The United Kingdom has unveiled a package of trade reforms aimed at streamlining imports from developing countries, which will provide Sri Lanka's apparel industry a considerable boost. Under the revised Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), more Sri Lankan goods can now enter the UK tariff-free, even if they contain components supplied from Asia and Africa. The amendments will specifically liberalize rules of origin for garments, allowing Sri Lankan producers to benefit from zero-percent taxes on apparel exports. The reforms are slated to take effect by early 2026. The United Kin
Keiichi Ono, Japan's Ambassador to India, led a high-level delegation of Japanese companies to the Dholera Special Investment Region in Gujarat. This greenfield smart industrial city is an important project along the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor. The visit aims to strengthen industrial cooperation between India and Japan. The delegation's two-day participation began with a conference session in Ahmedabad. Officials from Dholera Industrial City Development Ltd. and the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation also attended the visit. The team toured the Water Treatment Plant
India has reported steady growth in high-tech goods and digital services exports despite global volatility, according to NITI Aayog’s latest quarterly report. Merchandise exports increased by 3% year on year, hitting $108.7 billion during October to December 2024. Aircraft, spacecraft, and component sales climbed by more than 200%, led by rising demand from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the Czech Republic. High-tech merchandise exports have been strong since 2014, led by electrical machinery and armaments, with a CAGR of 10.6%. The services sector saw a 17% growth in exports to $102.6 bi
Oman's tourism revenues reached $5.5 billion in 2024, reflecting its commitment to diversifying its economy. According to data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information, tourism profits are steadily increasing, reaching 2.12 billion rials in 2024 from 1.75 billion rials in 2018. The tourism sector's contribution to GDP increased to 2.7 billion rials. European travellers were instrumental in this expansion, contributing a 10.2% increase in hotel revenues. Hotels and resorts improved luxury and eco-tourism offerings to meet demand. Oman's strategic location, rich tradition, and
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) became Turkey's fastest-growing export market in the first half of the year, with shipments increasing by 64.5% to roughly $3.3 billion, according to the Turkish Exporters' Assembly. Turkey's total exports from January to June increased by 4.1% year on year to $131.4 billion, with June alone seeing an 8% increase to $20.5 billion. The automotive industry accounted for the majority of Turkish exports, with $19.99 billion in sales, followed by chemicals at $15.76 billion and electrical-electronics at $8.33 billion. Exports to the UAE increased by $1.28 billi
During the 16th Rozgar Mela, which took place in 47 different sites around the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed over 51,000 appointment letters to new recruits. The Prime Minister addressed the appointees via video conference, congratulating them and emphasising that the Rozgar Mela had brought permanent government jobs to lakhs of youth. The government has allocated over one lakh crore rupees to this project, which aims to create roughly 3.5 crore employment opportunities. The candidates will work in various ministries and departments, including railways, home affairs, re
Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, has projected that India's agriculture exports will increase from Rs 4.5 lakh crore to Rs 20 lakh crore if more attention is placed on food processing, quality branding, and packaging. Speaking at the ICC Krishi Vikram session in New Delhi, he stated that India's agricultural footprint is growing globally, with jamun, litchi, and pineapple entering new markets. He revealed that jamun was sold to the UK, while litchis from Punjab were sent to Doha and Dubai. India's exports are increasing in markets such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and ot
Saudi Arabia highlighted its industrial strengths and $2.5 trillion mineral wealth at INNOPROM 2025, which was hosted in the Russian Federation. The Saudi Pavilion conducted focused workshops to promote industry collaboration and introduce the Kingdom's developing investment climate. The sessions focused on competitive advantages in mining, industry, and energy. The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources led discussions regarding Saudi Arabia's evolving industrial sector and the goals of its National Industrial Strategy. The talks focused on the Kingdom's strategic location, vast rail
Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit, Thailand's new Labour Minister, introduced five fundamental labour policies with the goal of developing a competent workforce, improving legal protection, and supporting higher wages. A key policy will upskill and reskill around 1.8 million local workers who earn less than THB400 per day, notwithstanding recent minimum wage rises. By investing in skill development, the Ministry of Labour hopes to assist people in meeting national skill criteria and gaining access to better-paying jobs across Thailand. Legal protection for approximately 21 million informal worker
India's auto component exports increased by 8% to $22.9 billion in the fiscal year ended March 2025, according to the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA). This expansion was fuelled by increased demand from Asia, Africa, and America. Exports to North America, which accounted for over one-third of India's total shipments, rose 8.4% to $7.35 billion. Shipments to Asia jumped by 15.1% to $5.92 billion, while exports to Africa increased by 16.7% to $1.16 billion. However, exports to Europe fell 2.1% to $6.75 billion for the year. ACMA Director General Vinnie Mehta