Page 223 - Economy
India's exports shrink 10.9% in February, the worst show in 20 months
Imports also see first drop in 11 months, bringing trade deficit to over 3-yr low
 "India's exports shrink 10.9% in February, the worst show in 20 months")
Govt assessing gains, challenges from US tariffs: Commerce secy Barthwal
Barthwal said govt is carrying out stakeholder consultations and assessing challenges, opportunities, and the broader impact of the additional tariffs imposed by the US on Indian exports
 "Govt assessing gains, challenges from US tariffs: Commerce secy Barthwal")
India, New Zealand explore digital payments, trade, and investment ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kiwi PM promise to quickly designate representatives for trade talks
 "India, New Zealand explore digital payments, trade, and investment ties")
RBI increases state bond auction amount to Rs 52,120 cr from Rs 40,120 cr
In the previous auction, the cut-off yield on 10-year state bonds was set in the range of 7.18 per cent to 7.27 per cent
 "RBI increases state bond auction amount to Rs 52,120 cr from Rs 40,120 cr")
Brics mulling national currencies to foster trade: Brazil Ambassador
Brazil is optimistic about participation of economic actors, civil society, and businesses in the US to fight climate change
 "Brics mulling national currencies to foster trade: Brazil Ambassador")
Net direct tax kitty rises 13% to Rs 21.26 trillion so far in FY25
During the year, the government collected Rs 10.44 trillion from four instalments of advance tax as against Rs 9.11 trillion in the previous fiscal, registering a growth of 14.62 per cent
 "Net direct tax kitty rises 13% to Rs 21.26 trillion so far in FY25")
India's carbon market set for 2026 launch, BEE director reveals
Saurabh Diddi, director at Bureau of Energy Efficiency, explains India's carbon credit trading scheme, which includes mandatory compliance and voluntary offsets, aiming for a 2026 launch
 "India's carbon market set for 2026 launch, BEE director reveals")
India's merchandise trade deficit narrows to $14.05 billion in February
Merchandise trade deficit for March was $14.05 billion, compared with economists' forecast of $21.65 billion
 "India's merchandise trade deficit narrows to $14.05 billion in February")
WPI inflation rises to 2.38% in Feb from 2.31% in Jan on fuel and power
The fuel and power index increased by 2.12 per cent to 153.8 (provisional) in February from 150.6 (provisional) for the month of January
 "WPI inflation rises to 2.38% in Feb from 2.31% in Jan on fuel and power")
Kerala's central tax share has halved from 10th to 15th FC: Vijayan
He tells that the Centre has double standards in dealing with borrowings of certain agencies in the state and those at the Centre as sovereign debt
 "Kerala's central tax share has halved from 10th to 15th FC: Vijayan")
India, New Zealand restart FTA negotiations after a 10-year hiatus
The announcement coincides with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's visit to India
 "India, New Zealand restart FTA negotiations after a 10-year hiatus")
India should seek reciprocity from EU on medical devices under FTA: GTRI
"To achieve a fair trade deal, India must demand reciprocity. India should cut tariff on medical devices only if the EU reduces its non-tariff barriers," Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said
 "India should seek reciprocity from EU on medical devices under FTA: GTRI")
Banking system in India remains strong despite market concerns
The RBI assures stability as IndusInd Bank addresses a one-time discrepancy, reinforcing the resilience of India's banking sector amid strong liquidity and regulatory oversight
 "Banking system in India remains strong despite market concerns")
J&K Assembly passes Rs 7,019 crore grants for five key departments
During discussions, the deputy chief minister highlighted that the public works department oversees a 40,000-km road network and is set to blacktop 4,000 kilometres of roads in 2025-26
 "J&K Assembly passes Rs 7,019 crore grants for five key departments")
J&K received 8,500+ investment proposals worth over Rs 1.69 trn: Dy CM
The government has provided land measuring for industrial purposes to 213 non-local people and 1,751 locals under the Industrial Policy 2016-26 and Industrial Land Allotment Policy 2021-30
 "J&K received 8,500+ investment proposals worth over Rs 1.69 trn: Dy CM")
India, China saw strong trade growth in Q4 2024 amid risks: UN report
Developing nations, particularly China and India, saw better than average trade expansion, while many developed nations experienced trade contractions
 "India, China saw strong trade growth in Q4 2024 amid risks: UN report")
MSME industry bodies urge RBI to tweak norms for ecommerce exports
A digital verification system linked to bank accounts could further streamline the process
 "MSME industry bodies urge RBI to tweak norms for ecommerce exports")
Govt likely to bring back single tax return system for search cases
Single return may cover six years plus part-year when investigation is done
 "Govt likely to bring back single tax return system for search cases")
India-US discuss reciprocal tariffs, 1st phase of bilateral trade agreement
Goyal met key officials of the Donald Trump-led administration in Washington last week, including Greer, and his counterpart Howard Lutnick to discuss urgent trade issues
 "India-US discuss reciprocal tariffs, 1st phase of bilateral trade agreement")
Inflation eases, but RBI may not go for aggressive rate cuts: Economists
India's headline CPI inflation eased to 3.61 per cent in February - the lowest since July 2024 - on the back of a sharp decline in food inflation, mostly due to lower vegetable prices
 "Inflation eases, but RBI may not go for aggressive rate cuts: Economists")