Surat: The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI), in association with National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC) and Bank of Baroda, organized a special program on ‘Credit Guarantee Schemes’. The main objective of this program was to increase access to finance by informing MSME units, exporters and start-ups about the credit guarantee framework run by the government. Durgesh Pandey, CEO and Whole-time Director of National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC), Mumbai, was present as the chief guest on this occasion. Giving detailed information about various government credit guarantee schemes, he said that due to lack of…
Author: Melvyn Thomas
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Surat: There is some good news for the textiles and dyes and chemical industries operating in various GIDCs and eco parks in and around Surat. The Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) has given no-objection certificate (NOC) for the long pending Deep Sea Project, which aims to treat the polluted water of industries and release it into the sea. With the go-ahead of the GMB, the ‘Surat cluster deep sea’ project is all set to gain a big momentum. The project was stalled till now due to the NOC of the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB), which has been received, now the project…
Ahmedabad: India’s general insurance industry recorded steady growth in 2025, supported by higher awareness, improved penetration and a strong push towards digital-first solutions, said Mr. Subrata Mondal, Managing Director & CEO, IFFCO TOKIO General Insurance Company Limited. Rising demand for health insurance, aided by the waiver of GST for retail customers, continued to support growth across health segments. The motor insurance segment also witnessed decent traction following GST reduction in the automobile sector, initiatives by OEMs, and stricter enforcement of mandatory insurance by government agencies. Commenting on evolving risks, Mondal said, “Ever-growing complexity in risk perceptions and geo-political situation across…
Surat: The diamantaires in the world’s largest diamond cutting and polishing centre in Surat have set their eyes on New Zealand with India signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The FTA is expected to open up fresh opportunities for the diamantaires by improving price competitiveness and easy market access. The FTA between India-New Zealand offers a tariff advantage of up to 2.5% across a range of product lines, including gems and jewellery, which is expected to strengthen India’s position in the New Zealand market. Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “The India-New Zealand FTA is a significant step forward for India’s…
Mumbai: Experts in India have forecast that gold and silver markets are set to perform astonishingly in 2026. However, in 2025, investors made a huge amount of money from gold and silver and the rally is going to break all records in 2026. Those who put money into gold and silver have found that 2025 was a very profitable year. In what situation? Gold has a return of about 65%, but silver has done better, with a return of more than 140%. Experts say that this boom will last until 2026. “Gold and silver have always been regarded as safe-haven…
Kutch: Kutch has emerged as a major centre of industrial development in Gujarat, driven by infrastructure expansion, port-led growth and investment in future-oriented sectors, speakers said at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference – Vibrant Kutch District-Level Programme held at Gandhidham. Addressing the programme, Minister of State for Higher and Technical Education Shri Trikambhai Chhanga said Kutch’s transformation reflects the long-term vision behind the Vibrant Gujarat initiative. He said development in the district has accelerated due to improvements in infrastructure, industrial capacity and technological advancement. He noted that Kutch, which was once largely dependent on handicrafts and cottage industries, is now emerging…
Bhuj: Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 8,500 crore were signed with 334 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) during the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference – Vibrant Kutch District-Level Programme held at Gandhidham on Thursday. The event was inaugurated by Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia at the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Convention Centre. The programme was organised as part of the state government’s initiative to take the Vibrant Gujarat platform to the district level. Addressing the gathering, Modhwadia said that despite repeated natural calamities, Kutch has emerged as a major centre of development due to the resilience of its people…
Ahmedabad: The Mandal–Becharaji–Viramgam region, which once struggled with limited resources, rain-dependent agriculture, and the migration of youth in search of employment, has today transformed into a Special Investment Region (SIR). On the first day of the year 2026, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel performed the foundation-laying ceremonies of development works worth ₹497 crore, including road infrastructure, railways, and overbridges, in the Viramgam Assembly constituency. The Gujarat government has taken up several works, including roads and railways, in the Viramgam–Mandal region to strengthen connectivity. In the last three years alone, road, roadway, and bridge works worth Rs.488 crore connecting the Mandal–Becharaji SIR…
Surat: In a clear distinction between ‘lab grown diamond’ and ‘natural diamond’, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has launched a new IS 19469:2025, an adoption of the modified version of “ISO 18323:2015 – Jewellery – Consumer Confidence in the Diamond Industry”, in an endeavour to strengthen consumer trust, ensure clarity in nomenclature, and align India’s diamond trade with international guidelines. In India, the terms “laboratory-grown diamond” and “laboratory-created diamond” will be used, while misleading or outdated descriptions such as “fake,” or “artificial” for such stones will cease to exist. The standard also mandates full disclosure of treatments and provides…
Rajkot: The upsurge in Rajkot’s economy and the improved lifestyle of its denizens could be clearly seen from the figures emerging out of the automobile sector. According to the details released by the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC), 42,000 new vehicles were purchased in the last nine months in 2025 with a total value of more than Rs 1,063 crore. The RMC’s coffers have been filled with a whopping amount of lifetime vehicle tax on the 42,000 new vehicles at Rs 22 crore. This year, there has been a significant increase in both vehicle sales and tax revenue compared to last…
