It's Monday, March 16th, 2025. This is Nelson John, let's get started. 

BIS Cracks Down on Non-Certified E-Commerce Products

India’s Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has intensified its crackdown on non-certified products sold via Amazon and Flipkart. Recent raids in Lucknow, Gurugram, and Delhi led to the seizure of thousands of uncertified goods, including toys, hand blenders, and gas stoves. Investigators traced the source to Techvision International Pvt Ltd, resulting in further seizures of over 11,000 appliances. Legal action is underway under the BIS Act, 2016, with potential fines and jail time. As non-compliant products flood online marketplaces, BIS urges consumers to verify certifications via its BIS Care app while ramping up surveillance to ensure product safety.

Berkshire Hathaway’s Buyback Pause Continues

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has halted stock buybacks since May 2024—the longest pause since Buffett gained expanded repurchase authority in 2018. A recent proxy filing confirmed no buybacks between Feb. 10 and March 5, signaling Buffett doesn’t see Berkshire’s stock as undervalued. Despite this, the company’s stock has surged, with Class A shares reaching $771,250—up 13% in 2024, outperforming the S&P 500. Investors remain optimistic due to Berkshire’s $300 billion cash reserves and strong insurance sector performance. With the stock trading at 1.7 times book value and 25 times projected earnings, analysts suggest buybacks may remain scarce unless prices drop.

India-New Zealand Resume Free Trade Talks

India and New Zealand have reopened negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to deepen economic ties, following talks between Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand’s Trade Minister Todd McClay. Talks, originally launched in 2010, stalled in 2015 due to disputes over dairy access and market entry. New Zealand seeks broader agricultural exports, while India is pushing for better IT and services market access. With bilateral trade at just $1.54 billion in FY24, both nations see untapped potential. The renewed talks align with India’s broader FTA strategy, following deals with Australia and EFTA, as negotiators now focus on tariff reductions and investment facilitation.

BWH Hotels Expands Aggressively in India

BWH Hotels, operator of Best Western and SureStay, is expanding in India with 21 newly built hotels over the next two years. Speaking at HOPE 2025, CEO Larry Cuculic emphasized a shift from conversions to fresh builds to maintain quality. BWH currently operates 32 hotels across India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, with plans to expand into secondary markets, driven by infrastructure growth and rising demand for business and wedding travel. The company has signed 54 properties, aiming for 100 hotels in 5-7 years. India’s hospitality sector is attracting global chains like Marriott and Wyndham, with BWH focusing on managed full-service offerings tailored to local preferences.

India’s Sugar Production Drops 16%, Raising Supply Concerns

India’s sugar output has fallen 16.13% to 23.71 million tonnes in the 2024-25 season, causing concern among policymakers. The National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF) highlighted “ambiguity” in production data, warning of potential impacts on domestic supply and exports. The crushing season, nearing its end, has seen lower-than-expected yields, possibly due to erratic weather. This decline may lead the government to reassess export policies and stock management, balancing farmer support with stable sugar prices. The industry awaits potential policy adjustments as the government monitors supply dynamics.

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