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EU, India trying to bridge gaps during tough phase of FTA talks

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EU, India trying to bridge gaps during tough phase of FTA talks



Negotiations between India and the European Union (EU) for a free trade agreement (FTA) have entered the ‘most difficult’ phase, with both sides engaged in bridging the gaps and closing the talks soon, according to Indian Commerce Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal.

Key chapters like goods, services, investment, rules of origin, and technical barriers to trade were discussed, along with the EU carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM). Under CBAM, Indian exports of steel, aluminium, and cement to the EU could face tariffs of 20-35 per cent.

Negotiations between India and the EU for an FTA have entered the ‘most difficult’ phase, with both sides engaged in bridging the gaps and closing the talks soon, a top Indian official said.
Ruling out dropping any chapter now, he said the negotiation process will not stop if internal time lines are not met.
The 16th round of negotiations concluded earlier this month in New Delhi.

The 16th round of negotiations concluded earlier this month in New Delhi.

“We are narrowing down the differences…we are working tirelessly to close the talks,” Agrawal was quoted as saying by Indian media outlets.

“I do not think we are dropping (any chapter) as of now. Whatever is on the table is on the table. But in case, in the interest of agreement at some point in time, we feel that there are certain issues or areas that need to be dropped, may be (dropped). That call will be taken at the level of either chief negotiators or my ministers or my level, but that is not the stage we are at,” he said.

Regarding the December deadline for conclusion of the talks, he said the negotiation process will not stop if internal time lines are not met.

In June 2022, India and the EU bloc resumed negotiations for a comprehensive FTA, an investment protection agreement and a pact on geographical indications after a gap of over eight years. It was stalled in 2013 due to differences on the level of opening up markets.

The negotiations cover 23 policy areas or chapters, including trade in goods, services, investment, trade remedies, rules of origin, customs and trade facilitation, competition, government procurement, dispute settlement, intellectual property rights, geographical indications and sustainable development.

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Australia’s Myer posts strong H1 FY26 sales growth, up 24.5% YoY

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Australia’s Myer posts strong H1 FY26 sales growth, up 24.5% YoY



Australian department store chain Myer Holdings Limited has reported a solid financial performance for the first half (H1) of fiscal 2026 (FY26) ended January 24, 2026, with the company posting total sales of $2,279.5 million, marking a 24.5 per cent increase year-on-year (YoY). On a comparable basis, sales rose 2.1 per cent, driven by growth in womenswear, home, concessions, and Just Jeans.

Operating gross profit surged 35.1 per cent to $886.0 million, while underlying earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) rose 10.5 per cent to $112.8 million. Underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) increased 21.7 per cent to $51.7 million, with statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) up 32.8 per cent to $40.3 million.

Myer has reported strong H1 FY26 results, with total sales rising 24.5 per cent to $2,279.5 million and NPAT up 21.7 per cent to $51.7 million.
Growth was supported by Apparel Brands integration and strategic investments.
Loyalty members reached 5.1 million.
Early H2 FY26 sales rose 1.7 per cent, though the company remains cautious amid macroeconomic pressures and weak discretionary demand.

The company maintained strong financial discipline, with cost of doing business at 27.9 per cent of total sales, within its FY26 target of around 29 per cent. Myer also reported a robust net cash position of $287 million, reflecting strong cash conversion and balance sheet flexibility, Myer said in a press release.

Myer’s ongoing transformation strategy continued to gain traction during the period, particularly through its customer engagement and brand expansion initiatives. The relaunched Myer one loyalty programme reached a record 5.1 million active members, supported by enhanced personalisation driven by AI-led data modelling.

The company also strengthened its product portfolio, introducing new exclusive brands and securing partnerships with global names such as Fenty Beauty, La Mer, Gap, and Topshop.

“Our H1 result reflects momentum across our business as we continue to implement the Myer Group Growth Strategy. Sales growth was achieved both in store and online, and our disciplined cost management allowed us to make targeted investments including in e-commerce, marketing, product, merchandise and supply chain to deliver on our plan,” said Olivia Wirth, executive chair at Myer.

“We achieved our biggest Black Friday on record for Myer Retail, and total sales for the group through the important trading months of December and January were in line with last year—a good outcome that demonstrates the resilience of the business,” added Wirth.

The integration of Myer Apparel Brands progressed steadily, with the company targeting at least $30 million in annualised synergies, alongside an additional $10 million from integrating sass & bide, Marcs, and David Lawrence.

Operationally, Myer continued to optimise its store network, closing 22 stores and opening 12 during the period, while advancing its omni-channel capabilities. The company is set to launch an expanded Myer Marketplace platform in May 2026.

Supply chain efficiency also improved, with 32 per cent of online orders fulfilled through third-party logistics and distribution centres, compared to 13 per cent a year earlier.

In the first seven weeks of the second half (H2), total sales grew 1.7 per cent YoY, with Myer Retail sales up 2.2 per cent, driven by strong performance in home and kids categories.

Despite the positive momentum, the company remains cautious amid macroeconomic uncertainty and pressure on discretionary spending.

“Given the current volatility in the wider macroeconomic environment and the ongoing pressures on discretionary spending, we are more focused than ever on delivering value for our customers,” added Wirth.

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Export demand lifts North India cotton yarn; local demand slow

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Export demand lifts North India cotton yarn; local demand slow












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WTO launches 3rd phase of Enhanced Integrated Framework

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WTO launches 3rd phase of Enhanced Integrated Framework



World Trade Organisation (WTO) director general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala called for strong partnerships to meet the objectives of the third phase of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) launched yesterday.

EIF is a mechanism aimed at leveraging and coordinating support for trade and investment priorities in least-developed countries (LDCs).

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala called for stronger partnerships to achieve the objectives of the Enhanced Integrated Framework’s (EIF) third phase, launched yesterday in Yaounde.
It aims to coordinate support for trade and investment priorities in LDCs.
The latest six-year phase has also secured fresh contribution pledges from Germany, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the UK.

The new phase was launched at a side event to the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaounde, Cameroon, co-organised by Cambodia, the United Arab Emirates and the EIF executive secretariat.

The third phase of the EIF introduces a shift from stand-alone projects to multi-year country programming. It is designed to help LDCs better integrate into the global trading system while addressing structural vulnerabilities and seizing new opportunities in areas such as digital trade, services, green value chains and regional integration.

The latest six-year phase also received new contribution pledges from Germany ($1.964 million), Liechtenstein (~$63,139), Norway ($4.15 million), Switzerland ($3.16 million) and the United Kingdom ($6.67 million).

“This third phase of the EIF comes at a defining moment for the LDCs and recently graduated countries. Familiar structural vulnerabilities are being compounded by a disrupted global trading system, power politics, debt pressures, climate change, and global economic uncertainty. At the same time, the current global context offers some important opportunities for LDCs to use trade to drive growth, development, and job creation,” Okonjo-Iweala said in a release issued by the WTO.

The DG also emphasised the need to scale up support and partnerships to match the ambition of the new phase.

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