Daily News - Tuesday, 27 May 2025

⁠Highway to Thailand is Assam’s trump card in $3 bn pitch for chipmakers (mint)

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted that the India-Myanmar-Thailand highway, expected to be operational in three years, will enable direct connectivity to Southeast Asia—boosting chip exports and attracting electronics and semiconductor investments to the state. To counter Assam’s current infrastructural limitations compared to tech hubs like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, the state is offering ₹25,000 crore ($3 billion) in upfront subsidies and an additional 60% over central subsidies to eligible companies. Sarma’s outreach includes meetings with industry leaders across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai, following major recent investments such as the Tata Group’s ₹30,000 crore ($3.5 billion) commitment to mobile manufacturing and renewable energy in Assam. 

AM Green partners Port of Rotterdam to build $1 billion green fuel corridor to Europe (mint)

AM Green, supported by the founders of Greenko, has signed an MoU with the Port of Rotterdam Authority to create a green energy supply chain between India and North-west Europe, targeting annual green fuel trade valued at up to $1 billion. The partnership will focus on exporting green hydrogen derivatives like ammonia, bunkering fuels, and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), with potential investments in terminal infrastructure in Rotterdam and along the trade corridor. Leveraging India’s green hydrogen production potential and Rotterdam’s role as Europe’s top energy port, handling 13% of the continent’s energy demand, the deal aims to establish a strategic and sustainable green fuel corridor to meet Europe’s low-carbon energy goals.

India seeks wider US market access for fruit, vegetables, easy sanitary regulations (mint)

⁠India is pushing the US to ease sanitary and phytosanitary barriers that have hindered fruit and vegetable exports, highlighted by a recent $500,000 loss from the rejection of a 25-tonne mango shipment, as both countries finalize the first tranche of a Bilateral Trade Agreement. India’s horticulture exports to the US rose by 27.5% over two years, reaching $331.47 million in FY25, with total fruit and vegetable exports growing to $3.86 billion globally; yet high inspection standards and delays continue to limit access despite rising demand. New proposals include setting up US-approved certification and irradiation facilities within India to fast-track approvals, and negotiators are also pushing for tariff parity, as Indian agro-products face a 5.29% US duty compared to 37.66% on similar American goods entering India.

⁠PM Modi inaugurates locomotive manufacturing plant in Gujarat's Dahod (Business Standard)

⁠Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Indian Railways’ new electric locomotive manufacturing facility in Dahod, Gujarat, which will produce 9000 HP locomotives capable of hauling freight trains at 120 kmph for both domestic use and exports, featuring energy-efficient technologies like regenerative braking. The launch, attended by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, was part of a larger ₹24,000 crore development push in Dahod, which also included flagging off the first locomotive and new train services like the Veraval-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express. These initiatives align with the Centre’s broader vision of enhancing railway infrastructure, boosting freight capacity, and positioning India as a global player in high-power locomotive manufacturing.

⁠India a bright spot for growth amid global volatility: N Chandrasekaran (Business Standard)

⁠In Tata Consumer Products’ FY25 annual report, Chairman N. Chandrasekaran stated that India remains a key global growth driver, supported by demographic strength, structural reforms, and a strong macroeconomic outlook for 2025 with stable growth, declining inflation, and limited US exposure—India’s goods exports to the US are just over 2% of GDP. He highlighted surging consumer trends such as premiumisation, health-focused products, and quick commerce, while noting the company’s 4.4 million retail outlet reach, adoption of an omnichannel strategy, and portfolio expansion into cooking aids, healthy snacks, and mini-meals to cater to Gen Z and Millennials, who are expected to drive 76% of consumption by 2030. Chandrasekaran emphasised the importance of agility, resilient supply chains, and adoption of emerging technologies like Gen AI and blockchain, amid global economic uncertainty, policy shifts, and evolving trade dynamics.