1.   

Prime Minister's statement circulated at the Planning Commission Meeting

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh made brief opening remarks at the full Planning Commission meeting in New Delhi today. In addition, the full text of the Statement of the Prime Minister was distributed at the meeting. “I welcome you to this meeting to consider the draft Twelfth Five Year Plan. We ended the Eleventh Plan period with notable achievements. The average growth rate was 7.9 percent.

2.   

South Africa using Sri Lanka as a springboard for trade with India

A South African trade delegation visiting the country last week said that they are interested in using Sri Lanka as a springboard to forge increased trade ties with India, officials said. “They are interested in establishing trade ties with Sri Lanka and will use Sri Lanka as a springboard to India to further their trade and maybe even other Asian countries,” a Board of Investment (BOI) official who met with a large delegation from the African National Congress Progressive Business Forum last week, said.

3.   

Basmati trade expects better returns this year

Basmati farmers are expected to get better returns this year due to higher prices in the international and domestic markets. An increase in exports by 10-15 per cent is also expected, over last year. According to exporters, the current price of basmati rice in the international markets is $1,050-1,100 per tonne (par-boiled) and about $1,350 per tonne (raw) for the PUSA 1121 variety, comprising 75 per cent of total exports.

4.   

India and Tajikistan: Building a long-term Strategic Partnership

India-Tajikistan relations received a fresh impetus during the state visit of President Emomali Rahmon to India from 1-4 September 2012. This was President Rahmon’s fifth visit to India, during which he held detailed discussions with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, President Pranab Mukherjee, and Vice President Hamid Ansari. The leader of the opposition, Sushma Swaraj, called on the President of Tajikistan.