In Finland, Bhagwant Mann pitches Punjab as global agriculture, innovation hub.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann used his visit to Finland to pitch the state as a global partner in agriculture, innovation and clean technology, while urging the Punjabi diaspora to play a larger role in Punjab’s economic transformation. Addressing members of the Punjabi community during his trip on Wednesday, Mann said Punjab was undergoing rapid development and called on overseas Punjabis to contribute expertise, investment and global networks to accelerate growth.
Source: indiatoday.in
Government plans special vessels to West Asia to ensure lower cost for exporters.
The commerce department is working with agencies, including the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), which was on the privatisation list until recently, to run special vessels to West Asia to help exporters move their goods at cheaper rates. While freight to West Asia is in the region of $3,000-3,500 per 20-feet equivalent (TEU) and $4,500-6,000 for refrigerated units, govt is eyeing rates, which could be nearly half that level to make it viable for Indian exporters. While the Strait of Hormuz remains inaccessible, vessels may dock at other ports, and from there goods may be shipped by roads, as is already being done for certain markets.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
India, South Korea eye upgrade in free trade agreement, ‘more balanced’ ties.
India and South Korea have agreed to upgrade their existing free trade agreement, Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said, adding that the two partners are working towards a 'more balanced' partnership to address New Delhi’s concern over growing bilateral trade deficit. Goyal’s comments follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement at the joint press conference with Republic of Korea President Lee Jae Myung earlier in the day that the two sides have taken 'several important decisions' to boost their bilateral trade from $27 billion to $50 billion by 2030, including upgrading the India-Korea trade agreement 'within the next one year'.
Source: hindustantimes.com
Agriculture exports up 2.8 pc to USD 52.55 bn in 2025-26.
The country's agriculture exports rose by 2.8 per cent to USD 52.55 billion in 2025-26 from USD 51.12 billion in 2024-25 despite global uncertainties, according to the commerce ministry data. This growth was driven by a balanced mix of traditional strengths and emerging high-value segments, alongside continued diversification across product categories.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
DPIIT rolls out multi-sectoral regulatory relaxations to bolster industrial supply chains.
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has implemented a comprehensive suite of regulatory measures and orders across various industrial sectors to ensure the uninterrupted supply of fuel, gas, and essential raw materials. These initiatives range from customs duty waivers to expedited licensing under the Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO).
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Strong Central support, from moong to mustard; farmers to benefit from MSP: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in a virtual meeting today at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, with Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister, and Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh, took swift and positive decisions on the state’s demands, granting key approvals for procurement of moong, urad, groundnut, sunflower, and mustard. The total MSP (Minimum Support Price) value of these approvals will exceed Rs. 1,428.31 crore. In the meeting, Shri Chouhan clearly stated that no shortfall will be allowed in assisting Odisha’s farmers, but the procurement process must be transparent, honest, and directly from farmers.
Source: pib.gov.in
Focus on comprehensive reforms from farm to market, deliberations on new models for farmers’ prosperity: Shri Shivraj Singh.
On the initiative of Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Northern Regional Agriculture Conference scheduled for April 24, Friday, in Lucknow marks a significant step towards farmer-centric, result-oriented, and coordinated agricultural development. Through participation of agriculture ministers, senior officials, scientists, progressive farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), startups, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), financial institutions, and procurement agencies from northern states, a concrete action plan will be prepared on issues related to farming, farmers’ income, technology, marketing, and agricultural infrastructure.
Source: pib.gov.in
Sharjah Chamber explores key opportunities to scale bilateral trade partnership with India.
The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) discussed ways to enhance economic and investment cooperation with India’s private sector, identifying key opportunities to scale bilateral trade partnerships. The discussions form part of SCCI’s efforts to reinforce Sharjah’s position as a leading investment destination, strengthen UAE-India business connectivity, and support joint initiatives that enhance trade flows and investment growth between both markets.
Source: economymiddleeast.com
India, New Zealand to sign FTA on April 27; Luxon eyes access to 1.4 billion consumers.
India and New Zealand are set to sign a long-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA) next week, marking a significant step in deepening bilateral economic ties, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced on Wednesday. Projecting the deal as a major economic breakthrough, Luxon said the agreement would open up access for New Zealand exporters to India’s vast market of 1.4 billion consumers. 'Our Free Trade Agreement with India will be signed next week — an agreement that gives New Zealand exporters access to 1.4 billion customers,' he said.
Source: tribuneindia.com
Extreme heat threatens India’s rice production, agri workers: UN report.
Heatwaves will become a major threat to Indian agriculture workers and rice production, with labour productivity in key regions like the Indo-Gangetic plains projected to drop sharply under high-emission scenarios, a joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Meteorological Organisation has warned. The report, titled 'Extreme Heat and Agriculture', released on Wednesday, said that in the worst-affected areas, such as the Indo-Gangetic plains, average growing season physical work capacity (i.e., expected labour output) could fall below 40% by the end of the century under a high-emission scenario. The most intense risk from future heatwaves is concentrated around densely populated agricultural regions of the Ganges and Indus river basins.
Source: hindustantimes.com