Author: Editorial Desk

Heralding its journey since 2015, The Times Group’s ETNow Global Business Summit has established itself as the pinnacle of intellectual engagement and strategic foresight, acclaimed as one of Asia’s foremost forums for reimagining the future of business and society. This distinguished platform brings together the world’s most celebrated thought leaders, policymakers, and innovators in a shared pursuit of transformative ideas and sustainable progress. What does the future of global business look like? The Times Group’s ETNow Global Business Summit (GBS) has been answering this question for years, serving as Asia’s leading platform where world leaders, innovators, and visionaries converge to…

Kazakhstan and Georgia are working to expand the capacity of the Middle Corridor to 10 million tons of cargo annually by 2027, as discussed during an official meeting between Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and his Georgian counterpart, Irakli Kobakhidze, in Kazakhstan. The talks focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation across various sectors, including trade, transport and logistics, agriculture, digital technologies, and tourism. Prime Minister Bektenov underscored that Kazakhstan’s President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, prioritizes deepening ties with Georgia and emphasized the importance of continuous dialogue to diversify trade relations. A central topic of discussion was the enhancement of the Trans-Caspian International Transport…

Bangladesh and Algeria have agreed to enhance bilateral trade and investment cooperation, focusing on key sectors such as energy, pharmaceuticals, textiles, agriculture, and ICT. The commitment was made during the 2nd Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) held in Algiers today. Senior officials from the foreign affairs ministries of both nations reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations, covering political, economic, trade, investment, and cultural cooperation. Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin and Algerian Foreign Affairs Ministry Secretary General Lounes Magramane led their respective delegations. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the growing partnership, noting an increase in signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs)…

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Argentina are strengthening economic ties by exploring new investment opportunities across key sectors. The Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Gerardo Werthein, met with Emirati officials from the Ministry of Economy to discuss ways to enhance bilateral trade and investment. Argentina has recently introduced the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI), a framework designed to attract foreign capital into sectors such as steel, infrastructure, energy, and technology. The initiative aims to create a world-class investment environment by offering regulatory stability, tax incentives, and long-term predictability for international investors. During the discussions, UAE…

China will impose additional tariffs on certain US imports, set to take effect from February 10, in response to the United States’ latest tariff measures. Simultaneously, Beijing has filed a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization (WTO) challenging Washington’s recent tariff hikes, which came into effect on February 4. The Customs Tariff Commission of China’s State Council stated on Tuesday that a 15 percent tariff will be imposed on imported coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US. Additionally, crude oil, agricultural machinery, large-displacement automobiles, and pickup trucks will be subject to a 10 percent tariff. The move follows…

A coalition of over 160 NGOs, trade unions, and civil society organizations has urged the European Commission to impose a ban on all trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. In a letter addressed to the European Commission President on Tuesday, the signatories called for immediate action to prohibit trade with illegal settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, territories occupied by Israel since 1967. The initiative, launched by Human Rights Watch, emphasizes the need for the EU to ‘comply with international law’ and ‘end Europe’s support for illegal settlement activity and related abuses.’ While products from…

Newfoundland and Labrador’s fishing industry leaders seek urgent talks with officials to help the fishery sector survive Trump’s new tariffs. Jeff Loder, head of the Association of Seafood Producers, described the tariffs as arguably the most serious threat to the Newfoundland and Labrador fishery since the cod moratorium. The sentiment was echoed by Dwan Street, president of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW) union, who urged immediate discussions. Loder and Street sat together at a joint press conference on Monday, underscoring the severity of the situation and expressing solidarity. The tariffs, enacted by an executive order on Saturday, impose…

Oil is poised to regain its position as Brazil’s leading export commodity in 2025, according to the Brazilian Institute of Petroleum and Gas (IBP). The oil exports surpassed soybeans in 2024, maintaining its dominance among Brazil’s key exports, and is expected to continue its strong performance this year, IBP President Roberto Ardenghy stated. Data from the Foreign Trade Secretariat of Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services (MDIC), compiled by IBP, indicates that Brazil’s oil exports totaled $44.8 billion in 2024, marking a 5.4% increase from $42.5 billion in 2023. Export volumes also grew significantly, reaching 640 million barrels…

The Federal Government of Nigeria remains committed to balancing trade through policies that support local production while managing imports, according to the Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment, Senator John Enoh. Speaking at the 2025 Renewed Hope Global Virtual Town Hall Conference, Enoh highlighted the importance of assessing Nigeria’s balance of trade—whether in surplus or deficit—when shaping economic policies. He acknowledged concerns about Nigeria’s import dependence and stressed the need to enhance domestic production to reduce reliance on foreign goods. “The real issue is not just the volume of imports but the fact that we are not producing…

Canada is imposing retaliatory tariffs against the United States, signaling the onset of a trade war between the neighboring nations. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introduced tariffs of 25% on $155 billion Canadian dollars’ ($106.6 billion; £86 billion) worth of American goods, affecting a wide range of products, including beer, wine, household appliances, and sporting goods. The decision mirrors the 25% tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump on Canadian and Mexican imports, alongside an additional 10% duty on Chinese goods, citing concerns over illegal immigration and drug trafficking. Trudeau, emphasizing his commitment to defending Canadian interests, stated, “We don’t want…