1.   

India, Pakistan agree to reduce maximum trade duty to 5 pc

India will allow Pakistani products to enter its markets at a maximum duty of five per cent by April 2013 while Pakistan is expected to put in place similar arrangements in the next five years, Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal has said. India and Pakistan have agreed on a maximum duty of five per cent for trade between the two sides, Sabharwal said during a meeting with members of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry yesterday.

2.   

India-US trade likely to touch $100 billion in coming years: Official

Bilateral trade between India and the US is expected to touch $ 100 billion in the coming years on increasing economic engagement between the countries, a senior US official has said. "Our economic cooperation is increasing considerably with two-way trade likely to reach $ 100 billion in the coming year as well as the prospect for a bilateral investment treaty.

3.   

India expected to produce 129 mln tonnes of milk in 2012: USDA

India's milk production is estimated to rise by 5 per cent to 129 million tonnes in the current calender year on account of strong prices and growing demand, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said. The country had produced 123 million tonnes of milk in 2011, it said. "Calender Year (CY) 2012 milk production is estimated at 129 million tonnes, 4.87 per cent up over CY 2011.

4.   

10 million tonnes storage capacity needed to prevent harvest losses

India requires 9-10 million tonnes of additional cold storage capacity in order to prevent post-harvest losses to farmers that currently stands at around Rs 1,00,000 crore every year, said a latest report. According to a joint report by industry chamber Assocham and private sector lender Yes BankBSE 0.42 %, India produces 200 million tonnes of fruits and vegetables annually but 35-40 per cent of fruits and vegetables are wasted.