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TREND | 23 May 2025

Pakistan to offer mining concessions to US firms in tariff negotiations: Minister

Business Line

Jam Kamal, Pakistan's Commerce Minister, said the country will grant US firms access to strategic mining opportunities in Balochistan through joint ventures with local partners

Trade and Commerce

TREND | 22 May 2025

'Omanisation' last key issue in concluding India-Oman FTA talks: Official

Business Standard

The negotiations for the proposed India-Oman free trade agreement are nearing conclusion with both sides discussing the last issue of the Gulf country's labour-related 'Omanisation' policy, as New Delhi wants the current regime to remain unchanged for its workers, an official said. Omanisation is a policy implemented by Oman to boost the employment of its citizens in the private sector. The policy mandates companies to meet specific quotas for hiring Omani nationals. These quotas vary by sector and are periodically revised. "There is a requirement in Oman for companies to employ a specified percentage of Omani nationals, which varies by sector - 15 per cent or 20 per cent or 30 per cent...What we want is that this current regime of Omanisation should remain permanent for us, so that it does not become more restrictive in the future after the FTA is finalised," the official said. The negotiations received a much-needed impetus after the visit of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush

UK to give non-discriminatory treatment to India in procurement under FTA

Business Standard | 22 May 2025

Trade and Commerce

TREND | 22 May 2025

China updates free trade deal with Asean as US tariff war escalates

Business Standard

China and Asean conclude negotiations to modernise their 15-year-old FTA, even as Beijing and Washington agree to a 90-day tariff truce following weeks of trade retaliation

Trade and Commerce

TREND | 21 May 2025

Trading with India will be 'quicker, cheaper, easier' post-FTA, says UK

Business Standard

It will be quicker, cheaper and easier for British companies to trade with India as a result of the bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) struck earlier this month, the UK government said on Wednesday. Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds described the FTA as the best deal India has ever agreed to as he convened a revamped advisory board for its first meeting, tasked with boosting exports to grow the UK economy. The Board of Trade, made up of UK business experts, is charged with delivering targeted support for small businesses across the country and helping firms utilise the exporting opportunities from the UK's recent FTAs with the India pact followed by a US deal. Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for British trade. This Board isn't just a talking shop it's a hands-on, dynamic force that will help businesses of every size access global markets and seize the opportunities created by our landmark trade deals, said Reynolds, who concluded the UK-India FTA...

Trade and Commerce

TREND | 21 May 2025

India Aims To Bypass Reciprocal Tariffs Via Mini Deal With US By July

NDTV Profit

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is currently leading an Indian delegation for trade talks in Washington.

Trade and Commerce

TREND | 21 May 2025

Diageo to cut Scotch prices in India as UK FTA halves import duties

Business Standard

Duties on UK-made whisky and gin will drop from 150% to 75%, and then to 40% over 10 years under India-UK Free Trade Agreement; Diageo to pass on savings

Trade and Commerce

TREND | 20 May 2025

CCI To Play Role In All FTA Competition Chapters: Chairperson Ravneet Kaur

NDTV Profit

The CCI is working on clear guidelines around cost of production to bring uniformity in assessing competitive practices, says Kaur.

Trade and Commerce

TREND | 20 May 2025

Regulatory Delays Keenly Watched As India Negotiates FTAs: FM Sitharaman

NDTV Profit

Sitharaman said the current global landscape, which is marked by intense digital competition and export volatility, demands a fine balance between regulatory oversight and market freedom.

Trade and Commerce

TREND | 20 May 2025

US tariff unpredictability poses credit risk for debt issuers: Moody's

Business Standard

Moody's Ratings on Tuesday said the uncertainties around US tariffs have negative credit consequences for debt issuers across emerging markets, including companies, governments and banks. "The on-again, off-again US tariffs and difficulty predicting US trade policy have negative credit consequences for debt issuers across emerging markets," Moody's said. Besides, geopolitics is an additional stress for emerging markets, including the flare-up of tensions between India and Pakistan. Exporters are most directly exposed to US tariff changes, but most debt issuers face indirect effects, Moody's said, adding tariffs will reach a much bigger and varied group of debt issuers indirectly through slowing economic growth and, for many, commodity price declines, currency depreciation and investor risk aversion. "The raft of tariffs the US administration has announced, altered and paused this year has negative credit consequences for debt issuers across emerging markets, including companies, .

Trade and Commerce

TREND | 20 May 2025

Goyal, Lutnick discuss expediting' bilateral trade deal

Business Line

Commerce Minister to also meet US Trade Representative to push trade pact within 90-day pause period for reciprocal tariff