Weekly News 22 - 26 April 2024

Monday, 22 April 2024 (mint) India to expand scope of Digital stack exports to global south nations

India is planning to expand its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Digital Public Goods (DPG) for export, aiming to assist emerging market economies with financial inclusion, innovation, and economic growth. The government intends to include newer platforms in addition to popular ones like Aadhaar and UPI, which are already well-received in global south countries. These initiatives are expected to have a significant impact on emerging economies by fostering development-oriented partnerships and addressing various social aspects, as stated by sources familiar with the matter.

India's digital infrastructure, known as the Indian Stack, encompasses a range of platforms developed through multi-sector collaborations. Notable initiatives under this framework include CoWin, UPI, and Aadhaar, along with newer platforms like Samarth, Niti, and Agami. The Observer Research Foundation highlights the adoption of UPI technology by international markets such as Singapore, the UAE, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and France. India is actively engaging with international bodies like the UN and the G20 to facilitate the export of its successful digital initiatives, reflecting a strategic approach to leveraging technology for global impact.

Tuesday, 23 April 2024 (The Indian Express) Need de-bottlenecking, structural changes for India’s solar sector: Vikram Solar CMD

Ganesh Chaudhary, chairman of Vikram Solar, highlights India's potential to absorb up to 1,000 GW of installed solar power capacity, emphasizing the need for structural changes, streamlined processes, and accessible low-cost finance. With India's goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, Chaudhary stresses the urgency of significantly ramping up solar power installations, suggesting that 1,000 GW of solar capacity should be the target. Despite India's current solar capacity standing at 75 GW, well short of its initial target, Chaudhary sees solar energy as pivotal in meeting India's growing electricity demand and industrialization needs.

Chaudhary underscores the necessity for government intervention to evolve from controlling to facilitating the solar sector, advocating for streamlined land acquisition processes and fast-tracked approvals. He emphasizes the importance of reimagining the economic model for solar power, highlighting the need for swift action to clear installation backlogs and increase the pace of solarization. Chaudhary advocates for a trajectory shift in India's solarization efforts, citing China's rapid annual installation rate of 150 GW as a benchmark for India to aspire to.

Wednesday, 24 April 2024 (The Economic Times) Govt Seeks Details from HK, Singapore Food Regulators

India has initiated inquiries into recent bans on certain spice exports by Hong Kong and Singapore. Allegations include the presence of ethylene oxide, a carcinogenic pesticide, in products from Indian spice brands MDH and Everest. The Spices Board of India is investigating the matter to determine the cause of the bans, while the government seeks technical details and analytical reports from both the exporting companies and the concerned regulators.

Meanwhile, the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India is examining locally sold products from MDH and Everest. India's spice exports, valued at $3.97 billion in FY23, primarily include items such as chilli, cumin, spice oils, and mint products. Despite recent bans, exports have generally maintained a level around $4 billion over the past few years.

Thursday, 25 April 2024 (The Economic Times) Indian Pros Rush to Upskill in ESG for a Greener Future

As India strives for net-zero emissions by 2070, professionals are flocking to ed-tech platforms to upskill in green technology and sustainability amid stricter ESG regulations. Platforms like Coursera, Emeritus, UpGrad, and Terra.do report high enrollment rates in courses covering ESG reporting, climate technology, and carbon accounting, catering to early-to-mid-career individuals and C-suite leaders alike. With 82% of Indian business leaders seeking green and sustainability tech skills by 2024, the demand for multidisciplinary expertise is evident, prompting institutes like IIM and Indian School of Business to integrate these modules into executive programs.

Emeritus, for instance, observes a fourfold growth in its learner base, emphasizing ESG and sustainability in senior-executive programs. Coursera notes a 14% year-on-year increase in Indian enrollments in environmental science and sustainability courses, reflecting a desire for career transitions and societal contributions. Job postings for ESG-related roles surged by 128% from March 2023 to March 2024, driving ed-tech platforms to expand course offerings on sustainability innovation, circular economy, and environmental impact, meeting the growing demand for green skills in India's workforce.

Friday, 26 April 2024 (The Economic Times) Vizhinjam Port Gets Ministry Nod to Run Transshipment Ops

The Adani Group's Vizhinjam Port in Kerala has received approval from the shipping ministry to operate as India's first transshipment port. This milestone comes after the ministry's nod to prevent competing projects until existing ports reach capacity. The port is set to become a full-fledged deepwater transshipment hub, with customs expected to establish an office there within three months. With the capacity to handle Megamax containerships and an initial capacity of one million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), the port aims to capture a significant share of India's transshipment cargo currently routed through foreign ports like Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) initiated the Vizhinjam project in 2015, aiming to complete it by 2019, but delays have pushed the timeline to the current financial year. The port's strategic location and advanced infrastructure promise quick vessel turnaround and large-scale automation. With plans to add another 6.2 million TEUs in subsequent phases, the port aims to significantly reduce India's reliance on foreign transshipment hubs. APSEZ's forthcoming financial results announcement on May 2 follows a successful year, with a 24% year-on-year increase in global cargo handling in 2023-24, totaling 420 million metric tonnes.