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A recent report by India Exim Bank underscores the pivotal role of digital transformation in driving economic growth across the Asia-Pacific region, with India's digital economy expanding at nearly double the rate of its overall GDP. The report highlights the emergence of robust e-commerce ecosystems, featuring regional giants like Japan's Rakuten and China's Alibaba, which now compete with global leaders such as Amazon. Despite a global slowdown in economic integration, intra-regional trade in Asia has surged by 43% over the past four decades, with over half of Asia's trade occurring within the region. However, challenges remain, including regulatory fragmentation and supply chain vulnerabilities. The report advocates for policy reforms to enhance regulatory harmonisation and infrastructure development, emphasizing the need for interoperable transport networks. As the region shifts towards a service-oriented economy, investments in education and digital infrastructure will be crucial for future growth, particularly with the anticipated rise of artificial intelligence. 
Published: Dec 03 2025, 10 ameznews.inVehicle sales in India reached unprecedented levels in October, with a total of 91,953 units sold, reflecting a remarkable 40.5% increase, according to C.S. Vigneshwar, President of the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA). This surge follows a reduction in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from 28% to 18%, primarily benefiting the two-wheeler segment, which saw a growth of 51.76%. Passenger vehicles also experienced an 11.35% rise, although luxury vehicle sales lagged despite a GST cut from 50% to 40%. Vigneshwar noted that rural areas outpaced urban regions in sales growth. In Kerala, Manoj Kurup, President of FADA Kerala, highlighted a significant boost in electric vehicle (EV) sales, with commercial EVs soaring by 199.01%. The tax changes are expected to create job opportunities across the automotive ecosystem, as consumer trends shift towards upgrading vehicles and families increasingly purchase multiple cars.
Published: Dec 03 2025, 11 ameznews.inCheck-in systems at several airports encountered significant disruptions on Wednesday morning due to a global outage of Microsoft Windows, leading to delays for numerous flights. Passengers at Varanasi airport received notifications indicating that airlines were resorting to manual check-in and boarding procedures as a result of the technical issues. At least four airlines—IndiGo, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, and Air India Express—were reported to be affected. While there were no immediate comments from Microsoft or the airlines involved, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) acknowledged the operational challenges faced by domestic airlines, assuring that their teams were working closely with all stakeholders to maintain a smooth passenger experience. Specific details regarding the extent of the disruptions remain unclear.
Published: Dec 03 2025, 11 ameznews.inIndia's iron ore imports surged to a six-year high in 2025, exceeding 10 million metric tons in the first ten months, as steel mills sought to address shortages of high-grade ore and capitalized on lower global prices, according to analysts. This figure more than doubles the average annual imports of 4.3 million metric tons recorded between 2019 and 2024. JSW Steel, the country's largest steelmaker, emerged as the leading importer. Factors contributing to the increased imports include domestic production shortfalls, particularly due to heavy rainfall in Odisha, which produces nearly 55% of India's iron ore. Despite government assurances of no domestic shortages, analysts predict imports could reach 11-12 million metric tons in FY26 if local production does not improve. The Indian government has encouraged steel mills to invest in overseas iron ore mines to secure supply amid concerns over slow development of new domestic sources.
Published: Dec 03 2025, 11 ameznews.inTamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) in Coimbatore has secured a patent for an innovative chelated zinc fertiliser, Zn-EPS, which significantly enhances plant growth and yield compared to traditional zinc sulphate. The patent, awarded by the Controller of Patents in India under Number 574341, recognizes the work of a research team led by G Yazhini. This eco-friendly fertiliser utilizes exopolysaccharide (EPS) derived from the bacterial cell wall of *Bacillus paralicheniformis*, found in rice rhizosphere in sodic soils. Zn-EPS, containing 16.8% zinc, offers improved bioavailability and is more readily absorbed by plants, addressing zinc deficiency effectively. Its natural chelating properties provide a sustainable alternative to synthetic chelators, enhancing nutrient management in agriculture. The patent process was facilitated by TNAU’s Patent Cell, coordinated by D Suresh Kumar with consultant N Natarajan.
Published: Dec 03 2025, 8 ameznews.inThe Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) has mandated 100% verification of Indian farmers involved in organic crop cultivation across all growers' groups. This verification is essential for registering new organic farmers, renewing scope certificates, and issuing no-objection certificates for switching certification organizations. Trade analyst S Chandrasekaran described this move as a significant overhaul in India's organic farming sector. Certification agencies have warned that failure to complete the verification within three months could result in penalties and delays in certification processes. Farmers must provide access to necessary documentation and appoint a manager familiar with organic farming regulations. While the initiative has been welcomed, concerns have been raised about the financial burden on farmer groups, which may incur costs of up to ₹2 lakh. The number of certified organic growers has reportedly declined from 25 lakh in July 2022 to 4,712 active groups covering 1.9 million farmers, attributed to various challenges, including the pandemic.
Published: Dec 03 2025, 9 ameznews.inCorteva Agriscience, a leading US agritech firm, is investing in hybrid wheat varieties tailored for Indian agriculture, with commercial seeds anticipated in 10-15 years. Brook Cunningham, President of Corteva's Asia Pacific operations, emphasized the potential of this technology to enhance wheat yields and free up farmland for other crops, such as corn and mustard. During her visit to India, Cunningham highlighted the country's critical role in global food security, especially with an expected population increase of 2 billion over the next 25 years. Corteva, which has been active in India since 1972, is committed to supporting the nation’s 150 million small farmers, aiming for yield increases of 15-20% on average. The company is also exploring opportunities in corn and rice, leveraging advanced technologies, including AI, to drive innovation. Corteva's global R&D investment stands at approximately USD 1.4 billion annually, reflecting its commitment to sustainable agricultural practices.
Published: Dec 03 2025, 9 ameznews.inS&P Global Ratings has upgraded India's insolvency regime from Group C to Group B, reflecting improvements in the insolvency resolution process, although concerns persist. The average recovery rate for creditors has risen to over 30%, up from 15-20% under the previous system, and the time taken to resolve bad loans has decreased to approximately two years, down from six to eight years. However, India's recovery rates remain low compared to more established jurisdictions, and the potential for secured creditors to be undermined by unsecured debt remains a concern. Legal challenges can cause delays in resolution processes, despite recent Supreme Court rulings bolstering creditor rights. The upgrade indicates a shift towards a more creditor-friendly framework under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), which has improved recovery rates and timeliness, ultimately affecting how ratings are assigned to sub-investment grade issuers.
Published: Dec 03 2025, 9 ameznews.inThe Adani Group is set to invest $15 billion over the next five years to enhance passenger capacity at its airports to 200 million annually, as India’s aviation sector experiences significant growth. This ambitious plan includes the addition of terminals, taxiways, and a new runway at the upcoming Navi Mumbai airport, scheduled to open on December 25. Capacity upgrades will also be implemented at airports in Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Thiruvananthapuram, Lucknow, and Guwahati. Approximately 70% of the funding will be sourced from debt, with the remainder from equity. This expansion aims to accommodate a projected doubling of air traffic in India, with passenger numbers expected to reach 300 million by 2030. The upgrades, which will increase total capacity by over 60%, are part of a broader strategy to strengthen Adani's position ahead of a planned initial public offering for its airport unit.
Published: Dec 03 2025, 8 ameznews.inIn November 2025, Russia's share of India's crude oil imports fell to approximately 36.3%, marking what analysts suggest could be the last month it accounted for over 35% of total imports. During this period, India imported around 1.83 million barrels per day (mb/d) from Russia, a 13% increase month-on-month, while overall imports reached just over 5 mb/d, with the Middle East supplying 42.43% of the total. However, the imposition of US sanctions on November 21 is expected to reduce Russian shipments by about one-third in December, with further European Union sanctions anticipated in January 2026. As a result, Indian refiners are likely to diversify their sources, increasing imports from regions such as North America and Africa to compensate for the expected decline in Russian oil. Kpler's analysts predict that Russian arrivals could stabilize around 800,000 b/d in the near term, contingent on the absence of additional sanctions.
Published: Dec 02 2025, 8 pm
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