1.   

Economic integration key to foreign policy, says PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said economic integration had become a crucial element in the country’s evolving foreign policy. He said developmental aspects have come to govern India’s strategic relationship with other countries. “Recognition that India’s relations with the world — both major powers and our Asian neighbours — are increasingly shaped by our developmental priorities.

2.   

More trade with Pak after most-favoured nation status: Officials

India's trade liberalization with Pakistan will only move after Islamabad honours its commitment to open up border trade and grant most-favoured nation (MFN) status, officials said on Monday, indicating New Delhi's tougher stance in the wake of escalated tension at the border Sources told TOI that the Trade & Economic Relations Committee (TERC) headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, which met on Monday, reviewed India's trade relations across the globe and Pakistan was one of the issues on the agenda.

3.   

Govt discusses possibility of having more FTAs

With the economy facing bad times, government on Monday explored the possibility of having more free trade agreements with various countries at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here. The meeting of the Trade and Economic Relations Committee, attended among others by Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma, held discussions with the aim of giving a boost to the economy, sources said.

4.   

Commerce ministry pushes for steps to help small exporters

To help small exporters, the commerce ministry has asked its export credit insurance arm to draw up a mechanism for these firms to be paid a significant part of their shipment dues while they await payments from their overseas buyers. Typically, exporters ship their products after taking insurance from the state-owned Export Credit Guarantee Corp. of India Ltd (ECGC) and wait for the money to arrive.