1.   

FDA probes arsenic presence in rice from India, other nations

The US health watchdog FDA is conducting a detailed inspection of the arsenic level in rice being sold in the American market, including those of basmati variety imported from India. While an analytical study of more than 1,300 samples of rice and rice products, including basmati from India, did not show any alarming levels of arsenic presence, the FDA will now conduct a "comprehensive risk assessment" study to determine the long-term impact of the arsenic found in rice.

2.   

India raises its game in Myanmar, opens EXIM Bank office

The Export Import (EXIM) Bank will open a representative office Monday in Yangon, former capital and commercial centre of Myanmar, as India refashions its relations building diverse layers of contact with the Southeast Asian country that will chair the ASEAN bloc next year. The setting up of the EXIM Bank office is a follow up on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to the country in May last year during which India signed a credit line of $500 million to build railway and irrigation projects.

3.   

India-Thailand freetrade agreement talks move ahead

Thailand has indicated softening of stance on some of the issues in the freetrade agreement it is negotiating with India, bringing the pact closer to reality after more than 10 years of talks. Top officials in the ministry of commerce and industry said Bangkok has shown more flexibility recently over some of the demands raised by Delhi, including granting more access to Indian professionals.

4.   

Pakistan to grant MFN status to India

Pakistan has assured the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that it will grant "the most favoured nation" (MFN) status to India and eliminate the negative list on trade with New Delhi as part of its overall trade policy. "We are moving forward with eliminating the negative list on trade with India and extending India most favoured nation status, and shifting to a 'sensitive list' under Safta (South Asia Free Trade Arrangement) regime to facilitate increased regional trade," finance minister Ishaq Dar assured the IMF during negotiations for the recently approved $6.64 billion economic bailout package, the daily Dawn reported on Saturday.