India to Emerge as Key Link in Global Trade via IMEC: Piyush Goyal

17 Apr 2025 CW Team

He highlighted IMEC's potential to cut logistics costs by up to 30% and reduce transport time by 40%, enabling seamless trade between Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. With potential links to Africa, IMEC will feature integrated networks including rail, road, energy pipelines, undersea cables, and clean energy infrastructure.

Goyal asserted that the initiative is rooted in mutual trust, inclusivity, and respect for sovereignty, and not geopolitical dominance. He confirmed ongoing clean energy and digital cooperation discussions with Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

To ensure IMEC’s success, Goyal proposed a five-pronged roadmap:

1. Public-Private Partnership (PPP) – Encouraging private sector leadership to drive innovation, efficiency, and practical planning.

2. Regulatory Connectivity – Harmonising trade and customs procedures, and promoting systems like India’s UPI for digital payments.

3. Innovative Financing – Leveraging green bonds and multilateral funding, including long-term “IMEC Bonds” for sustainable development.

4. Industry Participation – Involving trade bodies to address on-ground challenges and business needs.

5. Think Tanks & Academia – Engaging intellectual capital for creative solutions, policy support, and capacity building.

Calling IMEC a visionary and inclusive initiative, Goyal reaffirmed India's commitment to acting as a trusted bridge in global connectivity, inspired by the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one family.

(PIB)

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal emphasised India's pivotal role in transforming global connectivity and trade during the High-Level Roundtable on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) held in New Delhi. Describing IMEC as a modern-day Silk Route, Goyal said the initiative is poised to boost global commerce while strengthening cultural and civilizational ties across regions. He highlighted IMEC's potential to cut logistics costs by up to 30% and reduce transport time by 40%, enabling seamless trade between Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. With potential links to Africa, IMEC will feature integrated networks including rail, road, energy pipelines, undersea cables, and clean energy infrastructure. Goyal asserted that the initiative is rooted in mutual trust, inclusivity, and respect for sovereignty, and not geopolitical dominance. He confirmed ongoing clean energy and digital cooperation discussions with Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. To ensure IMEC’s success, Goyal proposed a five-pronged roadmap: 1. Public-Private Partnership (PPP) – Encouraging private sector leadership to drive innovation, efficiency, and practical planning. 2. Regulatory Connectivity – Harmonising trade and customs procedures, and promoting systems like India’s UPI for digital payments. 3. Innovative Financing – Leveraging green bonds and multilateral funding, including long-term “IMEC Bonds” for sustainable development. 4. Industry Participation – Involving trade bodies to address on-ground challenges and business needs. 5. Think Tanks & Academia – Engaging intellectual capital for creative solutions, policy support, and capacity building. Calling IMEC a visionary and inclusive initiative, Goyal reaffirmed India's commitment to acting as a trusted bridge in global connectivity, inspired by the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one family. (PIB)

Real Estate

08 May 2026

Integrated Waterproofing Strategies

Waterproofing buildings used to be an annual pre-monsoon affair but the evolution of real-estate development has changed that approach. In new developments, developers are weaving waterproofing solutions into both the design and construction phases, an approach that Nikhil Madan, Managing Director, Mahima Group, says, “is all about ensuring lasting durability [of the building] and keeping lifecycle risks including water seepage and extensive maintenance to a minimum.”Watertight by designAluminium formwork systems aren’t commonly thought of as a waterproofing tool but at the Mahima Group,..

Infrastructure Urban

08 May 2026

GROHE Showcases Water-Led Design At Milan

GROHE unveiled its GROHE SPA Aqua Sanctuary at Milan Design Week 2026, transforming Piccolo Teatro Studio Melato into an immersive showcase of water, design and wellbeing. Built on the philosophy of ‘Wellbeing Through Water’, the installation reimagined bathrooms as holistic spaces for relaxation, rejuvenation and self-care.The Aqua Sanctuary was presented through three interconnected sanctums. The first showcased the 3D-printed GROHE SPA AquaTree shower and faucet, highlighting bespoke innovation and biophilic design. The second featured the Atrio Private Collection and GROHE SPA x Buster..

Infrastructure Transport

08 May 2026

Rahee Group Expands Rail Manufacturing Capacity

Rahee Group has outlined a multi-year investment roadmap to expand its operational footprint and strengthen manufacturing capabilities for India’s growing railway and urban transit sector. The Group is expanding in Odisha with a new Track Component Casting Unit, for which the groundbreaking ceremony was held on 8 April 2026 in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.The Group’s flagship EPC arm, Rahee Infratech Ltd, continues to focus on complex rail infrastructure projects, including track systems, bridges, viaducts and ballastless infrastructure. Its wholly owned subsidi..