1.   

Goverment plans to set up export fund to boost Indian exports

The government is considering an export development fund to help exporters in their marketing initiatives as a slowdown in the global economy is hurting export volumes. The fund, with a likely corpus of about Rs 5,000 crore to Rs 10,000 crore ($1.5billion), will fund exporters participation in trade fairs and road shows. "We are considering setting up an export development fund to facilitate exporters market themselves and not lose out to other countries, China for instance", said a commerce ministry official.

2.   

Sharma for early conclusion for India-EU trade negotiations

On the eve of the meeting of chief negotiators tomorrow in Brussels, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma today called for an early conclusion of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between India and EU. At a meeting here with Hugo Swire, the British Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth, Sharma said: "Offer on the table is very strong and largely we have meeting of mind."

3.   

India-Australia trade on new pitch

Australia is keen to assist India in fostering continued growth, says Patrick Suckling, the new Australian High Commissioner. As India looks to build cities and roads, Australia wants to chip in with its technology and expertise in managing resources and designing urban infrastructure, says the diplomat, who was in Chennai recently to address the Indo-Australian Chamber of Commerce.

4.   

Board of Trade to review export performance tomorrow

The high-level Board of Trade (BOT) chaired by commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma will meet on Friday to review India's export performance in the wake of uncertain economic conditions in western markets. The meeting, which would have representation from the ministries of finance, external affairs and micro and small and medium enterprises, would suggest steps to prepare the way for the annual supplement to the foreign trade policy (2009-2014), expected to be unveiled in April.