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Jayen Mehta, Managing Director of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which oversees the Amul brand, expressed optimism about the future of Indian dairy exports amid new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. With Amul exporting ₹1,000 crore worth of dairy products annually, Mehta believes these tariffs will position Indian brands as the "preferred supplier of choice" in 50% of markets traditionally served by the US. He noted that the US, the second-largest dairy exporter, shipped 54 lakh tonnes of dairy products in 2024, with significant exports to India's neighboring regions. Despite the anticipated increase in import duties on Amul products, Mehta is confident that the Indian diaspora in the US will absorb the costs. He highlighted the Indian government's support for the dairy sector, maintaining high import duties on foreign dairy products to protect local producers. Amul currently exports 19 products to the US, including cheese and butter. 
Published: Apr 03 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA team of scientists from the ICAR – Directorate of Cashew Research and the ICAR – Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering has developed innovative machines to streamline the labor-intensive process of separating cashew nuts from cashew apples. Catering to various farming needs, they introduced three models: a pedal-operated separator for smallholders without electricity, a semi-automatic version for mid-sized operations, and a fully automatic three-in-one machine capable of processing 300 kg per hour with over 99% efficiency. The latter not only separates nuts but also extracts pulp and removes fibrous material, with all outputs being usable for animal feed or value-added products. The pedal-operated separator costs approximately ₹15,000, while the fully automatic model is priced at ₹1.95 lakh. These advancements aim to reduce labor dependency and enhance productivity for cashew farmers, particularly benefiting small and marginal producers. The team has applied for patents and signed a licensing agreement with Phison Agritech Pvt Ltd.
Published: Apr 04 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIndia is significantly reshaping its coking coal sourcing strategy in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, moving away from its heavy reliance on Australia. Once accounting for 74% of India's coking coal imports in FY20, Australian shipments are projected to decline to 30.3 million tonnes by FY25, representing a 28% drop. In contrast, Russia and the United States have emerged as key suppliers, with Russian imports increasing nearly threefold to 8.7 million tonnes and U.S. shipments more than doubling to 8.5 million tonnes. Together, these nations now provide over 30% of India's coking coal, up from 11% the previous year. This diversification is driven by rising costs and supply disruptions from Australia, prompting Indian steelmakers to seek more affordable options. Meanwhile, India's Coal Ministry is pursuing 'Mission Coking Coal' to boost domestic production to 140 million tonnes by FY30, further reducing import dependency.
Published: Apr 04 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe Indian Cabinet has approved four multitracking projects for Indian Railways, with a total investment of ₹18,658 crore, aimed at enhancing the railway network across Odisha, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh. Set for completion by 2030-31, these projects will add 1,247 track kilometres and are expected to boost the Railways' share in cargo logistics from 29% to 35%. The upgrades will facilitate the transport of essential goods, including coal and agricultural products, increasing freight capacity by 88.77 million tonnes annually. Additionally, the initiative aligns with India's sustainability goals, projected to reduce oil imports by 95 crore litres and cut CO2 emissions by 477 crore kilograms. The construction phase is anticipated to create around 379 lakh human-days of employment and improve connectivity for 3,350 villages, benefiting 47.25 lakh people. These developments are part of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, enhancing India's position as a leading cargo carrier.
Published: Apr 04 2025, 5 pmeznews.inChina has initiated a lawsuit against the United States at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in response to the imposition of "reciprocal tariffs" by the Trump administration. In retaliation, Beijing announced a 34% tariff on all American imports, effective April 10, mirroring the US tariffs on Chinese goods. Additionally, China will restrict exports of seven rare earth materials, launch an anti-dumping investigation into US medical equipment, and halt poultry imports from two American firms. The escalating trade tensions have been exacerbated by a lack of communication between President Trump and his Chinese counterpart since January, alongside ongoing disputes over China's alleged role in the fentanyl crisis. The US tariffs, which could rise to 54% on Chinese products, have already led to a significant decline in US imports from China, which totaled nearly $164 billion last year, the lowest in four years.
Published: Apr 04 2025, 4 pmeznews.inUS President Donald Trump announced sweeping reciprocal tariffs on April 2, 2025, targeting nearly all trading partners in a significant escalation of his long-standing critique of the global economic system. The tariffs, which include a 34% levy on China, 20% on the EU, and up to 49% on Cambodia, have raised alarms among major economic institutions. The World Trade Organization (WTO) warned that these measures could lead to a 1% contraction in global merchandise trade, a downward revision of nearly four percentage points from earlier forecasts. WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala expressed concern over the potential for a tariff war, while IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva cautioned against actions that could further destabilize the sluggish global economy. Despite the new tariffs, the WTO noted that 74% of global trade still operates under its Most-Favored-Nation terms, emphasizing the need for cooperation to mitigate trade tensions.
Published: Apr 04 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIn a recent address at the Startup Mahakumbh in New Delhi, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal urged the Indian startup community to pivot from traditional sectors like grocery delivery and ice cream production towards high-tech industries such as semiconductors, machine learning, robotics, and artificial intelligence. Goyal emphasized the importance of fostering a robust domestic investment landscape to reduce reliance on foreign capital, asserting that a strong foundation of indigenous investment is vital for long-term economic resilience. He encouraged startups to focus on innovative solutions that prepare India for future challenges, stating, "Are we going to be happy being delivery boys and girls?" The minister reassured entrepreneurs of government support in overcoming obstacles, highlighting the evolving role of startups in driving the nation’s economic and technological advancement. The current market reflects a downturn, with the SENSEX at 75,390.64, down 904.72 points, and NIFTY at 22,899.75, down 350.35 points.
Published: Apr 04 2025, 12 pmeznews.inUS President Donald Trump has announced a significant 27% tariff on imports from India, raising concerns among global markets and trade analysts about potential economic repercussions. Deloitte warns that India's textiles and apparel sector, valued at over $8 billion, could be severely impacted, as the new tariffs may render these products uncompetitive. Additionally, exports of fish, shrimp, non-basmati rice, and vegetable oils, worth around $5 billion, are also at risk. While electronics exports may face challenges due to India's existing tariffs, automobiles are largely exempt from the new duty. Analysts from ASK Private Wealth caution that the tariffs could lead to economic uncertainty in the US, potentially triggering stagflation and a slowdown in growth. Conversely, Jefferies views the tariffs as reasonable in a global context but notes that a weakening US economy could dampen demand for Indian exports, particularly in IT services. The situation remains fluid as the global economic community monitors developments.
Published: Apr 04 2025, 1 pmeznews.inThe US has announced a 26% increase in import duties on Indian goods, effective April 9, prompting Indian exporters to engage in discussions with American buyers to mitigate the impact of these tariffs. Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President SC Ralhan expressed concerns that the high duties, coupled with rising steel prices, would adversely affect exports and job creation in sectors like engineering and leather. Exporters are already negotiating with US clients, with some being urged to halt production due to anticipated demand drops. FIEO Vice-President Ravikant Kapur suggested that India should consider reducing tariffs on US products to foster better trade relations, as the US remains a significant market for Indian home furnishings and carpets. Exporters fear that the new duties could lead to job losses, with approximately 3.5 million people employed in the affected sectors.
Published: Apr 04 2025, 1 pmeznews.inAs air freight prices surge amid overbooked cargo flights, the impending US tariffs set to take effect on April 9 are prompting a significant shift in global shipping strategies. Exporters are racing to secure space on vessels and aircraft to ensure their goods reach the US before the new duty structure is implemented. Capt KG Ramakrishnan likens the urgency to filling a vehicle with petrol just before a price hike, highlighting the unprecedented nature of such rapid changes. Industry experts, including CK Govil of the Air Cargo Agents Association of India, report that many exporters aimed to ship goods by April 2 to avoid the tariffs, leading to a spike in freight costs as airlines prioritize express shipments. Lars Jensen, a container shipping expert, warns that the new tariffs have effectively ignited a global trade war, complicating logistics and increasing pressure on shippers to adapt swiftly.
Published: Apr 04 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIn a bid to bolster Uttar Pradesh's economy, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has set an ambitious target of achieving a one trillion dollar economy, with Deoria aiming to contribute an additional ₹10,000 crore over the next decade. Known for its fertile land and agricultural output, including sugarcane, wheat, and rice, Deoria is strategically positioned along major rivers like the Ghaghara, Rapti, and Chhoti Gandak. To facilitate this growth, local MP Shashank Mani Tripathi has launched the "Amrit Prayas" initiative, a comprehensive 10-year strategy designed to enhance employment opportunities, increase per capita income, and improve the business environment for entrepreneurs. Developed over four months with input from over 2,000 stakeholders, including citizens and business leaders, the plan will be executed by the Deoria Development Alliance, aligning with the broader vision of a prosperous and developed Deoria Lok Sabha constituency.
Published: Apr 04 2025, 12 pm
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