Commodities

Ahead of India's upcoming two-month-long election with nearly a billion voters, political party merchandise and flag makers are ramping up their operations to meet the increased demand. Garment makers in various regions like Mathura and Surat are converting factories to produce election flags and banners, with an expectation of a surge in business during the election season.

India and the UK are poised to resume negotiations for a free trade agreement this week, with an official Indian delegation heading to London to iron out the remaining issues. While the majority of difficult topics have been addressed, a few key priorities remain, including market access and tariffs for specific goods, as well as visa regulations and social security payments for professionals.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has released its manifesto for the upcoming elections, outlining its vision for India and commitment to empowering citizens and promoting social justice. Key points include caste census, farmers' welfare, women's empowerment, statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, review of controversial laws, and economic policies aimed at affordability and inclusivity.

The Bulgarian Parliament, with 152 votes in favor, has decided to delay the liberalization of the energy market for a year from July 1st. Amendments to the Energy Act include the continued regulation of electricity quotas for state-owned power plants and the National Electricity Company serving as a public supplier for households at regulated prices until July 2025.

Bulgarian miners and energy workers, represented by the two major trade unions CITUB and "Podkrepa", staged a large demonstration demanding a delay in the liberalization of the household electricity market. They fear the transition will lead to job losses and unfair treatment of laid-off workers, who are offered inadequate compensation and retraining opportunities.