JUNE 20268TOP STORIESDuty-Free Imports on nearly 40 critical petrochemical products may continue beyond June 30, as the government weighs extending the temporary customs duty exemption introduced earlier this year. The Duty-Free Imports measure was brought in to support domestic manufacturers facing supply concerns and rising raw material costs.With geopolitical tensions in West Asia raising fears of supply disruptions, policymakers are reviewing whether the relief should remain in place to protect industries that rely heavily on imported petrochemical inputs. The government is assessing the impact of extending the zero-duty regime on a range of petrochemical products that are widely used across sectors such as chemicals, plastics, pharmaceuticals, textiles, packaging, and automotive manufacturing. A final decision is expected before the current exemption expires at the end of June. Man Industries has secured fresh supply orders worth around Rs 1,000 crore through itself and its Saudi subsidiary, marking a major boost for the company's order pipeline. The latest contracts strengthen its position in the oil & gas and water infrastructure sectors while improving revenue visibility for the coming quarters.The Rs 1,000 crore order win is expected to support business growth, and within the first 100 words, it is clear that the Rs 1,000 crore order win has significantly strengthened the company's project backlog and future execution prospects. The company announced that the orders have been awarded to both Man Industries India Ltd and its Saudi Arabia-based subsidiary, National Pipe Company Ltd (NPC). The India-UK Trade Deal is set to take effect on July 15, 2026, with Indian exporters expected to benefit from zero-duty market access, tariff concessions, and improved competitiveness in one of India's most important overseas markets. Officials indicated that efforts are underway to put the necessary customs infrastructure in place so that Indian exporters can begin shipping goods under the preferential tariff regime from the very first day of the agreement's implementation.The government clarified the pact as India's most ambitious trade agreement to date, opening access to a market worth more than USD 500 billion for Indian businesses. Under the agreement, more than 99 percent of India's tariff lines and trade value will receive duty-free access to the UK market. The deal is expected to provide Indian exporters with an additional tariff advantage of 7-10 percent, placing them on an equal footing with countries that already have zero-duty access to the UK. India's premium cars market is set to benefit from the India-UK trade agreement, while the government continues to safeguard its electric vehicle manufacturing ambitions. The new trade pact, signed between India and the United Kingdom, offers easier market access for premium cars from the UK through lower import duties on a limited number of vehicles.At the same time, the agreement ensures that India's EV industry remains protected from excessive import competition. The move is expected to strengthen bilateral trade while supporting domestic manufacturing goals. The development marks a significant step in India's trade policy. The agreement allows premium cars from the UK to enter the Indian market at reduced tariffs under a quota system. India's largest battery storage push has begun as NTPC moves ahead with the installation of 5 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) at its coal-based power plants. The state-run power giant is investing around Rs 5,000 crore in the project to reduce renewable energy curtailment and improve grid stability.DUTY-FREE IMPORTS BEYOND JUNE? GOVT REVIEWS EXTENSION PLANPREMIUM CARS GAIN GROUND AS INDIA PROTECTS EV INDUSTRYINDIA'S LARGEST BATTERY STORAGE PUSH BEGINS AT NTPC COAL PLANTSMAN INDUSTRIES LANDS MASSIVE RS 1,000 CR CONTRACTS ACROSS MARKETSINDIA-UK TRADE DEAL TAKES EFFECT JULY 15: HOW EXPORTERS WILL BENEFITThe initiative marks a major step in India's clean energy transition as the country looks to integrate more solar and wind power into the electricity network. With the largest battery storage push, NTPC aims to store surplus renewable energy generated during periods of low demand and supply it back to the grid when consumption rises.
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