Business News Northeast - Latest Business Northeast News & Updates

12 Jan

Political Turmoil Spills Into Markets, Sending Dollar and Equities Lower

PreetiBusiness

The dollar declined and U.S. equity futures fell on Monday following comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell about threats from the Trump administration regarding a potential criminal indictment, raising concerns over the Fed's independence. The Swiss franc strengthened by 0.4% to 0.7979 per dollar, and the euro rose 0.17% to $1.1656, although traders noted uncertainty regarding the implications for interest rates. Fed funds futures indicate a slight increase of about three basis points in expected interest rate cuts this year, suggesting a potential for the Fed to act more aggressively. Gold prices reached a record high of over $4,600…

10 Jan

Chicken Fry tops the charts as Kolkata orders 34.9 lakh Biryanis on Swiggy in 2025

Business BureauBusiness

Kolkata’s deep love for food remained as strong as ever in 2025, with Swiggy data showing that Chicken Fry emerged as the city’s most-ordered dish with 17.2 lakh orders through the year. The city’s famous bond with biryani stayed unbroken, recording 34.9 lakh biryani orders and ranking fifth-highest in the country. Chicken Biryani alone registered 16.3 lakh orders, followed by Mutton Biryani with 11.7 lakh. High-protein meals also saw growing demand, with 7.8 lakh orders placed. Dessert favourites such as Gulab Jamun (2.1 lakh orders) and Kaju Barfi (1.2 lakh orders) topped sweet cravings, while local classics Gur Sandesh and…

10 Jan

Tiny Stake, Huge Impact: Jio Platforms Explores Mega Market Debut

PreetiBusiness

Jio Platforms Ltd. intends to sell a 2.5% stake in its planned IPO for 2026, potentially establishing it as India's largest IPO at over $4 billion. Led by Mukesh Ambani, the parent company of Reliance Jio, which boasts over 500 million users, this IPO is the most anticipated in the country for the year. In November, Jefferies estimated Reliance Jio's valuation at $180 billion, meaning a 2.5% stake sale could generate $4.5 billion, surpassing Hyundai Motor India's $3.3 billion IPO. Over six years, Jio has diversified into AI and attracted investments from KKR, General Atlantic, Silver Lake, and the Abu…

09 Jan

Life insurance market outlook turns strong for 2026, says IAC-Life Chairperson Kamlesh Rao

Business BureauBusiness

The Insurance Awareness Committee (IAC-Life) Chairperson, Kamlesh Rao, has said that the life insurance sector is moving towards a stronger, more customer-focused future, with key reforms already shaping the way ahead. He said that the year 2025 witnessed several important customer-centric steps that will help make life insurance an essential part of social welfare delivery in India. Rao highlighted major developments such as the change in surrender value norms, GST exemption on certain life insurance products, and the launch of the BimaSugam portal. These, he said, will make life insurance more accessible and useful for people across the country. He…

09 Jan

The brand born in Kolkata, Elmac, is betting big on North East demand with a high visibility outdoor campaign

Business BureauBusiness

Elmac, the Kolkata born sauces and condiments brand owned by Desai Foods Pvt Ltd, is known for its best quality Kasundi, a sharp mustard favourite that is well recognised and in demand not only in Kolkata but also all over India. The brand’s range also includes popular Chinese sauces such as Green Chilli Sauce, Red Chilli Sauce, and Soya Bean Sauce. With a strong presence across the East, Elmac is stepping up visibility across the North East this festive season with a high impact outdoor campaign. A familiar name in the region for bold flavours, Elmac continues to be a…

09 Jan

Telecom Relief Plan Gives Vodafone Idea Breathing Room with Fixed Yearly Payouts

PreetiBusiness

Vodafone Idea (VI) has established a repayment plan concerning its adjusted gross revenue (AGR) obligations, which will limit its annual repayments to $13.79 million over the forthcoming six years. This strategic move is designed to alleviate immediate cash flow challenges for the company while maintaining the overall amount of its outstanding liabilities. The repayment schedule is a critical component of VI's financial management strategy, as it provides a structured path to meet its obligations without further compounding the fiscal pressures it currently faces. On December 31, the Indian government approved a partial moratorium on the dues of a telecoms company,…

09 Jan

Samsung launches Galaxy Book6 series with AI-powered performance and sleek design

Business BureauBusiness

Samsung Electronics has unveiled its latest Galaxy Book6 Ultra, Galaxy Book6 Pro and Galaxy Book6 laptops at CES 2026, calling it the most advanced Galaxy Book lineup to date. The new series focuses on AI-powered productivity, high performance and slim design engineering. The laptops are powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors, the first client SoCs built on Intel 18A technology, supporting high-speed CPU, GPU and NPU performance. The Galaxy Book6 Ultra also features NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070/5060 Laptop GPUs for enhanced AI image generation, gaming and video editing. Samsung has introduced a redesigned thermal system with optimized vapor…

09 Jan

Rising winter flu and pneumonia cases drive demand for rapid testing and preventive care

Business BureauBusiness

As winter continues, doctors are reporting a surge in flu and pneumonia cases, with the cold weather making it easier for viruses to spread. Common symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, body aches and shortness of breath are being widely reported, and medical experts warn that timely diagnosis is key to preventing complications. Delhi-based paediatrician Dr. Arun Wadhwa said accurate diagnosis is essential during the winter illness peak. “With winter illnesses on the rise, getting the right diagnosis is key to recovery and avoiding complications. If you’re feeling unwell, don’t ignore it—consult a doctor early to stay safe…

09 Jan

Hotel Booking Trends in Kolkata highlight a Shift Toward Location-Led Stays

Business BureauBusiness

Bangalore, 09 January, 2026: Kolkata’s hospitality sector is undergoing a quiet but significant transformation. As travel becomes more purpose-driven and time-sensitive, visitors to the city are increasingly choosing hotel locations based on connectivity, convenience, and value rather than traditional luxury alone. From corporate travellers and medical visitors to leisure tourists and short-stay guests, booking patterns reveal clear preferences across a few key regions. Industry observations from travel and hospitality aggregators and stay platforms indicate that demand for hotels in Kolkata is most concentrated in locations which have good connectivity to other places in the city . These areas stand out…

08 Jan

Shyam Steel appoints Harmanpreet Kaur, Captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team, as its brand ambassador

Business BureauBusiness

Shyam Steel, one of India’s leading producers and manufacturers of primary TMT bars, has announced the appointment of Harmanpreet Kaur, Captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team, as its brand ambassador. The association marks a significant step for the brand, reinforcing its progressive outlook by aligning with one of India’s most respected women leaders in sport. With this partnership, Shyam Steel highlights its belief that strength today goes beyond infrastructure, it reflects mindset, inclusion, and shared responsibility. Guided by its core philosophy, “Maksad Toh Hai India Ko Banana Hamesha Ke Liye Strong”, the brand continues to evolve its narrative by…