1.   

India, Pakistan vow to end curbs to boost trade

India and Pakistan on Friday moved forward to deepen trade and economic ties vowing to end restrictions on trade through the land route, exploring better railways and air connectivity and promoting investments between the two countries. The two nations have taken baby steps in the past few months to repair trade ties, which analysts say will have a positive impact on political relations.

2.   

Oman lifts ban on eggs from India

Oman has lifted the ban on import of eggs from India, an association of poultry and livestock farmers here said on Friday. The first consignment of eggs from India to Oman would be despatched on Monday. The ban was imposed in the last week of March following reports of bird flu in the northern States, Secretary of the Livestock and Agri Farmers Trade Association (LIFT), P.V. Senthil, who is also a poultry farmer and exporter, told The Hindu.

3.   

India-South Africa $ 15 billion trade target to be achieved this year: Report

India and South Africa have exuded confidence of achieving the $ 15 billion bi-lateral trade target ahead of schedule in the current year itself. The announcement follows Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma's meeting with his counterpart Rob Davies during his two-day visit to South Africa from September 22. "Both ministers expressed satisfaction over the fact that the bilateral trade had crossed $ 14 billion last year and that they would be able to meet the target of $ 15 billion this year itself, well ahead of the 2014 time-line," an official statement said today.

4.   

Kerala plans to become 'fully organic' by 2015

By adopting eco-friendly farming methods, the state government plans to make Kerala a "fully organic state" by 2015, said state agriculture minister K P Mohanan. "Following the footsteps of Sikkim, we have already started efforts to promote organic farming in Kerala and it has already started in Kasaragod district," he said while speaking at the inauguration of the second International Horti Expo-2012 at Police Ground here on Friday.