1.   

India’s exports gained from free trade agreements: Anand Sharma

Commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma clarified that India's exports gained from the regional and bilateral free trade pacts, responding to the concerns raised about the adverse impact of FTAs on India's trade balance and on the manufacturing sector at the Trade & Economic Relations Committee (TERC) meeting held on Monday. The TERC, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh discussed at length about India's trade engagements, specifically India-EU BTIA, SAFTA, RCEP and Africa. Sharma said India has a huge trade surplus of about $12 billion with SAFTA.

2.   

India-US-Africa triangular agri training programme launched

The United States and India have launched the third India-US-Africa triangular agricultural training programme at the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE). This partnership, supported by the US Government’s global hunger and food security initiative — Feed the Future — aims to improve agricultural productivity and support the market institutions in Kenya, Liberia, and Malawi.

3.   

Experts suggest favourable conditions for basmati prices this season

The Agricultural Market Intelligence Centre (AMIC) of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has predicted a favourable scenario for basmati prices this season. AMIC incharge Jagrup S Sidhu said the Centre had been continuously monitoring the demand, supply and prices scenario of basmati and expects better prices for basmati growers during 2013-14. He advised the farmers to avoid glut in the market by regulating the arrival to fetch maximum prices. The produce should be cleaned and dried up to the required level to add further value, he added.

4.   

Customs Union courting India, Turkey for membership

Greater engagement between India and the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan is seen as a useful counterweight to the growing influence of China, which is strengthening its economic ties with most Central Asian countries. Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia are mulling their next step towards greater economic integration. The Customs Union, of which all three countries are the founding members, will be replaced with the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) by 2015, and current plans are to invite Turkey, India, and even Syria to join the new association.