Page 424 - Economy & Policy News
India, EFTA ink free trade agreement; $100 bn investment target in 15 yrs
The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland
 "India, EFTA ink free trade agreement; $100 bn investment target in 15 yrs")
Nation first policy helped manage oil prices despite global conflicts: Puri
The Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas said 85 per cent of India's crude requirements are met by imports, with the price of crude in the international market being the benchmark
 "Nation first policy helped manage oil prices despite global conflicts: Puri")
Govt to take all measures to contain prices of essential food items: Goyal
He highlighted that the government has spent in the last few years about Rs 28,000 crore to the price stabilisation fund to support the effort to fight against food inflation
 "Govt to take all measures to contain prices of essential food items: Goyal")
Office space demand likely at 50-55 mn sq ft across top 6 cities: Report
The report has given three scenarios for office demand forecast - optimistic, realistic, and pessimistic
 "Office space demand likely at 50-55 mn sq ft across top 6 cities: Report")
'Launch vehicles are like ICBMs': New space FDI norms keep security in mind
The amended FDI norms in the space sector strike a fine balance between the funding needs of India's spacetech startups and the country's security
 "'Launch vehicles are like ICBMs': New space FDI norms keep security in mind")
India-EFTA trade deal to bring in $100 billion investment in 15 years
The investment will be linked to the creation of one million jobs in India
 "India-EFTA trade deal to bring in $100 billion investment in 15 years")
Economic shocks hit consumption growth in last decade, says Nomura
Demonetisation, GST implementation, Covid caused a slowdown: Nomura
 "Economic shocks hit consumption growth in last decade, says Nomura")
UK team heads back to London with Round 14 of FTA talks still open
Sources said the UK is "proud" of all that has been achieved so far and that the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak-led government remains committed to securing a "comprehensive and ambitious" FTA and BIT
 "UK team heads back to London with Round 14 of FTA talks still open")
Forex reserves kitty jumps $6.55 billion to $625.63 billion: RBI data
Gold reserves increased by USD 569 million to USD 48.417 billion during the week, the RBI said
 "Forex reserves kitty jumps $6.55 billion to $625.63 billion: RBI data")
Coal gasification is reliable, will strengthen India's energy security
Serious efforts are needed make this energy supply alternative a success
 "Coal gasification is reliable, will strengthen India's energy security")
Uttar Pradesh govt acquires around 1,000-acre land near expressways
Yogi Adityanath government is estimated to incur Rs 4,000 crore on acquiring land flanking the expressways, especially at the entry and exit points for faster transportation and logistics
 "Uttar Pradesh govt acquires around 1,000-acre land near expressways")
Odisha govt approves seven key projects with Rs 80,125 crore investment
These projects are spread over Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, Jharsuguda, Ganjam, and Bhadrak districts
 "Odisha govt approves seven key projects with Rs 80,125 crore investment")
Despite legislative progress, gender issues still on margins, say experts
"This includes not only increasing women's representation in political spaces but also ensuring that their voices are heard and acted upon in decision-making processes," she said
 "Despite legislative progress, gender issues still on margins, say experts")
India, Asean review: PSRs, greater market access likely on the table
The bloc seeks liberal product-specific rules in electronics and chemicals
 "India, Asean review: PSRs, greater market access likely on the table")
WTO: India's path diverging from S Africa's, its parting of ways with China
India has often been the fall guy for assiduously safeguarding development issues at the WTO Ministerials, but it has seen a rapid decline in its coalition partners of developing countries
 "WTO: India's path diverging from S Africa's, its parting of ways with China")
'Household spending may grow 6.7% in 2024 on mild inflation, income surge'
The report also notes that the current situation index (CSI) and future expectations index (FEI) are above their pre-pandemic levels (at 89.4 and 118.0 respectively)
 "'Household spending may grow 6.7% in 2024 on mild inflation, income surge'")
India-US trade likely to top $200 billion this year: Ambassador Garcetti
The envoy asserted that US President Joe Biden in the past had emphasized that trade between India and America should rise to the level of $500 billion given the potential for expansion
 "India-US trade likely to top $200 billion this year: Ambassador Garcetti")
'NITI for States' digital platform to foster Centre-state synthesis
B V R Subrahmanyam underscored the fundamental role the organisation can play in guiding states towards fulfilling their developmental objectives in consonance with the central government's growth
 "'NITI for States' digital platform to foster Centre-state synthesis")
India's free trade agreement with EFTA likely to be signed on March 10
The negotiations for the pact with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members -- Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland -- have concluded
 "India's free trade agreement with EFTA likely to be signed on March 10")
Govt extends subsidy on cooking gas by a year at Rs 12,000 cr cost
Modi's government already hiked the subsidy for low income households twice last year to 300 rupees per liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder from 200 rupees earlier to rein in inflation
 "Govt extends subsidy on cooking gas by a year at Rs 12,000 cr cost")