Economy News ( English version)

Corporate clients are holding back from drawing bank liquidity despite West Asia tensions, reflecting stronger balance sheets built after the pandemic, says Citi’s global corporate banking chief Jason Rekate.

Simba Beer maker Sona Beverages is sharpening its premium focus and expanding into large markets such as Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh as rising costs squeeze smaller brewers.

From early pilots to investor scrutiny, India’s agentic AI startups are facing a Series A bottleneck—only those with revenue traction or defensible technology are getting funded.

Gulf investors seen likely to keep funding Africa renewable energy despite the Iran war

Pantheon Ventures is evaluating co-investments and GP-led secondaries in India as improving exits revive investor confidence, even as geopolitical tensions and macro risks keep dealmaking cautious.

From October to March, Indian sugar mills have achieved a colossal production of over 26 million metric tons of sugar, showcasing a notable increase of 10.4% compared to the previous year. The rise in output can be largely attributed to the robust performance of Maharashtra and Karnataka, complemented by a slight boost from Uttar Pradesh.

India's merchandise trade deficit widened to $27.1 billion in February 2026, driven by increased imports. While overall exports saw a slight rise year-on-year, rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia and tariff disputes are beginning to impact trade flows and exporter sentiment, with potential for further widening of the deficit.

India's wholesale inflation reached a new high in February. Prices for food and other goods increased significantly. This trend mirrors rising retail inflation. Experts predict further price hikes ahead. Deflation continues in fuel and power. Food inflation saw a notable rise. Manufacturing prices also edged up.

Indian basmati rice exports are projected to stay stable this fiscal and next. Growth of up to two percent is anticipated over last year's volume. While exports to Iran may dip, increased demand from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UAE, and Yemen will compensate. Logistical issues might stretch working capital, but exporters can pass on costs.

India's wholesale price inflation saw an increase in February. The rate rose to 2.13 percent from 1.81 percent in January. This rise was influenced by higher prices in manufacturing, metals, food, and textiles. Food inflation also climbed to 1.85 percent. These changes indicate growing cost pressures across key economic sectors.