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India's Power Ministry has announced plans to enhance its electricity generation capacity, aiming to add a minimum of 80 gigawatts (GW) of coal-based power by fiscal year 2032 to meet rising demand. The ministry projects peak power demand will increase by 7% year-on-year, reaching 289 GW by April 2026, with significant consumption expected during the warmer months. Currently, India's installed generation capacity stands at 466 GW, having transformed the nation from a power deficit to a power sufficient status since 2014. To support future demand, the ministry is also focusing on renewable energy, with 153,920 MW of capacity under construction, including solar, wind, and hybrid power. Additionally, 13,997.5 MW of hydroelectric projects and 7,300 MW of nuclear capacity are underway, with substantial additions expected by FY27. The government is confident in its ability to meet these demands through optimal resource management and strategic planning. 
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Mar 18 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIndia's coffee exports surged by over 40% to exceed $1.54 billion during the April-February period of the 2024-25 financial year, driven by record global prices amid supply shortages in major producing countries like Brazil and Vietnam. The value of shipments in February alone rose by 22% to $178.68 million compared to the previous year. In rupee terms, exports increased by 43.37% to ₹13,004.75 crore. Italy remains the top destination for Indian coffee, accounting for 19.01% of total exports, followed by Germany and Russia. Despite a sluggish overall export performance this calendar year, the value of shipments has risen due to high prices. Notably, shipments of Indian arabica coffee, a premium variety, have seen a significant increase of 64% in volume, reflecting strong demand from European buyers. India ranks as the seventh largest coffee producer and the fifth largest exporter globally.
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Mar 19 2025, 11 ameznews.inThe Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved NHIT Southern Projects Private Limited's acquisition of concession rights for 11 road projects from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under the Toll-Operate-Transfer (TOT) model. This deal grants NHIT Southern Projects, a subsidiary of the National Highway Infrastructure Trust (NHIT), operational control for a 20-year concession period over key road assets, including routes in Muzaffarnagar-Haridwar and Bareilly-Sitapur. As these assets are government-held and NHIT operates solely as a special purpose vehicle for toll management, the transaction posed no competitive concerns, allowing it to qualify for the Green Channel approval route. This acquisition is part of India's broader infrastructure monetization strategy, aimed at unlocking capital for new highway projects while enhancing road maintenance and toll collection efficiency, ultimately benefiting both investors and commuters.
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Mar 19 2025, 10 ameznews.inThe global cotton market faces a bearish outlook for the 2024-25 season, with prices expected to remain below 73 US cents per pound due to anticipated increases in production and declining consumption. Analysts from BMI, a Fitch Solutions unit, predict a 6.3% rise in global cotton production, reaching 120.3 million bales, driven by higher yields in major producing countries like China, Brazil, and the US. The International Cotton Advisory Council (ICAC) highlights challenges for farmers amid climate variability and competition from man-made fibres, particularly from China. The USDA has adjusted its cotton production estimate upward by 500,000 bales, while also lowering the season-average farm price to 63 cents. Despite a recent recovery in prices due to strong export sales, cotton futures remain over 30 cents lower than last year, with speculators anticipating further declines.
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Mar 19 2025, 9 ameznews.inThe global automotive industry is experiencing a significant slowdown, particularly as China emerges as a dominant force, reshaping the competitive landscape. Traditional automakers, once leaders in the market, are losing ground to domestic Chinese brands, which now account for a substantial share of the global market. Sachin Tikekar, President of KPIT Technologies, emphasizes the growing importance of software in vehicle appeal and the need for global clients to adapt to this evolving market. With the overall automotive market projected to grow only 2-3% annually, companies are under pressure to optimize costs and reduce production timelines. The European Union has imposed tariffs on Chinese vehicles, while the U.S. has restricted their software, further complicating the landscape. Despite these challenges, KPIT remains optimistic about its growth prospects, focusing on cost reduction, software features, and potential partnerships to enhance its offerings in a rapidly changing environment.
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Mar 19 2025, 9 ameznews.inThe Telangana Budget Session is set to commence today, with Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka preparing to present the 2025-26 budget. The proposed budget size is expected to range between ₹3.1 lakh crore and ₹3.3 lakh crore, an increase from last year's ₹2.91 lakh crore. Key allocations are anticipated for projects such as the Musi riverfront development and a regional ring road. However, Vikramarka faces significant challenges, including a debt burden of ₹6.71 lakh crore and the need to mobilize ₹6,500 crore for salaries and another ₹6,500 crore for debt servicing. With a monthly income of ₹18,000-18,500 crore, the state is under fiscal strain, having recently taken a ₹4,000 crore loan to meet salary obligations. The budget aims to balance welfare spending while addressing these financial pressures, amidst a GSDP growth of 11.9%, outperforming the national average.
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Mar 19 2025, 7 ameznews.inThe Indian government has established an inter-ministerial-industry committee on fintech (IMICF) to develop a long-term strategy for the sector's growth. Chaired by DFS Secretary M Nagaraju, the panel will address various issues impacting fintech, including its influence on the banking and financial services industry, obstacles to growth, and global best practices in governance and regulation. The committee aims to assess the fintech sector's contributions to the broader BFSI landscape, identify challenges, and review regulatory developments. It will also formulate a "vision strategy" outlining policy interventions and industry recommendations. The committee includes senior officials from the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and representatives from regulatory bodies like SEBI and RBI. Notable fintech leaders, such as Ajay Kaushal of BillDesk and Ashish Garg from McKinsey, are also part of the panel, which is expected to submit its report within three months.
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Mar 18 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Bank of Mauritius (BOM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting the use of local currencies—Indian Rupee (INR) and Mauritian Rupee (MUR)—for cross-border transactions. This agreement, which encompasses all current account transactions and certain capital account transactions, is designed to facilitate invoicing and payments in domestic currencies, thereby fostering a market for the INR-MUR pair. The RBI stated that utilizing local currencies would optimize transaction costs and settlement times, enhancing bilateral trade between India and Mauritius. This collaboration is seen as a significant step in strengthening financial integration and reinforcing the historical and economic ties between the two nations. The MoU was signed in Port Louis, Mauritius, on March 12, 2025, in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Mauritian counterpart, Navinchandra Ramgoolam.
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Mar 18 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndia's gem and jewellery exports experienced a significant downturn in February, with a 23% decline to $2.42 billion compared to $3.17 billion in the same month last year, largely attributed to global economic uncertainties and tariff threats from the US. The Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council reported that cut and polished diamond exports fell by 20% to $1.36 billion, while rough diamond imports dropped 26% to $9.50 billion. Additionally, polished lab-grown diamond exports decreased by 20% to $112 million, and gold jewellery exports fell 18% to $753 million, reflecting weak consumer demand in key markets like the US and China. Overall, gem and jewellery imports also plummeted by 40% to $1.36 billion, with cut and polished diamond imports down 8% to $120 million, indicating a broader slowdown in the sector amid rising prices and inventory accumulation.
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Mar 18 2025, 9 pmeznews.inAir India’s chief executive, Campbell Wilson, highlighted the challenges posed by global supply chain constraints on the airline's growth plans during a recent event. He noted that the slower pace of aircraft deliveries, exacerbated by a strike at Boeing's facilities, is expected to persist for another four to five years, delaying the refurbishment of legacy widebody aircraft until mid-2027. While the retrofit of Airbus A320Neo aircraft is underway, the airline anticipates most of its expansion in 2025 will focus on domestic and short-haul international routes, supported by the addition of more narrow-body planes to its fleet. Last year, Air India announced a $400 million initiative to upgrade its Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft. The airline, which ferried 40.45 million passengers in the last fiscal year, is currently in the final phase of its five-year transformation plan, “Vihaan.AI,” aimed at revitalizing its operations.
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Mar 18 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has issued a new directive requiring Insolvency Professionals (IPs) to enhance the Information Memorandum (IM) by including a dedicated section on the carry forward of losses under the Income Tax Act, 1961. This move aims to improve financial clarity for potential bidders in the insolvency resolution process, allowing them to better assess the corporate debtor's financial position. The IM must detail the quantum of carry forward losses, their classification, applicable time limits for utilization, and explicitly state if no losses are available. Experts, including Hari Hara Mishra and Anjali Jain, have welcomed the initiative, noting that it will facilitate informed decision-making and enhance the attractiveness of resolution plans. The IBBI's directive is seen as a significant step towards greater transparency in the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process, ultimately promoting more effective and viable resolutions.
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Mar 18 2025, 8 pm
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