1.   

India-Egypt bilateral trade rises by 33%

India-Egypt trade has witnessed an healthy increase of 33 per cent from $ 3.2 billion to $ 4.2 billion during the last fiscal, according to official trade figures. The data released by Egyptian Government for the financial year ending June 2012, said the trade performance is particularly significant in the context of prevailing global economic slowdown.

2.   

Slow revival in US, EU may crimp India’s export target

Government may have to lower exports growth target for this financial year with barely any revival in demand from traditional markets of EU and the US in the first six months, April-September 2012. A senior commerce ministry official told Financial Chronicle that merchandise exports from India may grow by a modest 8-12 per cent this financial year as against targeted 20 per cent.

3.   

Commerce Ministry seeks extension of free sugar exports

The commerce department has demanded an extension of the order allowing free export of sugar, putting it at odds with the food ministry, which wants a cautious approach to ensure that prices do not rise in the festival season. The order allowing free export of the commodity lapsed on September 30. The commerce department says the order should be extended indefinitely as sugar stocks are sufficient to meet domestic demand.

4.   

UN meet in Rome to debate easing global food prices

The international community is gathering in Italy for World Food Day on Tuesday with a round of UN-hosted talks on how to keep global food prices in check and help prevent future commodity market crises. "Food prices are too volatile and are dangerously high," Olivier De Schutter, the UN's rapporteur on the right to food, said ahead of the meeting.