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With DR@BC, Bombay Chamber reinforces its role as a neutral partner in business conflict resolution

Mumbai: The Bombay Chamber of Commerce & Industry, India’s oldest operating chamber of commerce, has launched a dedicated website for its alternative dispute resolution services – Dispute Resolution @ Bombay Chamber (DR@BC) – a milestone that reinforces the Chamber’s role in shaping India’s evolving dispute resolution landscape.

As India’s economy continues to expand, the rise in complex business transactions demands mechanisms that are swift, confidential, and commercially sound. Traditional litigation – often burdened with delays and backlogs – has highlighted the need for robust alternatives that uphold the integrity of commercial relationships while delivering timely outcomes.

DR@BC addresses this need head-on, providing an institutional platform for Mediation, Arbitration, Conciliation, and Neutral Evaluation. The newly launched website enhances access to these services – enabling corporates, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), professionals, and other stakeholders to understand procedures, initiate matters, and browse profiles of DR@BC’s distinguished panel of arbitrators and mediators.

In alignment with contemporary business expectations, DR@BC offers flexible formats for resolving disputes. Depending on preference and context, parties can opt for online hearings via secure virtual platforms, in-person proceedings at DR@BC’s Mumbai facility, or hybrid models – ensuring convenience without compromising on procedural integrity.

The centre is equipped with a dedicated meeting / conference room for arbitration and mediation discussions, and infrastructure designed for confidentiality and efficiency. A team of trained support professionals ensures seamless coordination for both physical and digital sessions.

Commenting on the alternative dispute resolution services offerings, Sandeep Khosla, Director General, Bombay Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said, “With the DR@BC website, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering India’s business community with dispute resolution avenues that are timely, confidential, and globally aligned. As commerce becomes more dynamic, the ability to resolve conflicts efficiently is vital to economic resilience and stakeholder trust.”

The initiative reflects the Chamber’s broader mission to enhance India’s business climate by easing judicial burdens and promoting collaborative, commercially viable solutions. For more information or to submit a query, please visit the Dispute Resolution @ Bombay Chamber (DR@BC) page at https://adr.bombaychamber.com.

India-U.S. interim trade deal nearing completion amid agricultural deadlock

Mumbai: India and the United States are on the cusp of finalising an interim trade agreement, expected to be signed soon. The deal is aimed at pausing the reciprocal tariffs imposed during the Trump administration, with July 9 set as a critical deadline.

Negotiators from both nations have made substantial progress, but a decisive hurdle remains: India’s staunch refusal to fully open its agriculture and dairy markets to American imports. Officials from the Indian delegation have described agriculture as a “non-negotiable” pillar of national interest – both economically and culturally.

While the U.S. seeks wider access to Indian markets for genetically modified crops, dairy products, and ethanol, India has cited domestic sensitivities and structural constraints. Concerns over food safety, smallholder farm vulnerabilities, and ethical dietary norms have driven New Delhi’s resistance to American agricultural standards.

India’s Ethanol Blended Petrol program — which relies on sugarcane and grains — is another sticking point. Importing U.S. ethanol could undercut domestic production and compromise energy security.

Balancing Trade Ambitions and Rural Realities

Agriculture sustains nearly half of India’s population. Experts warn that an influx of subsidised U.S. goods could destabilise rural livelihoods and reignite tensions reminiscent of the 2021 farmer protests. There are also fears that tariff concessions may erode India’s Minimum Support Price (MSP) framework, a key safety net for its farming community.

The asymmetry in farm scale and tariffs adds complexity. American farms average over 180 hectares, operate with advanced mechanisation, and enjoy low trade barriers — unlike India’s predominantly manual, micro-scale farming landscape, where tariffs range up to 150%.

Instead of making concessions in agriculture, India is pushing for expanded access for labour-intensive sectors like textiles and manufacturing, which fuel employment and export growth. The interim deal, if sealed, could potentially boost bilateral trade to $500 billion and lay the groundwork for broader economic cooperation.

India’s protective stance on agriculture mirrors its approach in other trade agreements — including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which it exited in 2019, and ongoing negotiations with the UK and European Union. Dairy and genetically modified (GM) crops remain consistent red lines.

As talks enter their final phase, all eyes are on whether Washington and New Delhi can bridge differences — or if agriculture will once again be the dealbreaker.

(Write to us at editorial@bombaychamber.com)

Ref.: MCM/ADM/11 07 July 2025

The Director General

Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Mackinnon Mackenzie Building

3rd floor, 4, Shoorji Vallabhdas Road

Ballard Estate, Mumbai – 400 001

Dear Sir/Madam,

Invitation for Bids

Please see enclosed notices for invitation for bids from organizations in Mauritius.

Prospective bidders may be requested to regularly visit the website to take cognizance of any addendum and/or clarification(s) issued.

The Consulate would highly appreciate if you could kindly circulate the Notices among the members of your Organization.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Yours sincerely,

D. K. Bucktowar
Consul and Head of Mission
Consulate of the Republic of Mauritius
1107, Regent Chambers

11th Floor, Jamnalal Bajaj Marg

208, Nariman Point

Mumbai – 400 021

Tel. : 022 22825421 /22

Fax No. 022 22845468

Thanks & Regards
The Embassy of Egypt
Commercial and Economic Affairs Office

1/50M, Niti Marg-Chanakyapuri-New Delhi-110021

Tel: +91-11-21610777/26873818

Email: newdelhi@ecs.gov.eg

Indian diamond industry braces for downturn amid tariffs and shifting demand

Mumbai: India’s cut and polished diamond (CPD) industry is confronting another challenging year, as export volumes are expected to decline by up to 10 percent on a year-on-year basis to about $12 billion in FY2026. Industry sentiment remains subdued following the steep 17 percent contraction to $13 billion in FY2025, driven by global economic headwinds, heightened competition from lab-grown diamonds (LGDs), and a pronounced drop in demand across key markets including the United States and China.

ICRA, in its latest report, has maintained a negative outlook for the sector, cautioning that the imposition of US tariffs and ongoing preference for LGDs may further erode profitability. A baseline tariff of 10 percent currently applies to Indian CPD exports to the US — a pivotal market accounting for over a third of outbound shipments. Diamantaires are exploring rerouting options through regions such as Dubai, Belgium, and Israel to offset tariff burdens and retain competitiveness.

While demand for LGDs continues to climb, capturing 8 percent of India’s polished diamond export value in FY2025, the sharp price correction — driven by technological advances and new market entrants — has squeezed margins. In contrast, fancy coloured diamonds (FCDs) have demonstrated relative price stability, offering a buffer for companies dealing in niche, high-quality stones.

Polished diamond prices reached historic lows in the second half (H2) of FY2025 and are expected to remain range-bound through the first half (H1) of FY2026. Meanwhile, rough diamond imports have declined sharply, reflecting cautious inventory management and weak global appetite. Despite reductions in procurement and extended seasonal closures, working capital cycles remain stretched, and operating margins for ICRA-rated entities are forecast to dip further to around 3.6-3.7 percent.

Survey responses from leading CPD players indicate muted optimism. Over 75 percent expect export volumes to be impacted by tariffs, while nearly 90 percent anticipate re-routing through favourable trade hubs. Most diamantaires predict stagnant rough prices, and volume degrowth exceeding 10 percent remains a concern.

As the industry recalibrates its strategies, success hinges on balancing cost controls with evolving consumer preferences. With bridal jewellery and luxury spending showing early signs of recovery in select markets, companies are watching closely for a demand revival in H2 FY2026.

(Write to us at editorial@bombaychamber.com)