The Central Government of India on Monday extended the exemption of cotton import duty (HS 5201) until December 31, 2025. This move aimed at ensuring raw material availability for the textile industry and providing relief to exporters facing global trade challenges. The decision follows the imposition of 50% tariffs by the United States, set to take effect on Wednesday, which will push the effective duty on Indian apparel exports to 64%. Industry representatives warned that the new trade barrier could severely affect shipments to the U.S., India’s largest garment export market. The government had earlier waived the 11% duty on…

Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) has reaffirmed the African Export-Import Bank’s (Afreximbank) A-issuer credit rating with a stable outlook, citing the institution’s strong strategic positioning, consistent profitability, and prudent risk management. The agency said it expects the bank’s credit standing to remain stable over the next 12 to 18 months despite external macroeconomic challenges. In its assessment, JCR highlighted Afreximbank’s resilient capital base, sound liquidity policies, and ability to maintain operations effectively in complex environments. Denys Denya, Senior Executive Vice President of Afreximbank, welcomed the decision, noting that the affirmation strengthens the bank’s access to diverse funding sources, including Japan’s…

Malaysia’s palm oil industry is set to remain bullish in the near term on stronger exports and easing inventories, according to Fastmarkets Palm Oil Analytics senior analyst Sathia Varqa. Sathia said crude palm oil (CPO) prices are likely to stay elevated, trading between RM4,200 and RM4,500 per ton, driven by global trade uncertainties and unclear United States biofuel policy. Import tariffs and shifting trade barriers in major economies have disrupted flows of competing edible oils, tightening supply in key markets, amplifying risk premiums, and spurring speculative buying that has reinforced CPO price momentum. “A notable example is China’s move to…

Bangladesh should broaden its export base within and beyond ready-made garments by moving into mid-tier technology sectors, according to Aditya Gahlaut, head of Asia for Global Trade Solutions at HSBC. In an interview with The Daily Star during a recent visit to Dhaka, Gahlaut said exports are vital to the economy, not only for foreign currency but also for employment. He noted Bangladesh’s reliance on cotton garments even as global demand shifts towards man-made fibers. “There is obviously a need to diversify within the ready-made garment space, and there are markets which are unexplored, whether it is Southeast Asia or…

India has overtaken China to become the largest smartphone exporter to the United States, a shift that underscores the rapid expansion of India’s electronics manufacturing sector and the success of government-backed initiatives to strengthen its role as a global technology hub. Trade data from January to June 2025 shows that India shipped smartphones worth $2.1 billion to the U.S., surpassing China’s $1.7 billion over the same period. This development highlights how shifting global supply chains, rising labor costs in China, and geopolitical concerns are driving U.S. buyers to diversify their sources of consumer electronics. Industry analysts point to the decisive…

The Egyptian Commercial Service (ECS) has intensified efforts to expand the country’s textile and ready-to-wear garment exports following high-level talks between Abdel Aziz Elsherif, Head of the ECS, and Fadel Marzouk, Chairperson of the Apparel Export Council of Egypt (AECE). The discussions focused on strengthening Egypt’s competitiveness in global markets amid ongoing disruptions to international trade and supply chains. Elsherif stressed the need for closer coordination between the ECS and industry export councils, highlighting the pivotal role of Egypt’s overseas commercial offices. These offices, which provide vital market research, technical requirements, and regulatory updates, are set to be more actively…

Indonesia’s gaming industry is hastening its entry into the global market with a strong presence at Gamescom 2025, the world’s largest gaming exhibition, held at Koelnmesse GmbH in Cologne, Germany. Trade Minister Budi Santoso described the event as a prime opportunity to showcase Indonesia’s gaming strengths and support developers in expanding to international markets. “Gamescom 2025 is a strategic platform to introduce Indonesia’s potential to the world. We are committed to supporting developers in reaching global markets, boosting exports, and positioning Indonesia as a major player in the international gaming industry,” Budi said in a statement on Tuesday, August 19.…

Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Monday highlighted the pivotal role of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in advancing India’s global trade ambitions, describing them as the ‘true engine’ of the nation’s growth. Speaking as Chief Guest at the MSME Global Summit 2025, organized by the Star International MSME Forum in association with the Federation of Trade and Industry of India (FTII) and the Services Export Promotion Council of India (SEPC), Gupta underlined the sector’s rising importance. “MSMEs are the backbone of our economy. Today, this sector contributes nearly 45% of India’s total exports. With the right policy framework,…

Japan is exploring new investment avenues in Pakistan’s automotive and information technology sectors as part of its strategy to diversify markets amid global trade risks. Officials in Tokyo underscored the need for regulatory clarity and targeted incentives to enable Japanese automakers to expand exports from Pakistan. At a meeting in Tokyo, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries, Haroon Akhtar Khan, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Japan, Abdul Hameed, held discussions with Matsuo Takehiko, Vice Minister for International Affairs at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. The talks focused on strengthening bilateral industrial cooperation and deepening trade engagement. Pakistan’s…

Morocco has launched a new initiative to strengthen its export development strategy with the introduction of ‘Power Export: One Shop Store Export’, a comprehensive program led by the Ministry of Foreign Trade in collaboration with Maroc PME. The initiative forms part of the 2025-2027 Foreign Trade Pact for Growth and Employment and aims to help Moroccan companies expand their global presence. Designed as a one-stop shop, the program assists both existing and aspiring exporters in structuring strategies, entering new markets, and improving overall competitiveness. It is built on two complementary components that address the diverse needs of exporters. The first,…