Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman raised the lending target for public sector banks to MSMEs by nearly 35% for this financial year. She set a new target of Rs 5.7 lakh crore, emphasizing that no small business should be denied funding. Sitharaman urged public sector banks to take the lead in lending to MSMEs, aiming for greater growth in the sector.
Debashish Panda, chairman of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irdai), advocated for raising the foreign direct investment (FDI) ceiling in the insurance sector to 100% from the current 74%. He believes this move will attract more foreign players, bolster the industry's capital base, and help achieve the government's target of 'insurance for all' by 2047.
Niti Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam stated that India should join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to benefit its MSME sector, which contributes 40% of India's exports. He believes that joining these trade agreements will boost India's participation in the 'China plus one' strategy.
Indian markets surged on Tuesday, with the Sensex closing above 80,000 points, fueled by a global rally following Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election. Investors are optimistic about potential pro-business policies under a Trump administration, despite concerns about his stance on renewable energy and potential impact on H-1B visa rules.
Economists and market analysts believe that a return of Donald Trump to the White House could bring both opportunities and challenges for the Indian market. While some sectors like software and pharmaceuticals might benefit, others could face tariff barriers. Despite potential volatility, India is expected to attract foreign investment due to its favorable policies and the 'China +1' strategy.Apple has reclaimed the position of the world's most valuable company, surpassing Nvidia amid rising concerns. Both companies have seen ...
