INDIA COVID CURBS
Indians refuse to cash in on gold in their lockers hoping for a better price
India’s gold demand is expected to fall to a six-year low of around 650 tonnes in 2026 as record prices, rising living costs and a weak monsoon weigh on jewellery purchases and investment, according to the World Gold Council (WGC).
India's 2026 gold demand seen falling to six-year low on price rise: World Gold Council
India's gold demand is expected to fall to a six-year low of around 650 tonnes in 2026 as record-high prices, rising living costs and a weak monsoon weigh on jewellery purchases and investment demand, the World Gold Council (WGC) said.
DBS Chief sees overseas confidence in India despite capital outflow concerns
DBS Bank CEO Tan Su Shan emphasized the strong demand for FCNR(B) deposits as investor confidence in India. She highlighted India's potential for foreign direct investment and its advantageous position in the artificial intelligence sector. Despite foreign net sales affecting the rupee, she remains optimistic about India's economic growth and digital infrastructure. Tan discussed the importance of promoting FDI and exports to stabilize currency levels.
DBS CEO cites FCNR(B) success as proof of global faith in India, calls for more FDI
DBS Bank CEO Tan Su Shan addressed concerns about capital outflows from India and highlighted strong demand for FCNR(B) deposits. She emphasized the need for more foreign direct investment and exports to support the rupee's stability. Tan expressed optimism about India's potential in artificial intelligence due to its software talent and digital infrastructure developments. The importance of improving hardware capabilities alongside software strengths was also noted in her discussion.
IT firms cut H-1B reliance; Anthropic flags AI risks in IPO filing
Top Indian IT firms have sharply cut H-1B visa filings as rules tighten. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
UPI MDR explained; AI leaders split on slowing down
UPI’s new MDR framework will change how large merchant payments are charged. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
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Xi-Modi thaw warms up ties at BRICS, but old India-China fault lines remain
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi used their first meeting on Indian soil in seven years to signal a thaw in ties and a willingness to manage shared challenges, including US President Donald Trump. But deep differences remain over the border dispute, trade imbalance, Chinese support for Pakistan and India's economic dependence on Beijing.
India beats a hasty retreat from a crucial market reform
India’s market-closing auction reform, designed by Sebi to curb price manipulation, has faced volatility and investor backlash within weeks. The regulator may weaken or abandon it, exposing deeper problems: high securities taxes, inadequate arbitrage, shallow liquidity and restrictions on short selling. Poor coordination between fiscal and regulatory policies ultimately undermined reform efforts.
Xi’s first India trip since 2019 offers olive branch to PM Modi
During the BRICS summit this weekend, Chinese President Xi Jinping will arrive in India, aiming to strengthen Sino-Indian ties. A meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is anticipated, especially following the recent de-escalation of border tensions—an effort deemed pragmatic by analysts. While core grievances like territorial disputes and relations with Pakistan persist, the visit is designed to enhance mutual trust and explore engagement strategies.
India's auto component industry targets $200 bln turnover by FY30 amid rising risks: BCG-ACMA
India's auto component sector aims for $200 billion turnover by FY30. Achieving this goal requires greater resilience against rising costs and shortages. The industry has seen significant growth over the past decade despite disruptions. Strong domestic demand and increasing exports will support future expansion. Companies must focus on capability building and technological advancements for sustained growth.
SME IPO framework overhaul: Can SEBI deepen liquidity, protect investors without shutting out growth-oriented SMEs?
As SEBI plans to overhaul the SME listing framework, the key challenge for the regulator will be strengthening investor protection while improving liquidity and keeping public-market access viable for growth-oriented SMEs.
Odisha colleges told to cut cooking oil use, skip puris, vadas and bondas
Odisha colleges must reduce cooking oil consumption in their canteens. This directive follows global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical conflicts impacting food. Principals are instructed to avoid high-oil breakfast items like puris and vadas. Students will receive meals prepared with less deep-fried food and more traditional oils. Community awareness programs will also encourage households to conserve cooking oil.
Covid is not spoiling this New Year Eve bash
Increasing Covid cases in the country are unlikely to dampen large-scale New Year's Eve festivities, as there are currently no restrictions on crowd size, according to hoteliers and restaurateurs. Plans for celebrations and parties are proceeding as usual, with no numerical limits mentioned.
Fewer Covid curbs push up rents in high street areas
The steepest rise was at New Delhi's Khan Market where rents increased by more than a fifth followed by 16-18% surge at Bengaluru's Brigade Road and Indiranagar. Highstreets at Mumbai's Fort and Lokhandwala areas saw a 8-9% jump, according to property consultant Cushman & Wakefield.
Saudi Arabia lifts Covid curbs, permitting travel to India
Travel curbs were lifted on the following destinations: Turkey, Ethiopia, Vietnam, and India, local media reported. The move comes a week after the Saudi Kingdom dropped some precautionary Covid-19 measures, including wearing face masks indoors and providing proof of vaccination in order to enter most public places in the country.
Maharashtra government eases Covid curbs; cinemas, restaurants can operate at 100% capacity
India logged 7,554 new coronavirus infections, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 4,29,38,599, while the active cases dipped to 85,680, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday.
India's fuel demand reined in by COVID curbs in January
Fuel consumption in the world's third biggest oil consumer, a proxy for oil demand, totalled 17.61 million tonnes, down 3.7% from December and 0.2% from a year before, data from the oil ministry's Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell showed.
Covid curbs extended till February 28 as positivity rate in 407 districts still above 10%, says MHA
"Therefore, looking at the current trends of Covid, there is a need to exercise caution and vigilance," Bhalla said in the letter to the chief secretaries, while extending the existing restrictions till February 28.
Lessons learnt, India Inc was better at surfing the third Covid wave
The experience gained by dealing with the previous two Covid outbreaks are helping manufacturers better manage supply-chain issues and deal with a curtailed workforce, ground reports show.
Travel platforms see swift rebound in bookings
A MakeMyTrip spokesperson said travellers can opt for a full refund against last-minute cancellations across over 90% of hotel properties listed on the platform.
Third wave curbs upset discretionary cart at stores
Retailers selling discretionary products said their businesses have declined up to 60% in the last two weeks and there is an uncertainty about how sales will pan out this month and even the next as the third wave has prompted several states to impose restrictions including night curfews and weekend curfews.
Ad-hoc state-level curbs disrupting business, restaurateurs tell Centre
The restaurateurs have said in the letter that ad hoc state-level restrictions are severely disrupting both operations and deliveries.
Covid curbs loom over out-of-home consumption again
For most food companies, out-of-home consumption accounts for 20-25% of their total sales. The segment had taken a severe beating during the first two waves of the pandemic.
As Covid curbs ease, more & more Indians fly to US, UK
The country's top travel portal Makemytrip has seen a significant jump in international travel bookings for November.
China Covid curbs hit Indian electronics companies in crucial season
At least 15 ports and airports in China have been working at 30-70 per cent capacity, including major ones such as those in Beijing and Xiamen. Quarantine policies have led to congestion at other ports and airports with ships waiting days for berths and airlines cancelling flights. All this is choking component supplies to India.
India Inc to stick with WFH model till August-September
Many corporates will continue with the policy until August-September and then take a call depending on the infection rate, vaccination coverage and the possibility of a third wave.
Extension of lockdown right decision amid spiking Covid-19 cases: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
"The extension of pan-India lockdown till May 3, 2020, is an important and right decision taken by the Prime Minister. India is registering a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases and this is not the time to let our guard down," Mazumdar-Shaw told .
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