Piyush Goyal Felicitates LEAPS Winners And Releases LEADS 2025 Report

15 May 2026 CW Team

The minister noted that India had covered 38 developed and prosperous economies through nine Free Trade Agreements over three and a half years, with four already operational and five expected to come into force within 12 months, and that these accords with earlier FTAs now covered more than two-thirds of global trade. He added that negotiations were under way with Chile and Maldives, expected to conclude before year end, and that discussions were active with the Gulf Cooperation Council, Canada, Eurasia, Mexico, SACU and Mercosur to expand market access.

He highlighted that India achieved an all?time high of USD 863 billion (bn) in exports in the financial year ending 31 March 2026 despite global headwinds, and that services exports had recorded growth of around eight point five to nine per cent while overall exports rose by nearly five per cent. He said the government had set an aspirational export target of USD one trillion (tn) for the current year and that operationalisation of multiple FTAs and enhanced market access would support the objective.

He emphasised that reduction of logistics costs was an urgent national mission, that investments in infrastructure, multimodality, technology adoption and simplification of compliance were improving efficiencies, and that states and the private sector were contributing to ecosystem strengthening. The LEADS 2025 report, he noted, used a more rigorous methodology with nearly 59 per cent weightage assigned to objective indicators and a four?tier performance framework to enable targeted reforms across States and Union Territories. The LEAPS awards acknowledged leadership across core logistics, MSMEs, startups, institutions and special categories, with winners including major freight operators, logistics technology providers and education institutes.

The Union minister of commerce and industry felicitated winners of LEAPS Awards 2025 across 13 categories and released the LEADS 2025 report in New Delhi at a ceremony attended by senior officials, industry associations, logistics stakeholders, startups, MSMEs and academic institutions. The minister said the initiative recognised operational excellence, innovation and sustainability in logistics and provided a platform for expert committees and sector representatives to engage on reforms. The minister noted that India had covered 38 developed and prosperous economies through nine Free Trade Agreements over three and a half years, with four already operational and five expected to come into force within 12 months, and that these accords with earlier FTAs now covered more than two-thirds of global trade. He added that negotiations were under way with Chile and Maldives, expected to conclude before year end, and that discussions were active with the Gulf Cooperation Council, Canada, Eurasia, Mexico, SACU and Mercosur to expand market access. He highlighted that India achieved an all?time high of USD 863 billion (bn) in exports in the financial year ending 31 March 2026 despite global headwinds, and that services exports had recorded growth of around eight point five to nine per cent while overall exports rose by nearly five per cent. He said the government had set an aspirational export target of USD one trillion (tn) for the current year and that operationalisation of multiple FTAs and enhanced market access would support the objective. He emphasised that reduction of logistics costs was an urgent national mission, that investments in infrastructure, multimodality, technology adoption and simplification of compliance were improving efficiencies, and that states and the private sector were contributing to ecosystem strengthening. The LEADS 2025 report, he noted, used a more rigorous methodology with nearly 59 per cent weightage assigned to objective indicators and a four?tier performance framework to enable targeted reforms across States and Union Territories. The LEAPS awards acknowledged leadership across core logistics, MSMEs, startups, institutions and special categories, with winners including major freight operators, logistics technology providers and education institutes.

Infrastructure Urban

17 Jun 2026

Adani Project to Redevelop Dharavi and Unlock Major Value

The Adani-led Dharavi redevelopment is presented as one of Asia's largest urban renewal schemes and aims to convert the settlement into a smart city precinct and transport hub while rehabilitating 0.125 million (mn) housing units for more than 1.0 mn residents, according to an HSBC report summarising a panel at the Adani Annual Conference 2026. The report frames the initiative as combining large-scale housing provision with planned public amenities and commercial inventory to raise living standards and unlock formal homeownership. HSBC highlights a substantial commercial opportunity with about..

Infrastructure Urban

17 Jun 2026

TCS Renews 1.5 Million Sq Ft Chennai Lease Worth Rs 14,200 mn

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has renewed a lease for 1.5 million sq ft of office space in Chennai and committed Rs 14,200 million (mn) in rentals over 10 years. The transaction secures a major corporate footprint in the city and reinforces the company's long-term occupancy plans. The renewal aligns with the company's strategy to maintain substantial physical capacity in major regional hubs. The decision follows internal assessments of space utilisation and long-term operational needs.\n\nThe lease renewal covers a substantial campus area and is intended to support the firm's delivery operat..

Infrastructure Urban

17 Jun 2026

Embassy Developments Targets Rs 80 bn Pre Sales In FY27

Embassy Developments said it is targeting Rs 80 billion (Rs 80 bn) of pre-sales in 2026-27 as housing demand remains strong across major cities and the company seeks to capitalise on market momentum. The managing director indicated that the firm recorded a 128 per cent rise in sales bookings in 2025-26 to Rs 46.31 bn, which was slightly short of its annual guidance but reflected robust consumer interest. The company reported that demand is particularly resilient for well-designed and high-quality residential properties sold by branded developers with proven execution. The target includes sales..