1.   

RBI to set up committee to help boost bank finance for exports

The Reserve Bank of India has decided to set up a technical working group to iron out existing issues and boost bank finance for exports. The group will be led by G. Padmanabhan, Executive Director, RBI, and also involve key agencies such as the Export Import Bank of India, Export Credit Guarantee Corporation, Federation of Indian Export Organisations, Fixed Income, Money Market and Derivatives Association, Indian Banks’ Association.

2.   

Khurshid to review ties with Bangladesh

External affairs minister Salman Khurshid is expected to travel to Bangladesh on 16-17 February to review bilateral ties that received a fillip after both sides signed a landmark extradition treaty that was in the works for almost three decades, people familiar with the developments said on Sunday. Though the purpose of his visit is to co-chair the India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission Meeting, Khurshid is also expected to pave the way for a likely visit to Dhaka by President Pranab Mukherjee next month, one of the people cited above said.

3.   

New portal to give exporters information on trade pacts

The Commerce Department has launched a trade portal enabling exporters to access information related to various trade deals struck with countries and regions that could help them target potential markets. The portal has an online database of preferential tariff of top 25 destinations with which India has entered into regional or bilateral agreements or variants of them. It also provides the normal tariffs existing in these countries so that the exporters know the margin of preference and the advantage they would enjoy in each market.

4.   

US Senator calls for stronger ties with India

Observing that US-India relations will be among the world's most important in coming decades, a top American senator has said its vital for Washington to remain committed in strategic partnership with New Delhi. "As (the US) President (Barack) Obama begins his second term, it is vital that the United States remain committed to deepening our strategic partnership with India. In the coming decades, United States-India relations will be among the world's most important," US Senator from South Dakota Tim Johnson said.