{"id":87278,"date":"2026-02-02T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/?post_type=issue&#038;p=87278"},"modified":"2026-03-12T12:58:46","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T12:58:46","slug":"indias-budget-retains-focus-on-infrastructure-and-manufacturing","status":"publish","type":"issue","link":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/issues\/indias-budget-retains-focus-on-infrastructure-and-manufacturing\/","title":{"rendered":"India\u2019s budget retains focus on infrastructure and manufacturing"},"content":{"rendered":"<section id=\"87280\" class=\"issue-section \">\n<div class=\"issue-section__content\">\n<div class=\"stories\">            <!-- Show divider before story section -->\r\n        <div \r\n            class=\"\r\n                story-section            \"\r\n            id=\"87280\">\r\n            \r\n                <div class=\"issue-story-header text-center\">\r\n                    <div class=\"index-number\">1<\/div>\r\n\r\n                    <p class=\"f-graphik\">WHAT WE\u2019RE TRACKING TODAY<\/p>\r\n                    <h3 class=\"story-title\">\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2026\/02\/02\/this-afternoon-india-cuts-funding-for-iran-port-weighs-lifting-state-bank-fdi-cap-to-49\/\">\r\n                            India drop funding for Iran port; government weighs 49% FDI cap in state banks                        <\/a>\r\n                    <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"cta\">\n    <div class=\"cta__btn share-dropdown-cta dropdown-toggle-btn\" style=\"position:relative\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ent.news\/internal\/408834.svg\" alt=\"\">\n        Share Story\n        <!-- Dropdown Menu -->\n        <ul class=\"share-menu\">\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2026\/02\/02\/this-afternoon-india-cuts-funding-for-iran-port-weighs-lifting-state-bank-fdi-cap-to-49\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n                    Open in new tab                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/new-tab.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); 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weighs lifting state-bank FDI cap to 49%\">\n                    LinkedIn                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/linkedin-icon.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/api.whatsapp.com\/send?text=THIS+AFTERNOON%3A+India+cuts+funding+for+Iran+port%3B+weighs+lifting+state-bank+FDI+cap+to+49%25+https%3A%2F%2Fenterpriseam.com%2Fmena-india%2F2026%2F02%2F02%2Fthis-afternoon-india-cuts-funding-for-iran-port-weighs-lifting-state-bank-fdi-cap-to-49%2F\">\n                    WhatsApp                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/whatsapp-icon.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n    <\/div>\n        <\/div>\r\n                    \r\n                <\/div>\r\n\r\n            \r\n            <div class=\"story__body\">\r\n\r\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2026\/02\/02\/this-afternoon-india-cuts-funding-for-iran-port-weighs-lifting-state-bank-fdi-cap-to-49\/\">\r\n                    <div class=\"photo photo--above\">\r\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2026\/2\/133.jpg?fit=1568%2C9999&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" data-attachment-id=\"87281\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2026\/02\/02\/this-afternoon-india-cuts-funding-for-iran-port-weighs-lifting-state-bank-fdi-cap-to-49\/133-jpg-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2026\/2\/133.jpg?fit=%2C&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"[]\" data-image-title=\"133.jpg\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2026\/2\/133.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2026\/2\/133.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" \/>                    <\/div>\r\n                <\/a>\r\n\r\n                \n<article id=\"post-87280\" class=\"content-area-description single-story post-87280 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-what-were-tracking-today tag-banking tag-budget-2026 tag-capital-markets tag-enterpriseam-india tag-fdi tag-foreign-portfolio-investors tag-india-gcc-corridor tag-investment tag-policy tag-what-were-tracking-today wpautop entry\">\n\n\t\n\t<div class=\"entry-content\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Good afternoon, friends.<\/strong> India\u2019s national budget for FY 2027 has landed, setting off a whirlwind of headlines as investors and policymakers across the globe tune in.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The big story today:<\/strong> India has raised public capital expenditure to INR 12.2 tn for FY 2027, maintaining state spending as the main driver of growth for another fiscal year. Manufacturing and infrastructure remain key priorities on the policy agenda. Economist Salman Anees Soz tells EnterpriseAM that this Budget signals continuity, not reinvention: big sectoral allocations without a new growth agenda.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>A<\/strong><strong>nd quietly<\/strong><strong>-<\/strong> New Delhi has cut all funding for Iran\u2019s Chabahar port, raising fresh questions over India\u2019s long-sought access to Central Asia and Europe, as US sanctions may force India out of the project.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Meanwhile:<\/strong> India and the Arab League have set an ambitious trade target of USD 500 bn by 2030, with a focus on green energy initiatives, startups, and tech innovation.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">All of that and more, below.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">Watch this space <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"> <a id=\"wwtt1\"><\/a> <strong>CORRIDOR WATCH \u2014 <\/strong><strong>India<\/strong><strong> has made no budgetary allocation for the Chabahar port project in Iran in its latest budget, after setting aside INR 1 bn (USD 10.9 mn) last year<\/strong>, later revised to INR 4 bn (USD 43.6 mn), <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theweek.in\/news\/middle-east\/2026\/02\/02\/decoding-indias-shocking-budget-decision-on-chabahar-port-tactical-freeze-not-a-retreat.html\" style=\"\">The Week<\/a> reports. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Why it matters: <\/strong>The port is being developed under a framework involving India, Iran and Afghanistan and has been positioned by New Delhi as a key maritime route to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. The funding cut raises fresh uncertainty over New Delhi\u2019s long-planned access route to Central Asia, Russia and the EU following US sanctions against India\u2019s involvement in the port, imposed last year. India did secure a six-month sanctions waiver for the project which will expire in April. If the US sanctions persist, India may be forced to withdraw from the project. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>India has shifted financial obligations linked to the project<\/strong>, estimated at about INR 11 bn (USD 120 mn), to Tehran following new US trade and sanctions measures, while the Indian government maintains that \u201cexisting Chabahar is not an option,\u201d the news outlet added. The budget move has been described as a \u201ctactical freeze, not a retreat\u201d and India\u2019s foreign ministry said last month it was in talks with the US on issues related to the Chabahar project. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<hr style=\"height:2px;border-width:0;color:gray;background-color:gray\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">  <a id=\"wwtt2\"><\/a> <strong>FINANCE \u2014 <\/strong><strong>The<\/strong><strong> Indian government is holding inter-ministerial consultations to more than double the foreign direct investment ceiling in state-owned banks <\/strong>to 49% from the current 20%, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/india\/india-holding-talks-raise-fdi-state-run-banks-49-finance-official-says-2026-02-02\/#:~:text=NEW%20DELHI%2C%20Feb%202%20(Reuters,Nagaraju%20told%20reporters%20on%20Monday.\" style=\"\">Reuters<\/a> reports, citing a senior finance ministry official. The proposal, still under discussion with the Reserve Bank of India, aims to aid public sector banks access fresh capital while the government retains a minimum 51% stake.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Why it matters:<\/strong> By narrowing the gap between public banks and private lenders (which are permitted upto 74% FDI), New Delhi is targeting passive institutional inflows, potentially exceeding USD 4 bn. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>In context: <\/strong>As Emirates NBD clears institutional hurdles for a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2026\/01\/21\/emirates-nbd-clears-hurdle-for-acquisition-of-indian-lender-rbl\/\" style=\"\">proposed USD 3 bn acquisition of Indian private lender RBL Bank<\/a>, the discussions to raise the 49% FDI cap are specifically designed to attract this exact profile \u2014 sovereign wealth pools from developed markets, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, eyeing stable, long-term yield backed by the Indian state.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>As part of the Union Budget, Nirmala Sitharaman announced a high-level committee to review the banking system<\/strong> and chart reforms aligned with India\u2019s long-term economic vision toward 2047, citing stronger balance sheets, record profitability and improved asset quality. This comes amid rising foreign investor interest in India\u2019s financial sector. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<hr style=\"height:2px;border-width:0;color:gray;background-color:gray\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"> <a id=\"wwtt3\"><\/a> <strong>CAPITAL <\/strong><strong>MARKETS<\/strong><strong> \u2014 India is moving to tap diaspora pockets for its equity markets following sustained selling by Foreign Institutional Investors. <\/strong>A non-resident Indian (classified under Foreign Exchange Management Act) can acquire up to 10% of the stake in a listed Indian company, up from the current 5% of limit. Similarly, a group of non-resident shareholders can hold up to 24% equity in a listed firm, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2026-02-01\/india-seeks-diaspora-capital-as-foreign-funds-pull-out-of-local-stocks?srnd=phx-india-v2\" style=\"\">Bloomberg<\/a> reports. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Why now? <\/strong>Foreign investors pulled more than USD 3 bn out of Indian equities in January, extending net outflows of over USD 18 bn recorded last year. The INR has fallen 2.3% so far this year, the weakest performance among Asian currencies over the period amid tepid foreign investors. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Why it matters: <\/strong>Wealth managers and alternative investment funds will target Indian diaspora and family-offices based in financial hubs including Abu Dhabi and Dubai for capital market investments. Diaspora investors are seen as longer-term capital allocators compared with global portfolio funds. <\/p>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-md-12 subscribe-box-panel\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<div class=\"title\">\n<h4 class=\"fw-lighter mb-10\">   Get <b style=\"font-weight: 700\">Enterprise<\/b> daily   <\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"mb-10\">The roundup of news and trends that move your markets and shape corporate agendas delivered straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n<p>  <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/egypt\/en\/user\/NewsLetters\" type=\"button \" class=\"btn-green px-3 d-flex align-items-center\">Subscribe here<\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">***<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">YOU\u2019RE READING EnterpriseAM MENA <> India, your C-suite briefing on the movement of trade, investment, people, and ideas along one of the world\u2019s most exciting corridors. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 2:30 pm UAE, we dive deep into the business, finance, economy, and policy headlines and trendlines that will move markets and set the tone for your day. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Were you forwarded this briefing? <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/sub.ent.news\/mena-india\/\" style=\"\">Tap or click here to sign up without charge for your own<\/a><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/sub.ent.news\/mena-india\/\" style=\"\">copy.<\/a> <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">***<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\"> Happening today<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>India\u2019s<\/strong><strong> Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar will begin his 3-day visit to the US which will run through Thursday, 5 February.<\/strong> Jaishankar will attend a ministerial meeting on critical minerals convened by the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio while also holding talks on India-US trade agreement amid 50% tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, according to <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/s-jaishankar-us-visit-critical-minerals-ministerial\/article70581812.ece\" style=\"\">The Hindu.<\/a> <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\"> The big story abroad<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>It\u2019s a quiet Monday morning in the global business press<\/strong>, with one story dominating the headlines \u2014 the gold and silver crash. <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2026-02-01\/how-chinese-speculators-set-the-stage-for-gold-and-silver-crash?srnd=homepage-americas\" style=\"\">Bloomberg<\/a> is out with a piece looking at the role Chinese speculators played in the metals\u2019 rally and subsequent crash. The rally seen by gold, sustained over years by central banks hedging against potential losses from the USD, was intensified in recent weeks by a wave of buying from Chinese investors and equity funds. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Then came the selloff: <\/strong>As soon as the greenback started heading upwards, boosted by <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/egypt\/2026\/02\/01\/the-us-wants-american-companies-to-invest-in-egyptian-ports-but-geopolitics-not-economics-seems-to-be-driving-the-push\/\" style=\"\">news<\/a> of Kevin Warsh\u2019s nomination as Fed Chair, Shanghai cashed out its holdings in gold. The fallout saw the metal dropping at one point by more than USD 200 an ounce in ten minutes.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Silver was another casualty of the sudden twist of fate<\/strong>, dropping by 27% on Friday \u2014 its biggest drop on record. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">^^ We have more on the rebound of the USD and gold crash in this morning\u2019s Planet Finance. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>CLOSER TO HOME- Egypt, Qatar, Turkey to broker US-Iran talks this week: <\/strong>The Trump administration is reportedly open to a diplomatic solution with Iran, as Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey work to broker a sitdown in Ankara this week, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2026\/02\/01\/us-iran-deal-talks-trump\" style=\"\">Axios<\/a> reported, citing sources it says are in the know. Negotiations would involve a meeting between White House envoy Steve Witkoff and high level Iranian officials to discuss averting the breakout of a regional war. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\"> Circle your calendar<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Check out our full calendar on the web<\/strong> for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events, national holidays and news triggers.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-content -->\n\n\t\n<\/article><!-- #post-${ID} -->\n\n\n    <div class=\"tags-section\">\n        <div class=\"f-graphik\">Tags:<\/div>\n        <div class=\"tags-list\">\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/banking\/\">BANKING<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" 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href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/investment\/\">investment<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/policy\/\">Policy<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/what-were-tracking-today\/\">WHAT WE\u2019RE TRACKING TODAY<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div> <!-- \/.story -->\r\n    \n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"87282\" class=\"issue-section \">\n<div class=\"issue-section__content\">\n<div class=\"stories\">            <!-- Show divider before story section -->\r\n        <div \r\n            class=\"\r\n                story-section            \"\r\n            id=\"87282\">\r\n            \r\n                <div class=\"issue-story-header text-center\">\r\n                    <div class=\"index-number\">2<\/div>\r\n\r\n                    <p class=\"f-graphik\">THE BIG STORY TODAY<\/p>\r\n                    <h3 class=\"story-title\">\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2026\/02\/02\/state-capex-to-will-be-main-growth-engine-in-india-as-government-expands-capex-for-infrastructure-and-manufacturing-initiatives-in-budget-2026\/\">\r\n                            Budget 2026: India expands capex raised USD 133 bn while doubling down on manufacturing                        <\/a>\r\n                    <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"cta\">\n    <div class=\"cta__btn share-dropdown-cta dropdown-toggle-btn\" style=\"position:relative\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ent.news\/internal\/408834.svg\" alt=\"\">\n        Share Story\n        <!-- Dropdown Menu -->\n        <ul 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               \n<article id=\"post-87282\" class=\"content-area-description single-story post-87282 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-the-big-story-today tag-budget-2026 tag-customs tag-data-centres tag-enterpriseam-india tag-gift-city tag-indian-economy tag-investment tag-semiconductors tag-the-big-story-today wpautop entry\">\n\n\t\n\t<div class=\"entry-content\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"> <strong>Doubling<\/strong><strong> down on state-led growth model:<\/strong> India\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ent.news\/2026\/2\/70.pdf\" style=\"\">Union Budget 2026-27<\/a>, presented by finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday, kept the state-led growth strategy intact, raising public capital expenditure to INR 12.2 tn (USD 133 bn) for FY 2027 (starting in April) from INR 10.9 tn (USD 119 bn) in the current fiscal. Government spending will continue to be the primary engine of the economy, relying on massive infrastructure outlays and a patchwork of sector-specific incentives to drive manufacturing but without introducing a new growth framework.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">(<strong>** Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links<\/strong> to our background and outside sources.)<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The approach reflects continuity rather than a shift in growth strategy<\/strong>, Economist Salman Anees Soz told EnterpriseAM<strong>. <\/strong>\u201cThe government is still leaning on the same two pillars \u2014 public capital expenditure to hold up growth, and a manufacturing narrative to signal long-term competitiveness. India still needs infrastructure and deeper supply chains. But there is no new growth model in this Budget,\u201d Anees told EnterpriseAM, adding that the announcements read as sectoral allocations rather than a unified economic strategy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">Manufacturing push without a private-investment engine<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Key initiatives to bolster manufacturing: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>An enhanced outlay to INR 400 bn (USD 4.8 bn) has been announced for the <strong>electronics components manufacturing<\/strong> scheme announced in 2025.<\/li>\n<li>The budget allocated an INR 100 bn (USD 1.2 bn) for a new scheme that envisions a <strong>global biopharma manufacturing hub<\/strong> in India. <\/li>\n<li>The government has also announced the second phase of its <strong>semiconductor manufacturing scheme<\/strong> to \u201cto produce equipment and materials, design full-stack Indian IP, and fortify supply chains.\u201d <\/li>\n<li><strong>Rare earth corridors:<\/strong> A proposal to establish dedicated corridors in Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu to promote mining and processing of rare earth minerals. This builds on the existing programs on critical minerals and expands spending on recycling initiatives. <\/li>\n<li><strong>For textile manufacturing, <\/strong>the government will provide support capital for machinery and tech upgrades, while continuing work under its earlier textile park scheme, which includes seven integrated textile manufacturing hubs. Duties on shuttle-less looms have been reduced to nil.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Data centre build out: A <\/strong>20-year tax holiday for foreign companies providing global cloud services using Indian data centres as well as simplified tax compliance norms. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Private engine missing:<\/strong> While the government is increasing its capital push in manufacturing, a credible second engine of growth is missing \u2014 \u201cwithout a serious push to improve private investment conditions and productivity at scale, public spending and selective industrial schemes cannot carry growth on their own,\u201d according to Anees.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The lack of an integrated industrial strategy is most visible in India\u2019s approach to critical and strategic supply chains<\/strong>, Anees argues, stating that reducing India\u2019s dependence on China in critical minerals \u201crequires far more than corridor announcements.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>As a result, private investment has not picked up meaningfully for many years. <\/strong>\u201cThere has been some improvement in parts of the private sector, but nothing comparable to earlier investment cycles. India is sending more investment abroad than it is receiving. That reflects confidence and return issues in the domestic investment climate.\u201d Anees said.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">Customs reform<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The budget also announces trade-facilitation measures<\/strong> including a new Customs Integrated System, a single digital clearance window, risk-based audits and expanded non-intrusive scanning. These measures amount to incremental modernisation rather than a full overhaul of the customs architecture. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>\u201cIndia\u2019s biggest challenge remains inconsistency and discretionary enforcement.<\/strong> What is permitted at one port often becomes a dispute at another. That unpredictability is far more damaging than the absence of technology,\u201d Anees pointed out. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">Gift City tax holiday extension <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The government has doubled the tax holiday for businesses establishing operations in Gujarat\u2019s International Finance Tec-City (Gift City) <\/strong>to 20 years. Many Gulf based companies including SWFs, ins. firms and banks will benefit with an extended tax holiday as more firms line up to establish offices in the Gift city. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">The missing reform agenda<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The main gap in the budget is the absence of an economy-wide reform agenda focused on private-sector growth.<\/strong> \u201cInstead of setting up multiple committees for different sectors, the country should establish a \u201chigh-level, cross-sector commission focused specifically on bolstering private-sector growth and job creation,\u201d Anees said.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-content -->\n\n\t\n<\/article><!-- #post-${ID} -->\n\n\n    <div class=\"tags-section\">\n        <div class=\"f-graphik\">Tags:<\/div>\n        <div class=\"tags-list\">\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/budget-2026\/\">Budget 2026<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/customs\/\">customs<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/data-centres\/\">Data Centres<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/gift-city\/\">Gift City<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/indian-economy\/\">Indian economy<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/investment\/\">investment<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/semiconductors\/\">Semiconductors<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/the-big-story-today\/\">THE BIG STORY TODAY<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div> <!-- \/.story -->\r\n    \n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"87284\" class=\"issue-section \">\n<div class=\"issue-section__content\">\n<div class=\"stories\">            <!-- Show divider before story section -->\r\n        <div \r\n            class=\"\r\n                story-section            \"\r\n            id=\"87284\">\r\n            \r\n                <div class=\"issue-story-header text-center\">\r\n                    <div class=\"index-number\">3<\/div>\r\n\r\n                    <p class=\"f-graphik\">DIPLOMACY<\/p>\r\n                    <h3 class=\"story-title\">\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2026\/02\/02\/india-arab-league-push-new-economy-agenda-with-space-and-start-up-focus\/\">\r\n                            India, Arab eye USD 500 bn trade target by 2030                        <\/a>\r\n                    <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"cta\">\n    <div class=\"cta__btn share-dropdown-cta dropdown-toggle-btn\" style=\"position:relative\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ent.news\/internal\/408834.svg\" alt=\"\">\n        Share Story\n        <!-- Dropdown Menu -->\n        <ul class=\"share-menu\">\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2026\/02\/02\/india-arab-league-push-new-economy-agenda-with-space-and-start-up-focus\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n                    Open in new tab                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/new-tab.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); 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The summit culminated into a joint <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mea.gov.in\/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl\/40644\/Delhi_Declaration_of_the_Second_IndiaArab_Foreign_Ministers_Meeting_January_31_2026\" style=\"\">Delhi Declaration<\/a>, released by India's Foreign Ministry.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">(<strong>** Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links<\/strong> to our background and outside sources.)<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Why this matters: <\/strong>To hit the USD 500 bn target by 2030 \u2014 a 108% increase from current levels \u2014 the corridor requires a compound annual growth rate of roughly 15.8% over the next five years. While fossil fuels remain a bedrock of bilateral trade, the new roadmap pivots toward Green Hydrogen and strategic petroleum reserves. This secures India\u2019s immediate energy needs while aligning with the Arab region\u2019s post-oil diversification. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Energy dependence to interoperability:<\/strong> Alongside trade, the roadmap is a move to institutionalize a tech and trade corridor prioritizing certain future growth sectors: health tech, fintech, agritech, and green technologies. The summit also announced the creation of India-Arab Space cooperation group and initiatives on linking startup ecosystems. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The forum adopted an economic cooperation <\/strong><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mea.gov.in\/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl\/40645\/The+Executive+Program+of+the+IndiaArab+Cooperation+Forum+20262028\" style=\"\">agenda for 2026-28<\/a><\/strong> focussed on energy, environment, agriculture, food security, digital tech, startups, tourism and culture. The talks reflected shifts in the global order, particularly in the Middle East with both sides seeking to capitalize on shared economic growth and demographic strengths, India\u2019s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Local currency for trade: <\/strong>The ministerial agreement to explore a local currency settlement system <strong>(<\/strong>similar to the 2023 India-UAE MoU) is an attempt to insulate regional trade from USD volatility. If scaled across the 22-member League, it could significantly lower transaction costs for Indian exporters in sectors like gold, food, and pharmaceuticals. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>In context: <\/strong>We covered the scope of roadblocks faced by India in <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2026\/01\/14\/why-indias-inr-push-keeps-losing-to-the-aed-in-the-oil-trade\/\" style=\"\">settling trade bills with the UAE in INR<\/a> and why its adoption remains difficult.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-content -->\n\n\t\n<\/article><!-- #post-${ID} -->\n\n\n    <div class=\"tags-section\">\n        <div class=\"f-graphik\">Tags:<\/div>\n        <div class=\"tags-list\">\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/arab-league\/\">Arab League<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/diplomacy\/\">DIPLOMACY<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/india-focus\/\">India Focus<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/india-uae-relations\/\">India-UAE relations<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/oil-and-gas\/\">oil and gas<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/startups\/\">startups<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div> <!-- \/.story -->\r\n    \n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"87286\" class=\"issue-section \">\n<div class=\"issue-section__content\">\n<div class=\"stories\">            <!-- Show divider before story section -->\r\n        <div \r\n            class=\"\r\n                story-section            \"\r\n            id=\"87286\">\r\n            \r\n                <div class=\"issue-story-header text-center\">\r\n                    <div class=\"index-number\">4<\/div>\r\n\r\n                    <p class=\"f-graphik\">TRADE<\/p>\r\n                    <h3 class=\"story-title\">\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2026\/02\/02\/uaes-non-oil-trade-hits-aed-3-8-tn-record-marking-a-strong-expansion-in-exports-to-india\/\">\r\n                            UAE\u2019s non-oil trade hits AED 3.8 tn record                        <\/a>\r\n                    <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"cta\">\n    <div class=\"cta__btn share-dropdown-cta dropdown-toggle-btn\" style=\"position:relative\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ent.news\/internal\/408834.svg\" alt=\"\">\n        Share Story\n        <!-- Dropdown Menu -->\n        <ul class=\"share-menu\">\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2026\/02\/02\/uaes-non-oil-trade-hits-aed-3-8-tn-record-marking-a-strong-expansion-in-exports-to-india\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n                    Open in new tab                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/new-tab.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); 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The results come as average global trade saw a smaller 7% uptick, Foreign Trade Minister Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi told <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/article\/byi752g-economic-partnership-negotiations-with-japan-eu\" style=\"\">Wam<\/a>. Non-oil foreign trade hit AED 2.8 tn <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/uae\/2025\/04\/08\/the-uaes-non-oil-foreign-trade-exceeded-aed-2-8-tn-in-2024-cbuae\/\" style=\"\">in 2024<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>CEPA agreements were credited with driving the rise<\/strong>, with 14 new agreements coming into effect by the end of last year. Trade agreements led to an uptick in trade with India (+15%), Turkey (+15%), Malaysia (+22%), and Australia (+37%).<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Why it matters: <\/strong>India and the UAE are seeking to expand bilateral trade to USD 200 bn by 2032, half of which will come from non oil trade. However, India\u2019s exports to the UAE have stagnated with UAE doubling its exports from USD 26.1 bn in 2015 to USD 63.4 bn in 2025. As a result the bilateral trade remains tilted in favour of UAE with a USD 27 bn trade deficit record in 2025. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The details: <\/strong>On the export side, non-oil trade volumes surpassed AED 813 bn, up 45.5% from 2024\u2019s figure and accounting for 21.6% of total trade. That\u2019s lower than imports, which came in at AED 2.1 tn during the year, up 25.7% y-o-y. However, re-exports \u2014 which came in at AED 830.2 \u2014 helps nearly bridge the gap between both.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The results put the Emirates 95% of the way toward its goal of reaching AED 4 tn<\/strong> in non-oil foreign trade by 2031 \u2014 which was already expected to be brought forward to 2027, Dubai Media Office said <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/uae\/2025\/06\/17\/non-oil-trade-boom-continues-in-1q\/\" style=\"\">last summer<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">(<strong>** Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links<\/strong> to our background and outside sources.)<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-content -->\n\n\t\n<\/article><!-- #post-${ID} -->\n\n\n    <div class=\"tags-section\">\n        <div class=\"f-graphik\">Tags:<\/div>\n        <div class=\"tags-list\">\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/economy\/\">Economy<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/trade\/\">Trade<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div> <!-- \/.story -->\r\n    \n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"87288\" class=\"issue-section \">\n<div class=\"issue-section__content\">\n<div class=\"stories\">            <!-- Show divider before story section -->\r\n        <div \r\n            class=\"\r\n                story-section            \"\r\n            id=\"87288\">\r\n            \r\n                <div class=\"issue-story-header text-center\">\r\n                    <div class=\"index-number\">5<\/div>\r\n\r\n                    <p class=\"f-graphik\">ALSO ON OUR RADAR<\/p>\r\n                    <h3 class=\"story-title\">\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2026\/02\/02\/india-is-the-biggest-source-of-companies-in-ras-al-khaimah-emerges-as-a-low-cost-uae-gateway-for-firms\/\">\r\n                            India tops the list of new business inflows into the RAK Economic Zone                        <\/a>\r\n                    <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"cta\">\n    <div class=\"cta__btn share-dropdown-cta dropdown-toggle-btn\" style=\"position:relative\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ent.news\/internal\/408834.svg\" alt=\"\">\n        Share Story\n        <!-- Dropdown Menu -->\n        <ul class=\"share-menu\">\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2026\/02\/02\/india-is-the-biggest-source-of-companies-in-ras-al-khaimah-emerges-as-a-low-cost-uae-gateway-for-firms\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n                    Open in new tab                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/new-tab.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); 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Services-led licences dominated additions, with strong interest from consultancies, trading firms and digital-first enterprises using the emirate as a base for regional expansion.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Why it matters:<\/strong> The emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is rivalling Dubai as the soft-landing hub for Indian small and medium enterprises as well as tech startups by pricing licenses at AED 6k \u2014 nearly 60-70% cheaper than premium Dubai freezones. Rakez also signed an MoU with the UAE-India CEPA Council in late 2025 specifically to fast-track Indian startups into the emirate. <\/p>\n\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-content -->\n\n\t\n<\/article><!-- #post-${ID} -->\n\n\n    <div class=\"tags-section\">\n        <div class=\"f-graphik\">Tags:<\/div>\n        <div class=\"tags-list\">\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/also-on-our-radar\/\">ALSO ON OUR RADAR<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/india-uae-cepa\/\">India-UAE CEPA<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/india-uae-corridor\/\">India-UAE Corridor<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/investment\/\">investment<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/trade\/\">Trade<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div> <!-- \/.story -->\r\n    \n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"87290\" class=\"issue-section markets\">\n<div class=\"issue-section__content\">\n<div class=\"stories\">            <!-- Show divider before story section -->\r\n        <div \r\n            class=\"\r\n                story-section            \"\r\n            id=\"87290\">\r\n            \r\n                <div class=\"issue-story-header text-center\">\r\n                    <div class=\"index-number\">6<\/div>\r\n\r\n                    <p class=\"f-graphik\">PLANET FINANCE<\/p>\r\n                    <h3 class=\"story-title\">\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2026\/02\/02\/crowded-trades-reverse-as-metals-plunge-and-usd-gains\/\">\r\n                            USD rebound sends gold crashing                        <\/a>\r\n                    <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"cta\">\n    <div class=\"cta__btn share-dropdown-cta dropdown-toggle-btn\" style=\"position:relative\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ent.news\/internal\/408834.svg\" alt=\"\">\n        Share Story\n        <!-- Dropdown Menu -->\n        <ul class=\"share-menu\">\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2026\/02\/02\/crowded-trades-reverse-as-metals-plunge-and-usd-gains\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n                    Open in new tab                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/new-tab.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); 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Precious metals bore the brunt of the volatility, with gold seeing its sharpest drop in decades and silver suffering a record-breaking plunge.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>What happened? <\/strong>The USD index posted its biggest single-day gain since May, strengthening the greenback and unwinding the debasement trade that had fueled metals. The rebound crushed short-USD positions, sending gold down more than 9% and silver about 27% in a single session while triggering the worst relative day for emerging-market equities versus US stocks since May.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The selloff followed an extended period of crowding where gold had been trading around 44% <\/strong><strong>above its long-term trendline <\/strong>\u2014 a premium last seen in 1980. Long gold was already flagged as the most crowded global trade, according to Bank of America\u2019s fund manager <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/markets\/wealth\/global-investors-hit-hyper-bull-hedging-collapses-says-bofa-survey-2026-01-20\/\" style=\"\">survey for January<\/a>, leaving markets vulnerable to a violent correction once sentiment turned.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>What drove everyone to metals?<\/strong> <strong>The ever-increasing uncertainty taking over the global stage <\/strong><strong>since January<\/strong>, fueled by unpredictable decisions made by the Trump administration, such as the sudden military operation in Venezuela and the looming threat of attacks on Iran.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>\u201cThe unthinkable has been happening daily. <\/strong>The rally was obviously too much too fast,\u201d Nicky Shiels, analyst at MKS Pam, told the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/d3260ce9-94b5-4200-80a2-3d90e9031d98\" style=\"\">Financial Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The Warsh effect: <\/strong>The selloff accelerated after US President Donald Trump nominated Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve chair, with his hawkish reputation reviving uncertainty over the future path of rate cuts, according to Bloomberg analysts.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Investors weigh next moves: <\/strong>Some investors who rode gold\u2019s rally are now questioning whether the pullback signals an early warning or just a pause. Jeff Muhlenkamp, whose USD 270 mn fund has benefited from the rally, told the business news service that the drop complicates exit decisions, as selling too soon risks missing further upside.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">MARKETS THIS MORNING- <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">It is shaping up to be another eventful week for markets, as investors digest the latest fluctuations in gold and silver prices, the USD\u2019s rebound after hitting lows not seen in years, and Trump\u2019s nominee for Jay Powell\u2019s replacement as Fed chair. Asia-Pacific markets were in the red this morning in early trading, with South Korea\u2019s Kospi leading losses. <\/p>\n<div class='stock-ticker-panel'>\n<table class='table stock-ticker-table markets-table'>\n<tr class='tr-row-up'>\n<td class='td-list-up'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets11'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets11'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>Sensex<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">81,240<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">+0.64% (YTD: -5%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-up'>\n<td class='td-list-up'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets11'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets11'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>NIFTY 50<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">24,946<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">+0.5% (YTD: -4.6%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-up'>\n<td class='td-list-up'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets11'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets11'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>ADX<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">10,314<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">+0.3% (YTD: +2.9%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-up'>\n<td class='td-list-up'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets11'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets11'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>DFM<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">6,518<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">+1.3% (YTD: +6.4%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-up'>\n<td class='td-list-up'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets11'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets11'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>Tadawul<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">11,213<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">+0.4% (YTD: +6.9%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-up'>\n<td class='td-list-up'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets11'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets11'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>EGX30<\/strong> <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">46,973<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">-1.4% (YTD: +12.3%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-up'>\n<td class='td-list-up'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets11'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets11'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>Boursa Kuwait<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">8,096<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">+0.07% (YTD: -2.5%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-up'>\n<td class='td-list-up'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets11'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets11'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>QSE<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">11,351<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">+0.1% (YTD: +5.3%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-down'>\n<td class='td-list-down'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets1'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets1'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>S&P 500<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">6,939<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">-0.4% (YTD: -1.3%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-down'>\n<td class='td-list-down'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets1'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets1'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>FTSE 100<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">10,200<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">-0.2% (YTD: -2.9%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-down'>\n<td class='td-list-down'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets1'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets1'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>Euro Stoxx 50<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">5,926<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">-0.3% (YTD: +2.7%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-down'>\n<td class='td-list-down'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets1'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets1'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>Brent crude<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">USD 65.54<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">-5.4% <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-down'>\n<td class='td-list-down'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets1'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets1'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>Natural gas <\/strong>(Nymex)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">USD 3.63<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">-16% <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-down'>\n<td class='td-list-down'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets1'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets1'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>Gold<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">USD 4,646<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">-4.5% <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-down'>\n<td class='td-list-down'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets1'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets1'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>BTC<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">USD 76,940<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">-2.6% <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">The values in the table above are listed according to the market position as of 3:30pm IST \/ 2pm GST.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-content -->\n\n\t\n<\/article><!-- #post-${ID} -->\n\n\n    <div class=\"tags-section\">\n        <div class=\"f-graphik\">Tags:<\/div>\n        <div class=\"tags-list\">\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/financial-markets\/\">Financial markets<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/gold\/\">gold<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/planet-finance\/\">PLANET FINANCE<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/silver\/\">Silver<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/wall-street\/\">Wall Street<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div> <!-- \/.story -->\r\n    \n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"87292\" class=\"issue-section \">\n<div class=\"issue-section__content\">\n<div class=\"stories\">            <!-- Show divider before story section -->\r\n        <div \r\n            class=\"\r\n                story-section            \"\r\n            id=\"calendar\">\r\n            \r\n            <div class=\"story__body\">\r\n\r\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2026\/02\/02\/87292\/\">\r\n                    <div class=\"photo photo--above\">\r\n                                            <\/div>\r\n                <\/a>\r\n\r\n                \n<article id=\"post-87292\" class=\"content-area-description single-story post-87292 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-calendar wpautop entry\">\n\n\t\t\t<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-primary-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-primary-background-color has-background is-style-wide\">\n\n\t\t<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading mt-0 has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color has-normal-font-size\" style=\"padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px\">\n\t\t\t<strong> CALENDAR<\/strong>\n\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"entry-content\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700\">FEBRUARY<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>2-8 February (Monday-Sunday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.muscatdaily.com\/2026\/01\/12\/film-festival-to-celebrate-70-years-of-oman-india-ties\/\" style=\"\">IndOman International Film Festival<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Muscat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>3-6 February (Tuesday-Friday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.indembassydili.gov.in\/section\/upcoming-events\/52nd-year-of-chemtech-world-expo-2026-3rd-6th-february-2026-bombay-exhibition-centre-goregaon-mumbai-india\/\" style=\"\">ChemTECH World Expo<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>9-10 February (Monday-Tuesday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcciapune.com\/initiatives\/pibs\/\" style=\"\">Pune International Business Summit (PIBS)<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, SL Kirloskar Convention Center, JW Marriott, Pune.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>14-18 February (Saturday-Wednesday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/mail.mgovcloud.in\/zm\/reUrlCheck.do?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ihgfdelhifair.in&uvd=080112bc01b0ca97b3b9c382fe8695f75900007551b3edcfcc2ddb715e6c6aafa782978c518a566cb3f6f21a7ffe245f0866d9739a2e499cb927e87a01a88796ae6f12bc9f57b01a3453a8582efd9c34348988c22f6b91180b551b1f376e9f25031cfc37c4ea8c2dd794586260eb4f7ab8d4b819af61d02b8c79bca5ed6019798dfd57476ad58a6ae69453df1092abdeb0411daa73a5e4730634ee6589ce7c65e0c0d835fceb01d9978da96482e3f4d3f54cb2fbe191fc12a2a26b6fc98eaaec21\" style=\"\">IHGF Delhi Fair<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\"> (Spring), New Delhi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>16-20 February (Thursday-Friday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/impact.indiaai.gov.in\/\" style=\"\">India-AI Impact Summit<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>25 February (Wednesday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wsds.teriin.org\/\" style=\"\">World Sustainable Development Summit<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Taj Palace, New Delhi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;\">MARCH<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">4 March (Wednesday): Holi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>12 March (Thursday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/b2b.economictimes.indiatimes.com\/entrepreneur-summit?ag=events_listing&utm_source=events_listing&utm_medium=eventListing\" style=\"\">ET Entrepreneur Summit & Awards<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Bengaluru.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>19-22 March (Thursday-Sunday): Bharat Urja Manthan - <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.globalenergyconclave.com\/\" style=\"\">Global Energy Conclave<\/a><\/span><span>, New Delhi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">20 March (Friday): Eid Ul-Fitr.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>23-25 March (Monday-Wednesday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/indiasoft.org\/delegates-registration\/\" style=\"\">Indiasoft: International IT Exhibition & Conference<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, New Delhi<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>23-25 March (Monday-Wednesday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smartcitiesindia.com\/\" style=\"\">Smart Cities Expo<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>23-25 March (Monday-Wednesday):<\/span> <span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;font-size:11.5pt;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/plastiworld.org\/\" style=\"\">Plastiworld India<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size:11.5pt\">, Jio World <\/span><span>Convention<\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;font-size:11.5pt;\"> Centre, Mumbai.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">31 March (Tuesday): Mahavir Jayanti.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;\">Signposted to happen sometime in March 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">Election Commission of India is expected to announce polling dates for elections in the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam, and the union territory, Puducherry.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney\u2019s visit to India.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;\">APRIL<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">3 April (Friday): Good Friday.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>23-25 April (Thursday-Saturday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/conclave.railanalysis.com\/\" style=\"\">Rail & Metro Technology Conclave<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>29 April-2 May (Wednesday-Saturday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bharatbuildcon.com\/\" style=\"\">Bharat Buildcon<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, Delhi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>7-10 April (Tuesday-Friday), <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiarubberexpo.in\/\" style=\"\">India Rubber Expo<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, ITPO, Pragati Maidan, Delhi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;\">MAY<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">1 May (Friday): Buddha Purnima.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">26 May (Tuesday): Eid Ul-Adha.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;\">JUNE<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>24-25 June (Wednesday-Thursday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/homelandsecurityexpo.in\/datesvenue.php#\" style=\"\">India Homeland Security Expo<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">26 June (Friday): Muharram.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700\">Signposted to happen sometime in 1H 2026:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span>Signing of <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/business\/india-business\/india-qatar-trade-deal-by-q3-next-year-piyush-goyal\/articleshow\/124350957.cms\" style=\"\">India-Qatar FreeTrade Agreement<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\"> (Details yet to be announced).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>India-EU Trade and Technology Council <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mea.gov.in\/press-releases.htm?dtl\/40336\/Joint_Press_Release_on_the_11th_India__EU_Foreign_Policy_and_Security_Consultations_and_the_6th_IndiaEU_Strategic_Partnership_Review_Meeting_in_Brusse\" style=\"\">Ministerial Meeting<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Brussels, Belgium.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;\">AUGUST <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">15 August (Saturday): Independence Day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">26 August (Wednesday): Prophet Mohammad\u2019s Birthday.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;\">OCTOBER <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">2 October (Friday): Gandhi Jayanti (Mahatma Gandhi\u2019s Birthday).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">20 October (Tuesday): Dussehra.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;\">NOVEMBER <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">24 November (Tuesday): Guru Nanak Jayanti.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;\">DECEMBER<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>8-11 December (Tuesday-Thursday), <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/expandnorthstar.com\/\" style=\"\">Expand North Star<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Dubai. <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>25 December (Friday): Christmas Day.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-content -->\n\n\t\n<\/article><!-- #post-${ID} -->\n\n\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div> <!-- \/.story -->\r\n    \n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Government spending will drive economic growth | India eyes USD 500 bn trade with the Arab world | Chabahar port funding cut<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":87279,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_popups_has_disabled_popups":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","ep_exclude_from_search":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-87278","issue","type-issue","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","wpautop","entry"],"acf":{"mongo_id":"266e0758-2c12-4981-9625-89a15cf88817","teaser":"Government spending will drive economic growth | India eyes USD 500 bn trade with the Arab world | Chabahar port 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