SME Times is powered by   
Search News
Just in:   • India's 52-satellite initiative to enhance surveillance  • Egyptian, French FMs discuss developments in Lebanon, Gaza  • Mysore-Darbhanga Bagmati Express derails in Tamil Nadu; many injured  • India's industrial production sees marginal contraction, manufacturing production rises  • Centre notifies guidelines for ‘Innovative Projects’ under PM Surya Ghar Yojana 
Last updated: 10 Oct, 2024  
Doctor.9.Thmb.jpg MedTech Mitra
Bikky Khosla | 25 Dec, 2023
The government has launched MedTech Mitra ─ a new platform for budding entrepreneurs and innovators in the medical device sector. The objective is to boost innovation and ease of doing research and  
  Read more....
Exports.9.Thmb.jpg Exports: Challenges and prospects ahead
Bikky Khosla | 19 Dec, 2023
Merchandise trade deficit for the month of November fell to $20.58 billion mainly due to decline in imports of gold and oil, according to data released by the government last week 
  Read more....
startup.9.thmb.jpg Startup funding crunch continues
Bikky Khosla | 10 Dec, 2023
The Indian startup sector has continued to face funding crunch. According to data compiled by global market intelligence platform Tracxn, the country slipped to fourth position among the highest 
  Read more....
Up.9.Thmb.jpg GDP growth: Surprise on the upside
Bikky Khosla | 05 Dec, 2023
In a pleasant surprise, GDP growth during the July-September 2023-24 quarter recorded a 7.6 percent growth. This growth is considerably higher than estimated previously, although the RBI governor 
  Read more....
Rupee.9.Thmb.jpg Deficit situation
Bikky Khosla | 27 Nov, 2023
Merchandise trade deficit widened to a record-high of $31.46 billion in October, according to recent official data. With exports amounting to $33.57 billion and imports at $65.03 billion, trade 
  Read more....
Mining.9.Thmb.jpg New scheme for mining sector MSMEs, startups
IANS | 21 Nov, 2023
With the aim of pushing new age technology innovation in the sector, the Ministry of Mines last week announced the launch of a new programme─ Promotion of Research and Innovation in Start-ups and MSMEs (S&T-PRISM) 
  Read more....
Manufacturing.Border.Thmb.jpg Industrial output
Bikky Khosla | 14 Nov, 2023
Industrial output for the month of September slumped to a three-month low of 5.8 percent. Data released last week on the eve of Diwali shows that weak manufacturing and consumption demand hit the  
  Read more....
Rupee.9.Thmb.jpg Rupee volatility
Bikky Khosla | 07 Nov, 2023
The Indian Rupee, which was facing headwinds due to higher yields on US bonds, last week plunged to an all-time low of 83.33 against the US dollar. The RBI has been trying to prevent this  
  Read more....
Accounting.9.Thmb.jpg Fiscal deficit
Bikky Khosla | 31 Oct, 2023
Fiscal deficit — the gap between expenditure and revenue — may not improve much in the coming two-three years. Recently, an expert from a global rating agency  
  Read more....
India.Growth.9.Thmb.jpg El Nino concerns
IANS | 24 Oct, 2023
Stock markets are one of the key leading indicators – though not the most critical one – of an economy, and though yesterday’s market turmoil was due to an interplay of several factors 
  Read more....
startup.9.thmb.jpg Startup deals
Bikky Khosla | 17 Oct, 2023
There is significant drop in deal activity in the Indian startup sector in 2023 (year-to-date) compared to the same period in 2022, according to a latest report. While there is 39 percent overall decrease in the number of deals 
  Read more....
Tank.9.Thmb.jpg Israel-Hamas war
IANS | 09 Oct, 2023
Amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict not showing any signs of stopping, another war was declared last week – by Israel against Hamas. Israel’s counteroffensive after the surprise attack by Hamas forces  
  Read more....
Rupee.9.Thmb.jpg CAD concerns
Staff Reporter | 02 Oct, 2023
Current account deficit jumped 7-fold in the April-June quarter. It stands at $9.2 billion against $1.3 billion in the preceding quarter, according to RBI data released last week. The central bank points out three factors  
  Read more....
Dollar.Investment.9.Thmb.jpg Near-term growth prospects
Bikky Khosla | 26 Sep, 2023
Several reports were released last week regarding India’s growth prospect. ADB has lowered its growth forecast for the country from 6.4 percent to 6.3 percent, pointing out likely effects of slowing exports and erratic rainfall 
  Read more....
Exports.9.Thmb.jpg Exports scenario
Bikky Khosla | 19 Sep, 2023
Merchandise exports from the country declined almost 7 percent to $34.5 billion in August. This is the seventh straight month of decline in goods exports. Imports, on the other hand, declined 5.23  
  Read more....
Globe.9.Thmb.jpg India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor
Bikky Khosla | 12 Sep, 2023
With an aim to achieve further economic integration, India and some of its G20 allies have signed a historic memorandum of understanding (MoU) to create the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).  
  Read more....
India.Growth.9.Thmb.jpg GDP growth prospects
Bikky Khosla | 05 Sep, 2023
Growth Domestic Product (GDP) registered growth of 7.8 percent in the April-June quarter of the current fiscal, according to data released by the ministry of statistics and programme implementation last week. 
  Read more....
ASEAN.9.Thmb.jpg A revisit: India-ASEAN trade pact
Bikky Khosla | 28 Aug, 2023
India and ASEAN signed the a Trade in Goods Agreement on August 13, 2009 based on the India-ASEAN CECA inked between the tw 
  Read more....
India.Growth.9.Thmb.jpg How is the economy faring?
Bikky Khosla | 22 Aug, 2023
How is the Indian economy performing? According to the CareEdge Ratings Economic Meter, the index of economic activity grew at the pace of 1 percent in July in contrast to 5.7 percent  
  Read more....
Exports.9.Thmb.jpg External trade scenario
Bikky Khosla | 15 Aug, 2023
India’s exports fell again in July, registering a 16 percent decline to $32.25 billion. Only 11 out of 30 key products sectors, showed positive growth in the month. No doubt, global headwinds once again played spoilsport 
  Read more....
msme-THMB-2010.jpg MSME credit
Bikky Khosla | 08 Aug, 2023
Lack of credit, without an iota of doubt, is one of the major challenges facing the Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector. S 
  Read more....
PAddy.9.Thmb.jpg Rice exports ban
Bikky Khosla | 01 Aug, 2023
India recently imposed ban on all exports of 'non-basmati white rice'. According to the Centre, the decision was taken to "to guarantee sufficient availability of non-basmati white rice in the  
  Read more....
Manufacturing.9.Thmb.jpg Advance Authorisation Scheme
Bikky Khosla | 25 Jul, 2023
The government last week simplified norms for the export sector under the advance authorisation scheme. Under this scheme, exporters can avail duty free import of inputs if these inputs are incorporated  
  Read more....
Exports.9.Thmb.jpg Struggling exports
Bikky Khosla | 17 Jul, 2023
Exports from the country fell 22 percent to $32.97 billion in June. Outbound shipments have declined for the seventh time in nine months and in the last month the decline deepened sharpest  
  Read more....
Rupee.9.Thmb.jpg Startup funding: The struggle continues
Bikky Khosla | 11 Jul, 2023
Fund flow to Indian startups in the first half of this year fell 36 percent to $3.8 billion across 298 deals from $5.9 billion in the second half of 2022, a latest report shows. This is the lowest six-month 
  Read more....
Rupee.9.Thmb.jpg MSME credit needs
Bikky Khosla | 04 Jul, 2023
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are backbone of the economy - we often hear people saying this, and facts confirm it as well. As per United Nations data, they account for 90% of businesses 
  Read more....
Rupee.9.New.Thmb.jpg MSME: Working capital challenge
Bikky Khosla | 27 Jun, 2023
Imminent slowdown in advanced economies, particularly the US and the EU will adversely impact one out of five Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises 
  Read more....
Indo-Us.9.Thmb.jpg PM Modi's US visit
Bikky Khosla | 20 Jun, 2023
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has departed for the United States today. During the trip he will be given a ceremonial welcome at the White House, and later he will hold a high-level dialogue with  
  Read more....
India.Growth.9.Thmb.jpg State finances
Bikky Khosla | 13 Jun, 2023
A recent report published by the RBI – ‘State Finances: A Study of Budgets of 2022-23’ - provides some valuable insights about the economic condition 
  Read more....
India.Growth.9.Thmb.jpg GDP: Upward revision
Bikky Khosla | 05 Jun, 2023
The latest upward GDP growth revision for fiscal 2023 is good news. According to latest official data, the Indian economy grew at a rate of 7.2 percent 
  Read more....
startup.thmb.jpg Startup challenges
Bikky Khosla | 30 May, 2023
The number of startups in the country stood at just 350 before 2014, but now it has grown to more than 90,000. 
  Read more....
Rupee.9.New.Thmb.jpg Rs 2,000 note ban
Bikky Khosla | 22 May, 2023
The RBI last week announced withdrawal of Rs 2,000 banknote from circulation. Introduced in November 2016 after demonetisation  
  Read more....
Inflation.9.Thmb.jpg Monetary easing not far off!
Bikky Khosla | 16 May, 2023
Retail inflation fell to 4.70 percent in April from 5.66 percent in the previous month. This is the lowest consumer price index based inflation in last 18 months. Also, for the second consecutive month 
  Read more....
Handshake.9.Thmb.jpg Vivad se Vishwas
Bikky Khosla | 09 May, 2023
The government last week eased the provisions of the Vivad se Vishwas scheme, which was announced in the Union Budget 2023-24, with an objective to give relief to Covid-hit Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) 
  Read more....
UAE.9.Thmb.jpg India-UAE trade
Bikky Khosla | 02 May, 2023
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on February 18, 2022 
  Read more....
Cargo2.Thmb.jpg Logistics performance
Bikky Khosla | 25 Apr, 2023
India climbed 6 places on World Bank's Logistics Performance Index from 44th in 2018 to 38th in 2023. This improvement is welcome.  
  Read more....
FTA.9.Thmb.jpg Trade talks with renewed vigour
Bikky Khosla | 18 Apr, 2023
India, which has recently set an ambitious export target of $2 trillion by 2030, seems to be gearing up to boost its trade relations with the major partners 
  Read more....
RBI.Thmb.jpg A fine balancing act by RBI
Bikky Khosla | 11 Apr, 2023
The Reserve Bank of India last week unanimously decided to leave the repo rate untouched. After a series of rate hikes, totalling 250 basis points since last May, the Monetary Policy Committee has now hit the 
  Read more....
ftp-thmb.jpg FTP: Long wait is over
Bikky Khosla | 04 Apr, 2023
The Centre unveiled the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 last week. The term of the last FTP (2015-20) ended in March 2020 
  Read more....
Layoff.9.thmb.jpg Startup layoffs
IANS | 28 Mar, 2023
Indian startups are facing challenging times. For quite some time now, the sector has been facing funding crunch, and only recently, the fall of the 16th largest US bank -Silicon Valley Bank- threatened to intensify 
  Read more....
Textiles.9.Thmb.jpg PM MITRA textile parks
IANS | 21 Mar, 2023
The Prime Minister last week announced that PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (MITRA) textile parks would be set up in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya  
  Read more....
India.Australia.9.Thmb.jpg India-Australia trade potential
Bikky Khosla | 12 Mar, 2023
India and Australian are now exploring ways to expand trade cooperation. The two countries implemented an economic cooperation and trade agreement (ECTA) last year and both sides are now 
  Read more....
Exports.9.Thmb.jpg Upcoming FTP
Bikky Khosla | 07 Mar, 2023
The Government is working on a new foreign trade policy (FTP) - a vision statement to chart out long-term goals on exports and imports 
  Read more....
Exports.9.Thmb.jpg Goods and services exports
Staff Reporter | 28 Feb, 2023
Merchandise exports fell by 6.58 percent to $32.91 billion in January. This is for the second month in a row that the sector has witnessed decline, with goods exports falling by 12.2 percent 
  Read more....
India.UAE.9.Thmb.jpg UAE India Business Council
Bikky Khosla | 21 Feb, 2023
Top business houses of India and UAE last week came together to launch the UAE India Business Council - UAE Chapter. The objective is to boost trade and investment between the two countries 
  Read more....
Exports.9.Thmb.jpg Budget: Exports push not enough
Bikky Khosla | 14 Feb, 2023
Before the Union Budget 2023-24 was unveiled recently, it had widely been expected that the Centre would come out with extensive measures to support the export sector, particularly at a time 
  Read more....
budget-indiaTHMB.jpeg Budget announcements for MSMEs
Bikky Khosla | 06 Feb, 2023
The eagerly awaited Union Budget 2023 was tabled in the Parliament last week. Overall, it seems to be a balanced Budget, amid tough global economic condition 
  Read more....
budget-indiaTHMB.jpeg Budget 2023
Bikky Khosla | 31 Jan, 2023
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget on Wednesday. This will be the last full-fledged Budget before the up 
  Read more....
It.Thmb.jpg Tapping the potential of digitization
Bikky Khosla | 24 Jan, 2023
The Prime Minister last week tweeted that digital payments have brought ease and comfort in the lives of many. “It is a common sight across India…our people have shown remarkable dexterity in adapting to tech and innovation 
  Read more....
Exports.9.Thmb.jpg Exports need big policy push
Bikky Khosla | 17 Jan, 2022
Merchandise exports for the month of December fell by 12.2 percent to $34.48 billion against $39.27 billion in the corresponding month of 2021. In contrast, imports fell to $58.24 billion against $60.33 billion YoY. Trade deficit increased to $23.76 billion against $21.10 billion YoY, but it narrowed to the lowest level in eight months from $23.89 billion in November. Overall, the foreign trade environment is not that encouraging. 
  Read more....
startup.thmb.jpg Startup funding winter
Bikky Khosla | 10 Jan, 2023
At $10.8 billion, Bengaluru based startups raised the highest amount to funds in 2022. 
  Read more....
Rupee.9.Thmb.jpg Fiscal deficit
Bikky Khosla | 03 Jan, 2023
Fiscal deficit for the April-November period reached Rs 9.78 lakh crore, or 58.9 percent of the Budget target of Rs 
  Read more....

Archives: 2024 ( 42 )    2023 ( 52 )    2022 ( 52 )    2021 ( 52 )    2020 ( 52 )    2019 ( 52 )    2018 ( 53 )    2017 ( 53 )    2016 ( 51 )    2015 ( 53 )    2014 ( 359 )    Index
 
  Customs Exchange Rates
Currency Import Export
US Dollar
84.35
82.60
UK Pound
106.35
102.90
Euro
92.50
89.35
Japanese Yen 55.05 53.40
As on 12 Oct, 2024
  Daily Poll
Will the new MSME credit assessment model simplify financing?
 Yes
 No
 Can't say
  Commented Stories
 
 
About Us  |   Advertise with Us  
  Useful Links  |   Terms and Conditions  |   Disclaimer  |   Contact Us  
Follow Us : Facebook Twitter