1.   

India to achieve 254 MT foodgrain production target: Pawar

The government today said the country would meet the target of producing 254.23 million tonne foodgrain in 2012-13 despite drought in some parts of the country. India could not achieve the food production target in 2009-10 due to severe drought in many states. However, it had met the target since 2010-11. "Despite drought in some parts of the country in 2012-13, foodgrain production is on course to realise target of 254.23 million tonne," Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

2.   

Govt to set standards for wine industry

By the next fiscal, importers will find it difficult to dump poor quality wine in Indian market, as the Union Ministry of Food Processing is planning to create standards for wine industry based on global best practices. The standards will help the Indian wine industry create ‘Indian brands’ and reach new markets in Europe, Asia and North America. Standards will codify grape varieties, alcohol content, fermentation processes, hygiene standards and viticulture practices for the wineries.

3.   

India-China trade may touch $100 bn by 2015

The two-way trade between India and China is expected to touch $100 billion by 2015, 50.6 per cent higher than $66.4 billion recorded in 2012. "Our target for bilateral trade between India and China is $100 billion by 2015 compared to $66.4 billion in 2012. Trade volume between the two countries had declined to $66.4 billion from $73.9 billion in 2011," Zhang Lizhong, Chinese consul general in Kolkata said during an interactive session organised here recently by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

4.   

Czech Republic keen on joint ventures in northeast India

The Czech Republic is keen to set up joint ventures in agro-based industrial sectors in northeast India and is also willing to extend technical support to develop the segment, Czech Ambassador to India Miloslav Stasek said here on Thursday. "With the developing of agro-based industries in Tripura and other northeastern states, the region could build up a strong trade network between the region, south and southeast Asia," Stasek told reporters.