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Industry bodies are urging the Indian government to enhance research and development (R&D) incentives and fiscal support for the pharmaceutical sector in the upcoming 2026-27 Union Budget, aiming to transform it into a $130 billion innovation-led industry by 2030. The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) has called for the restoration of the weighted R&D deduction, GST rationalisation, and a simplified regulatory framework to bolster investment in novel drugs and biosimilars. With a history of resilience, the sector is targeting $120-130 billion by 2030 and $450 billion by 2047. The Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) echoed these sentiments, advocating for clearer GST structures and targeted customs duty relief to alleviate cost pressures. Additionally, experts suggest establishing a single regulatory authority for pharmaceuticals and medical devices to streamline compliance and enhance investment, while maintaining a focus on quality and safety. 
Published: Jan 12 2026, 3 pmeznews.inGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz, during a visit to Ahmedabad, India, on January 12, 2026, suggested that a free trade agreement between the European Union and India could be finalized by the end of the month. Following his discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Merz indicated that the presidents of the European Commission and Council would travel to India to sign the agreement if negotiations conclude successfully. Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed that the deal is nearing completion. Merz also highlighted the rising trend of protectionism affecting both nations, without naming specific countries, although he referenced U.S. pressures on India regarding Russian oil imports. The two countries signed several memoranda of understanding, focusing on security cooperation, critical minerals, health, and artificial intelligence. Despite Germany's push for India to reduce its reliance on Russian energy, India continues to maintain strong ties with Russia for military and energy needs.
Published: Jan 12 2026, 6 pmeznews.inThe Cochin Oil Merchants Association (COMA) has urged the State government to address rising copra prices, which persist despite significant arrivals from domestic and international sources. COMA President Thalath Mahmood accused traders in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka of stockpiling to create an artificial shortage, impacting small-scale production. Currently, coconut oil prices are stable at approximately ₹313 per kg in Kerala and ₹225 per kg in Tamil Nadu, while copra is priced at ₹186.50 and ₹170 per kg, respectively. Industry consultant K.K. Devraj noted that demand related to the Sabarimala pilgrimage has prevented a sharp price decline, although a slowdown in copra conversion may stabilize prices in the coming months. Despite a drop in coconut oil consumption due to high prices in 2025, households have not reverted to coconut oil, opting instead for cheaper alternatives. Increased coconut availability from favorable rainfall is expected to further influence market dynamics as the main harvest season approaches in February.
Published: Jan 12 2026, 6 pmeznews.inThe Lakshadweep administration is poised to implement strategic initiatives aimed at the comprehensive development of its fisheries sector, focusing on entrepreneurship, technology, and investment. At the Matsya Mela in Kavaratti, Fisheries Secretary Raj Thilak announced plans to enhance the tuna and seaweed value chains, ornamental fisheries, and marine cage fish farming. The event, organized by the Lakshadweep Krishi Vigyan Kendra and the Fisheries Department, emphasized innovation-driven growth, targeting startups and sustainable livelihoods for local youth and women. Despite a fisheries potential of nearly 100,000 tonnes, current production stands at only 20,000 tonnes, indicating significant room for growth. Experts highlighted the promise of high-value species cultivation and Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) for environmental sustainability. The discussions also pointed to opportunities for establishing hatcheries and processing facilities, with funding support available through the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
Published: Jan 12 2026, 6 pmeznews.inIndia's Digi Yatra initiative is enhancing airport experiences by integrating its app with airlines and booking platforms, allowing passengers to access services seamlessly. Suresh Khadakbhavi, CEO of Digi Yatra Foundation, emphasized the platform's commitment to privacy, stating it acts as a "privacy-preserving gateway" that does not transfer personal data during transactions. The app enables users to share boarding passes directly from airline apps, ensuring data remains decentralized and user-controlled. By 2026, Digi Yatra plans to support 22 regional languages, improving accessibility for diverse passengers, and expand to 17 additional airports, building on its current presence at 24. The app, downloaded over 19 million times, has facilitated more than 81 million uses, significantly reducing manual verification at airports and decongesting departure areas during peak travel times. This initiative positions Digi Yatra as a vital player in promoting seamless, contactless air travel in India.
Published: Jan 12 2026, 6 pmeznews.inCMA CGM, the world's third-largest container shipping line, is reinforcing its commitment to the Indian market by enhancing connectivity and increasing local hiring. The French firm has announced additional port calls at Hazira as part of its India-West Asia service, aimed at boosting manufacturing and petrochemical exports from South Gujarat. Atit Mahajan, managing director of CMA CGM India, emphasized that this move underscores the company's long-term dedication to India as a vital player in global trade. In addition to expanding services, CMA CGM plans to recruit 1,500 seafarers from India by the end of December and has signed a letter of intent with Cochin Shipyard Limited for the construction of six containerships. This initiative not only supports local employment and skills development but also aligns with broader investments in India’s maritime sector, as seen with Maersk's recent partnerships in shipbuilding.
Published: Jan 12 2026, 6 pmeznews.inBlue Dart Express Ltd has unveiled its inaugural annual delivery trends report, revealing a record-breaking day in July 2025 when the logistics firm transported over 14,000 tonnes of cargo. The report, titled ‘India on the Move 2025,’ indicates that Blue Dart delivered 47 million parcels throughout the year, with 20 peak days witnessing shipment volumes double the daily average. Notably, tier-2 cities contributed significantly to this growth, with a 60% increase in shipments attributed to the rise of small and medium enterprises and digital adoption. The company showcased its specialized logistics capabilities, including the transport of liquid nitrogen for veterinary vaccines and temperature-sensitive medical cargo. Operating across 56,400 locations in India, Blue Dart has streamlined its digital account opening process to just 90 seconds. As of January 12, 2026, shares of Blue Dart Express closed at ₹5,360, reflecting a slight decline of 0.51%.
Published: Jan 12 2026, 4 pmeznews.inIn a recent report by the Statistics Ministry, retail inflation in India rose to 1.33% in December 2025, up from 0.71% in November, driven by increases in personal care, vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, spices, and pulses. Urban headline inflation surged from 1.4% to 2.03%, with food inflation improving from -3.6% to -2.09%. In the rural sector, headline inflation climbed to 0.76% from 0.1%, while rural food inflation also saw a slight increase, moving from -4.05% to -3.08%. Notably, education inflation decreased marginally to 3.32%, while health inflation fell to 3.43%. Additionally, transport and communication inflation dipped to 0.76%, and fuel and light inflation dropped to 1.97%. The Sensex closed at 83,878.17, up by 301.93 points, while Nifty rose by 106.95 points to 25,790.25, amidst fluctuating commodity prices, including a decline in crude oil.
Published: Jan 12 2026, 4 pmeznews.inCoromandel International has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) to establish a Corporate Research Centre at the IITM Research Park. This centre aims to facilitate joint research programs, technology incubation, talent development, and international collaboration, allowing Coromandel to tap into IIT Madras's innovation and technology infrastructure. The announcement was made during the inauguration of the IITM Global Research Foundation, attended by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and other dignitaries. Narayanan Vellayan, Whole-time Director of Coromandel, emphasized that the collaboration will enable the development of advanced solutions in crop nutrition and agri-inputs, translating scientific advancements into scalable technologies for the benefit of farmers and the broader industry. T. Madhav Narayan, CEO of IITM Global, highlighted the MoU as a significant step towards enhancing industry-academia engagement and fostering impactful research and innovation.
Published: Jan 12 2026, 4 pmeznews.inConsumers looking to buy room air conditioners (RACs) should brace for price increases of 7-8% starting January 2026, as outlined in a report by Equirus. This rise is attributed to the introduction of a new star-rating regime and ongoing commodity inflation. The report anticipates further price hikes in April and May, which will reset industry pricing and aid margin normalisation throughout 2026. In December, strong pre-buying activity was noted as dealers and consumers stocked up on existing models ahead of the changes. The Indian RAC industry has faced significant volatility, with a remarkable 40% growth in 2024 followed by challenges in 2025 due to adverse weather, GST disruptions, and high inventory levels. However, the outlook for 2026 is optimistic, with expected volume growth of 20-22% driven by pent-up demand and a return to normal summer conditions, despite the anticipated higher prices for new models.
Published: Jan 12 2026, 3 pm
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