eznews.inE-commerce enablement platform Velocity announced on Monday a significant investment of ₹100 crore to enhance its logistics arm, Velocity Shipping, over the next two years. This funding, sourced entirely from internal cash reserves and revenues, aims to bolster strategic hiring, product development, and AI-driven innovations within the logistics sector. Since its inception in 2025, Velocity Shipping has onboarded over 900 brands and is experiencing a remarkable 70% month-on-month growth in order volumes, contributing nearly 40% to Velocity's overall revenues. The company plans to double its shipping team and has already made key senior hires to improve last-mile delivery capabilities. Velocity collaborates with various third-party logistics partners, serving over 19,000 pincodes across India. Co-Founder and CEO Abhiroop Medhekar emphasized the importance of evolving logistics solutions to support digital-first brands, reflecting the company's commitment to building robust digital infrastructure for India's e-commerce landscape. 
Published: Feb 09 2026, 11 ameznews.inCaptain Polyplast, a prominent manufacturer of micro irrigation solutions, has reported a significant 41% increase in net profit for the December quarter, reaching ₹9.47 crore compared to ₹6.73 crore in the same period last year. The company's income surged by 40% to ₹127 crore, while EBITDA rose 35% to ₹16 crore. Ritesh Khichadia, Whole Time Director, attributed this growth to robust volume increases in both micro irrigation and solar EPC segments, marking the highest quarterly revenue and profit in the company's history. The firm is expanding its presence in the solar pumps market, securing two orders for 1,300 pumps valued at ₹36 crore. Additionally, a reduction in GST from 12% to 5% on drip irrigation and solar equipment has enhanced affordability. The government continues to support initiatives like the “Per Drop More Crop” program, further bolstering the sector. Shares of Captain Polyplast rose 2% to ₹79 on Monday. 
Published: Feb 09 2026, 12 pmeznews.inMoody's Ratings has projected India's GDP to grow at 6.4% in the fiscal year 2026-27, marking the fastest growth rate among G-20 economies, driven by robust domestic consumption and supportive policy measures. In its banking system outlook, Moody's noted that while asset quality remains resilient, some stress is anticipated among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). However, banks are well-positioned to absorb potential loan losses, with strong capitalization and stable funding. The report highlights that the rationalization of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and increased personal income tax thresholds will enhance consumer affordability, further bolstering consumption. Despite Moody's lower growth estimate compared to the Finance Ministry's projection of 6.8-7.2%, it anticipates a slight acceleration in system-wide loan growth to 11-13%. The Reserve Bank of India is expected to ease monetary policy if economic activity shows signs of slowing, following a recent reduction in the policy rate. 
Published: Feb 09 2026, 12 pmeznews.inA Sakthivel, Chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council, has praised the newly announced interim trade agreement between India and the US as a pivotal moment for the Indian apparel industry, which has been adversely affected by 25% US tariffs. Speaking to ANI, he described the deal as a "big moment" and a "win-win" for both nations, highlighting the turmoil exporters faced over the past six months. KM Subramanian, President of the Tirupur Exporters Association, expressed optimism that the agreement could double their business with the US, currently valued at ₹14,000 crores, while also boosting employment and foreign exchange. Union Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized that the agreement signifies a deeper geopolitical partnership beyond trade, covering areas such as defence and technology. The framework includes tariff reductions on US industrial and agricultural goods, while the US will impose an 18% reciprocal tariff on various Indian products, including textiles and apparel. 
Published: Feb 09 2026, 11 ameznews.inEarthDaily, a Vancouver-based Earth observation and analytics firm, is set to launch nine satellites by early 2027 to enhance agricultural insights globally, according to Andrew Pylypchuk, the company's global director of business agriculture. Following the successful launch of its first satellite in June 2025, EarthDaily aims to provide daily imagery of Earth's landmass, offering advanced visual, infrared, and thermal data capabilities previously unavailable in a single satellite. This initiative targets markets in India, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific, enabling smallholder farmers to access the same insights as those in North America and Europe. The satellites will also utilize artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve understanding of agricultural practices and climate change impacts. EarthDaily's services, which focus on optimizing crop health and resource allocation, are expected to benefit farmers, agronomists, and various stakeholders in the agricultural sector. 
Published: Feb 08 2026, 10 pmeznews.inIndia's external trade position is set to improve following a new interim trade framework with the United States, as outlined in a report by JM Financial. The agreement, announced on February 6, 2026, aims to reduce effective tariffs and eliminate punitive duties, which should bolster India's trade surplus with the US and enhance dollar inflows, positively impacting the balance of payments and potentially appreciating the Indian rupee. The report notes that India's relative position has strengthened compared to other Asian emerging markets facing higher US tariffs, making it a positive sentiment driver for Indian equities, especially in export-oriented sectors. However, it cautions that high valuations may slow foreign institutional investor inflows. The framework includes a reciprocal tariff rate of 18% on Indian goods and addresses non-tariff barriers, supply chain resilience, and digital trade rules, laying the groundwork for a broader bilateral trade agreement. 
Published: Feb 09 2026, 9 ameznews.inDanish shipping giant AP Moller–Maersk reported a robust performance across all its business sectors in 2025, achieving full-year revenues of $56 billion, bolstered by a 4.9 per cent growth in ocean volumes and enhanced operational efficiency. Despite this growth, profitability faced challenges due to declining freight rates linked to supply overcapacity. The company’s new east-west network boasted over 90 per cent on-time arrivals, leading to unexpected cost savings. In a separate development, Japan's MOL has taken delivery of the LPG dual-fuel very large gas carrier, Energia Grandeur, from Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, which will operate under a charter with TotalEnergies. The vessel's design reflects MOL's commitment to environmental sustainability. Meanwhile, air traffic across Europe saw an overall increase of 8 per cent from 2017 to 2025, though growth was uneven, with southern European markets thriving while central and northern regions, including Sweden and Germany, experienced significant declines. 
Published: Feb 08 2026, 6 pmeznews.inWings India 2026, held in Hyderabad from January 28-31, showcased a diverse array of aircraft from leading global aviation companies, emphasizing India's potential as a burgeoning aviation hub. Organized by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India, and FICCI, the event featured insights from industry leaders, including Piyush Srivastava, who highlighted the significant opportunity in aircraft component manufacturing. Despite India holding over 5% of the global aircraft delivery backlog, it currently produces less than 2% of necessary components, prompting calls for enhanced capabilities and government support, such as production-linked incentives for MSMEs. Key deals included Air India's order for 30 Boeing aircraft and agreements with Airbus and HAL for advanced aircraft and helicopters. The event also featured impressive aerial displays, including performances by the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team, and showcased a wide range of aircraft, reinforcing India's commitment to advancing its aviation sector. 
Published: Feb 08 2026, 6 pmeznews.inIndia's logistics industry, valued at ₹3.5 lakh crore, is undergoing significant transformation, with road freight accounting for over 70% of this sector. The introduction of GST 1.0 in 2017 provided large fleet operators with a competitive edge through input tax credits, leading to consolidation and a shift towards multi-axle trucks. However, the recent implementation of GST 2.0 in September 2025 has altered the landscape, reducing tax rates on trucks and insurance while increasing costs for larger operators, thereby leveling the playing field for smaller fleets. This shift is expected to encourage small fleet ownership and partnerships with larger operators. Infrastructure initiatives like PM Gati Shakti and Bharatmala, along with fintech innovations, are enhancing access to credit for smaller players. As the market evolves, stakeholders in banking and logistics must adapt to these changes, particularly as investments in alternative fuel technologies gain momentum, potentially reshaping the industry further. 
Published: Feb 08 2026, 6 pmeznews.inIndia's cold chain market is poised for a dramatic expansion, projected to grow from approximately $13 billion to $75 billion by 2033, according to a study by Grand View Horizon. This surge, driven by increasing demand for perishables, high-value medicines, and e-grocery services, highlights the urgent need for a cohesive cold chain ecosystem, as noted in a report by Amicus Growth Advisors. The report emphasizes that investments will favor integrated, technology-driven logistics over standalone solutions, as effective cold chain management is crucial for preserving value across the supply chain—from farms to consumers. Sanjeev Jain, Managing Partner at Amicus, underscores the cold chain's role in enhancing farmer income, ensuring food safety, and maintaining pharmaceutical efficacy. As consumption patterns evolve and regulations tighten, the report suggests that businesses must treat cold chain logistics as a strategic priority to thrive in this burgeoning market. 
Published: Feb 08 2026, 6 pm
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