eznews.inIndia's bilateral merchandise trade with New Zealand is projected to reach $1.3 billion in FY25, with experts highlighting the need for targeted export promotion, regulatory cooperation, and logistics support to maximize the benefits of the newly announced free trade agreement (FTA). According to the Global Trade and Research Initiative, India has significant potential to boost exports in sectors such as processed foods, pharmaceuticals, machinery, and electronics, where it is currently under-represented. In FY2025, New Zealand imported only $711 million from India, a mere fraction of its total imports, compared to over $10 billion from China. Ajay Srivastava, a trade expert, emphasized that diversifying imports could enhance supply-chain resilience for New Zealand. The FTA, which offers zero-duty access to Indian goods, is set for legal vetting before being presented to the New Zealand Parliament for approval, with expectations of substantial trade growth post-implementation. 
Published: Dec 24 2025, 5 pmeznews.inA report titled "State of Marginal Farmers in India 2025," released by the Forum of Enterprises for Equitable Development (FEED) on Kisan Diwas, highlights the precarious position of marginal farmers, who constitute 60-70% of India's agricultural households. Despite their significant numbers, these farmers face vulnerabilities due to limited participation in cooperatives—less than 25% are active members—leading to reliance on informal markets and exposure to climate and market shocks. The report advocates for modernising governance and enhancing cooperative structures to foster inclusivity. It notes that primary agricultural credit societies (PACS) are evolving into rural service hubs, improving income and crop yields for linked farmers. However, digital adoption remains low, particularly in Bihar and Tripura, with many cooperatives lacking digital tools. Gender disparities persist, as women hold only a fraction of leadership roles within cooperatives, despite their substantial membership.
Published: Dec 24 2025, 5 pmeznews.inThe Union Cabinet has approved a new phase of metro connectivity in Delhi, with an investment exceeding ₹12,000 crore aimed at enhancing public transport access in the capital. This initiative will introduce three new corridors, adding over 16 kilometers to the existing network, which will now surpass 400 kilometers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted that the project will benefit around 60,000 office-goers and 200,000 daily visitors, significantly reducing congestion, fossil fuel consumption, and pollution. The corridors include R.K. Ashram Marg to Indraprastha, Aerocity to IGD Airport T-1, and Tughlakabad to Kalindi Kunj, with funding shared between the Central and Delhi governments and a portion financed through loans. Meanwhile, construction of the ongoing Phase IV, covering 111 kilometers, is progressing, with completion expected by December 2026. Currently, the Delhi Metro serves an average of 6.5 million passengers daily, making it one of the largest metro systems globally.
Published: Dec 24 2025, 5 pmeznews.inAir India and IndiGo have unveiled plans to enhance their international networks with new flights to Rome and London, respectively. Air India, under the Tata Group, will resume its non-stop service from Delhi to Rome on March 25, 2026, operating four times a week after a six-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This service aims to improve connectivity between the two capitals and facilitate travel to the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, IndiGo will launch direct flights from Delhi to London Heathrow starting February 2, 2026, with five weekly flights using Boeing 787 aircraft. This addition will increase IndiGo's total weekly flights to London to 12, complementing its existing Mumbai-London service. Both airlines are responding to rising travel demand, with IndiGo also announcing new routes to Athens and other international destinations over the past year.
Published: Dec 24 2025, 5 pmeznews.inFisher-folk have called on the Indian government to include their representatives in policymaking bodies to leverage their practical expertise, essential for achieving responsible fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Despite nearly eight decades of discussions on fisheries welfare, the Federation of Fishing Boats and Fishery Industries of Kerala highlighted that the government has yet to assess the capabilities of deep-sea vessels adequately. Federation leaders Paul Rajan Mampilly and Joseph Xavier Kalappurackal emphasized that fishermen should manage deep-sea fishing, as current policies do not align with the realities faced by those reliant on fishing for their livelihoods. They criticized the lack of scientific basis in sustainable fishing programs and noted that policymakers often overlook the complexities of fish availability and operational costs in deeper waters. The federation underscored the importance of engaging the younger traditional fishing community, which will be vital for the sector's future.
Published: Dec 24 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThe Union Cabinet has approved the Delhi Metro Rail Project Phase-IV A, a major expansion of the capital's mass transit system, which will see the construction of 13 new stations—10 underground and 3 elevated—over three years. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the ₹12,015 crore project will add 16 kilometres to the network, bringing the total length to over 400 kilometres and enhancing urban mobility in the National Capital Region. The expansion will cover three key corridors: Ramakrishna Ashram Marg-Indraprastha (9.9 km), Aerocity-Airport Terminal-1 (2.3 km), and Tughlakabad-Kalindi Kunj (3.9 km). This initiative aims to improve connectivity, alleviate traffic congestion, and promote sustainable transport. Additionally, the Delhi Metro recently celebrated 23 years of operation and received the ICI Awards 2025 for its Maujpur-Majlis Park corridor, which will become India's first circular ring metro line upon completion.
Published: Dec 24 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA crop failure in Guatemala has opened new opportunities for Indian cardamom exporters, particularly ahead of the Ramadan season, with anticipated shipments rising to between 12,000 and 14,000 tonnes. This marks a significant increase from the usual 6,000 to 8,000 tonnes, as Guatemala's production is expected to plummet to around 17,000 tonnes this season, down from a typical 40,000 to 50,000 tonnes. Indian cardamom, known for its premium quality, is now in high demand in Gulf markets, where buyers are prioritizing availability over price. Despite the positive outlook, exporters face challenges due to price volatility in auctions and fluctuating foreign exchange rates, which complicate long-term contracts and threaten profit margins. As the picking season continues in Idukki, the sector is hopeful for improved conditions with anticipated spring rains by March 2026, following the drought of 2024.
Published: Dec 24 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIndia's mustard acreage has reached approximately 84.67 lakh hectares as of December 15, 2025, marking a 4.32% increase from 81.16 lakh hectares during the same period last year, according to Agriwatch's latest report. Significant growth has been observed in states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and West Bengal. Most crops are currently at the branching to flowering stage, with early-sown fields progressing to pod development. Despite some re-sowing in Rajasthan due to early-season rainfall, overall crop conditions remain normal across monitored states, with pest incidences below economic thresholds. In Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, crops are recovering well from earlier weather stresses, while Haryana reports no significant pest issues. The report, commissioned by the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India, indicates that state-wise mustard area figures are tentative and will be updated in January 2026.
Published: Dec 24 2025, 3 pmeznews.inCommerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal has highlighted the potential of India's professional services sector to capitalize on global opportunities through legally binding commitments in Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Speaking at a session titled 'Expanding Global Horizons: Opportunities for Indian Professionals,' Agrawal emphasized the need for Indian professionals, including chartered accountants, doctors, and architects, to adopt global best practices and enhance their skills to meet evolving market demands. He urged professional bodies, such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, to engage in international conferences for knowledge sharing and collaboration. The recent FTA with New Zealand, which facilitates professional visas for 5,000 Indian professionals, exemplifies this initiative. Key discussion points included enhancing international mobility through mutual recognition agreements, developing professional networks abroad, and addressing challenges related to data privacy and foreign university branches in India. India's services exports are projected to reach approximately $390 billion in 2024-25.
Published: Dec 24 2025, 11 ameznews.inThe Spices Board has revoked the dealer's licence of Cardamomauction.com (Trade Code DL-253) due to breaches of the Cardamom (Licensing and Marketing) Rules, 1987. These regulations stipulate that only registered dealers can buy cardamom from registered growers and participate in the auction system. Following the licence cancellation, Cardamomauction.com is prohibited from engaging in cardamom auctions or purchasing from growers. The Spices Board has urged all auctioneers and growers to refrain from any transactions with the company. This decisive action aims to uphold compliance with statutory regulations and maintain the integrity of the cardamom marketing and auction framework. The announcement was made in a press release dated December 24, 2025.
Published: Dec 24 2025, 10 am
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