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The Indian tourism ministry is urging states to establish city-level bureaus aimed at attracting major global events, inspired by successful models in Dubai and Singapore. Suman Billa, Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, emphasized that these bureaus would foster collaboration among government officials, hotels, and stakeholders, enhancing India's competitiveness in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector. Despite recent initiatives, including the 2021 infrastructure status for convention centres and a national MICE strategy launched in 2022, India holds only 5% of the global $850 billion MICE market. The proposed bureaus would streamline hospitality offerings and potentially receive financial backing from the Centre. Additionally, industry leaders are advocating for simplified visa processes to bolster India's appeal as a MICE destination, with suggestions to phase out the e-conference visa and enhance the e-business visa for MICE-related travel. 
Published: Jul 31 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA recent report from SBI Research indicates that the United States' imposition of a 25% tariff on Indian exports is projected to reduce India's GDP growth by 25 to 30 basis points for the fiscal year 2026. Despite the US being India's largest export market, accounting for 20% of exports in FY25, India has successfully diversified its trade, with the top ten countries comprising only 53% of total exports. The report highlights that key sectors such as electronics, gems and jewelry, and pharmaceuticals, which make up 49% of exports to the US, will be significantly affected. While previous tariffs ranged from 0% to 10.8%, the new 25% rate will apply across the board. SBI's Group Chief Economic Adviser, Soumya Kanti Ghosh, criticized the tariff as a poor business decision but expressed optimism that global supply chains would adapt, urging Indian firms to emphasize quality in their products.
Published: Aug 01 2025, 9 pmeznews.inAs of July 31, Indian sugar mills held a stock of 90.58 lakh tonnes, with the government allocating a quota of 22.5 lakh tonnes for domestic sales in August. This allocation suggests a potential closing stock of around 68 lakh tonnes by the end of the month, raising concerns about supply amid increasing festival demand. Last year, the August quota was lower at 22 lakh tonnes, and if September's allocation mirrors this, the closing stock could drop to approximately 46 lakh tonnes. The Indian Sugar and Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) projects a gross sugar output of 349.01 lakh tonnes for the 2025-26 season, an 18% increase from the previous year, and has requested government permission for 20 lakh tonnes of exports and 50 lakh tonnes for ethanol production. With the festive season approaching, industry officials anticipate improved production due to better sugarcane yields.
Published: Aug 01 2025, 9 pmeznews.inDomestic passenger vehicle (PV) dispatches in July 2025 experienced a slight year-on-year increase of 1% to 349,179 units, up from 345,845 units in July 2024. Maruti Suzuki India, the country's largest PV manufacturer, reported a marginal rise in wholesales to 137,776 units, compared to 137,463 units last year. Mahindra & Mahindra saw a significant 20% growth, selling 49,871 units, bolstered by new launches like the XUV 3XO ‘REVX’ Series. Kia India also reported an 8% increase in sales to 22,135 units. In contrast, Tata Motors and Hyundai Motor India faced declines of 15% and 10%, respectively. Meanwhile, the two-wheeler segment thrived, with Hero MotoCorp and Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India posting growths of over 18% and 6%, respectively. Despite the overall subdued market outlook, Tata Motors aims to leverage new launches to enhance its performance across segments.
Published: Aug 01 2025, 9 pmeznews.inChennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has initiated three feasibility studies to establish a Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) connecting Chennai and Coimbatore with surrounding regional centres. The proposed semi-high-speed rail network, capable of speeds between 160-200 km/h, aims to significantly reduce travel times to 30-60 minutes, surpassing current road travel durations. The corridors under examination include routes from Chennai to Chengalpattu, Tindivanam, and Villupuram (170 km), Chennai to Kanchipuram and Vellore (140 km), and Coimbatore to Tiruppur, Erode, and Salem (185 km). CMRL has engaged Balaji Railroad Systems Private Limited as the consultant for these studies, which will evaluate various route options, station placements, and integration with other transport modes. This initiative is part of the government's broader strategy to alleviate urban congestion and promote sustainable transport solutions, ultimately enhancing economic growth and quality of life across Tamil Nadu.
Published: Aug 01 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndia's chilli acreage is projected to decline by 20% this kharif season, driven by weak prices and substantial carry-forward stocks, prompting farmers to consider alternative crops such as maize, cotton, and pulses. Sambasiva Rao Velagapudi, President of the Chilli Exporters Association, noted that while the planting season may extend into September due to good water availability, the overall area under chilli cultivation is expected to drop significantly, with estimates suggesting a reduction of 35-40% nationwide. Seed sales have also plummeted, with a 35% decline reported by BigHaat Agro, particularly in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. The current chilli stocks in cold storage have risen to 2.5 crore bags, exacerbating the price slump, which has seen Byadgi and hybrid varieties fall by 20-30%. As farmers pivot to more lucrative crops, the chilli market faces a challenging outlook.
Published: Aug 01 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has mandated that all food business operators (FBOs), including restaurants and cafes, display their FSSAI license or registration certificate alongside a QR code for the Food Safety Connect App at customer-visible locations. This initiative aims to enhance public health and streamline the grievance redressal process for consumers, allowing them to report food safety issues directly through the app. Complaints submitted via the app are automatically directed to the relevant authorities, ensuring swift action. FSSAI has made the QR code available on the front page of the license and has instructed FBOs to also include it on their websites and online ordering platforms. The app serves as a comprehensive resource for consumers, providing information on licensed FBOs and updates on food safety initiatives. This directive aligns with the FSSAI's licensing regulations established in 2011.
Published: Aug 01 2025, 8 pmeznews.inPetrol consumption in India experienced a slight decline of 0.8% month-on-month in July 2025, totaling 3.48 million tonnes, although it rose by 2.2% compared to the same month last year. This decrease follows a record high in transport fuel usage in May and marks the second consecutive month of reduced consumption, attributed to seasonal factors such as monsoon rains impacting mobility. Diesel usage saw a more significant drop of 9% month-on-month to 7.35 million tonnes, yet it remained 5.5% higher year-on-year. Aviation turbine fuel (ATF) consumption also fell by 3.4% month-on-month and 2.75% year-on-year to 707,000 tonnes. Cumulatively, petrol consumption from April to July 2025 increased by over 6.5% year-on-year, with overall demand for refined petroleum products expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.37% until 2030, driven primarily by the manufacturing and transportation sectors.
Published: Aug 01 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), known as the Pusa Institute, has decided to discontinue its undergraduate programs, which were introduced two years ago under an academic hub model at various ICAR research institutions. This move follows Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's concerns that the undergraduate courses were detracting from high-level research efforts. While the programs will cease at IARI's main campus, 120 undergraduate seats will remain available at its Assam and Jharkhand centers for the 2025-26 academic year. Current students will be allowed to complete their degrees, and IARI will also introduce "Student Research Partners" for postgraduate and Ph.D. research starting in 2025-26. Additionally, IARI is encouraged to collaborate with state agricultural universities and expand its academic reach by including other institutes as temporary off-campus centers. The decision was formalized by the IARI academic council on July 16, with communications sent to relevant centers shortly thereafter.
Published: Aug 01 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) has urged India's drug regulatory authority, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), to streamline the approval process for biosimilars and waive mandatory animal trials when sufficient laboratory data is available. In a letter, SJM highlighted that leading regulatory bodies, including the UK MHRA and US FDA, have moved away from mandatory animal testing for biosimilars, advocating for similar practices in India to enhance patient access to affordable medications. SJM's National Co-Convenor, Ashwani Mahajan, emphasized that unnecessary animal studies could inflate production costs, making treatments unaffordable for low-income communities. The letter also called for clearer criteria for when clinical efficacy trials are necessary, to prevent delays and potential corruption. While acknowledging the draft guidelines' commitment to ethical practices, SJM stressed the need for a more defined framework to ensure timely access to life-saving biosimilars for patients with chronic conditions.
Published: Aug 01 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndian exporters are grappling with the impact of new US tariffs, which will impose a 25 per cent levy on engineering goods worth $12.5 billion annually, effective August 7. This move follows previous sector-specific tariffs on the auto and steel industries. Despite their dismay, exporters find some solace in a relatively small tariff differential of 5-6 per cent compared to competitors, and a 5 per cent advantage over China. Industry leaders, including EEPC Chairman Pankaj Chanda, suggest a cautious approach, advocating for a wait-and-see strategy over the next few months as they anticipate a potential decline in exports due to front-loaded orders. India’s engineering exports to the US, which account for 23 per cent of its total goods exports to the country, could benefit from a prospective bilateral trade agreement, although challenges remain in negotiations.
Published: Aug 01 2025, 7 pm
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