1.   

FTAs with Canada, New Zealand likely by fiscal-end: Khullar

The Commerce Secretary, Dr Rahul Khullar, on Thursday said that free trade agreements with Europe, Canada and New Zealand are likely to be through by the end of this fiscal. Preferred trade agreements with Colombia and some other countries in that region are also being worked out, he said. Reiterating the need to diversify into new markets to counter global uncertainties in markets such as the European Union, Japan and the .....

2.   

Saudi Arabia: Seasonal shortages in veggies cause 100% price hike

Vegetable prices at the central vegetable market here rose sharply this week, with some prices going up by 100 percent. Price of a kilo of cucumbers soared from SR4 to SR8; the price for one kilo of zucchini and tomatoes rose to SR16 and SR9, respectively, Al-Madina Arabic newspaper said. A box of zucchinis costs SR130, a box of small Syrian tomatoes costs SR30 and a box of cucumbers costs .....

3.   

Russia's annual fresh produce imports exceed $5 bil.

According to Tetiana Getman, Head of Fruit-Inform Project, the annual value of Russia's imports of fresh fruits, vegetables and potatoes exceeds $5 bil. In such a way, the Russian Federation gives more than $5 bil. in subsidies to foreign farmers who grow the products that can be well produced under the Russian climate conditions, the expert added in her speech at the Fourth International Conference “Fruit & Vegetable Business of .....

4.   

Food Minister Thomas calls for new standardization initiatives

Calling for new initiatives in the area of standardization, Minister of Food K.V. Thomas today said in the era of globalization of economic activities, standardization of products and services has become more important. Addressing the 34th General Assembly of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) here, Thomas said: “ISO should proactively anticipate new areas where international standardization might ......