eznews.inIndia's top airlines, represented by the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), have urged the government to reconsider proposed fatigue management rules for cabin crew, warning that they could disrupt flight schedules and hinder growth. The rules, which aim to enhance safety, include increasing minimum weekly rest from 36 to 48 hours and requiring flight attendants to have individual hotel rooms during layovers. The FIA argues that these measures could strain hotel availability at airports and complicate crew scheduling, ultimately reducing the competitiveness of Indian airlines globally. This pushback follows IndiGo's cancellation of approximately 4,500 flights in December due to inadequate planning for similar pilot fatigue rules. The FIA is advocating for a phased implementation of the new regulations and adjustments to night operation provisions, as the current proposals exceed international standards. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has yet to respond to the FIA's concerns. 
Published: Feb 12 2026, 3 pmeznews.inFarmgate prices for arabica parchment coffee have plummeted from ₹29,000-29,400 per 50 kg bag in November to around ₹24,000, marking a 20% decline since the start of the 2025-26 crop year. This drop has raised concerns among growers, particularly as robusta prices have only eased slightly. Contributing factors include improved supplies from major producers like Brazil, which is expected to see a 17% increase in output. Despite rising production costs, including labor, growers are struggling with price volatility, leading many to sell at lower rates to maintain cash flow. While global coffee markets show signs of easing, India faces elevated price differentials that hinder trade volumes. Experts suggest that growers may need to enhance collective marketing efforts to better engage with buyers and improve price realization amid ongoing market fluctuations.
Published: Feb 12 2026, 3 pmeznews.inThe Indian commerce ministry is set to launch eight components of the ₹25,060-crore Export Promotion Mission (EPM), which aims to enhance the country's export capabilities through initiatives in e-commerce, warehousing, and factoring services. This follows the Union Cabinet's approval of two significant schemes last November, totaling over ₹45,000 crore, including the EPM and a ₹20,000 crore Credit Guarantee Scheme. The EPM comprises two sub-schemes: Niryat Protsahan, which focuses on financial support for MSME exporters, and Niryat Disha, aimed at improving market readiness and competitiveness. Recent government measures also include a ₹4,531-crore Market Access Support scheme and a ₹7,295-crore export support package announced in January. Despite the global cross-border factoring market being valued at $758 billion, India's participation remains low at just $1 billion, primarily due to high costs and risk premiums associated with factoring services. The rollout of the EPM components is expected to be announced next week.
Published: Feb 12 2026, 12 pmeznews.inThe Indian government is poised to release retail inflation data for January, utilizing a new base year of 2024, with expectations that the headline inflation will range between 2% and 3%. The previous December figure, based on the 2012 series, stood at 1.33% and is anticipated to be revised upwards. A recent report from the Statistics Ministry has led to a significant adjustment in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), reducing the weight of volatile food and beverage items from 45.9% to 36.8% and incorporating new categories such as rural housing rentals and online shopping. This overhaul aims to enhance the effectiveness of monetary policy actions by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which is likely to maintain interest rates amid these changes. Economists predict that the revised inflation figure for January could reach approximately 2.77%, influencing the RBI's future monetary decisions.
Published: Feb 12 2026, 12 pmeznews.inIndia's agricultural exports to the United States are poised for a substantial increase, with a report from SBI indicating that 75% of these exports will now be subject to zero tariffs. Currently, India enjoys a trade surplus of $1.3 billion in agricultural trade with the US, with exports valued at $1.36 billion set to benefit from this new tariff structure. Key commodities such as rice, spices, oilseeds, tea, and coffee are expected to see enhanced competitiveness and expanded market access, bolstering the incomes of Indian farmers and exporters. Notably, Indian rice holds a 24% share of US imports, while the fishery sector, previously impacted by tariffs, is also likely to gain from the reduced 18% duty. Overall, India's share in selected agricultural imports to the US stands at 3.5%, with total imports from India reaching $2.8 billion.
Published: Feb 12 2026, 10 ameznews.inIndia is set to release inflation figures based on a revamped consumer price index (CPI) on Thursday, reflecting significant changes in spending patterns since the last update over a decade ago. The new index, which reduces the weight of volatile items like food to 36.8% and introduces categories such as rural housing rentals and online shopping, aims to provide a more accurate picture of the economy. Analysts predict that January's inflation could rise to approximately 2.77%, up from 1.33% in December, potentially influencing the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) interest rate decisions. The overhaul comes amid scrutiny of the RBI's previous inflation forecasting model, which overestimated price pressures last year. The updated CPI is expected to enhance the effectiveness of monetary policy and could impact bond yields and foreign investment decisions, as the government also prepares to release GDP data reflecting these new consumer spending patterns.
Published: Feb 12 2026, 9 ameznews.inIndia's trade surplus with the United States is projected to exceed $90 billion annually, bolstered by a significant rise in exports and increased import potential, according to a report by the State Bank of India (SBI). The report estimates that Indian exporters could boost their exports of the top 15 items to the US by approximately $97 billion, potentially pushing total exports beyond the $100 billion mark. The decline in tariffs presents a "golden opportunity" for Indian exporters to enhance their market share. With the surplus already at $40.9 billion in FY25 and $26 billion in FY26 (April-December), the anticipated export surge, alongside a structured rise in imports, is expected to widen the surplus further. The US currently accounts for about 20% of India's exports but only 7% of its imports, indicating significant growth potential. India aims to purchase $500 billion in US goods over the next five years, with tariff reductions expected to yield substantial savings in foreign exchange reserves.
Published: Feb 12 2026, 9 ameznews.inIndia's gems and jewellery industry is poised for a revival following the announcement of the India-US Interim Trade Agreement, which aims to eliminate high customs duties that have hindered exports. Industry leaders, including Kirit Bhansali, Chairman of the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), expressed relief at the deal, which addresses previous tariff hikes that severely impacted competitiveness. The agreement will reduce duties on key products, with loose diamonds, gold, and silver set to enter the US market duty-free. Exporters anticipate a significant recovery in trade volumes as costs decrease, with Sanket Patel of Lebron Diamond CGPSC praising the government's efforts. The pact is also expected to create jobs, with Alkesh Shah of Goldstar Jewellery highlighting its long-term benefits in enhancing business growth and employment opportunities. Overall, the agreement is seen as a crucial step towards revitalizing the sector and boosting India's export potential.
Published: Feb 12 2026, 9 ameznews.inThe Supreme Court of India has instructed the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to provide a progress report and detail the procedural protocols followed in the investigation of the Air India Ahmedabad crash on June 12, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of 260 people. Chief Justice Surya Kant noted the Solicitor General's assurance that the investigation is nearing completion and requested the report within three weeks. The Court cautioned against speculation regarding the crash's cause, emphasizing the complexity of the issues involved. Petitioners from the Safety Matters Foundation have called for a court-monitored inquiry, raising concerns about the AAIB's composition, while the government maintains that the investigation adheres to international standards. The Court acknowledged the distress of victims' families but clarified that the proceedings should not devolve into a blame game, with the next hearing scheduled for three weeks.
Published: Feb 12 2026, 7 ameznews.inIndia is set to experience a significant boost in agricultural and organic product exports to the United States, following an interim trade agreement that introduces an 18% tariff, providing a competitive advantage for Indian exporters, according to Abhishek Dev, Chairman of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). Speaking at BIOFACH 2026, the world's largest organic trade fair, Dev expressed optimism about the agreement's potential benefits, noting a 30% increase in organic exports to the U.S. last year despite previous challenges. He emphasized the importance of the trade fair for fostering international buyer relationships, with India showcasing its largest presence among non-European nations. Industry leaders, including Rohan Grover, CEO of Nature Bio Foods, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the agreement's protective measures for farmers and the fair competitive landscape it creates against other Southeast Asian countries. Overall, the developments signal a promising future for India's agricultural export sector.
Published: Feb 12 2026, 8 am
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