Business News: Economy & Markets

FIEO hails RELIEF initiative to support exporters amid Middle East crisis

IANS | March 19, 2026 5:40 PM

New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) on Thursday welcomed the government’s timely announcement of the RELIEF (Resilience and Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) initiative under the Export Promotion Mission, aimed at supporting exporters impacted by the ongoing disruptions in West Asia maritime trade routes.

India buying LPG from US too in bid to plug gap in Middle East imports

IANS | March 19, 2026 5:32 PM

New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) Amid concerns over LPG shortage, the government on Thursday said that India is diversifying LPG procurement and buying liquefied petroleum gas from the US as well to plug the supply chain disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict.

India’s power capacity to more than double to 1,121 GW by 2036: CEA

IANS | March 19, 2026 5:10 PM

New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) India is set to significantly expand its power generation capacity over the next decade, with a strong push towards clean energy, according to a new government projection on Thursday.

PM Modi urges global investors to invest in India’s power sector

IANS | March 19, 2026 5:01 PM

New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged the global investor community to "make, invest, innovate, and scale" in the domestic power sector.

Pakistan faces potential medicine shortages due to Middle East tensions: Report

IANS | March 19, 2026 4:21 PM

New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry could face a shortage of lifesaving drugs in coming weeks due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East even as medical treatment costs already remain unbearable for the majority, a new report has said.

Sensex tumbles 2,500 points, Nifty sheds 775 points amid escalating Middle East conflict

IANS | March 19, 2026 3:58 PM

Mumbai, March 19 (IANS) Indian stock markets witnessed a sharp fall on Thursday over rising global tensions and a sudden spike in oil prices, as the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran disrupted key energy infrastructure.

MSME credit demand to stay strong; structural financing gap persists: Report

IANS | March 19, 2026 3:18 PM

New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) Credit demand from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is expected to remain strong, driving India’s projected credit growth of around Rs 26 trillion in FY26, up around 14.3 per cent YoY, a report said on Thursday.

Airline firms issue travel advisory amid rain, thunderstorm forecast

IANS | March 19, 2026 3:14 PM

New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) Airlines on Thursday issued travel advisories for passengers flying to and from Delhi and other cities, warning of possible disruptions due to adverse weather conditions.

Explained: RELIEF scheme to support exporters amid West Asia logistics disruptions

IANS | March 19, 2026 2:54 PM

New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) The time-bound Rs 497 crore RELIEF (Resilience and Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) scheme under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) will support Indian exporters affected by extraordinary freight escalation, heightened insurance premia and war-related export risks arising from disruptions in the Gulf and wider West Asia maritime corridor, the government said on Thursday.

India's power plants well stocked with coal as PSUs step up production

IANS | March 19, 2026 2:45 PM

New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) India's thermal power plants have adequate coal stocks of around 53.41 million tonnes which are adequate for nearly 23 days at the present rate of consumption, and further stocks are also being built up at the pitheads of coal mining companies as a proactive measure to meet any exigency amid the disruption in oil and gas supplies due to the Iran war, the Ministry of Coal said on Thursday.