WTO talks: Sharp divide over e-commerce duty moratorium as India opposes permanent extension

A sharp divide has emerged at the ongoing World Trade Organisation (WTO) ministerial conference in Cameroon over the continuation of the e-commerce moratorium on customs duties, think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said on Saturday, reported PTI.It noted that while the US is pushing for a permanent extension of the moratorium, India and several…

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India opposes China-led IFD pact’s inclusion; flags risks to WTO framework and core principles

India on Saturday said it has strongly opposed the China-led Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement being incorporated into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) framework, flagging concerns over its systemic implications, PTI reported.The issue was raised at the ongoing 14th ministerial conference (MC14) of the WTO in Yaounde, Cameroon, where Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush…

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How crude oil benchmark volatility, refinery economics and a broken supply chain are testing India’s energy resilience

“Energy can never be created, nor destroyed; it can only be changed from one form to another.”The first law of thermodynamics remains a quiet scientific truth despite a broken supply of crude oil due to the ongoing Middle East crisis. As geopolitical disruption tightens its grip around the Strait of Hormuz, that law reads less…

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Rubber industry seeks govt intervention amid rising costs in wake of West Asia war

Hyderabad: India’s rubber industry has sought urgent govt intervention as global supply disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict have pushed up raw material and freight costs, threatening thousands of small manufacturers and exporters across the country.In a representation to the commerce ministry, the All-India Rubber Industries Association said SMEs are facing severe stress as…

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Who is Ashok Kumar Panda? PESB recommends SAIL finance director for CMD post; top PSU role awaits ACC nod

Government head-hunter Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has recommended Ashok Kumar Panda, Director (Finance) at Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), for the post of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) at the state-run steel major, PTI reported.Panda was among 10 shortlisted candidates interviewed for the top post at India’s largest public-sector steel-making entity.The position will…

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Strait of Hormuz disruptions: India’s crude buys from Russia may double from January levels; reach 40% of oil imports

Russian oil supplies to India could rise sharply, potentially doubling from January levels to account for at least 40% of India’s total imports. (AI image) As supply disruptions from the Strait of Hormuz continue due to the US-Iran war, India has stepped up its purchases of Russian crude oil. In fact, compared to the January…

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