Gandhinagar, May 16 (IANS) The intra-BRICS merchandise trade has risen thirteen-fold, from $ 84 billion in 2003 to $ 1.17 trillion in 2024, outpacing the growth in global trade and contributing to greater resilience and diversification for member countries, Rajesh Agrawal, Commerce Secretary said on Saturday.Speaking at 2nd meeting of the BRICS Contact Group on Trade and Economic Issues (CGETI) here, the top government official underscored that BRICS has continued to grow stronger and has emerge…
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New Delhi, May 15 (IANS) India is banking on the proposed export promotion mission and a new wave of free trade agreements (FTAs) to push the country’s exports towards the ambitious $1 trillion milestone in FY27, a top government official said on Friday.Speaking to NDTV Profit, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said the government expects export growth in the current financial year to surpass last year’s pace, with efforts aimed at achieving expansion well beyond the 10-15 per cent range req…
Mumbai, May 11 (IANS) India’s approach towards Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) is focused on building stable and future-ready partnerships that enable domestic industries to integrate more effectively with global value chains, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said on Monday.Speaking at a session on “FTAs as Catalysts for Growth in Global Trade” during the CII Annual Business Summit 2026 here, Agrawal said that in an increasingly fragmented global landscape, trade resilience, long-term predic…
New Delhi, May 5 (IANS) The Embassy of Ethiopia, in partnership with business chamber ASSOCHAM, hosted the curtain raiser event here for the forthcoming 4th India–Africa Forum Summit 2026 aimed at further strengthening relations between India and African nations.The high-level dialogue brought together African Ambassadors, High Commissioners and other senior diplomats from African Missions, representatives from key Indian ministries, as well as prominent industry leaders and policy experts.In …
Nairobi, April 27 (IANS) The 10th meeting of the Joint Trade Committee of India and Kenya was held in Nairobi on Monday.The meeting was co-chaired by Commerce Secretary of India, Rajesh Agrawal and Principal Secretary for Trade of Kenya Regina Akoth Ombam, the High Commission of India in Kenya stated.Both sides held comprehensive discussions on enhancing bilateral trade, improving market access, addressing tariff and non-tariff barriers, and strengthening cooperation in key sectors, including ph…
New Delhi, April 4 (IANS) The government is working to ensure minimal disruption to supply chains amid global uncertainties, while remaining prepared for a potential dip in exports and imports, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said on Saturday.Addressing the press conference on the sidelines of a ‘Chintan Shivir’ session in Hyderabad, Agrawal told the media that the initiative aims to bring together government and industry stakeholders to identify challenges and chart a clear roadmap.The offi…
New Delhi, March 10 (IANS) Overall inflation in Bangladesh rose to 9.13 per cent in February from 8.58 per cent in January, touching the highest level in 10 months, a report has said.The surge in inflation was driven by rising food prices ahead of Ramadan and election‑related spending, the report from Daily Star said.The Consumer Price Index rose above 9 per cent for the first time since May last year, marking the fourth consecutive monthly surge, since inflation touched a 39‑month low of 8….
New Delhi, Feb 16 (IANS) India’s combined merchandise and services exports recorded a 13.16 per cent increase to $80.45 billion in January this year, compared with $71.09 billion in the same month of the previous year, data released by the Commerce Ministry on Monday showed.The country’s merchandise exports rose 0.6 per cent year-on-year to $36.56 billion in January, despite the global economic uncertainties, the data showed.Cumulative exports of both merchandise and services (April–January)…
New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS) India and the Gulf Cooperation Council on Thursday signed the Terms of Reference to guide the negotiations for the India-GCC Free Trade Agreement (FTA) The Terms of Reference (ToR), which will define the scope and modalities of the talks, were signed between Additional Secretary and Chief Negotiator, Department of Commerce, Ajay Bhadoo, and the GCC Secretariat General’s Chief Negotiator, Dr Raja Al Marzouqi, at the Vanijya Bhawan in the presence of Commerce and Industry M…
New Delhi, Jan 15 (IANS) India and the European Union may sign the proposed free trade agreement as early as this month during the official visit of the top EU leaders to New Delhi, who will also be the chief guests at the prestigious Republic Day parade on January 26.Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal told journalists that the India and EU negotiators were very close to finalising a trade agreement and were looking at wrapping up the loose ends before the top leadership meeting scheduled for Jan…