Author: Deshwale Business Desk

India is exploring deeper tariff reductions, including zero duty on select agricultural imports, as part of efforts to enhance trade relations with the United States. The goal is to push bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, a target set during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent discussions with US President Donald Trump. Government officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that India is open to slashing import duties across multiple sectors, including automobiles, chemicals, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. This move aims to ease trade tensions and counter the perception that India imposes excessively high tariffs on American goods. A…

FedEx continues its mission to support inclusive entrepreneurship in India with its Saksham initiative. Now in its fourth consecutive year, the programme has helped over 270 women entrepreneurs and nearly 160 LGBTQIA+ individuals by providing essential business resources, mentorship, and industry-specific training. Through Saksham, small business owners in sectors such as tailoring, handicrafts, food services, beauty, and tiffin services have received customised kits to scale their businesses. The initiative is a collaboration between FedEx and United Way Mumbai, aimed at bridging the gap in access to capital, business knowledge, and market opportunities. According to Suvendu Choudhury, Vice President of India…

India’s leading commodity derivatives exchange, Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) has recorded turnover of Rs.13,04,934.20 crores in various futures & option contracts for commodities listed at MCX during the week of February 28 to March 6. A movement of 542 points was seen in the March futures of the precious metals index BULLDEX. It is worth mentioning here that during the week, a record premium turnover of Rs.2,273 crore was registered in options contracts of NATURAL GAS on Wednesday, 5th March. In precious metals futures, GOLD and SILVER witnessed a total turnover of Rs.89,507.57 crore in 8,15,123 trades on MCX during…

Kia India has announced that its popular family mover, the Kia Carens, has surpassed 200,000 unit sales within 36 months of its launch. The milestone cements Carens’ position as one of the fastest-selling vehicles in its segment, appealing to Indian families seeking comfort, space, and advanced technology. Strong demand for premium variants Kia Carens’ top trims account for 24% of total sales, driven by features like sunroof, multi-drive modes, ventilated seats, and Kia Connect. The 7-seater model dominates sales, making up 95% of total units sold. Fuel and transmission preferences: Leadership speak Hardeep Singh Brar, Sr. VP, Sales & Marketing,…

The Vasai-Virar HOMETHON Property Expo 2025 has commenced with great enthusiasm, attracting homebuyers, investors, and industry professionals to explore the latest real estate offerings in the region. Organised by NAREDCO Maharashtra, the three-day mega event, running from 7th to 9th March at YMCA Ground, Manickpur, Vasai West, is the largest real estate showcase in Vasai-Virar’s history. With participation from over 40 developers and featuring 100+ projects, the expo offers an extensive selection of 25,000+ residential units, 5,000+ commercial units, and 2,500+ industrial units. The event caters to all segments of buyers, from those seeking affordable homes to those looking for…

In an era where digital transactions dominate, women entrepreneurs must prioritise secure digital payments to scale their businesses effectively. This International Women’s Day, Visa shares essential tips to help female business owners integrate secure payment solutions, ensuring both growth and financial security. Top digital payment tips for Women entrepreneurs 1. Build security into every step Security should be a core component of business planning. Entrepreneurs must train their employees on digital safety, stay informed about emerging fraud tactics, and implement strong security measures across their payment systems. 2. Offer secure contactless and online payments Businesses should embrace EMVCo® chip-based contactless…

Toyota Kirloskar Motor has introduced the Hilux Black Edition, a tougher and sleeker version of its legendary pickup truck. Designed for adventure seekers and urban explorers, the Hilux Black Edition blends power, style, and cutting-edge technology. What Makes the Hilux Black Edition Special Pricing and Availability Toyota’s Hilux Black Edition is more than just a pickup. It is a statement of power, luxury, and adventure.

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has introduced a one-day menstrual leave per month for its women employees in the engineering and construction sectors. This policy, announced by Chairman and Managing Director S N Subrahmanyan during Women’s Day celebrations at the company’s Powai office in Mumbai, is a first in the industry and is expected to benefit around 5,000 women employees, who constitute 9% of L&T’s 60,000-strong workforce. The policy excludes L&T’s financial and technology subsidiaries, which already offer work-from-home and flexible arrangements. Details regarding its implementation, such as whether it will be an additional paid leave or part of existing entitlements,…

The 7th edition of the MCX-IPF COMQUEST 2025, India’s premier national-level commodity market quiz, concluded in Mumbai with a grand finale on 4th March 2025. Organised by the MCX Investor Protection Fund (MCX-IPF), the competition saw over 10,000 student registrations from 650 institutions across 30 states and Union Territories. Female participation stood at 44%, reflecting growing interest in financial literacy. The quiz tested students on their knowledge of the commodity markets through multiple screening rounds, case studies, and panel discussions over three months. Zonal rounds were held in Delhi-NCR, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, and Mumbai. The final showdown took place at the…

JioStar has announced a major workforce reduction following the Viacom18-Disney merger, affecting over 1,100 employees. The company has initiated layoffs across multiple departments, citing role redundancies as the primary reason for the decision. The restructuring process, which began last month, is expected to continue until June 2025. Sources confirm that employees from distribution, finance, commercial, and legal teams are among those impacted. The layoffs span across all levels, from entry-level employees to senior directors and assistant vice-presidents. The merger has led to an overlap in responsibilities, making certain positions redundant, according to company insiders. To support affected employees, JioStar has…