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Kerala's Industries Minister P Rajeeve inaugurated Tradex Kerala 2026, an international buyer-seller meet aimed at enhancing the state's contribution to global trade by connecting local MSMEs with overseas buyers. This inaugural event, organized by the Directorate of Industries and Commerce in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, marks the first international reverse buyer-seller meet in Kerala. It provides a platform for MSMEs to showcase their products and engage directly with international markets, promoting sustainable business linkages. On the opening day, over 100 MoUs were signed, securing business commitments worth ₹53 crore from 32 international buyers and more than 400 local enterprises across nine sectors. The Minister highlighted the government's ongoing efforts to bolster the MSME sector, including the introduction of the 'Kerala Brand – Nanma,' which emphasizes ethical and quality standards. Additionally, a proposal for a ₹2,000 crore investment was submitted, promising significant employment opportunities. 
Published: Feb 17 2026, 7 pmeznews.inIn a significant move to enhance agricultural support, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the 'Bharat VISTAAR' initiative in Jaipur on Tuesday. This program, part of a broader AI strategy, aims to provide farmers with tailored guidance through a dedicated helpline, allowing them to access information about their land, crops, and available government schemes by simply calling from a registered mobile number. The initiative, announced in the recent budget, seeks to streamline access to agricultural data and reduce bureaucratic hurdles. Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi emphasized that the system will eventually integrate with Agristack, enabling real-time, location-specific assistance. Currently available in Hindi and English, the service will expand to nine additional regional languages within six months. Chouhan noted that existing schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana will be incorporated, marking a transformative step towards improving farmers' incomes and decision-making.
Published: Feb 17 2026, 8 pmeznews.inNegotiations regarding the inclusion of pulses in the US-India interim trade agreement remain ongoing, despite the recent omission of the item from a White House factsheet. Sources indicate that while no agreement has been reached, discussions will continue when negotiating teams meet in Washington next week. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan criticized the Congress party for opposing the trade deal and the import of essential agricultural products, emphasizing India's current reliance on imports to meet pulse demand. The initial joint statement on the trade framework, issued on February 6, did not mention pulses, leading to the subsequent removal of the item from the White House factsheet. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted that India has a history of importing lentils from the US, suggesting that concessions may be part of the ongoing negotiations. Clarity on the matter is expected as talks progress.
Published: Feb 17 2026, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's raw cotton and waste imports surged by 72% in dollar terms during the April-January period of the current financial year, reaching over $1.79 billion, as mills capitalized on a duty exemption to make record overseas purchases. The Commerce Ministry reported that the rupee value of these imports rose to ₹15,857 crore, an 81% increase from ₹8,771.96 crore the previous year. The Cotton Association of India (CAI) estimates that approximately 35 lakh bales have been imported so far in the 2025-26 cotton year, with expectations of total imports reaching 50 lakh bales by September. The government extended the duty-free status on cotton imports until December 31, 2025, to support the textiles industry, which faces challenges from high US tariffs. CAI also raised its crop estimate for 2025-26, projecting a surplus of 122.59 lakh bales, bolstered by record imports.
Published: Feb 17 2026, 8 pmeznews.inIndia has inaugurated its first private-sector helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) for the Airbus H125 in Vemagal, Karnataka, a project led by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL). The virtual inauguration was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron. This facility marks a significant milestone, as it allows the Indian private sector to handle the manufacturing, integration, testing, and maintenance of rotary-wing platforms. The FAL will assemble the civil H125 helicopter and its military variant, the H125M, which is designed for various missions, including reconnaissance and medical evacuation. Tata Sons Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran emphasized the facility's role in showcasing India's industrial capabilities, while Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even highlighted its potential to produce helicopters tailored for local conditions. The first "Made in India" H125 is expected to be delivered by early 2027, with plans for regional exports.
Published: Feb 17 2026, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's Ready Made Garment (RMG) exports reached $13.13 billion during the April–January 2025-26 period, reflecting a 1.6% increase year-on-year and a notable 13.3% growth compared to the previous fiscal year, according to the Apparel Export Promotion Council. Despite a 3.8% decline in January 2026 compared to January 2025, exports showed resilience with a 7.2% rise from January 2024. The council attributed the January dip to high US tariffs and global market volatility, prompting some exporters to offer discounts to retain customers. India has signed Free Trade Agreements with 37 countries, enhancing market access for the textile sector. However, challenges persist for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which require targeted policy support. Council chairman A. Sakthivel has called for a dedicated export policy and an increase in the Interest Equalisation Scheme to bolster financing for smaller exporters.
Published: Feb 17 2026, 8 pmeznews.inA new dam on the Punjab-Jammu border is set to become operational by the end of next month, with completion expected by March 31, according to Jal Shakti Minister Javed Ahmad Rana. The Shahpurkandi Dam will divert surplus water from the Ravi River, which currently flows into Pakistan, for irrigation purposes, benefiting drought-prone areas in Punjab and Jammu, particularly Kathua and Samba districts. This initiative follows India's suspension of the Indus Water Treaty after recent military tensions with Pakistan, prompting a renewed focus on hydropower projects in the region. Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar recently inspected key sites in Jammu and Kashmir, where environmental clearance has been granted for the 260-MW Dulhasti Stage-II project, alongside two other major schemes. Local MLA Rameshwar Singh emphasized that the dam will enhance irrigation, protect Kharif crops, and improve agricultural output across numerous villages.
Published: Feb 17 2026, 7 pmeznews.inThe Indian Coast Guard has intercepted three oil tankers suspected of being involved in an international oil-smuggling racket approximately 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai. This operation, conducted on February 8, was part of a coordinated sea-air effort that targeted mid-sea transfers of cheap oil from conflict zones, allowing the syndicate to evade duties owed to coastal states. The vessels, identified as US-sanctioned ships—Al Jafzia (Nicaragua), Asphalt Star (Mali), and Stellar Ruby (Iran)—are currently detained at Mumbai anchorage. An FIR has been filed at the Yellow Gate Police Station, which is leading the investigation. The operation was facilitated by advanced surveillance and data analysis, revealing a broader global network behind the smuggling activities. The identity of the intended consignee for the cargo remains undisclosed as investigations continue.
Published: Feb 17 2026, 7 pmeznews.inThe National Consumer Helpline (NCH) has reported facilitating refunds totaling ₹52 crore across 31 sectors in the past nine months, addressing 79,521 consumer grievances related to refund claims from April 25, 2025, to January 31, 2026. The e-commerce sector emerged as the most problematic, with 47,743 complaints leading to refunds exceeding ₹36 crore, highlighting the NCH's extensive reach across both urban and rural areas. The travel and tourism sector followed, securing over ₹4 crore in refunds. The Department of Consumer Affairs emphasized that this initiative, part of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, allows for timely grievance resolution without the need for legal proceedings. The NCH operates through a digital model, ensuring grievances are promptly forwarded to companies for resolution, thereby reinforcing consumer trust in digital marketplaces and encouraging proactive engagement with the helpline for rights protection.
Published: Feb 17 2026, 7 pmeznews.inAir India and Lufthansa are set to enhance their partnership, aiming to boost passenger traffic between India and Europe following the recent India-EU free trade agreement. The collaboration will initially target Lufthansa's key markets, including Germany, Austria, Belgium, Italy, and Switzerland, with plans to expand further across Europe and the Indian subcontinent. Currently, the airlines codeshare on 145 routes spanning 20 countries. A comprehensive joint business agreement is anticipated, pending regulatory approvals, which will outline the partnership's scope. This move follows Air India's January cooperation framework with Singapore Airlines, designed to optimize routes and foster collaboration, with Singapore Airlines holding a 25% stake in Air India. The airlines' strategic alliance reflects a growing trend in the aviation sector to leverage international agreements for enhanced connectivity and operational efficiency.
Published: Feb 17 2026, 7 pm
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