New school syllabus will be from 2028 academic year: Bengal Education Minister

New Delhi, Aug 20 (IANS) To mitigate the impact for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from the US tariffs, India can increase exports to other countries as well as leverage the benefits of the recently concluded trade deal with the UK and a potential deal with the European Union (EU), a report said on Wednesday.

The imposition of higher tariffs by the US will affect MSMEs, which account for as much as 45 per cent of India’s total exports, according to the report by Crisil Intelligence.

Currently, the US levies a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods. However, it has imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff that will take effect from August 27, bringing the total tariff on Indian products to a substantial 50 per cent.

The additional ad valorem, if implemented, will have a meaningful impact on certain sectors and remains monitorable, said the report.

“The India-UK free trade agreement is supportive for MSMEs in export-oriented sectors such as textiles, gems and jewellery, seafood, leather and pharmaceuticals,” said Elizabeth Master, Associate Director, Crisil Intelligence.

Although these account for less than 3 per cent of imports to the UK, except readymade garments or RMG (6 per cent), the deal would improve MSME competitiveness versus Bangladesh, Cambodia and Turkey, and lend an edge over China and Vietnam in RMG, Master added.

The textiles, gems and jewellery and seafood industries, which account for 25 per cent of India’s total exports to the US, are likely to be the most affected. MSMEs have more than 70 per cent share in these sectors. Another sector likely to face the heat is chemicals, where MSMEs have a 40 per cent share.

According to Pushan Sharma, Director, Crisil Intelligence, partial absorption of the increased product prices due to higher tariffs will put pressure on MSMEs, squeeze their already-slim margins and pose a material challenge to their competitiveness.

Similarly, in the gems and jewellery sector, MSMEs in Surat, which dominate diamond exports with over 80 per cent share, will feel the tariff shock.

In auto components, the impact is expected to be marginally unfavourable as the US accounts for only 3.5 per cent of India’s total production.

Some sectors, however, remain unscathed for now. For instance, pharmaceutical products, which comprise a 12 per cent share in exports to the US, are currently exempt from tariffs.

In steel, the US tariffs are expected to have a negligible impact on MSMEs as these are engaged mainly in the re-rolling, producing long products, whereas the US primarily imports flat products from India. Also, the US accounts for only 1 per cent of India’s steel exports, the report noted.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 3 (IANS) In a historic first, Delhi Lok Niwas on Tuesday played the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ and National Anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ at a function organised to facilitate and interact with the Republic Day Camp Contingent of NCC, an official said.​

Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena shared information about his interaction with the cadets on social media and said, “The discipline, passion and unwavering dedication of these young cadets towards the nation is truly inspiring.”​

“For over seven decades, NCC has made significant contributions to nation-building, and I am confident these cadets will carry this legacy forward in the journey towards #ViksitBharat@2047, as envisioned by Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji,” he said.​

Earlier last month, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta interacted with cadets at the Republic Day Camp of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and exhorted them to grow into responsible and tech-savvy citizens who place the nation above all.​

“In India’s tradition, values of placing the nation above all have been instilled since childhood. The NCC is today playing a leading role in carrying forward this legacy,” she said.​

“I had the opportunity to witness the atmosphere imbued with the cadets’ discipline, determination, and spirit of national service at the Republic Day Camp of the National Cadet Corps,” Chief Minister Gupta said in a message on the social media platform X.​

“Along with the observation of the Guard of Honour, Band Display, and Hall of Fame, I gained insights into innovations such as the Young Disaster Friend Scheme and drone training. These initiatives are important steps toward making the youth responsible, capable, and technologically empowered in changing times,” she added.​

Impressed with the discipline and presentation of cadets, Chief Minister Gupta applauded their conduct and said that their synchronised march, band performances, and cultural presentations reflected the heartbeat of the nation.​

The Chief Minister appreciated the role played by NCC in building courageous and responsible youth while nurturing lifelong values of nationalism, unity, and constitutional commitment in them.​

Highlighting NCC’s holistic training framework, she talked about the importance of national integration initiatives such as the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ Camps and Special National Integration Camps.​

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 3 (IANS) In a significant step towards strengthening bilateral economic ties, India and Mali institutionalised their growing commercial partnership through the inaugural India-Mali Forum for the Promotion of Exports, setting the stage for deeper trade and investment cooperation between the two countries, according to a statement issued by the Commerce and Industry Ministry on Friday.

The two-day forum, held in Bamako under the theme “Reinforcing Trade and Strategic Partnerships”, was presided over by the Prime Minister of the Transition Government of Mali, Major General Abdoulaye Maiga.

As a concrete next step, Mali announced a dedicated investment forum to be held on 3–4 December 2026, at which additional bankable projects will be made available to international investors. Mali reaffirmed its commitment to positioning itself as a strategic investment hub for West Africa under its Vision Mali 2063 roadmap.

The Forum brought together senior officials from both governments and around 30 Indian business leaders. The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary (FT-Africa), Department of Commerce, Amit Kumar. The mission was represented by N. Nandakumar, Ambassador of India to Mali.

India and Mali have witnessed robust growth in bilateral trade, which surpassed US$326.61 million in FY 2025–26, registering a 55 per cent increase over the previous financial year.

Mali’s principal exports to India include raw cotton, finished leather, cashew, lead, gum arabic and sesame, while India’s major exports comprise pharmaceuticals, cotton fabrics, two- and three-wheelers, and bicycles. India’s Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme has been the primary catalyst in strengthening bilateral trade.

Against Mali’s global exports of approximately $4 billion, untapped export potential in the Indian market is estimated at nearly $3.96 billion, signalling substantial room for growth.

Following the inaugural session and a visit to the Indian and Malian exhibition stands, featuring Sonalika tractors and vehicles manufactured by Mahindra and Tata Motors, the delegations participated in an intensive series of Business-to-Business (B2B), Business-to-Government (B2G) and Government-to-Government (G2G) matchmaking meetings.

The discussions covered renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, textiles, automotive manufacturing and mining, to convert business opportunities into commercial partnerships and Memorandums of Understanding.

On the second day, the Indian delegation met the Minister of Industry and Trade of Mali, Moussa Alassane Diallo. APEX-Mali also presented “Ready-Made Business Plans” for immediate investment opportunities.

The delegation later called on the Prime Minister of the Transition Government of Mali.

Both sides identified cotton and textiles, mining and energy, agro-industry and shea processing, pharmaceuticals, and social infrastructure, including health and education, as priority sectors for expanding bilateral cooperation.

Mali expressed strong interest in India’s support for digitising its Certificate of Origin system and in the prompt registration of approved Indian pharmaceutical products.

The Indian side sought reconsideration of the shea nut export ban and reaffirmed the importance of protecting Indian nationals and investments.

–IANS

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