1.   

Pak working to remove bottlenecks in normalising India trade

The delay in full trade liberalisation between Pakistan and India, including the grant of Most-Favoured Nation-status, is due to “procedural hiccups” and Islamabad is working to remove bottlenecks, commerce minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim has said. Mr Fahim made the remarks when he recently spoke to his Indian counterpart Anand Sharma on phone to brief him on issues that are holding up full trade liberalisation, the Dawn newspaper reported today.

2.   

Nabard steps in to boost food processing in Punjab

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development ( Nabard) — in a bid to give the much-needed impetus to the food processing industry in Punjab — has identified six thrust areas for development of the sector.According to the focus paper prepared by Nabard, the state provides immense potential to the grain, fruit & vegetables, milk, meat & poultry, and honey-based industries.

3.   

US supports India's key role in maintaining regional stability

The US has said it supports India's "critical" role as a leader in maintaining regional stability and both have a common interest in promoting global security and the free flow of global trade and commerce. "We have a shared interest in promoting global security, stability, and economic prosperity through trade, investment and connectivity," the State Department said in a background note on India released yesterday.

4.   

Taiwan's new top envoy to India eyes trade platform

Taiwan's new representative to India James Tien will focus his efforts on building a platform to advance trade relations between Taiwan and India after he formally assumes his duties later this month. In a recent interview with CNA in Taipei, Tien said advancing bilateral trade relations will be one of his priorities in his new position, with the information technology sector one area targeted for expanded cooperation with the emerging economic power.