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New Delhi: The government is considering a proposal to reintroduce interest subsidy on credit to exporters-especially the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs)-under the proposed Export Promotion Mission to help bolster their competitiveness amid global tariff uncertainties, senior officials said.In December 2024, the government had stopped an interest equalisation scheme, under which eligible exporters were getting rupee export credit at subsidised rates, prompting MSME exporters to seek cheaper loans amid global headwinds. The latest proposal is aimed at making the interest aid "more targeted and focused", one of the officials said.The commerce department has informed its expenditure counterpart that competing at the global level without assistance would be extremely difficult for MSMEs, who get limited credit at much higher rates than their peers in the export market, he said.The two departments are in talks on the issue and a decision will be taken in due course, said the official quoted above.Despite the recent cuts, the repo rate remains at 6%. Most exporters are getting loans at 8-12% interest, with MSMEs particularly facing high rates. Most of the eligible exporters under the equalisation scheme were getting interest subsidy to the tune of 3%.121195185The Export Promotion Mission, announced in the FY26 budget with an outlay of ₹2,250 crore, could be an umbrella scheme that will absorb various extant export initiatives.The targeted interest support that is being planned will also complement the government's efforts to spur manufacturing under another mission proposed in the latest budget, the officials said.Export bodies have called for heightened support to beat a demand slowdown in some advanced countries and uncertainties caused by the Trump administration's tariff policies.They also seek sustained support to take advantage of opportunities that may come in India's way if New Delhi hammers out a trade deal with the US soon, on top of a recent one with the UK.Under the erstwhile interest equalisation scheme, introduced in 2015, the government had allocated ₹2,482 crore for FY25, lower than ₹3,700 crore a year earlier, primarily because it was not extended beyond December 2024.About 85% of the beneficiaries of the interest equalisation scheme were MSMEs, the officials said.India's merchandise exports remained flat at $437 billion last fiscal, as global demand remained subdued. The World Trade Organisation last month predicted goods trade volume to fall 0.2% this year, down sharply from its October 2024 projection of a 3% expansion, citing the impact of the new US tariff policies.To be sure, the US and China this week announced a deal to temporarily trim the extra tariffs imposed on each other.Presenting the budget for FY26, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said: "We will set up an Export Promotion Mission, with sectoral and ministerial targets, driven jointly by the ministries of commerce, MSME and finance".

Insurance aggregator PB Fintech on Thursday reported a consolidated net profit growth of 185% in Q4FY25 at Rs 171 crore versus Rs 60 crore reported in the year ago period. The company's revenue from operations in the March-ended quarter stood at Rs 1,508 crore, which was up 38% over Rs 1,090 crore in the corresponding quarter of the last financial year.In this, the core online business of Policybazaar contributed Rs 877 crore in the March 31, 2025 ended quarter versus Rs 669 crore in Q4FY24. This translates into a 31% YoY rise. The company said that revenue growth was accompanied with margin improvement across the board. The consolidated PAT for PB Fintech grew 448% from Rs 64 Cr in FY24 to Rs 353 crore (from 2% to 7% margin) in FY25 while company's closing cash balance stood at Rs 5,406 crore at the end of the quarter.The company reported a 37% YoY rise in its premium at Rs 7,030 crore versus Rs 5,127 crore in the year ago period led by growth in new health.Company's core insurance revenue was up 46% YoY while its core credit revenue was down 21% YoY.Its renewal / trail revenue stood at an ARR of Rs 817 crore, up from Rs 577 crore last year in the same quarter, which was a 42% growth. The company said that it is a key driver of long-term profit growth."Steady growth continues for Core New Insurance Premium (net of Savings business) at 38% YoY for the quarter. This has ranged around +-5% of 40% for the last 8 quarters. While the health business continues to grow strongly, we have seen a slowdown in our savings business amidst broader market conditions. We continue to improve our customer onboarding & claims support services and Insurance CSAT is consistent at 90%+," a company statement said.The credit revenue for the quarter stood at Rs 115 crore while disbursal was reported at Rs 2,368 crore for the core online business."We continue to strengthen our leadership in New Initiatives with revenue growth of 50% YoY with adjusted EBITDA margin moving from -10% to -6%, with 4% contribution," the filing said.For FY25, the total insurance premium stood at Rs 23,486 crore, which is a growth of 48% YoY while lending disbursal was reported at Rs 20,465 crore, a growth of 38% YoY.Its core online Insurance New Premium grew 45% YoY and Health & Life Insurance New Premium grew 48% YoY.

Singapore Telecommunications Limited (Singtel) is likely to sell nearly 5 crore shares in Indian telecom major Bharti Airtel via block deals with the deal size estimated at Rs 8,500 crore ($1 billion).The floor price is likely set at Rs 1,800 per share which is a 3.6% discount from the current market price, CNBC-TV18 reported, citing sources. Singtel currently owns 9.49% stake representing over 57.82 crore shares in Bharti Airtel via its arm Pastel Ltd.Bharti Airtel shares today ended at Rs 1,863 on the NSE, gaining by Rs 28.90 or 1.5%. Bharti Telecom Limited is the largest promoter entity with a stake of 40.47%. Indian Continent Investment Limited is another promoter group which holds 2.47% in the company.Bharti Airtel posted a strong set of numbers in Q4FY25, delivering a growth of 432% YoY in its net profit at Rs 11,022 crore in the fourth quarter. The company, however, said profit adjusted for exceptional items rose 77% YoY to Rs 5,223 crore.Bharti Airtel posted strong growth of 432% YoY in its net profit at Rs 11,022 crore in the fourth quarter. The company, however, said profit adjusted for exceptional items rose 77% YoY to Rs 5,223 crore.During the quarter, India revenues rose 29% YoY to Rs 36,735 crore, while mobile revenues increased 21% YoY led by tariff repair and premiumization of the portfolio.ARPU for the quarter stood at Rs 245 as compared to Rs 209 in Q4FY24.(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times)