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Time of India
5 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Gujarat's export engine ready to roar with UK-India FTA
1 2 3 4 5 Ahmedabad: As global demand remains subdued and geopolitical uncertainties persist, the recently inked free trade agreement (FTA) between the United Kingdom and India offers a ray of hope for Gujarat, a highly manufacturing-heavy and export-oriented state. With its strong base in sectors like textiles, chemicals, ceramics, and IT & IT-enabled services (ITeS), Gujarat stands to be a significant beneficiary of the tariff relaxations and market access provisions under the FTA. Textiles: Gearing Up for Duty-Free Access You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad Gujarat's textile sector, contributing over 12% of India's textile exports, is expected to be among the biggest winners. Indian garments currently face duties of 8% to 16% in the UK. The FTA could eliminate or significantly reduce these tariffs, making Gujarat's cotton and man-made fibre garments more competitive against products from countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Turkey. Chintan Thaker, chairman of the Assocham Gujarat State Council, said, "The UK is the third biggest importer of textiles from India. Exports to the UK stand at $2.04 billion (approx Rs 17,000 crore), largely apparels and made-ups. With the new FTA, we expect to double this by 2026." Thaker added that apparel manufacturers are optimistic about the UK market, which offers better margins than the US. "With direct access to the UK market at zero duty, Gujarat's textile hubs like Surat and Ahmedabad could see a revival in export orders, boosting the local industry," he further said. Ronak Chiripal, promoter, Chiripal Group, emphasised, "This move will directly improve cost competitiveness for Indian manufacturers compared to duty-free exporters like Bangladesh and Turkey. The agreement also encourages greater product innovation and margin stability in a price-sensitive market." Gems And Jewellery: Gujarat's Shine Set to Sparkle Brighter Gujarat's thriving gem and jewellery sector, especially Surat, a global hub for diamond cutting and polishing, is set for a boost. Kirit Bhansali, chairman of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), anticipates "exports to the UK to rise from $941 million (approx Rs 8,129 crore) to $2.5 billion (approx Rs 21,598 crore) over the next three years due to duty concessions". Chemicals: Stronger Play in Speciality Exports Gujarat's chemical industry, accounting for over 45% of India's chemical exports, anticipates improved access to the UK for speciality and fine chemicals. The FTA is expected to simplify regulatory compliance and reduce non-tariff barriers, which often hampered shipments to the EU and UK. Bhupendra Patel, chairman of Chemexcil (Gujarat), commented: "Chemicals export to the UK is not that significant, but the FTA will help in increasing volume. Many may start export to Europe through the UK. FTA will provide much-needed competitiveness to Indian exporters against China." IT & ITeS: Boosting Bilateral Tech Collaboration Gujarat's growing IT & ITeS industry, particularly in Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad, expects the FTA to unlock smoother visa norms, mutual recognition of qualifications, and easier business mobility. This would bolster tech service exports, consultancy contracts, and fintech collaborations. Tejinder Oberoi, past chairman of GESIA IT Association, said, "Opening up new markets with higher ticket sizes in addition to a trained talent pool gives our exporters an edge and access to better-value imports. With more tech projects coming our way, we can deliver greater value to clients and grow trade volumes. The FTA will also benefit fintech and semiconductor sectors." Ceramics Hopeful of Faster Exports Growth Gujarat's ceramic industry is bullish, too. Kamlesh Patel, CMD of a leading ceramics company, said that UK ceramic exports have doubled over the past 4–5 years to an estimated $120 million (approx Rs 1,036 crore) in 2024. "The FTA will be a game-changer, offering Indian ceramic products duty-free access. Exports to the UK is likely to double in less than four years," he added. Pharma Eyes Higher Generic Drugs Exports The Indian generic drugs manufacturing sector is hopeful of increased exports to the UK. As per industry estimates, the Indian generic drug industry size is around $25 billion (approx Rs 2.15 lakh crore) and 50% of it is exported. Mahendra Patel, chairman of a pharmaceutical company, said, "The FTA will significantly ease regulatory approvals for generic drugs, boosting Indian pharma exports. By improving market access and fostering collaboration, it is poised to enhance India's role as a global hub for high-quality, affordable healthcare solutions. "
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
US student visa freeze wrecks plans of hundreds in Gujarat
Ahmedabad: As the clock ticks toward the Sep semester, hundreds of US-bound students from Gujarat find themselves in an agonizing wait. The student visa appointment system has been dormant since May 27, disrupting carefully laid plans for higher education, and leaving futures hanging in balance. Despite having valid I-20 certificates and paying visa fees, many are stuck with no interview dates in sight. The anxiety is growing, and so is the financial strain. Many students have already spent up to Rs 1 lakh on coaching, entrance exams, university application fees and preparatory processes. Now, with visa appointments stalled, they fear missing out on the Sep intake altogether. "At least 40 of our students are stuck waiting for appointment dates. They have paid fees, planned their lives, and are now staring at the prospect of deferring their admission or changing countries," said Bhavin Thaker, an overseas education consultant from Ahmedabad. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad Ajay Singh, Gujarat head of SIEC Education, said, "This is causing immense stress. These students planned meticulously. Delays like this mean gaps in education, extended academic timelines, and added expenses. Universities have been flexible, but the bottleneck is at the visa end." The freeze began in late May when the US govt paused student and exchange visa appointments to implement stricter screening procedures, especially new requirements related to applicants' social media history. On June 26, the US Embassy in India clarified via social media that all applicants must now disclose usernames for every social media platform used over the past five years on their DS-160 visa forms. Failing to do so, it warned, could result in denial or future ineligibility. This announcement has fuelled anxiety among students. "There's confusion around how much information is too much or too little," said Thaker. "Even having private accounts or deleting old profiles is being seen as risky." Immigration consultants state that many fear that having "radical" or politically charged content on their social media or even making their profiles private or creating fresh accounts could be seen as red flags by consular officers. The rising stringency has coincided with a surge in visa rejections. Consultants estimate refusal rates have reached as high as 50% in some categories. "This year, we have seen a 40% drop in the number of students applying for the US from Gujarat alone," said Thaker. "The unpredictability of approvals, stricter scrutiny, and recent deportation reports have discouraged many prospective applicants." The uncertainty has triggered a shift in preferences. While healthcare-related programmes like physiotherapy, nursing, and pharmacy still draw interest, enthusiasm for traditional tech-focused streams like computer science and IT is slipping. As a consequence, many students are shifting their gaze elsewhere. Australia has emerged as the most sought-after alternative, followed by the UK for students from Gujarat. Meanwhile, those who have already received I-20s and paid their visa fees remain on edge. But with no clarity in sight, their future hangs in the balance.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
In Gujarat, education loan growth slips to single digit in FY2025
Ahmedabad: The once rapid ascent of Gujarati students pursuing has hit a speed bump. Data from the State Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC) – Gujarat reveals a mere 2.7% increase in students taking education loans ins FY 2025, a stark contrast to the double-digit growth witnessed in previous years, signalling a cooling trend in the state's international education aspirations. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to the data, education loan disbursals touched Rs 2,078 crore in FY 2025, up 6.5% from Rs 1,951 crore last year while the number of loan takers increased marginally from 21,810 to 22,419. In FY 2024, the number of education loan beneficiaries jumped 18.43% while disbursals soared by 55%. Even in FY 2023, the increase was a healthy 13% in loan takers and 23% in disbursals. Industry insiders say it's a cocktail of factors – from tighter immigration rules in countries like the UK, the US, Canada, and Australia (many of which were heading into elections), to surging cost of living and stricter student visa norms. "While interest remains strong, many families are thinking twice due to policy uncertainty abroad. There is a marked 40% reduction in the number of students going to the US and Canada for higher studies in FY 2025. While applicants are in good numbers, the rejection of visas is a long-standing concern among students," said Bhavin Thaker, a foreign education consultant from Ahmedabad. "A lot of students let go of their pre-approved loans based on their i20 and admissions because they did not secure visa approval. Due to uncertainty in govt policies across several destinations, mainly Canada and the US, a number of students are deferring their plans to secure an education loan. The fees as well as the cost of living have gone up substantially, as a result of which the affordability gap is also widening. This is also one of the important reasons for the decline in the number of students opting for education loans as well as opting to go abroad," Thaker added. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The frequent changes in immigration rules have also left parents of foreign education aspirants worried, thus deterring more students from going abroad. Putting this in perspective, Ritesh Desai, a foreign education consultant, said, "There is a growing sense of unease among parents due to constant policy shifts in countries like Canada, the US, and Australia. From sudden visa rejections to deportation news — even for minor infractions like traffic violations — the trust factor has taken a hit. Canada, in particular, has seen a significant drop in student inflow. Many families now think twice before sending their children abroad. Majority of the students still going to other countries usually have support in the form of siblings or close relatives already settled there." Banking sector officials admit the trend is a marked departure from recent years when the foreign education sector was booming following the Covid years. Interestingly, while the rise in the loan amount disbursed outpaces the growth in student numbers, experts also indicate the impact of inflation biting into tuition fees and living expenses overseas.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Time of India
Gandhinagar court sentences businessman to 5 yrs in jail for abetting 25-year-old IT engineer's suicide
Ahmedabad: A Gandhinagar sessions court sentenced a businessman to five years' imprisonment after finding him guilty of driving a 25-year-old engineer working with an IT firm to commit suicide. According to the case details, the 25-year-old, who worked with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) for three years, was found dead on Nov 5, 2021. She hanged herself from a ceiling fan in her house in Gandhinagar. Her father complained that his daughter had a side business of import-export in partnership with Rutvik Thaker. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad The complaint further stated that the girl was doing business with the 38-year-old for three years, and they used to meet often. The family received a call from Thaker, apprehending a drastic step by the deceased girl. He alleged that Thaker came to the house and went away with the deceased's mobile phone. The family suspected that he wanted to delete relevant information from the phone. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Thaker was put on trial, and he defended himself by maintaining that the charges against him were false and he was implicated merely on the basis of suspicion. After the trial, principal sessions judge H I Bhatt found Thaker guilty under IPC Sections 306 (abetment to suicide) and 404 (dishonest misappropriation of property possessed by a deceased person at the time of her death). Besides the jail term, the court imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on him. In its order, the court stated, "Considering the submissions made by both sides, the accused trapped the young girl from a family of economically modest background in his friendship and made her promises which could not be fulfilled. Even the girl might have realised this fact and she chose to end her life, and this proves an act of abetment on his part." The court was not satisfied with the way the investigator handled things immediately after the suicide. It recommended appropriate action to be taken by the Gandhinagar superintendent of police against the investigator, head constable Sunilkumar Kalidas. Besides, the court also ordered compensation for the deceased's family. It said, "The parents lost the support of their young and earning daughter by her untimely death. In such circumstances, it appears just and proper to award compensation to the witnesses and therefore it is recommended that the District Legal Services Authority, Gandhinagar, pay compensation to them."
BBC News
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Wolverhampton venue keeps licence after dog show concerns
An events venue has kept its licence, with some amended terms, after police raised concerns that included its handling of a dog show featuring XL Hangar, in Wolverhampton, was due to have a licence review hearing last week but it reached an agreement with the city council in the days beforehand.A spokesperson for The Hangar said the outcome showed that it was "a responsible venue" and the proposed review was "unjustified".Wolverhampton City Council said the venue's licence now had some "revised" conditions that related primarily to giving advance notice about events and the use of CCTV. West Midlands Police had raised concerns that there were unmuzzled XL bullies at a dog show, called Best of Bullies, at the venue last force had also raised concerns about a music event last December, saying it had not received some information that it requested in advance, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported last bullies were added to the list of banned dogs in England and Wales last year, following a number of can now only legally own an XL bully if they have an exemption certificate, and the dogs must be kept on a lead and muzzled in Thaker, The Hangar's designated premises supervisor and spokesperson, said the venue had "no record" of unmuzzled XL bullies being present at its event and it did not know of any specific complaint made to the police about this Thaker added that dog show did not "come under licensable activity" and he was surprised that this event was included in a call to review the venue's licence. Boxing matches and daytime raves West Midlands Police have been approached for comment and have been asked if a final conclusion was reached over their concerns about unmuzzled dogs at the City Council said its licensing sub-committee was only required to look into "what action was needed on the [venue's] licence", rather than making findings about the added that its agreement with The Hangar "took into account matters raised following a dog show last summer and a music event in December", and that the police were consulted on the licence Hangar, a former steel manufacturing warehouse on Pearson Street, has been used for events such as boxing matches and family-friendly daytime raves in recent months, according to its Facebook council said it had a reached an agreement, called a Consent Order, with the venue on 4 March and it was approved by a district judge the following day.A brief hearing was held by the council's regulatory sub-committee on 6 March, where it was decided that no further action was needed. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
