1.   

South Africa sees India trade rising to $15 bn by next year

South Africa, the latest entrant to BRICS block of emerging nations, has said it expects the bilateral trade with India to reach USD 15 billion by 2014 and it sees impressive opportunities in retail, financial services and infrastructure sectors. "In 2011, bilateral trade between South Africa and India stood at 53.7 billion South African rand and is set to rise to 116 billion Rand (USD 15 billion) by 2014," South Africa's minister of international relations, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane told PTI in an emailed interview.

2.   

Saudi business delegation to visit India

A high-level business delegation from Saudi Arabia will visit India next week to explore business and investment opportunities. During their four-day stay from March 5-8 in the country, the delegation would visit Hyderabad and Lucknow. In the national capital, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is organising a business-to-business meeting March 6 for the delegation with the Indian entrepreneurs and businesspersons.

3.   

KCCI lauds Kuwaiti-Indian trade volume, bilateral relations

The large volume of trade between Kuwait and India, which reached USD 500 million in 2012 in non-oil goods, proves historical and deep-rooted relations between the two countries, Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) board member Fahad Al-Jouaan said on Sunday. "India is one of the biggest economies globally as it enjoys many preferential qualities and natural resources, as well as its development in technology and information field," Al-Jouaan added in a press statement on the sideline of his meeting with an Indian trade delegation, in presence of India's Ambassador to Kuwait Satish C. Mehta.

4.   

Outlay of Rs 27,049 crore proposed for agri ministry in 2013-14 Budget

An outlay of Rs 27,049 crore has been proposed for the agriculture ministry in the Union Budget for 2013-14, presented by finance minister P Chidambaram in Parliament recently. The outlay is 22 per cent more than last year's revised estimates. Out of this, Rs 3,415 crore will be provided for agricultural research. From the overall allocation of Rs 27,049 crore, it is proposed that Rs 307 crore will be earmarked for the National Livestock Mission, which is slated to be launched this fiscal year with the objectives of attracting investment and enhancing productivity, taking into consideration the local agro-climatic conditions.