Archive News

Back

From Date

To Date

Keyword

13 Feb, 2024 News Image

'Our economy has grown by 7.6 per cent in the last three quarters', says Union Minister Hardeep S Puri.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri lauded the economic growth of India, citing a robust expansion of 7.6 per cent in the last three quarters.

Speaking at the Rozgar Mela where over a lakh appointment letters were distributed to newly recruited individuals, Puri highlighted the significant strides made in employment across government, public, private, and informal sectors.

'Our economy has grown by 7.6 per cent in the last three quarters,' stated Union Minister Puri.

He expressed optimism about India's economic trajectory, referencing projections from international analysts and rating agencies forecasting India's economy to rank among the top three globally within the next five years.

Addressing the gathering of newly appointed youth, Puri extended his congratulations, acknowledging their hard work and dedication.

He emphasized the importance of providing equal opportunities to all individuals to showcase their capabilities, emphasizing the government's commitment to transparency and efficiency in the recruitment process.

Minister Puri said, 'In addition to the expansion of the economy, employment in the government, public, private and informal sectors is also growing rapidly. According to international analysts and rating agencies, India's economy will rank among the top three in the world within the next five years.'

He added, 'I'd like to congratulate the youth who received their appointment letter today.'

During the distribution of over a lakh appointment letters under the Rozgar Mela programme on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that his government had made the recruitment process transparent and completed it within a set timeframe to ensure that every youth had an equal opportunity to showcase their capabilities.

PM Narendra Modi underscored the significance of reducing the time taken from the application stage to the final distribution of appointment letters, ensuring swift and seamless recruitment procedures.

The Rozgar Mela initiative, launched by Prime Minister Modi on October 22, 2022, marked the commencement of a campaign aimed at providing 10 lakh government jobs.

Rozgar Melas serve as a platform for employers and job seekers to interact and facilitate the recruitment process effectively.

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

13 Feb, 2024 News Image

Development of Chabahar port as 'golden gateway' significant example of Iran-India engagement, says envoy.

Development of the Chabahar port as a 'golden gateway' connecting the countries in the Indian Ocean region to Central Asia is a significant example of India-Iran engagement, Iranian ambassador Iraj Elahi has said. The envoy said cooperation between the two countries in implementation of the ambitious International North- South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is also important examples of the growing bilateral ties.

In an address at an event marking the 45th anniversary of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Elahi said the 'cordial meeting' between Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg in August last paved the way for a 'new phase' in the 'good cooperation' between the two nations.

'The cooperation of the two countries in the development of Chabahar port, as the golden gateway connecting the countries along the Indian Ocean to Central Asia and the Caucasus, and the cooperation in the INSTC are important examples of the growing cooperation,' he said on Friday.

Located in Sistan-Balochistan province on the energy-rich Iran's southern coast, the Chabahar port is being developed by India and Iran to boost connectivity and trade ties.

India has been pushing for the Chabahar port project to boost regional trade, especially for its connectivity to Afghanistan. India and Iran have projected the port as a key hub for the INSTC project.

The INSTC is a 7,200-km-long multi-mode transport project for moving freight among India, Iran, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia and Europe.

The Iranian ambassador said the economic relations between Iran and India are developing in different sectors.

In his remarks Elahi, talking about historical linkages between the two nations, complimented India for preserving the Persian language in its 'heart' throughout centuries.

'The relations between the two nations of Iran and India have a long history. Beautiful Persian poems are still read in every corner of India. India, like a kind nanny, has preserved the Persian language in its heart throughout the centuries,' he said.

The envoy said Persian poets of India have made a great contribution to Persian poetry.

On overall ties, he said Iran and India are having important coordination and cooperation at the regional and international levels.

'The presence of Iran and India in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) shows the cooperation of the two countries at the international level,' he said.

Talking about challenges facing Iran, Elahi described his country as a 'victim of terrorism' which has been having a non-stop fight against terrorism.

'Iran has prevented ISIS from dominating the West Asian region,' he said adding the country is 'proud to have lost one of its national heroes' in the fight against terrorism, and the world will never forget the assassination of General Qasem Soleimani in Iraq.

Soleimani was killed in a drone strike near Baghdad in January 2020.

On the regional situation, the ambassador said Iran has always stood by the 'oppressed' people of Palestine from the beginning until now.

'Iran, with its unique geopolitical position, plays an important role in international connections and in strengthening the peace and stability of the West Asian region,' he said.

Highlighting Iran's development journey in the last four decades, Elahi said Iranian people and government have stood against many 'fierce storms' such as terror, 'economic sanctions or economic terrorism' but the country has been moving towards the 'heights of victory'.

He listed Iran's 'extraordinary rise' in various scientific, economic and technological fields.

'Self-sufficiency in the production of agricultural products, industrial products, Nano technology, aerospace technology and peaceful nuclear energy are some of the successes and capabilities of Iran,' he said.

'In the past month, Iran managed to simultaneously launch three research satellites into space and take steps towards becoming a space power,' he said.

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

13 Feb, 2024 News Image

Brexit signals booming demand for Indian roses as Valentine s nears.

The decision of the United Kingdom to exit the European Union (EU)- has opened doors for the export of Indian roses. Praveen Sharma, president of Indian Society of Floriculture Professionals said exports to the United Kingdom have increased by 1,000 percent since November 2022. What has worked majorly in India’s favour is the fact that roses from Netherlands, a major supplier, now face stringent custom checks.

The United Kingdom exited the EU in 2020. Consignments from the Netherlands, which used to meet the demand for roses on Valentine’s Day, now face strict custom checks. Also, given the energy crisis in Europe due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, has seen many growers in the Netherlands drop their winter crop – another factor which has helped India conquer the British market. Export of roses from India to the UK has increased 1,000 per cent till the end of November 2023 as compared to November 30,2022.

Floriculture professionals in India suffered tremendous losses during the COVID 19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. However, the tide has turned with both domestic and international markets coming in aid of Indian flower growers. Sharma stated that for the 2023-24 fiscal year, they estimate total exports of roses to touch Rs 65 crores – a jump of 30 per cent from the last financial year. 'Israel, which once was an exporter, has started importing roses from India,' he said. The rise in exports is despite an overall increase of 20 per cent in freight charges.

Resurgence in domestic demand has also helped growers command good prices. This season, a bunch of 20 roses is priced at Rs 250-300 which Sharma mentioned as a very comfortable price. 'The long wedding season has also helped us in getting good prices,' he said. Sharma and other flower growers said the real potential of the flower market of India can penetrate the Rs 1,000 crore-mark.

Jaysinh Hulavale, of Pavana Flower Growers Association said despite steady demand, they face issues in booking freight space in airlines. 'Our shipment to Lebanon could not go because the airlines failed to reserve space for us. Due to this, the domestic prices were hit as the shipments for exports were dumped in the domestic market,' he said. Hulavale added that this year the season as well as the demand has been robust but logistics have proven to be an onerous problem.

Source: indianexpress.com

13 Feb, 2024 News Image

Better connectivity, measures key to export boost: Verma.

He joined Bangladesh’s State Minister of Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury at the inauguration of the Sultanganj, Godagari Port of Call, flagging off a cargo vessel from Sultanganj (Bangladesh) to Maia (India) to operationalise the important river connectivity route between India and Bangladesh, read a press release.

The high commissioner highlighted the new river route as part of the growing economic and connectivity links between India and Bangladesh and a visible symbol of the recent transformation of their relationship.

He stressed the importance of multimodal connectivity in unlocking the true potential of bilateral cooperation and described the re-opening of the Maia-Sultanganj river route as a step.

This will not only benefit the local economies on the two sides of the border, but will also contribute to national economies and strengthen sub-regional cooperation and integration, said the envoy.

The high commissioner noted that India was today Bangladesh’s largest export destination in Asia.

Talking about other forward looking initiatives, the High Commissioner noted the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and Bangladesh, for which negotiations are going to start soon.

The inauguration of the Sultanganj, Godagari Port of Call and the flagging-off of a cargo vessel from Sultanganj (Bangladesh) to Maia (India) marks the first of the five trial movements of cargo vessels between Maia Port in India and Sultanganj, Godagari Port of Call in Bangladesh on Indo Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) Route 5&6.

There is significant potential for cargo movement through this IBP Route, which is expected to give new impetus to Inland Waterways ecosystem in both countries.

Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation A H M Khairuzzaman (Litton), Members of Parliament from Rajshahi-1 Omor Faruk Chowdhury and Chapainawabganj-3 Md Abdul Wadud, and Senior Secretary of Shipping Md Mustafa Kamal attended the event.

Officials from BIWTA, and Ministry of Shipping of Government of Bangladesh were also present.

Source: businesspostbd.com

13 Feb, 2024 News Image

Indonesia trade resumes after import permits issued.

The Indonesian government has issued the first import permits for horticulture products in 2024 after a five-week delay which has impacted shipments from key supplying countries and contributed to a shortage of imported fruits for the Lunar New Year sales period.

The first horticulture import permits were issued on 2 February, allowing 2024 trade to commence, according to a source from the Australian Embassy in Jakarta.

One leading Indonesian fruit importer confirmed his company received an import permit on 2 February and took its first airfreight shipment of Australian grapes around a week later. 'The import permits have been very late to release this year – it’s taken almost a month and a half,' he told Asiafruit. 'At last, we can continue our business again.'

Nevertheless, the importer noted that permits were being 'released slowly'.

Under Indonesia’s import process for horticulture products, importers must apply for an import licence from the Ministry of Agriculture known as a Recommendation to Import Horticulture (RIPH). Once they receive this licence, they can apply to the Ministry of Trade for import permits. Importers apply to import a certain volume by commodity, supply country and arrival port over a set time-period.

Lunar New Year supply shortage

The delay in issuing import permits has affected all Indonesia’s trading partners and comes after only a limited number of permits (quotas) were issued towards the end of 2023. This has resulted in a shortage of imported fruits for the Lunar New Year sales period in Indonesia. Supply of fruit from Thailand and China has been worst affected, according to the importer.

'The biggest shortage is on longan from Thailand, followed by ponkan mandarins and Fuji apples from China,' he said. 'There has also been a shortage of Tasmanian cherries for Lunar New Year, but that’s because of weather [issues] rather than the import quotas.'

Relief for suppliers

Australian table grape growers and shippers are breathing a sigh of relief that trade can resume as Indonesia is the industry’s second largest export market. With the season well under way, the industry had yet to ship any fruit to Indonesia as of the end of January, according to Australian Table Grape Association CEO Jeff Scott, who said the situation was causing 'distress for a number of growers'.

Australia shipped around 22,000 tonnes of grapes to Indonesia in 2022, according to data from the Asiafruit Congress Statistics Handbook 2023, representing some 18 per cent of the industry’s total grape exports and 9 per cent of Australian production.

The delays in issuing agriculture import permits have affected a range of Australia’s agriculture industries, most notably the live cattle and meat trade. Australia is Indonesia’s largest supplier of live cattle, with annual shipments of around 400,000 animals worth A$400m (US$240m) in recent years, according to Reuters.

Washington apple exports to Indonesia have also been impacted by the import permit delays. 'We could not ship any fruit for two or three weeks during January,' said Todd Fryhover, president of the Washington Apple Commission. 'That probably amounts to around 50,000-70,000 boxes we could not send. It’s frustrating, but we’re back shipping now and we’ve sent about 29,000 boxes over the past two weeks.'

Washington apple exports to Indonesia stood at around 335,000 cartons (18kg) in the season to date at the end of January, up 43 per cent on the same point last year, when the industry had a very small crop. Production is forecast to rebound to 140m cartons in 2023/24, which would mark the second-largest crop on record, and the industry is hopeful of recovering ground in Indonesia this year.

'We shipped a total of 592,972 boxes to Indonesia last year, which was down 22 per cent on the year before (762,574 boxes), so we’re hoping to get back up to 600-700,000 boxes this year,' said Fryhover.

The import permit delays have coincided with the build-up to Indonesia’s general election. Indonesian voters are heading to the polls on Wednesday (14 February) for what will be the world’s largest single-day election, with more than 200m people expected to vote.

The world’s third-largest democracy and fourth-largest population – home to more than 275m people – will elect a new president and vice-president from three pairs of contenders as well as choosing executive and legislative representatives at all administrative levels. The three candidates include defence minister and former army general, Prabowo Subianto; former Central Java governor, Ganjar Pranowo; and former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan.

Source: fruitnet.com

13 Feb, 2024 News Image

Bangladesh seeks onion imports from India.

Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Dr Hasan Mahmud, during his recent visit to New Delhi, requested India to export 50,000 tons of onions (as well as 100,000 tons of sugar) before Ramadan. Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal pledged to export 20,000 tons of onions. The meeting took place on February 9.

Dr Mahmud stated, 'We are dependent on the Indian market for many essential commodities, particularly onions, sugar, lentils and spices.' He further added, 'I requested them to set an export quota for us so that at least we can import these from them at the right price and per our requirement.'

In addition to trade discussions, Dr Mahmud also extended an invitation to Indian President Droupadi Murmu to visit Bangladesh.

Source: freshplaza.com

13 Feb, 2024 News Image

India eyes a ghee-for-cheese deal with UK.

India is trying to pry open the UK market for ghee in exchange for bringing the latter’s blue cheese to the Indian market, under the proposed free trade pact being negotiated by the two countries, an official aware of the matter said.

Trade negotiators have pressed the UK to waive its sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) rules to let in ghee and other dairy products, which remain shut from the British market.

Source: livemint.com

13 Feb, 2024 News Image

Boosting cooperation in energy, digital infra, ports focus of PM Modi's visit to UAE.

Boosting cooperation in areas of energy, ports, fintech, digital infrastructure, railways and investment flows are set to be focus of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) beginning Tuesday. Following talks between Modi and President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the two sides are likely to ink a number of agreements to shore up cooperation in several key areas.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, addressing a press conference, said both sides are looking at firming up understandings in areas of ports, logistics, energy security, energy trade and digital domain, among others.

The Modi-Al Nahyan talks are scheduled to take place on Tuesday.

'We are also looking to see if we can arrive at an understanding on investments in the field of digital infrastructure, arrangements for the protection and promotion of capital flows,' he said.

Kwatra said there may be some understanding for cooperation in the domains of ports and maritime sphere.

'Since the digital cooperation between our two economies is an important element of the partnership, we are also looking to see if we can arrive at an understanding on investments in the field of digital infrastructure,' he said.

Kwatra said the two sides are also examining possible cooperation in the areas of maritime heritage as well as on fintech products and railways.

'Currently the two sides are busy discussing various agreements that could be finalised during the visit,' Kwatra said, adding he was not in a position to share more details.

It would be the prime minister's seventh visit to the UAE since 2015, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday, announcing the trip.

Modi and Al Nahyan are also likely to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The prime minister will also meet with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the vice president, prime minister and defence minister of the UAE.

At his invitation, the prime minister will participate in the World Government Summit 2024 on Wednesday in Dubai as the guest of honour and deliver a special keynote address at the summit.

Modi will also inaugurate the BAPS Mandir, the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi.

The prime minister is scheduled to address the Indian community in the UAE at an event in Zayed Sports City.

Following the landmark visit of Modi to the UAE in August 2015, bilateral relations between the two countries were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Both countries signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in February 2022 and a Local Currency Settlement (LCS) System in July 2023 to promote the use of Indian Rupee and AED (United Arab Emirates Dirham) for cross-border transactions.

The two countries are among each other's top trading partners with a bilateral trade of about USD 85 billion in 2022-23, according to official data.

The UAE is also among the top four investors in India in terms of foreign direct investments in 2022-23.

About 3.5 million strong and vibrant Indian community forms the largest expatriate group in the UAE.

The UAE was invited as special invitee for G20 during India's Presidency of the grouping.

In Feb 2023, the India-UAE-France (UFI) trilateral was formally launched.

With India's active support, the UAE joined SCO as dialogue partner in May 2023. The UAE also joined BRICS as a member on January 1 with India's support.

The India-UAE defence cooperation is also on an upswing in the last few years.

In January 2024, the first India-UAE bilateral army exercise 'Desert Cyclone' was held in Rajasthan.

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

12 Feb, 2024 News Image

Startup India Seed Fund Scheme provides financial assistance to startups for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialization.

The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) provides financial assistance to startups for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialization through eligible incubators.

As per provisions under the SISFS, the Experts Advisory Committee (EAC) evaluates and selects incubators for allocation off undsunder the Scheme. Theapproved incubators shortlist the startups in accordance with the guidelines of the Scheme. The Scheme has been operationalized from 1stApril 2021.

As on 31stDecember 2023, 198 incubators have been selected under the Scheme with a total approved funding of Rs 802.98 crore. The State/Union Territory (UT)-wise list of number of the selected incubators is placed as Annexure I.

The approved incubators have selected 1,740 startups with a total approved funding of Rs 306.43 crore as on 31stDecember 2023. The State/UT-wise details of the number of startups selected by the approved incubators in the last three years viz 2021, 2022, and 2023 is placed as Annexure II. The State/UT- wise details of the amount of funding approved for startups in the last three years viz 2021, 2022, and 2023 is placed as Annexure III.

Under the Startup India initiative, direct financial assistance is not provided to States/UTs.

This information has been provided by the Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Shri. Som Parkash in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

ANNEXURE-I

The State/UT-wise details of the incubators selected under SISFS are as under:

S. No.

State/UT

Number of Incubators

Andhra Pradesh

Assam

Bihar

Chhattisgarh

Delhi

Goa

Gujarat

Haryana

Himachal Pradesh

Jammu & Kashmir

Jharkhand

Karnataka

Kerala

Madhya Pradesh

pib.gov.in

12 Feb, 2024 News Image

Steps to increase production of Oilseeds and Edible Oil.

The Government has been implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme viz., National Food Security Mission- Oilseeds & Oil palm (NFSM-OS&OP) from 2018-19 to augment the availability of edible oils by increasing the production and productivity of nine oilseed crops and area expansion under Oil Palm & Tree Borne Oilseeds in the country.

Under the NFSM- Oilseeds, incentives/ subsidies are being provided to the farmers through State Government for three broad interventions viz. (i) seed component covering purchase of breeder seeds , production of foundation seeds & certified seeds, distribution of certified seeds, distribution of seed minikits & seed hub (ii) production inputs component covering seed storage bins, Plant Protection (PP) equipments & seed treating drum, PP chemicals, distribution of gypsum/ pyrites/ lime etc., Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus/ bio agent, supply of bio-fertilizers, improved farm implements, sprinkler sets, water carrying pipes, and (iii) transfer of technology component covering cluster/ block demonstrations, Frontline Demonstrations, Cluster Frontline Demonstrations and training through National Agricultural Research System and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Integrated Pest Management through Farmer Field School (FFS) mode, training of farmers, training of officers/ extension workers, need based R&D project including seminar/ kisan mela and oil extraction unit under flexi funds.

Now, the Government has launched a separate mission i.e. National Mission on Edible Oils (Oil Palm)- NMEO (OP) in 2021-22 to promote oil palm cultivation for making the country Aatmanirbhar in edible oils with special focus on North Eastern States and Andaman & Nicobar by increasing area of Oil Palm from 3.70 lakh hectares to 10.00 lakh hectares in 2025-26.

Both NFSM- Oilseeds and NMEO (OP) are being implemented in the country with the objective of augmenting the availability of edible oils by increasing the production and productivity of oilseeds & oil palm and reducing the import burden.

In addition to above, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana- RAFTAAR (RKVYRAFTAAR) provides provision for crop production related activities on oilseeds. Under RKVY-RAFTAAR, the states can also implement programme on oilseeds with the approval of State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) constituted under the chairpersonship of Chief Secretary of the state.

Finance Minister during her budget speech 2024 has made following announcement:-

'Building on the initiative announced in 2022, a strategy will be formulated to achieve ‘atmanirbharta’ for oil seeds such as mustard, groundnut, sesame, soybean and sunflower. This will cover research for high- yielding varieties, widespread adoption of modern farming techniques, market linkages, procurement, value addition, and crop insurance'.

Due to efforts of the Government, the import dependency of edible oils have been reduced from 63.25% in 2015-16 to 57.30% in 2022-23 and domestic production has increased from 36.75 % in 2015-16 to 42.71 % in 2022-23 of the total demand of the country despite rise in overall demand of edible oil.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India organizes National Conferences on Agriculture Campaign before sowing season of Zaid, Kharif & Rabi to discuss various issues related to upcoming sowing season. In these conference issues related to seeds are also discussed. The details of National Conferences organized by Ministry in last three years are given below:

S. No.	National Conference for	Date
1.	Rabi-2023-24	26.09.2023
2.	Kharif-2023	03.05.2023
3.	Zaid-2023	20.02.2023
4.	Rabi-2022-23	07.09.2022
5.	Kharif-2022	19.04.2022
6.	Zaid-2022	27.01.2022
7.	Rabi-2021-22	21.09.2021
8.	Kharif-2021	30.04.2021
9	Zaid-2021	22.01.2021
10	Rabi 2020-21	21.09.2020
11	Kharif-2020	16.04.2020
12	Zaid-2020	17.01.2020

In these conferences, various issues related to agriculture at National and State levels are discussed. During these conferences: -

Seed requirement and availability is reviewed to ensure sufficient availability of seeds.

Modalities of making newly released high yielding varieties/seeds of different crop available to farmers on time are discussed.

Strategy for promotion of stress tolerant, climate resilient varieties to meet the requirement of climate change are discussed. Besides, inclusion of biofortified varieties in public distribution system to cope up nutrition deficiency in the areas of malnutrition are discussed.

Focus is also given on preparation of dynamic seed rolling plan by States Government that include newly releases short & medium duration high yielding varieties of different crops.

Planning is made for capacity building of seed law enforcement agencies, seed certification agencies, seed testing labs to make available the quality seeds to the farmers.

Strategies are discussed to popularizing newly released varieties, farm demonstration & awareness programs for farmers by the State Government.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Arjun Munda in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

Source: pib.gov.in