The re-import deadlines for cut and polished diamonds exported for certification/grading by overseas laboratories between 1 February and 31 July have been extended by three months. More
The government has announced a ban on 59 China-sourced apps, including TikTok, WeChat, Helo, Weibo, Kwai, SHAREit, UC Browser, UC News, Club Factory, Clash of Kings and Cam Scanner. More
In a bid to counter the worst economic effects of the coronavirus crisis, the government has further opened up eight of the country’s key state-run industries to the private sector – coal mining; mineral mining; defence production; civil aviation; electricity distribution; social infrastructure; aerospace; and atomic energy. More
The government has launched a US$266 billion economic stimulus package – said to equate to 10% of the country’s GDP – in a bid to mitigate the worst effects of the coronavirus outbreak. More
The U.S. Senate on 4 December approved by unanimous consent the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018, which reflects the upper chamber’s interest in the Indo-Pacific region. In addition to authorising bi-lateral and multi-lateral trade negotiations with Indo-Pacific nations, the legislation would encourage a robust U.S. commercial presence throughout the Indo-Pacific region to promote U.S. exports and additional trade facilitation efforts. More
The Global Markets unit within the DOC’s International Trade Administration will hold a roundtable on 12 December and will accept input from interested parties by 4 January on government programmes to inform the catalysation of U.S. private sector participation in commercial opportunities in the Indo-Pacific region in energy, infrastructure, and information and communications technology. More
India’s retail landscape has been subject to the disruptive forces of e-commerce in recent years, with the emergence of e-tailers posing big challenges to brick-and-mortar retailers. While the eyewear market in India has also been similarly affected, retailers in the organised sector are getting increasingly inclined to pursue an online-offline strategy, while the unorganised sector continues to place their attention on rendering personalised, professional services to neighbourhood customers. More
