1.   

India, Belgium should diversify bilateral trade, investment relationship: Mukherjee

President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday said India and Belgium should continue to strive to increase and diversify bilateral trade and investment relationship between the two countries. Speaking at the delegation level talks with the Prime minister of Belgium Elio De Rupo today, President Mukherjee expressed happiness over the engagement of Indian nationals in diamond trade in Antwerp, who are contributing significantly to the Belgian economy, and added that the diamond sector is the largest component of our bilateral trade.

2.   

PM Manmohan Singh to embark on visit to Russia, China from Oct 20

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will embark on a crucial trip to Russia and China from October 20 during which a number of pacts are expected to be inked in key areas of trade, business and energy. The first leg from October 20 to 22 in Russia will see the Prime Minister holding talks on important issues such as nuclear cooperation, trade and defence. Singh will on October 22 travel from Moscow to Beijing where he is expected to articulate India's concerns over trans-border rivers, trade deficit and boundary incidents.

3.   

PM for boosting Indo-Bangla trade

Stressing that the key to shared prosperity between India and Bangladesh is greater trade and investment in the region and improved connectivity through transport, road, rail, telecom, cyber and energy links, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh said that India is committed to completing the tasks the two countries had agreed upon. Without mentioning the two vital deals that India has been unable to deliver, Dr Singh said, “We are committed to completing the tasks we had agreed upon in a manner that responds to the mutual aspirations of both our peoples.”

4.   

New WTO chief Roberto Azevedo to meet Anand Sharma, India Inc on Monday

New WTO chief Roberto Azevedo will meet Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma on Monday to discuss issues such as trade facilitation pact ahead of the global trade body's meet in Bali, sources said. Azevedo will also meet members of industry body CII and Ficci. "The new WTO Director General and Sharma will discuss issues such as trade facilitation agreement (TFA), food security and a package for least developed countries," a senior official in the commerce ministry said.