New Delhi, Nov 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the latest Union Cabinet decisions will ensure global competitiveness for the Indian exporters, while bolstering sustainability and self-reliance for domestic companies, especially MSMEs.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Modi, on Wednesday approved the Export Promotion Mission (EPM), with an outlay of Rs 25,060 crore, to strengthen India’s export ecosystem. The flagship initiative was announced in the Union Budget 2025-26 to strengthen India’s export competitiveness, particularly for MSMEs, first-time exporters, and labour-intensive sectors.

“Ensuring ‘Made in India’ resonates even louder in the world market! The Union Cabinet approved the Export Promotion Mission (EPM), which will improve export competitiveness, help MSMEs, first-time exporters and sectors that are labour-intensive. It brings together key stakeholders to build a mechanism that is outcome based and effective,” PM Modi said in a post on the X social media platform.

The Cabinet also approved the introduction of the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters for providing 100 per cent credit guarantee coverage to member lending institutions for extending additional credit facilities up to Rs 20,000 crore to eligible exporters, including MSMEs.

“The Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters which has been approved by the Cabinet will boost global competitiveness, ensure smooth business operations and help realise our dream of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” said the Prime Minister.

In yet another important decision, the Union Cabinet approved the rationalisation of royalty rates for four critical minerals — graphite, caesium, rubidium, and zirconium. The royalty rates have been specified or revised as follows: caesium and rubidium will each attract a 2 per cent royalty based on the average sale price (ASP) of the respective metal contained in the ore produced.

PM Modi said that this Cabinet decision “will boost sustainability and self-reliance. It will strengthen supply chains and create job opportunities as well”.

An increase in indigenous production of these minerals would lead to a reduction in imports and supply chain vulnerabilities, and also generate employment opportunities in the country.

Mumbai, Nov 13: The Indian benchmark indices opened in mild red zone on Thursday, amid mixed global cues and persistent selling by foreign institutional investors (FIIs).

As of 9.25 am, Sensex declined 68 points, or 0.08 per cent at 84,398 and Nifty dipped 15 points, or 0.05 per cent to 25,860.

The broadcap indices performed in line with the benchmarks, with the Nifty Midcap 100 down 0.13 per cent and the Nifty Smallcap 100 dipped 0.27 per cent.

Tata Steel, Hindalco and Dr Reddy’s Labs were among the major gainers in the Nifty Pack, while losers included Bajaj Finance, Apollo Hospitals, Shriram Finance and TCS.

All the sectoral indices were trading in green except FMCG (down 0.78 per cent), IT and private bank. Nifty Metal was the standout gainer up 1.52 per cent.

A possible India-US trade deal that removes penal tariffs and reduces reciprocal tariffs is an important economic factor that should be watched for, said analysts.

The decline in October retail inflation in India to 0.25 per cent indicates the possibility of a rate cut from the RBI MPC in December. But the monetary policy transmission turning weak has become a challenge for the RBI, they added.

Analysts placed immediate resistance for Nifty at 25,950, followed by 26,000, and support at 25,700 and 25,750 zones.

Most of the Asia-Pacific markets rose in early trading sessions after US House of Representatives passed a short-term funding bill to end the longest federal shutdown on record.

The US markets ended in green zone overnight as the S&P 500 added 0.06 per cent, and the Dow inched up 0.68 per cent. However, Nasdaq continued its decline, slipping 0.26 per cent.

In Asian markets, China’s Shanghai index added 0.3 per cent, and Shenzhen inched up 1.62 per cent, Japan’s Nikkei advanced 0.2 per cent, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index eased 0.45 per cent. South Korea’s Kospi declined 0.17 per cent.

On Wednesday, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold equities worth Rs 1,150 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers of equities worth Rs 5,127 crore.

Ahmedabad, Nov 12: Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) on Wednesday said it has become India’s first Integrated Transport Utility to embrace the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) framework, setting a new benchmark for nature-positive infrastructure development.

With this, APSEZ joins a select league of global port operators championing biodiversity, reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding marine ecosystems through science-based, transparent environmental disclosures.

As a TNFD adopter, the company said it is committed to implementing TNFD-aligned reporting on nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks and opportunities.

The TNFD is a global, science-based initiative founded by a coalition including the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Global Canopy, to guide companies in identifying, assessing, managing, and disclosing nature-related risks and opportunities.

“We firmly believe responsible business practices drive long-term success. Our adoption of the TNFD framework demonstrates support for nature-related corporate reporting at COP30. We see nature-related issues as a strategic risk management priority. The TNFD framework provides robust support for integrating nature into our decision-making processes and enhancing our contribution to biodiversity conservation,” said Ashwani Gupta, Whole-Time Director and CEO of APSEZ.

This step further strengthens APSEZ’s dedication to nature-positive business practices and positions it as a leader in sustainable maritime logistics.

As part of this commitment, Adani Ports will further enhance disclosure standards to ensure alignment with the TNFD recommendations in its corporate reporting, starting FY26.

The company has already institutionalised climate risk assessment and disclosure practices that align with globally recognised frameworks and continues to set standards in environmental stewardship, having afforested over 4,200 hectares of mangroves and actively conserving an additional 3,000 hectares — making it the largest private sector contributor to mangrove ecosystem restoration in India.

The new initiative is a key component of APSEZ’s broader ESG strategy and reflects a proactive approach in assessing and addressing nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks, and opportunities.

The company operates a comprehensive ecosystem of 15 strategically located ports and terminals across India’s west, south, and east coasts, combined with a diversified marine fleet of 127 vessels.