The engagements took place during a series of high-level meetings aimed at attracting foreign investment and fostering strategic partnerships. State officials said discussions focused on clean energy projects, pharmaceutical manufacturing, digital innovation and capacity building in advanced technologies. ReNew Power explored opportunities in solar and wind energy deployment, aligned with Madhya Pradesh’s target of expanding renewable capacity and supporting India’s net-zero ambitions. Sandoz, a global pharmaceutical major, discussed potential investments in drug manufacturing and heal
Dubai Chamber of Commerce has highlighted Ethiopia, Ghana and South Africa as key growth markets for local companies, citing rising consumer demand, infrastructure investment and strong trade links with the UAE. In a briefing to members, the chamber said the three African economies offer significant opportunities across logistics, construction, food and beverages, healthcare, fintech and renewable energy. It noted that Dubai-based firms are well placed to leverage existing bilateral agreements, improving connectivity and the emirate’s role as a regional trading hub. Ethiopia was ident
India has secured a strong global standing by ranking 16th among 154 countries in the first-ever Responsible Nations Index (RNI), a new international benchmark designed to assess how responsibly nations exercise their power towards their citizens, the environment, and the global community. The index framework was launched in New Delhi by the Delhi-based World Intellectual Foundation (WIF) and draws on widely recognised international data sources, including the World Bank, the United Nations, and the World Justice Project. The RNI evaluates countries across three key dimensions: internal re
Indian pharmaceutical exports have recorded a strong performance in the first eight months of FY 2025–26, underscoring the sector’s resilience amid global economic uncertainty. Exports rose by 6.5 per cent year-on-year to $20.48 billion during April–November, with Brazil and Nigeria emerging as key growth markets, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Brazil and Nigeria are gaining prominence as important destinations for Indian pharmaceutical products, contributing significantly to export growth during the period under review. Nigeria emerged as
Union Minister for Labour and Employment and Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday, January 15th, 2026, said India’s unemployment rate stood at 2 per cent, the lowest among G20 nations, citing the World Economic Forum’s The Future of Jobs Report 2025. Speaking in New Delhi at the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the Ministry of Labour and Employment and organisations Mentor Together and Quikr, the Minister highlighted that employment generation had taken place across sectors alongside India’s rapid economic growth. He underlined the role of
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday, January 16th, 2026, described the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union as the “mother of all deals”, comparing it with the seven trade agreements India has signed so far with developed countries. However, he did not confirm reports suggesting a January 27 deadline for the conclusion of the agreement. Since 2014, India has entered into trade deals with the United Kingdom, Mauritius, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and the four European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries—Switzerland, Norway,
India’s exports to China rose sharply in December 2025, reflecting an improvement in bilateral ties between the two Asian neighbours, according to official data released this week. Figures from the Commerce Ministry showed that shipments to China jumped 67.35 per cent year-on-year in December. Exports to China increased to $2.04 billion, driven mainly by electronics, marine products, and agricultural goods, reports said. Imports from China, India’s second-largest trading partner after the United States, also rose during the month. Purchases climbed 20 per cent to $11.7 billion, high
Smartphones have emerged as India’s fastest-growing export category, according to official data released on Thursday, January 15th 2026. Exports of smartphones rose by $5.7 billion between April and November 2025 compared to the same period last year, marking a sharp rise in the sector’s global footprint. This growth represents a major shift from a decade ago. In 2015, mobile phones were ranked 167th on India’s export list. During April–November FY24, smartphone exports stood at $9.07 billion. This figure more than doubled to $18.8 billion in the April–November period of FY26, th
Maharashtra has emerged as India’s most export-ready large state, securing the top position in NITI Aayog’s Export Preparedness Index 2024 and replacing Tamil Nadu, which had held the lead for several years. The shift highlights a gradual widening of India’s trade competitiveness across regions at a time of uncertain global trade conditions. The index assesses states across governance, infrastructure, industrial ecosystems, and export performance, focusing on both current outcomes and long-term readiness. Maharashtra’s rise reflects its ability to combine its role as a financial an
The Philippines and Vietnam have steadily strengthened their bilateral ties through deeper cooperation in strategic, economic, and people-centred sectors, Philippine Ambassador Meynardo Los Baños Montealegre has said. In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency, the ambassador highlighted major progress in security, defense, and maritime cooperation, noting that it reflects both countries’ shared commitment to regional peace, stability, and a rules-based international order. Regular high-level exchanges over the years have helped build trust and elevate relations into a more mature par