 73% in 2025, reaching USD 47 billion, driven by significant investments in services such as finance, IT, and R&D, alongside manufacturing. This surge is attributed to policies aimed at integrating India into global supply chains, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). In contrast, FDI inflows to China fell for the third consecutive year, declining by 8% to USD 107.5 billion. Globally, FDI reached approximately USD 1.6 trillion, a 14% increase, largely influenced by major financial centres like the UK and Luxembourg. While North America saw stable FDI flows, with the US recording a 2% rise, cross-border mergers and acquisitions dropped by 22%. Data centres emerged as a key driver of FDI, with India ranking among the top ten recipients of such investments, reflecting a growing emphasis on AI infrastructure and greenfield projects. 
Published: Jan 23 2026, 7 pmeznews.inA simple adjustment in planting techniques for pigeonpea, also known as redgram or tur, could enhance yields by up to 20%, increasing productivity from approximately 2.5 tonnes to 3 tonnes per hectare, according to the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (Icrisat). By transplanting nursery-raised seedlings instead of direct sowing, farmers can mitigate climate risks, shorten crop duration by 12-18 days, and cultivate stronger plants that better conserve soil moisture. This method not only protects crops from erratic rainfall but also improves root systems, enhancing nutrient and water uptake. Icrisat's Deputy Director General, Stanford Blade, emphasized that this age-old practice, previously successful in irrigated crops like rice, is both viable and scalable, requiring minimal additional inputs. To facilitate widespread adoption, Icrisat is working to standardize transplanting protocols and promote climate-resilient technologies in Odisha.
Published: Jan 23 2026, 7 pmeznews.inIndian importers have cancelled approximately 130,000 tonnes of soybean oil deals with South American countries, primarily Brazil and Argentina, due to the rupee's depreciation against the dollar and a significant price gap between imported and domestic soybean oil. Sandeep Bajoria, CEO of Sunvin Group, noted that around 45,000 tonnes were cancelled for shipments scheduled in February, March, and April, following the cancellation of 85,000 tonnes in December. The CIF price of soybean degummed crude oil was reported at $1,248 per tonne, about $35 higher than domestic prices. Meanwhile, soybean oil imports surged by 37% in December 2025, reaching 505,000 tonnes, although overall imports for the November-December period were slightly lower than the previous year. On the domestic front, the Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana is benefiting farmers in Madhya Pradesh, ensuring they receive fair prices for their soybean crops.
Published: Jan 23 2026, 7 pmeznews.inMilky Mist Dairy Food Ltd has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Maharashtra to establish a large-scale milk processing and dairy products manufacturing facility in the state, a deal formalized at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The project, which represents an investment of ₹1,130 crore, aims to create approximately 800 jobs and will be implemented in phases. The facility will feature a milk processing plant with an initial capacity of 10 lakh litres per day, expandable to 25 lakh litres, producing a range of dairy products including paneer, yogurt, and ice cream. The land for the project, measuring around 48.15 acres, has been allocated by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC). Dr. K. Rathnam, CEO of Milky Mist, emphasized the company's commitment to enhancing India's dairy value chain and supporting local farmers through this initiative.
Published: Jan 23 2026, 7 pmeznews.inUnion Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has unveiled a ₹1,500 crore investment plan to enhance the Inland Water Transport (IWT) sector, particularly focusing on Kerala's waterways. Speaking in Kochi during the third meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC), Sonowal highlighted the Jal Vahak scheme, which offers cargo owners up to 35% reimbursement on operating costs to encourage the use of inland waterways for cargo transport. Kerala's five National Waterways, covering 465.89 km, have seen significant cargo movement, with operational waterways carrying 3.559 million tonnes over the past five years. The Minister noted a nationwide increase in cargo transport via waterways from 18 million tonnes in 2014 to 145 million tonnes today, alongside a rise in national waterways from five to 111. The IWDC meeting aimed to review progress and outline future strategies for sustainable growth in the sector.
Published: Jan 23 2026, 6 pmeznews.inActive overseas demand, particularly from Middle Eastern and CIS countries, has driven up orthodox leaf prices at Kochi auctions, with sales reaching 92% of the 242,390 kg offered. In Sale 3, whole leaf and brokens saw price increases of Rs5 to Rs10, reflecting a firm market trend, according to auctioneers Forbes, Ewart & Figgis. Russian buyers have notably contributed to this surge, although the Iranian market remains subdued due to ongoing unrest. Anil George, chairman of the Tea Trade Association of Cochin, anticipates that orthodox teas will continue to outperform due to supply-demand imbalances and sustained interest from Middle Eastern markets, with stable prices expected until mid-February. The overall tea market has benefited from strong domestic consumption and evolving drinking habits, while CTC dust prices remained steady, with good liquoring teas showing firmness. The auction dynamics reflect a blend of rising consumer demand and supply constraints.
Published: Jan 23 2026, 5 pmeznews.inSamit Guha, Managing Director and CEO of MMTC-PAMP, has called on the Indian government to address duty disparities that disadvantage domestic precious metal refiners compared to imports facilitated by free trade agreements (FTAs). Guha highlighted the significant duty gap, particularly through the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) route, which affects the competitiveness of local refiners. He urged the government to consider input-related benefits and duty differentials to enhance India's global standing in refining and increase the number of London Bullion Market Association-accredited refiners. Currently, the duty on dore stands at 6% for both gold and silver, with an effective rate of 5.35% for refiners. MMTC-PAMP, which imported around 40 tonnes of gold and 50 tonnes of silver in fiscal 2024-25, is prepared to support the government with its technical expertise in refining.
Published: Jan 23 2026, 5 pmeznews.inIndia's holdings of US Treasuries have plummeted to a five-year low of $174 billion, a 26% decrease from earlier this year, as the country seeks to bolster its currency and diversify its reserves. Treasuries now represent one-third of India's foreign-exchange assets, down from 40% a year ago, reflecting a broader trend among major economies, including China, to reduce reliance on US debt. This shift is partly driven by concerns over sanctions risks and trade tensions, particularly following the US's imposition of high tariffs on Indian exports. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is reportedly selling Treasuries to support the struggling rupee, which has faced pressure amid stalled trade negotiations with the US. While the RBI's actions align with a global trend of central banks exploring alternatives to the dollar, experts suggest that any future stabilization in India's Treasury holdings will depend on improved trade relations.
Published: Jan 23 2026, 3 pmeznews.inIndia's economic activity showed signs of improvement in January, with the manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) rising to 56.8 from 55 in December, and the services PMI increasing to 59.3 from 58. The composite index also climbed to 59.5, up from 57.8 in the previous month, indicating robust domestic demand despite challenges posed by high US tariffs. However, Pranjul Bhandari, chief India economist at HSBC, noted that January's figures remain below the 2025 average. The US has imposed a 50% tariff on Indian shipments, impacting trade negotiations and economic prospects. While exports grew for the second consecutive month in December, labor-intensive sectors continue to face pressure. Exporters have expressed concerns that delays in securing a trade deal with the US could jeopardize orders for the upcoming summer shopping season. The preliminary PMI data, which indicates expansion above 50, may be revised in the final report next month.
Published: Jan 23 2026, 3 pmeznews.inThe Modi government is intensifying its focus on 15 key sectors, including semiconductors, metals, and leather, with an ambitious target to elevate India's annual goods exports to $1.3 trillion by 2035. This initiative aims to triple exports through structural reforms in manufacturing rather than extensive financial outlays, following previous attempts that yielded limited success. A modest budget of ₹10,000 crore ($1 billion) will be allocated to develop infrastructure for approximately 30 manufacturing hubs, alongside $218 million in grants for advanced sectors like chip production. A new government panel will oversee regulatory streamlining to facilitate faster approvals and reduce compliance burdens, addressing the challenges posed by inconsistent state policies. The National Manufacturing Mission, announced last year, seeks to enhance coordination between federal and state governments to foster a more conducive environment for manufacturing growth. Further details are expected in the upcoming budget announcement.
Published: Jan 23 2026, 3 pm
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