Author: Editorial Desk

Seventeen countries are enforcing 27 export restrictions on food and fertilizer through September 2025, underscoring how governments continue to rely on trade controls long after the initial shocks of COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine, according to new data from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). The IFPRI Tracker shows a shift from early-pandemic blanket bans to more targeted tools such as export taxes, licensing rules, quotas, and product-specific limits. These measures now function as long-term policy choices shaping global food flows rather than temporary crisis responses. Ghana imposed bans on maize, rice, and soybeans in August 2024, initially…

The U.S. Ex-Im is preparing to deploy $100 billion to support President Trump’s plan to secure U.S. and allied supply chains for critical minerals, nuclear energy, and liquefied natural gas, the Financial Times reported. The bank’s new chair, John Jovanovic, said the strategy is designed to reduce Western dependence on China and Russia, with the first tranche of financing directed toward projects in Egypt, Pakistan, and Europe. “We can’t do anything else that we’re trying to do without these underlying critical raw material supply chains being secure, stable, and functioning,” Jovanovic told the outlet. He confirmed that the initial deals…

Pakistan opened its pavilion at the Big 5 Global 2025 exhibition in Dubai on Monday, presenting a range of building materials and construction technologies as Gulf states continue rapid expansion in infrastructure and real estate. The annual event is one of the world’s largest gatherings for the construction industry, drawing companies involved in supply chains, urban development, infrastructure design, and facilities management. The UAE and Saudi Arabia remain major growth markets for construction inputs, creating opportunities for export-oriented manufacturers from countries such as Pakistan. Participation in the exhibition provides firms with access to regional procurement networks and long-term buyers. At…

Switzerland says U.S. tariffs on Swiss goods could be reduced from 39% to 15% by early December, offering significant relief to the Swiss watch industry as exports to the United States continue to collapse. The tariff reduction was agreed last week, but neither government has stated when it will formally take effect. “In Switzerland, we are ready,” said Guy Parmelin, head of the Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, in comments to local broadcaster SRF quoted by Reuters. “It takes a bit more time for the USA. I hope everything is fine by early December, but we are pushing.”…

Pakistan’s market is experiencing sharp fluctuations in essential commodity prices after the suspension of Afghan trade, with fruits and vegetables becoming significantly more expensive while poultry prices have fallen steeply in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The daily exchange of perishable goods between the two countries had long supported a stable supply in the border regions. Abdul Basit, head of the Poultry Wholesalers Association, said on Sunday that the current volatility is a direct result of disrupted demand and supply caused by the halt in trade. He said Pakistan’s routine trade with Afghanistan involved both export and import of essential perishable…

The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) has deepened its cooperation with leading Japanese auto parts manufacturer Aisin to position Korean suppliers more firmly within the global mobility supply chain as the industry accelerates toward electrification. KOTRA, led by President Kang Kyung-sung, hosted the ‘2025 Aisin Global Production Base Expansion Support Consultation and Briefing Session’ at its Seoul headquarters on November 24. The initiative is designed to help Korean auto parts companies enter Aisin’s global procurement network at a time when supply chains are being reorganized, and demand for electric vehicle components is rising. Aisin brought procurement leaders from its Japan…

A new analysis from the Korea International Trade Association’s International Trade and Commerce Research Institute shows that beauty exports to South America jumped from $15.3 million in 2020 to $70.2 million in 2023, more than a fourfold rise. Korea’s share of the region’s beauty import market grew from 0.7% to 1.6% over the same period, lifting its ranking from 17th to 13th place. Cosmetics made up over 90% of K-beauty shipments to South America, with hair care products such as shampoo and conditioner accounting for 6.5%. Brazil was the biggest export destination with a 45% share, followed by Chile at…

India and Canada have agreed to restart negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement, with the goal of raising two-way trade to $50 billion by 2030, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday. Goyal described the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement as a strategic pact that reflects renewed trust between the two countries and would provide confidence to investors and businesses on both sides. Goyal said both countries are aligned in their economic priorities and do not compete with each other, which makes a high-ambition CEPA achievable. He noted that the strengths of India and Canada can act as…

Pakistan has lifted the ban on the import and export of gold, restoring the rules governing precious metals trade and introducing fresh amendments, the commerce ministry announced this week. The restriction, imposed in May after reports of large-scale smuggling, has been eased after authorities reported no new complaints in recent months, according to local media. “The import of precious metals and gemstones and export of jewelry made up of precious metals, gemstones, or a combination thereof shall be allowed,” the commerce ministry said in its notification, outlining the updated regulations. It added that “all the transactions under the Entrustment Scheme…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met several world leaders on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, saying they collectively reaffirmed their shared commitment to global progress and prosperity. Sharing updates on X, Modi said his meeting with Starmer reflected renewed momentum in India–UK ties and expressed confidence in taking the partnership forward. He described his conversation with Ibrahim as a “great exchange of views” and said India and Malaysia would continue working to expand bilateral cooperation. Modi said he was “delighted” to meet Macron and discussed a range of issues, noting that India–France relations continue to…