1.   

'India likely to meet export target of $325 bn'

Industry bodies have exuded confidence that country's export target of USD 325 billion for financial year 2013-14 would be met even as growth in overseas shipments slowed to a five-month low in November, reports media."Export target for the current fiscal will be achieved easily and November figures may be seen as an aberration. Trade deficit will be within USD 140 to USD 150 billion in the current fiscal as against USD 190 billion recorded in 2012-13, helping to keep CAD (current account deficit) between USD 50 to USD 60 billion," said Rafeeque Ahmed, President, Federation of Indian Exporters Organisation (FIEO).

2.   

Chidambaram, Montek, Kamal Nath to attend Davos meet

Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath will be part of the six- member ministerial delegation, which will participate in the four-day World Economic Forum meeting in Davos next month. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, sources said, has approved the name of six ministers for the Davos meeting to be held between January 22 and January 25. Others in the delegation are Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma, Heavy Industry Minister Praful Patel, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Power Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, sources said.

3.   

Tax relaxation for food processing industry: Minister assures all help

Tariq Anwar, minister of state for food processing industries (MoFPI) and agriculture, has assured the food processing industries in the country of all help with regard to tax issues.He revealed this while delivering the inaugural address at a seminar organised by the All India Food Processors’ Association (AIFPA) on the occasion of its 69th annual general meeting here on Thursday. Anwar added that the ministry was in talks with the finance ministry on various issues pertaining to tax relaxation and rebate.

4.   

Govt reduces minimum export price of onion

The government reduced minimum export price of onion by $350 a tonne to push exports. The price was revised on Monday — at $800 per tonne amid reports of crashing onion prices at major mandis. Though it is expected to bring some relief experts doubt whether it will be of great help considering the prevailing global prices. They said fixing the price at $600 could have helped exporters to get buyers.