MUDRA scheme ‘practically worthless’ in promoting businesses: P Chidambaram
NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Thursday criticised the Centre’s MUDRA loan scheme, saying it was “practically worthless” in promoting businesses. The former finance minister also said he is not surprised that the non-performing asset (NPA) ratio is the highest under the MUDRA loan scheme. “I have long maintained that the MUDRA loan […]
India-UK FTA first step in evolving trade, economic ties: UK official
NEW YORK: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a very ambitious desire to get the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed by Diwali and his new British counterpart Liz Truss wants her administration to “match the pace and ambition” of the Indian leader, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has said. Cleverly also said that the […]
Gates Foundation announces $1.27 billion aid for social issues, climate change
NEW DELHI: The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has announced fresh financial assistance totalling USD 1.27 billion to address poverty and social inequalities at the end of its two-day event that saw the participation of over 300 young change-makers from across the globe. The announcement on the financial commitment came over a week after the […]
TerraPay, NPCI collaborate for merchant payments via UPI-enabled QR codes
NEW DELHI: In a strategic move to further strengthen its cross-border payment solutions, TerraPay, a leading global payments infrastructure group today announced its partnership with NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the International arm of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). This association with NIPL will allow Indian customers and merchants in India with an active […]
India defends decision to ban rice, wheat exports at WTO meeting
NEW DELHI: India has defended its decision to ban export of wheat and rice at a WTO meeting even as some member countries have flagged concerns over the country’s stand, an official said. At a meeting last week in Geneva, Senegal, the US and the European Union raised questions over this decision, stating it could […]
US lawmakers call for strong ties with India, hail Indian-Americans’ help
WASHINGTON: Top Senators and influential Congressmen have advocated for a strong India-US tie and underscored the contribution of the Indian-American community in this matter. At the Indian Independence Day celebrations event at the US Capitol on Wednesday, Senator Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat, recalled his visits to India and seeing “the greatness of the […]
13 US firms on two-day visit to explore Telangana’s aerospace ecosystem
NEW DELHI: As many as 13 USA aerospace companies arrived here on Wednesday for a two-day trade mission to explore Telangana’s aerospace ecosystem and meet with potential business partners in the region. A press release from the US Consulate here said the trade mission, which is organised by the US Commercial Service in India, will […]
Liquor rates to rise as government hikes excise duty by 15% in Arunachal Pradesh
ITANAGAR: Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) in Arunachal Pradesh is set to become costlier, as the state cabinet has decided to increase the existing rates of excise duty by 15 per cent on all types of hard liquor (IMFL and bottled in original products) to be paid before the import or removal from the manufacturer. […]
Gateway Distriparks announces new ICD at Jaipur
NEW DELHI: Gateway Distriparks Limited (GDL) announces that the company has completed the purchase of land at Dhanakya, near Jaipur, and will now commence construction of a new rail-linked Inland Container Depot (ICD). This will be the company’s 5th ICD besides five Container Freight Stations taking the total to 10 container terminals on a pan […]