The foreign exchange reserves of India rose above a six-month high of $576.76 billion in the week through January 27, said the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) statistical supplement on February 3. According to the Weekly Statistical Supplement released by the RBI, forex reserves rose by $3.03 billion during the week ending January 27. This is the third consecutive week that the country’s reserves have risen. In the week to January 20, the reserves stood at $573.73 billion. The uptick in the foreign exchange reserves is a result of the rise in the Foreign Currency Assets (FCA), which is
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged €200 million (roughly $215 million) to help Brazil defend the Amazon rainforest on January 30. The package announced during a visit by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to Brazil included green energy and reforestation initiatives. During his visit to Brasilia, Scholz said he was delighted about Brazil's return to the world stage under its new president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The package for Amazon includes a new €31 million fund for Brazilian states for rainforest protection. The German Development Ministry said €93 million would go towards ref
The Singapore dollar saw a more than five-year peak on February 2 after the United States central bank said it had passed a critical point and began to improve in the fight against inflation. The Singapore currency rose 0.2 per cent to 1.3038 per US dollar, its highest since January 2018, and after overnight gains, was up about 0.7 per cent since January 31. The Singdollar has been on an upward trajectory this year due to rising expectations of easing inflation and less aggressive monetary tightening. It has gained about 2.7 per cent since ending 2022 at 1.3395 to the greenback. Other regi
Presenting the first Budget of Amrit Kaal on February 1, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Union Budget 2023-24 speech said, the Indian economy is on the right track and heading towards a bright future. The budget was also the last full budget of the Modi government before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This year’s Union Budget focuses on seven key areas: inclusive development, reaching the last mile, infrastructure and investment, unleashing the potential, green growth, youth power and financial sector. The capital expenditure increased for infrastructure development to
Under India’s one-year G20 presidency, Assam is all set to host the inaugural Sustainable Financial Working Group (SFWG) conference and Youth 20 Inception event in February. The first SFWG meeting would be held on February 2-3 at the Hotel Radisson Blu in Guwahati, where 94 delegates from G20 member countries, guest countries, international organisations, and government officials from India will be present. The first day’s programme includes a yoga session and three SFWG seminars. The day's activities will conclude with a river cruise, Ratri bhoj par samvaad, and a cultural event. The
Led by a surge in the shipment of goods, the Netherlands became India’s third-largest export destination after the US and UAE during April-December 2022. It has taken over major destinations such as the UK, Hong Kong, Bangladesh and Germany, said the Commerce Ministry. India’s trade surplus with the Netherlands has also increased from $1.5 billion in 2017 to $12.3 billion in 2022. India’s exports, such as petroleum products, electronic items, chemicals and aluminium goods, to the European country rose by about 69 per cent to $13.67 billion during April-December 2022 as against $8.10
Singapore will strongly support India’s G20 priorities in the current uncertain global landscape against the backdrop of the strained multilateral system, Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong said at the 74th Republic Day reception hosted by the Indian High Commissioner in Singapore on Wednesday. “We are confident that under its G20 leadership, India will put forth an agenda that is inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented and decisive. Singapore will lend our strong support to India’s G20 priorities,” he said. India assumed the Presidency of the G20 or Group of 20 for on
The Gautam Budh Nagar Industrial Department said on Friday that it has signed investment proposals worth ₹5,87,000 crore in the past two months with businesses interested in setting up units in Noida, Greater Noida and under the jurisdiction of the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (Yeida). The department now hopes that at least 33% of these investment proposals materialise within the next one or two years so that new opportunities can be created and employment generated. “We are making efforts so that all of the proposals are realised and the district performs better,
Maharashtra government signed memorandum of understanding (MoUs) with six companies at the World Economic Forum (WEF), Davos, Switzerland, for a total investment of ₹25,000 crore in the Pune region. The proposed investment is in various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, automobiles, data, electric vehicles and food processing. A delegation led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde represented Maharashtra at the WEF this year. The six MoUs signed in Davos carry the potential of generating more than 8,500 jobs, said Maharashtra Industries Minister Uday Samanth. The six MoUs signed include a
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday said India has extended a concessional $40 million Line of Credit for developing sporting infrastructure in the Maldives. The line of credit is part of India’s efforts to bring Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship projects such as “Fit India” and “Khelo India” into the ambit of the Neighbourhood First Policy. The projects of Fit India and Khelo India were introduced by the Indian government to revive sporting and fitness culture at the grassroot level in the country. S. Jaishankar was on a three-day visit to the Maldives