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India's coir exports, which generated ₹4,343 crore in revenue last fiscal year, are poised for a significant boost following the US's decision to reduce import tariffs from 50% to 18%. This change, which is expected to help recover losses incurred in 2025, is particularly beneficial as the US market accounts for approximately ₹1,400 crore of India's coir exports, with American buyers representing 40% of the total. Sajan B. Nair, Secretary General of the Federation of Indian Coir Exporters’ Associations, described the tariff reduction as a long-overdue relief that has already prompted a surge in orders from buyers. The move is anticipated to enhance future shipments, especially ahead of the Christmas and New Year season, and restore competitiveness for Kerala's coir products, which constitute 57% of US imports. The previous high tariffs had forced exporters to seek alternative markets in Europe and Asia, making this adjustment crucial for the industry's recovery. 
Published: Feb 04 2026, 4 pmeznews.inSkyHop Aviation, led by industrialist Avani Singh, is set to revolutionize regional connectivity in India by launching seaplane services aimed at linking the mainland with islands and remote areas, thereby boosting tourism. The company has signed its first aircraft lease agreement with Japanese lessor AERL for a Twin Otter DHC-6-400 series aircraft, allowing it to apply for an Air Operator Permit (AOP) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). SkyHop has also constructed dedicated jetty infrastructure at five islands in Lakshadweep, positioning itself for operational readiness. Singh emphasized the potential of seaplanes to connect regions that traditional aviation cannot reach, enhancing tourism and regional travel. With no current operational seaplane services in India, SkyHop's initiative comes as the government encourages the development of seaplane routes under the UDAN scheme, with plans for 20-25 water aerodromes and over 50 routes in the next five years.
Published: Feb 04 2026, 6 pmeznews.inIndia is set to diversify its energy sources to enhance energy security, according to Trade Minister Piyush Goyal, following a recent U.S. announcement urging New Delhi to cease Russian oil purchases. This development comes after U.S. President Donald Trump revealed a trade agreement that reduces tariffs on Indian goods from 50% to 18% in exchange for India's commitment to halt Russian oil imports and lower trade barriers. Trump suggested that India would instead source oil from the U.S. and potentially Venezuela. However, the Kremlin has stated it has not received any official communication from India regarding a halt in Russian oil purchases. Goyal's parliamentary address did not mention any specific shifts in energy sourcing, and Indian refiners have not been instructed to stop buying Russian oil, indicating a need for a transition period. Meanwhile, opposition lawmakers have raised concerns over the lack of clarity in the trade deal, particularly regarding agricultural access for the U.S.
Published: Feb 04 2026, 5 pmeznews.inThe Indian Government has reported significant advancements in weather forecasting accuracy over the past decade, with improvements of 30-40% for severe weather predictions made one to five days in advance. In a Lok Sabha statement, Union Minister Jitendra Singh highlighted that the accuracy of forecasts in Karnataka has notably increased, with one-day predictions for north interior Karnataka rising from 52% in 2021 to 88% in 2025. Similar enhancements were observed in south interior and coastal Karnataka, with one-day accuracy reaching 70% and 92%, respectively. Additionally, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has adopted a Multi-Model Ensemble (MME) strategy since 2021, leading to improved monsoon predictions, with the average absolute error dropping from 7.5% in 2017-2020 to 2.28% during 2021-2024. This progress underscores the government's commitment to enhancing meteorological services across the country.
Published: Feb 04 2026, 5 pmeznews.inIn a significant address during the launch of a pan-India outreach programme for corporate bonds in Mumbai, Ashish Kumar Chauhan, Managing Director and CEO of the National Stock Exchange (NSE), underscored the urgent need to enhance India's corporate bond market to support the nation's growth ambitions. He highlighted that while India's equity markets have achieved global respect, with a market capitalisation surpassing USD 5 trillion, the corporate bond market remains underdeveloped, accounting for only 15-16% of GDP. Chauhan stressed that bonds are crucial for financing long-term national priorities such as infrastructure and energy transition, stating that deepening the debt market is now a national necessity. He noted that since FY22, the NSE has facilitated approximately Rs 76 lakh crore in fund mobilisation, predominantly through private placements. Chauhan reaffirmed NSE's commitment to fostering transparent and liquid debt markets, emphasizing the importance of trust and governance in attracting investment.
Published: Feb 04 2026, 5 pmeznews.inExpenditure Secretary V Vualnam assured stakeholders at the Global Procurement Summit that the FY 27 budget has ensured ample liquidity for government procurement, alleviating concerns over payment delays. He emphasized the transition to an almost entirely online public finance management system, which enhances transaction speed, transparency, and traceability. Vualnam committed to simplifying procurement documentation to aid bidders and evaluators, inviting suggestions to improve contract management and reduce disputes. The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) announced a partnership with the All India Management Association to enhance management capacity and promote innovation in procurement, with plans for an AI-enabled platform next year. Additionally, the World Bank's Country Procurement Lead, Shankar Lal, revealed plans to mobilize $10 billion annually for Indian projects, focusing on sustainability and local development. Meanwhile, the Asian Development Bank's Arti Mehra highlighted its involvement in 16 projects in India, emphasizing sustainable procurement and local labor requirements.
Published: Feb 04 2026, 3 pmeznews.inIndiGo has announced significant adjustments to its long-haul flight schedule, citing external operational constraints, including geopolitical airspace changes and airport congestion. Starting February 7, the airline will reduce its Delhi–Manchester services from five to four times a week, with further cuts to three times a week from February 19. Additionally, flights to Copenhagen will be suspended from February 17 until further notice. The Delhi–London Heathrow route will also see a reduction, dropping from five to four flights per week beginning February 9. IndiGo stated that these changes, initially planned for the summer schedule of 2026, are being implemented earlier to enhance reliability across its long-haul operations and to mitigate passenger inconvenience caused by misconnections and delays.
Published: Feb 04 2026, 3 pmeznews.inHong Kong Aero Engine Services Ltd (HAESL) has appointed Indian IT firm HCLTech to modernise its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations. This collaboration aims to enhance efficiency and scalability within HAESL's MRO processes, enabling real-time data visibility for faster decision-making and improved resource utilisation while ensuring compliance with global standards. HCLTech will implement its asset management solution, iMRO/4, as HAESL's Maintenance Execution System (MES) in Hong Kong. The integration of iMRO/4 with SAP S/4HANA is expected to improve end-to-end traceability and provide a unified view of workflows, thereby reducing barriers and enhancing execution efficiency. Ravinder Bedi, General Manager of Finance & Administration at HAESL, highlighted that this partnership represents a significant step in their transformation, establishing a scalable digital foundation that supports operational excellence and long-term growth.
Published: Feb 04 2026, 3 pmeznews.inThe Indian rupee has experienced its most significant rally in seven years, providing the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) with an opportunity to rebuild its foreign-exchange reserves, although analysts caution that further gains may be limited. Barclays and Nomura predict the RBI will capitalize on the rupee's recovery to purchase dollars, with Nomura forecasting a decline to 94 rupees per dollar by May. Following a 1.4% rise on Tuesday, the rupee was down 0.1% to 90.40 against the dollar on Wednesday. The RBI's unpredictable intervention strategy complicates the currency's recovery, as it has a substantial negative short forwards book of $62.4 billion. While some analysts expect the rupee to strengthen further, Barclays advises clients to short the currency, anticipating that the current rally may not be sustainable. The RBI's actions in the forex market will significantly influence bond markets and overall economic stability.
Published: Feb 04 2026, 3 pmeznews.inDe Havilland, the Canadian manufacturer of the Twin Otter seaplane, is exploring global supply chain partnerships to bolster its operations, particularly in light of India's recent Union Budget announcement aimed at promoting indigenous seaplane production. The government plans to introduce a viability gap funding scheme to enhance seaplane operations, which have struggled to gain traction in the country. Currently, 640 Twin Otter aircraft are in service worldwide, with 130 being amphibious variants, including nearly 100 operating in the Maldives. In India, SkyHop Aviation, led by Ajay Singh's daughter Avani, has secured three Twin Otter aircraft for routes from Kochi to Lakshadweep and is awaiting an air operator certificate for seaplane operations. The industry is optimistic that increased government support, including extended funding tenures, will make seaplane operations financially viable, boosting regional connectivity and tourism.
Published: Feb 04 2026, 3 pm
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