1.   

Data secure status for India is vital: Anand Sharma on FTA with EU

India has a "very good agreement on table" for the European Union on bilateral free trade pact but data security status is all important for the country, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said today. India-European Union Broad based Trade and Investment agreement (BTIA) came up for discussion in a meeting between Sharma and visiting Netherlands Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Lilianne Ploumen here.

2.   

Exports set to maintain high growth, exporters run out of capacity to meet orders from UK & US

India's merchandise exports in August are likely to have sustained the high growth of the previous month, with apparel exporters saying they ran out of capacity to meet the orders from the US and the UK. Commerce secretary S R Rao told ET that the numbers suggest that the export figure in August is likely to be as impressive as in July, when the country saw an 11.6% growth in exports. "Exports have continued to do well even in August. We are likely to see a higher growth," Rao said.

3.   

39 Indian firms to participate in Saudi Agro Food exhibition

Thirty-nine Indian firms will participate at an agro-food exhibition in Saudi Arabia, which will have a dedicated India Pavilion to showcase its products, from basmati rice to coffee and spices, among others. The four-day Saudi Agro Food 2013 exhibition will start from September 15 in the Arab state's capital city Riyadh. The India Pavilion will showcase the country's products, from basmati rice, frozen meat, coffee, spices to mango pulp and fruits, among others, and would be spread over in an area of approximately 400 sq mtrs.

4.   

Majority of Pakistanis favour trade ties with India: Survey

Even as the Pakistan government dithers on granting MFN-status to India, 63 % of Pakistanis are in favour of trade ties with New Delhi, a new poll said today. According to a Gilani Research Foundation survey carried out by Gallup Pakistan, a majority of Pakistanis are in favour of trade ties. A nationally representative sample from across the country's four provinces was asked: "In your opinion should Pakistan trade with India or not?" Responding to this, 63 % said "Yes" and 33 % said "No". 4 % did not respond.