1.   

'Exporters should make best of govt export schemes'

The Ministry of Commerce has requested Indian exporters to make the best of the government export schemes to target new markets. "The objective of Focus Market Scheme is to offset high freight cost and other externalities to select international markets with a view to enhance India's export competitiveness in these countries whereas the objective of Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement or Free Trade Agreement (CECA/FTA) is to cover Trade in Goods as well as Trade in Services and Investment," said the Commerce Secretary, S R Rao to SME Times.

2.   

Pakistan's export to India grew 66% during Apr-Dec

Exports from Pakistan to India grew by 66% to $460 million during the period April-December 2012 against $277 million in the corresponding period last fiscal. This was also higher than $401 million, which was Pakistan’s total export to India in the entire fiscal 2011-2012. On the contrary, the rate of growth of exports from India to Pakistan during April-December 2012 was only 16%. Share of Pakistan’s exports in India’s total trade has almost doubled since 2009-

3.   

India to extend realisation of export in rupee

The central government of India is planning to extend the realisation of export in rupee for more foreign nations replacing the dollar or pound, Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Anup Kumar Pujari said yesterday. At present, Iran, which is faced with US sanctions, happens to be the only country where Indian export is realised in rupee.Speaking at a business talk in Kolkata yesterday, Pujara said there is a growing realisation in the union government that India must try strengthening its own currency in the global economy and allowing export realisation in rupee was an important step in that direction.

4.   

British PM Cameron to visit next week

British Prime Minister David Cameron is visiting India next week with key cabinet ministers and a high-powered business delegation, to strengthen trade and investment ties. This will be his second visit to India since becoming PM in 2010. In India on February 19 and 20, Cameron will be accompanied by the ministers of trade and commerce, defence and environment, among others. A big business delegation accompanying him will have the heads of several conglomerates, from the retail to infrastructure sectors.