Mint Primer

Soaring prices, interest rates and the war in Europe have combined to turn the spotlight back on gold, which at ₹50,000 per 10 gm, is down 28.5% from its April high. In a post-covid world, gold retains its sheen as a hedge against inflation and a safe haven asset. Mint's Ram Sahgal explains. This episode is hosted by Prasid Banerjee

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have cut their economic growth projections for the world economy, and many countries including India. The World Bank stated that private investment growth in India is likely to be dampened. Mint analyses:

India’s current account deficit widened in Q1 FY23. The April-September 2022 period shows a further expansion of merchandise trade deficit. Mint's Jagadish Shettigar & Pooja Misra examines the causes and concerns. This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.

Even though 5G network rollouts have started in India, phone users are wondering why their 5G-capable smartphones cannot access these new networks. Mint's Prasid Banerjee explains the reasons behind the delay and what measures the mobile makers are taking to speed up adoption.

The auto sector is testing many new technologies to reduce carbon emissions. Flex fuel is one technology that has gained currency. On Tuesday, Toyota began pilot-testing its Corolla Altis flex fuel hybrid car in India. Mint's Sumant Banerji explains the potential of this technology This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.

An explosion on a Russian-built bridge connecting Crimea to Russian mainland threatens to escalate the war in Ukraine. Moscow has accused Kyiv of terrorism on the Kerch Bridge, a vital logistical asset damaged by truck bombing. Mint's Shashank Mattoo explains the latest event in the war. This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.

OPEC oil supply cut will have ripple effects on the global as well as Indian economy. Mint's Rituraj Baruah explains. This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.

India has completed four years of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the world’s largest public health insurance programme. What has the government’s flagship scheme achieved so far and what do we need from hereon? Mint explains.

The RBI's deadline for tokenization of cards used in online payments passed on 30 September. What does tokenization mean and how does it work? Mint's Prasid Banerjee explains in this episode.

India is reportedly applying pressure on phone-makers to integrate its home-grown navigation system called NavIC, a move that may increase costs for manufacturers. Mint explains why the government wants NavIC implemented, and why this is a sensible move. This episode is hosted by Prasid Banerjee.

The Union government has extended the tenure of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2015-20 by another six months till March 2023. The move came as a surprise to exporters bracing for a recession in Europe and the US. Mint explains the background and logic of the decision. This episode is hosted by Prasid Banerjee.

Italy has elected an ultra-conservative government, soon after the election in Sweden that saw an anti-immigration party making gains. Observers are wondering if Europe is seeing a new far-right wave. Mint's Shashank Mattoo explains the Italian polls and the implications for the world. This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.

A hefty tax notice served on gaming unicorn Gameskraft has unnerved the industry, and revived questions on the taxation of online gaming companies. Mint examines why the sector keeps running into these hurdles.

As the US Federal Reserve fights decades-high inflation with higher interest rates, the rupee is depreciating against the dollar, prompting the Indian central bank to intervene in the forex markets to reduce volatility. Mint explains how RBI intervention works.

Russia’s partial mobilization of reservists, announced on Wednesday by President Vladimir Putin, makes it clear that the war in Ukraine is far from over. A renewed high-intensity conflict is bad news for the global and Indian economies. Mint explains

Power distribution companies delaying payments to generating companies are now falling in line. Mint explores how things have changed.

On 13 September, a group of 13 companies urged the US Congress to approve a bill designed to rein in Big Tech firms. Dubbed the Klobuchar bill by many, it could be important not only to the US but to global antitrust regulators as well. Mint explains.

India introduced the pre-packaged insolvency resolution process in April 2021 as an alternative process for MSMEs. However, it has only two cases admitted under it so far. Mint explores the reasons.

The government will announce the National Logistics Policy (NLP) on 17 September, aiming to bring down logistics costs and address challenges plaguing importers and exporters. Mint's Ravi Dutta Mishra and Subhash Narayan examine how the policy could accelerate freight movement. This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.

The road ministry’s technology-driven initiative has its own challenges. Are we prepared for the shift? Mint's Subhash Narayan explores this in his report. This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.

Demand for consumer and personal loans grew 18.8% in July. Is the consumption economy on the mend? Mint Jagadish Shettigar & Pooja Misra explains.

Competitiveness Roadmap for India@100. It sets out the guidelines for India to become a $20 trillion economy in 25 years. Mint's Jagadish Shettigar & Pooja Misra decodes in their report. This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.

On Friday, after months of tensions over the war in Ukraine, Russia’s state-owned energy giant Gazprom shut Nordstream 1, the key pipeline supplying gas to Europe, without indicating a date for resuming flows. Mint takes a look at the development and its impact.

The tragic death of former Tata Group chairman Cyrus Mistry has refocused public attention on car safety features and passenger habits. The modern luxury car has numerous safety features. Are they enough to bring down fatalities? Mint’s Sumant Banerji explains in his report. This episode is hosted by Prasid Banerjee.

India’s auto components sector has always imported more than it exported, leading to a trade deficit. For the first time ever, the industry saw a significant $700 million trade surplus in FY22. What led to this, and will the trend sustain? Mint explains.