Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to visit Canada on August 26–27 for the first Economic and Financial Dialogue between the two countries. Sitharaman will arrive in Toronto on August 26 and meet Canadian corporate leaders. She will also meet representatives from Indo-Canadian chambers of commerce and community associations. On August 27, Sitharaman will hold talks with Canadian Finance and National Revenue Minister François-Philippe Champagne. The ministers will jointly launch the sectoral dialogue. The discussions are expected to cover investment, trade, cap
French winemaker David Moreau has invested around $4 million in 6,000 remotely adjustable solar panels to protect his vineyard from rising climate risks. The 45-year-old producer in Saint-André-de-Lidon, southwestern France, has placed the panels over four hectares of vines to shield grapes from heat waves, hail and late frost. Moreau says heat regularly damages his grapes, costing him around 5% to 10% of his harvest each year. During hailstorms, the panels can be positioned flat to protect up to 70% to 80% of the vines. The system also gives the vineyard a 90% chance of avoiding frost da
The Indian government is considering reintroducing Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI payments above ₹2,000 through the proposed Payment and Settlement Systems (Amendment) Bill. The legislation would give the Centre greater flexibility to decide which digital payment modes must remain free of charge, potentially ending the zero-MDR regime introduced in 2020. Under the proposal, the government is reportedly examining an MDR of 0.25% to 0.4% on UPI payments above ₹2,000 made to businesses. Person-to-person transfers would remain free, while charges applied on large merchants are under c
Global copper prices are approaching record highs as rising demand from the United States and China, coupled with supply constraints, tightens the market. The copper prices AI demand 2026 story has gained momentum as copper remains a critical material for AI infrastructure, data centres, and electrification projects. A key driver has been the surge in US copper imports ahead of potential import tariffs. Following the launch of the Section 232 investigation into copper imports in February 2025, US buyers accelerated purchases, importing more than 200,000 metric tonnes of refined copper in J
Malaysia's business events industry is expected to generate a cumulative economic impact of RM34.97 billion by 2030, according to Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing. At Malaysia Business Events Week (MBEW) 2026, he said the MyCEB economic impact 2030 target reflects Malaysia's growing appeal as a destination for international meetings, conferences, and exhibitions. As of June 30, 2026, the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) had secured 416 business events scheduled between 2026 and 2030, with a projected economic impact of RM8.27 billion. Malaysia's RM34
Africa's fruit export boom is reshaping parts of the continent's economy, with high-value crops such as blueberries and citrus increasingly becoming engines of exports, employment, and industrial development. According to The Economist, Zimbabwe blueberry exports are expected to reach around 12,000 tonnes this season, a fortyfold increase from 2017, reflecting the rapid expansion of the industry. The Africa fruit export boom is being driven not just by farming. Modern fruit operations function like integrated industrial businesses, combining advanced cultivation, packaging, cold storage, l
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved Samudra Manthan, the National Offshore Exploration Scheme, with a total outlay of ₹84,084 crore for implementation through FY 2030-31. The Central Sector Scheme, led by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, is designed to accelerate offshore oil and gas exploration and strengthen India's long-term energy security. The programme includes large-scale seismic data acquisition and processing, deepwater and ultra-deepwater exploratory drilling, scientific drilling in frontier basins, development of common offshore p
Startups across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) must strengthen their investment pitches by demonstrating market demand, competitive understanding, and commercial viability, according to Hussein Attar, CEO of Tech Invest Com. Attar said the region has no shortage of founders seeking investment, but many approach venture capital firms before validating their products or researching competitors. He noted that investors receive about 2,000 to 3,000 startup pitches each year, making it essential for founders to differentiate themselves by showcasing customer demand and technological va
The UAE Food Cluster organised a UAE–India Business Forum in collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh government, bringing together more than 32 UAE and Indian companies from the food and agriculture sectors to strengthen partnerships across food, agriculture, supply chains, AgriTech and advanced value chain systems. Held during a UAE economic delegation's visit to Andhra Pradesh, the forum was led by UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri and attended by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and representatives of the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development
The recently concluded India–United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is expected to democratise exports by creating new opportunities for businesses, according to Prof. Mahendra Kumar Choudhary, President of the Indian Merchants' Chamber (IMC). Speaking exclusively to IANS, Choudhary described the agreement as a "historic step" that would strengthen India's export ecosystem by enabling manufacturers and service providers to expand their presence in the UK market. He said the benefits of the FTA would not be limited to large corporations but also support micro, small and medium enter