New Delhi: Zoho’s Chief Scientist and Co-founder Sridhar Vembu on Saturday agreed with former IMF Chief Economist Gita Gopinath, regarding the huge economic bubble in the US stock market. 

Vembu said that a systemic event like the global financial crisis of 2008-9 cannot be ruled out.

Zoho’s founder responded on social media platform X to Gopinath’s warning saying, “I agree with Dr Gita Gopinath. The US stock market is in a clear and massive bubble. The degree of leverage in the system means that we cannot rule out a systemic event like the global financial crisis of 2008.”

Vembu also warned that the gold price trend is indicative of a systemic financial risk.

“Gold is also flashing a big warning signal. I don’t think of gold as an investment, I think of it as insurance against systemic financial risk. Ultimately finance is all about trust and when debt levels reach this high, trust breaks down. I am sure AI will work hard to repay all the debt in the system,” his X post read.

His post tagged Gopinath’s warning which said that global exposure “to US equities is at record levels.”

“A stock market correction would have more severe and global consequences as compared to what followed the dot-com crash. The tariff wars and lack of fiscal space compounds the problem,” Gopinath said.

She urged for higher growth and returns across more countries and regions instead of a focus on the US, adding that the underlying problem is not “unbalanced trade” but “unbalanced growth”.

Earlier in the month, Gopinath said that US President Donald Trump’s tariff proposals acted as a tax on US consumers, raised inflation, and had no benefit to the American economy.

New Delhi: The India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is poised to create significant opportunities for India’s seafood export sector, according to the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA). During a two-day interaction with exporters, MPEDA chairman D.V. Swamy urged them to adopt strategies focused on value addition and workforce upskilling to fully leverage the agreement.

The CETA pact, inked in July this year, grants zero-duty access to 99 per cent of tariff lines, enhancing the competitiveness of Indian seafood in the UK market. Key categories such as Vannamei shrimp, frozen squid, lobsters, frozen pomfret, and black tiger shrimp are expected to benefit directly from the duty-free access.

The meetings provided a platform for industry stakeholders to explore the implications of the agreement. Presentations by Anil Kumar P., Joint Director, MPEDA, outlined the salient features of CETA, while Alex Paul Menon, Development Commissioner of the MPEZ-SEZ, highlighted the potential for Marine Aquapark SEZ development in Tamil Nadu.

Stakeholders, including officials from the Department of Commerce, Export Inspection Agency (EIA), and the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI), alongside over 90 exporters from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha, shared insights on market opportunities and operational strategies.

India exported marine products worth $7.45 billion in 2024–25, with shrimp, fish, and cuttlefish forming the bulk of shipments. Exports to the UK reached 16,082 MT valued at $104.43 million, driven largely by demand for frozen shrimp, which accounted for 77 per cent of the total UK shipments, followed by frozen fish at eight per cent.

Industry experts anticipate that the India-UK CETA could double Indian seafood exports to the UK in the near term. The agreement is expected to catalyse economic growth, employment generation, and innovation while promoting sustainable practices in the sector.

Swamy emphasised that tapping into this opportunity will require coordinated efforts to enhance product quality, scaling up processing capabilities, and training skilled labour to meet the rising demand in global markets. The MPEDA chairman further pointed out that with proactive adaptation and strategic investment, Indian seafood exporters can not only increase their market share in the UK but also establish India as a competitive, high-value supplier in international seafood trade.

New Delhi: As the festive season draws near, gold prices are reaching record highs. For many Indian households, gold is more than just a metal as it carries cultural importance, emotional value, and serves as a financial safety net in uncertain times. With prices climbing, experts suggest that buyers plan their purchases wisely and explore smart strategies to make the most of their investment.

For generations, buying jewellery has been the most common way to own gold. But rising prices and making charges can cut into your actual returns. If you want to enjoy the benefits of gold without worrying about storage or security, there are safer and more flexible options to consider.

5 Smart Ways to Invest in Gold This Festive Season

Looking to invest in gold wisely this festive season? Here are five options that go beyond buying jewellery:

1. Gold Mutual Funds

These funds invest either in actual gold or in companies linked to the gold industry. Professionally managed, they give you easy exposure to the gold market without the need to track prices daily. They are also a great way to diversify your investment portfolio.

2. Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs)

Issued by the government, SGBs offer returns linked to gold prices along with a small fixed interest. Although new issues may sometimes be paused, existing bonds remain popular for their safety and tax benefits at maturity.

3. Gold Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)

Traded on stock exchanges, Gold ETFs track the market price of gold. They allow investors to buy even small amounts, like one gram, without worrying about purity, storage, or theft.

4. Gold Mining Stocks

Buying shares of companies that mine gold gives indirect exposure to gold prices. Returns depend on both gold prices and the company’s performance, making them suitable for investors with some stock market knowledge.

5. Gold Futures and Options

These contracts let investors lock in a future price for buying or selling gold. Best suited for experienced investors, they carry higher risks but can offer significant opportunities if managed carefully.