1.   

China must look into market access issues faced by Indian exporters

With an eye on Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s visit to India, exporters’ body, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President M Rafeeque Ahmed talks to Shutapa Paul about the widening trade deficit, how the Chinese government must take a look into market access issues for Indian exporters and the need to focus on value-added segments of Indian exports.

2.   

FM P Chidambaram seeks enhanced bilateral trade and cooperation with Qatar

Seeking to enhance bilateral trade and cooperation, Finance Minister P Chidambaram today held discussions with Qatar's Emir and the Minister of Economy and Finance, as he asserted the robustness of the Indian economy and its vast potential for the gulf country's firms. Chidambaram, who is on an official visit to Qatar, met with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and the country's Minister of Economy and Finance Yousef Hussain Kamal in Doha, an Indian Embassy statement said.

3.   

Canada committed to Free Trade Agreement

Canada has said the negotiations for an ambitious Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with India are progressing "very well" despite delay in early conclusion of bilateral foreign investment promotion and protection agreement. "The talks will see a meaningful closure with both sides having an agreement which is both ambitious as well as balanced", Canadian Minister of International Trade Ed Fast said yesterday.

4.   

India, EU conclude another round of BTIA negotiation

India and the European Union have concluded another negotiation on the much awaited Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA), according to an official statement released Friday. "The Chief negotiators met here from 15th May to 17th May for another round of negotiation for India EU BTIA. All issues on the table were discussed," the release said. "Negotiators felt that some positive movements have been accomplished though many critical issues are still needed to be discussed further.