1.   

Sharad Pawar promises to ease onion export

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said that in view of the high production of onion in the district this season, he would make efforts to make the global market accessible for the local farmers.Speaking at a function at Manmad, Pawar also said that he would take up other issues of local farmers with the concerned officials and his cabinet colleagues in Delhi.

2.   

India seeks to boost ties with ASEAN in 2013

The year 2013 turned out to be turbulent for South East Asia with key countries facing political chaos, rioting and a deadly typhoon, even as India sought to boost strategic ties with the ASEAN region on economic and security issues. The significance of the ASEAN was evident with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Thailand in May, packed with meetings with his counterpart Yingluck Shinawatra and the signing of seven accords.

3.   

India-Iran trade: 15% value-addition norm likely to boost project exports

After the ‘rupee payment mechanism’ for trading with Iran kicked in last year, India’s exports to the Gulf country rose steeply, as Iran needs to buy goods from India to make use of the rupees that it gets for its oil exports. According to UCO Bank, which handles trade with Iran, India’s exports to Iran currently stand at about $500 million. This is compared with $40 million a year back – a sharp rise of over 12 times.

4.   

Pak Commerce Minister likely to visit India next month

Pakistan’s State Minister for Commerce and Textile Khurram Dastagir Khan is likely to travel to India next month for the SAARC business meeting and will meet Commerce Minister, Anand Sharma, as the two sides gradually restart talks after months of tensions. The Pakistani Minister would visit India from January 15-17 to attend SAARC Business Leaders Conclave. He will hold talks with Sharma to discuss the bilateral trade issues, especially trade liberalisation matters.