Dubai is planning to invest more than 100 billion dirhams ($27 billion) to expand its international financial hub as rising demand from foreign firms has pushed existing facilities to capacity. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) will develop a new district opposite its original site, which was launched in 2004. The expansion, known as DIFC Zabeel District, will add around 17.7 million square feet to the current 110-hectare financial hub. Development will be carried out in six phases, with full completion targeted by 2040. The move reflects the rapid growth of DIFC over the
India and the European Union have formally inked a landmark trade agreement, described as the “mother of all trade deals,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced at the inauguration of India Energy Week in Goa. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Modi said the agreement would open up wide ranging opportunities for the nearly 1.4 billion people of India and the European Union. He noted that the scale of the pact underlines its global significance, as it represents nearly 25% of global GDP and accounts for around one-third of global trade. “Along with trade, the agreement also reflects ou
India’s imports of metallurgical coal, a critical input for blast furnace-based steel production, rose 9.4 per cent year-on-year in calendar year 2025 to over 83.1 million tonnes, up from around 76 mnt in 2024, according to data from BigMint. The increase was driven by a surge in domestic steel production, with India emerging as the only major economy to record strong growth in steel output in 2025 amid a broader global slowdown. Imports account for nearly 95 per cent of India’s metallurgical coal requirement, underlining the country’s continued dependence on overseas supplies. Co
India is set to retain its position as the world’s fastest-growing major economy over the next two years, even as global growth moderates and several large economies struggle to regain momentum, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook Update released in January 2026. The IMF estimates India’s economy will grow by 7.3 per cent in 2025, followed by 6.4 per cent in both 2026 and 2027, significantly outperforming global averages. In comparison, the global economy is projected to expand at 3.3 per cent in 2025 and 2026, easing slightly to 3.2 per cent
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,