1.   

Jan.-2013 export growth will help narrow trade gap: Anand Sharma

Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma today expressed optimism that the slight uptick in January exports, which rose 0.8 per cent, will help close the trade gap, which stood at USD 167.16 billion in the first 10 months of the fiscal. "I hope with exports growing marginally in January, it should help us narrow the trade gap at the close of the fiscal," Sharma told reporters after launching the Nasscom national summit here.

2.   

RBI committee to review facilities to exporters

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set up a technical committee under the chairmanship of G Padmanabhan, executive director in the central bank, to look into the challenges faced by exporters, including availability of credit and transaction costs. The committee would have representation from Export-Import Bank of India, Export Credit Guarantee Corporation and industry bodies such as Federation of Indian Export Organisations, Indian Banks’ Association and Foreign Exchange Dealers Association of India, RBI said.

3.   

French president arrives in India to push trade

French President Francois Hollande arrived in India on Thursday for a two-day visit during which he will push hard to clinch a $12-billion sale of French fighter jets and other trade deals. The trip marks Hollande's first visit to Asia since taking office in May and both Indian and French officials say the mission underscores the importance France attaches to ties with the world's second-fastest growing major economy.

4.   

Estonia could be part of India-Europe trade route

At their meeting in New Delhi, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet and Indian Minister of Shipping G.K. Vasan discussed intensifying Estonia and India’s cooperation in the logistics and transport sector. “Estonia could be an important link in the trade route between India and the European Union and Russia,” said Foreign Minister Paet. Paet stated that Estonian ports offer quality service and are integrated with the railway system.