1.   

Despite economic slowdown, India's exports to US, Europe rise

Despite global economic slowdown, India's exports to the US and Europe have grown in the first seven months of the current fiscal year, government data showed Wednesday. "In the first seven months of current fiscal year, 2013-14 exports to Europe and the US have increased in comparison to the corresponding period last year," said minister of state for commerce and industry EM Sudarsana Natchiappan in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

2.   

India-Pakistan trade at $2,606.66 million in 2012-13

The bilateral trade between India and Pakistan stood at $2,606.66 million in 2012-13, an official statement said here Wednesday. The information was given by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan in the Rajya Sabha. The exports for 2012-13 stood at $2,064.79 million and the imports were at $541.87 million the statement said. In 2010-11 the bilateral trade between India and Pakistan was at $2,372.05 million and in 2011-12 it stood at $1,939.21 million.

3.   

Ministry of Food Processing Industries and ‘Invest India’ Sign Agreement for Setting up ‘Investors’ Help Desk’

Ministry of Food Processing Industries and ‘Invest India’ have entered into an agreement for the setting up of an Investors’ “Help Desk” for offering online support to investors, both domestic and foreign, with regard to their queries, guide them and provide hand holding services particularly at the initial stage of setting up their units. The agreement was signed today by Shri Gajendra Bhujabal, Economic Adviser, Ministry of Food Processing Industries and Dr Arbind Prasad, Managing Director, ‘Invest India’ in presence of Shri Sharad Pawar, Minister for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries.

4.   

Extension of Time to Sez Developers

In addition to Seven Central Government Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and 12 State/Private Sector SEZs set up prior to the enactment of SEZ Act, 2005, formal approval has been accorded to 574 proposals out of which 391 SEZs presently stand notified. A total of 175 SEZs have commenced export. A list showing State-wise distribution of formally approved, notified and operational SEZs is at Annexure-I.