1.   

Barack Obama, Manmohan Singh meeting need to address economic issues: Experts

US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should use their meeting next week to resolve the differences on economic issues and come out with a policy framework to realise the full potential of the two countries, eminent US experts have said. "Prime Minister Singh's upcoming visit to Washington should be used by both sides as an opportunity to re-affirm these commonalities and put the economic relationship on a much more positive and accelerated trajectory," said Charlene Barshefsky, the former US Trade Representative from 1997-2001.

2.   

Cabinet may discuss stock holding limit on agri-items on September 20

The Cabinet is likely to consider this Friday a proposal to extend stock holding limit on pulses, edible oils and oilseeds for one more year to ensure their availability and check prices. The validity of the current stock holding limits order with respect to these items is expiring on September 30. "The Cabinet meeting is scheduled on September 20. The proposal to extend the validity of stock holding limits order is on the agenda," an highly placed source said.

3.   

Good monsoon promises twin bonanza: Bumper Rabi crop harvest, spurt in hydel power supply

Good monsoon, between June and August, has substantially increased the water storage position of several reservoirs and river basins across the country, raising hope for bumper harvest for 'rabi' (winter-sown) crops and spurt in hydro-power generation. Water storage position data — released by the Central Water Commission (CWC) this month — shows that the country's 85 key reservoirs have collectively reported increase of around 35 billion cubic metre (BCM) over last year.

4.   

Exporters hail increase in duty drawback rates

Exporters have welcomed the duty drawback rate rationalized for the year 2013-14, which brought more items under the scheme for tax refund to exporters to give a boost to overseas shipments. "I am happy that government has announced duty drawback for the garment cotton, man-made and silk for the year 2013-14. This is a critical incentive which we all need because of our value added imports.