1.   

PM forms committee to review agri schemes for Eastern India

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has constituted an apex committee, under his chairmanship, to review various schemes launched by the government to bring green revolution in Eastern states. The 'Apex Committee on Agriculture for Eastern India', which was formed earlier this month, has 13 members including Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh.

2.   

India-ASEAN negotiators on FTA to meet on Dec 4

Negotiators of India and ASEAN will meet early next month in an effort to conclude the Free Trade Agreement in Services and Investment, which India hopes to be done by December 20. "There are some issues on which negotiators needed clarity... They met in Phnom Penh. I also met counterparts from Malaysia and Philippines," Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said.

3.   

Bilateral trade between India, Malaysia at 8.9 bn in Jan-Sept

Bilateral trade between India and Malaysia is on an upswing with investment flow between the two countries rising despite global slowdown, Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia Vijay Gokhale said today.The envoy urged Malaysian companies to invest in India as the country has opened up FDI in retail and aviation. Bilateral trade between the two countries stood at USD 8.9 billion during January-September, a growth of 7 per cent over the same period last year, Gokhale told PTI.

4.   

Thai rice buy plan sends Indian exporters laughing to bank

For 30 years, Thailand has been the top rice exporter in the global market. But a decision last year by the Thai Government to buy paddy from farmers at a higher price of $450 has turned things topsy-turvy in the rice market. In turn, it has proved to be a blessing for India that re-entered the rice export market in September last year after the Centre lifted a four-year ban. This year, India will be the top rice exporter.