1.   

Efforts to increase export of agricultural commodities: Govt

Government on Monday said it is making all efforts to increase export of agricultural commodities, including wheat, rice, vegetables, meat and marine products, and India has emerged as the second highest exporter in this sector. "The picture being painted that there has been a fall in export of agricultural products is incorrect. Processed agricultural products, vegetables and fruits are being exported as part of India's foreign trade policy," Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma told the Lok Sabha during Question Hour.

2.   

India-Australia free trade pact can deepen ties

Australia is eager to negotiate a comprehensive economic partnership (essentially a free trade agreement) to intensify and diversify the trade partnership with India, said Patrick Suckling, Australian High Commissioner. There is strong political commitment on this and four rounds of negotiations have been held, said Suckling, addressing the 23rd annual day of the Indo-Australian Chamber of Commerce in the city.

3.   

India trade gaps narrow as European demand picks up

Indian exports rose for a second straight month in February, helped by stronger European demand, official data showed Monday, narrowing the country's trade deficit to its lowest level in 10 months.February exports increased by 4.25 percent from the same month a year earlier to $26.26 billion in February while imports rose by 2.6 percent to $41.18 billion. The trade deficit narrowed to $14.9 billion in February, down sharply from $20.08 billion in January.

4.   

Rice exports set to cross 10 million tonnes this fiscal

Rice exports are set to cross 10 million tonnes in the current financial year on robust demand from West Asia, Africa and South-East Asian countries. Last year, the total rice exports stood at 7.3 million tonnes. “Till January-end, the total shipments stood at 8.2 mt. We will exceed 10 mt by March 31,” said R. Sundaresan, Executive Director, at the All India Rice Exporters Association. Basmati shipments, which have gained momentum in the past two months on rising demand from Iran, would cross 3.5 mt over the last year’s 3.21 mt.