Brazil and India explore long-term trade agreement for pulses.
'We require policy consistency to justify increased investment in pulse cultivation,' said Njla Souza. Brazil exported 70,000 tonnes of urad (black gram) to India last year, establishing itself as the second-largest supplier after Myanmar. India’s imports of pulses reached a six-year high of 6.63 million tonnes in 2024, double the previous year’s volume, as the world’s largest consumer of protein-rich legumes sought to tame domestic inflation.
Source: tradefinanceglobal.com
Sask. agriculture minister heading to India, UAE on trade mission.
As Premier Scott Moe heads to Washington and Mexico in an effort to counter tariffs threatened by United States President Donald Trump, Saskatchewan’s agriculture minister is off to India and the United Arab Emirates in an effort to advance trade relations with those two nations. Daryl Harrison will be leading the trade mission from Tuesday until February 19, meeting with business groups, investors and attending conventions like the Pulse Conclave and the Gulfood Exhibition.
Source: ckom.com
India-Israel Business Forum & CEO Forum Held To Strengthen Bilateral Economic Ties.
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in collaboration with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Embassy of Israel, successfully hosted the India-Israel Business Forum and the 3rd India-Israel CEO Forum in New Delhi. These landmark events reinforced the deep-rooted economic and strategic partnership between the two nations, unlocking new opportunities for trade, investment, and technological collaboration.
Source: pib.gov.in
Govt to focus on 20 countries, certain sectors to boost exports.
The government has identified 20 countries such as Australia, Brazil, China, and France, and six focus sectors each in commodities and services to further increase India's exports, Parliament was informed on Tuesday. In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada said a meeting with the officers of the commercial wings of Indian Missions in these 20 countries was organised last month to enhance exports.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India-Israel trade: We are moving towards finalising FTA, says Israel’s Economy Minister Barkat.
Israeli Minister of Economy and Industry, MK Nir Barkat expressed his enthusiasm for strengthening Israel’s economic and trade relations with India on Tuesday, although he did not provide a clear timeline for finalising the free trade agreement (FTA). 'We are moving in that direction,' said Barkat, while speaking to the media on the sidelines of the Israel-India Business Summit 2025, organised in New Delhi.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Agri ministry revises guidelines of Market Intervention Scheme to encourage states for implementation.
The agriculture ministry has revised guidelines for Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), increasing the procurement limit of crops to 25 per cent from 20 per cent. The guidelines has been revised to encourage states to implement the MIS. According to an official statement on Monday, MIS is a component of PM-AASHA scheme.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Foodgrains stock up 18% year-on-year in Central Pool as of February 1.
The official reserves of foodgrains—rice, wheat, paddy in terms of rice—with FCI were 83.78 million tonnes (mt) as of February 1, up 18 per cent from 70.92 mt a year ago. The comfortable position may help the government to tide over any crisis in case there is a below expectation procurement of wheat, experts said.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
Trade pact with EFTA may come into force by year-end: Piyush Goyal.
The trade and economic partnership agreement (TEPA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) bloc is expected to come into force by the end of this year, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said Monday, while exuding confidence that the $100 billion foreign direct investment (FDI) commitment by the bloc could help catalyse as $400-500 billion investment in India.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India and EFTA Strengthen Economic Ties with the Inauguration of the India-EFTA Desk.
India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) – comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein – have taken a significant step towards deeper economic collaboration with the inauguration of the India-EFTA Desk. This initiative follows the recently concluded India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), which positions EFTA as the first European bloc to formalize a trade pact with India. Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal hailed TEPA as a landmark agreement, emphasizing India’s growing role in global trade. 'This desk will serve as the bridge between businesses on both sides, ensuring transparency, trust, and ease of doing business,' he stated. He underscored India’s ambition to surpass $100 billion in EFTA investments, highlighting the country’s commitment to fostering equitable and mutually beneficial trade relationships.
Source: pib.gov.in
APEDA asks rice exporters to adhere to the EU pesticide residue cap on stem borer insecticide.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has asked rice exporters to adhere to the new maximum residue limit (MRL) set by the European Union (EU) for Thiacloprid, which is used against stem borer menace.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com