1.   

Exports need to be increased for bringing down CAD: President

Expressing concern over high current account deficit, President Pranab Mukherjee today said exports need to be increased to bring down the deficit to sustainable levels. "A matter of concern is the CAD (current account deficit), which was 5.4% of GDP during April to December, 2012, is very high. Though we have managed this deficit through capital flows, we have to increase our exports to bring it to a sustainable level," Mukherjee said at a function of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT).

2.   

Anand Sharma asks for more market access to exporters in China

Expressing concern over ballooning trade deficit with China, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma today said Indian exporters should get greater market access in the neighbouring country. "We have a huge trade deficit with China and what is a cause of serious worry for us is the composition of trade with China as India remains an exporter of raw-material and importer of finished manufactured goods. This is untenable and we have taken this up at the highest level," he said.

3.   

Trade issues to dominate Salman Khurshid's visit to Iran

Ways to increase commercial links with sanctions-hit Iran to reduce huge bilateral trade imbalance will be high on the agenda when External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid travels to Tehran on Friday on a three-day visit. India's participation in the upgradation of Iran's Chahbahar port, which gives access to Afghanistan, will also be among a host of issues expected to figure in the talks that Khurshid will have with his counterpart Ali Akbar Salehi and President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad.

4.   

Pakistan likely to grant MFN status to India by June 2013

Pakistan industry council today said Pakistan is expected to grant the much-awaited Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India by June, a move which would further normalise trade ties between the two countries. "Now general elections (in Pakistan) will take place... then within a month, by June it (MFN) should be granted," Bashir Ali Mohommad, a member of the Pakistan-India Joint Business Council said here.