India

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has announced a strategic plan to enhance the global presence of India’s tribal products, positioning them as key contributors to the country’s export growth. The initiative aims to empower tribal artisans and entrepreneurs by integrating them into mainstream trade networks and expanding their access to international markets.

In a move aimed at strengthening transparency and restoring public confidence in India’s financial regulatory framework, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is considering a proposal to mandate public disclosure of assets and liabilities by its senior officials. The recommendation, put forth by a Sebi-appointed committee, seeks to align governance norms for the regulator’s executives with the standards applied to government servants and other public institutions.

In a significant step toward digital transformation, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has announced the integration of the AI-based Bhashini platform to streamline internal and external communications across multiple Indian languages. The move aims to enhance accessibility, transparency, and efficiency in government auditing and reporting.

In preparation for the Union Budget for FY27, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held consultations with a group of leading economists to gather insights on the economy’s trajectory and policy priorities. The discussions focused on fiscal consolidation, job creation, private investment revival, and strategies to sustain India’s robust growth amid a volatile global environment.

India’s Tea Board has introduced a comprehensive framework of food safety and sustainability standards aimed at enhancing the quality, traceability, and environmental compliance of Indian tea. The new measures align domestic production with international benchmarks such as those set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SBC Exports posted a remarkable surge in its second-quarter profit, doubling year-on-year as fresh orders and operational efficiency drove robust revenue growth. The company’s strategic focus on high-margin products and expanded client base underpinned this performance, reflecting resilience amid fluctuating global demand. Analysts note that SBC Exports’ disciplined cost management and timely execution of new contracts have enhanced margins, positioning it strongly in the competitive export market.

Vedanta Resources Ltd has announced the launch of CopperTech Metals Inc, a U.S.-based company aimed at strengthening its presence in the global copper market and supporting the clean-energy transition. With an initial investment of USD 1.5 billion, the venture seeks to expand operations at the Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) in Zambia and enhance access to Western capital.

India’s foreign exchange reserves declined by USD 2.3 billion to USD 689.73 billion for the week ended November 1, reflecting currency market interventions and valuation adjustments due to global financial turbulence. Despite the marginal fall, reserves remain comfortably high, providing a strong buffer against external shocks and ensuring macroeconomic stability. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) continues to manage liquidity and currency movements prudently as the rupee faces mild depreciation pressures amid fluctuating crude prices, foreign fund outflows, and a strengthening US dollar.

India and Chile are moving closer to finalising a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) aimed at expanding bilateral trade and strategic cooperation, with critical minerals—especially lithium—emerging as a central focus. After three rounds of negotiations, both nations are working toward completing the deal by the end of 2025. The agreement seeks to deepen collaboration in trade, investment, digital commerce, and sustainable mining.

In a step toward advancing the quality and safety of protective textiles, Indian researchers have developed a suite of thermal testing instruments designed to evaluate the performance of fabrics under extreme heat and fire exposure. This innovation marks a significant milestone for India’s growing technical textile sector, offering reliable, indigenous testing solutions that align with global safety standards.