1.   

'Iran, India trade likely to increase from the current $15 bn'

Iran-India trade can be increased from the current $15 billion through more cooperation in areas like energy and industries, Ali Ardashir Larijani, speaker of the Iranian parliament (Majlis) said in Mumbai on Monday. Larijani urged India to facilitate greater business opportunities and academic collaboration with Iran. Expediting issuance of student visas by India would help more students from Iran to come and study in India, he said.

2.   

Indian companies invited to invest in Argentine food processing sector

Argentina has invited investments from Indian companies in the food processing sector and even set up a regional trade office in Chennai to boost trade ties. The Latin American country has an embassy in New Delhi and a consulate in Mumbai. Walter Padula, minister of industries, transportation and mining, government of the Argentine province of San Luis, informed FnB News of these developments at the inaugural Meat and Poultry Summit organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi recently.

3.   

Pakistan postpones granting MFN status to India

Pakistan has postponed granting the Most Favored Nation (MFN) status to India, local media reported Monday. Pakistan had announced in October 2011 that it would grant MFN status to India from Jan. 1, 2013 by converting the negative list into positive list by the end of 2012. Last month, the Federal Cabinet directed the Trade Ministry to immediately implement the government's decision to grant the MFN status to India and decided to phase out the negative trade list by the end of February to normalize trade relations between Pakistan and India.

4.   

UAE, an agri-food hub in the region

Gulffood 2013 was opened on Monday in Dubai with the participation of 110 countries participating, representing food producers, manufacturers and suppliers from their respective countries in a show to facilitate billions of dollars in trade for these states. “The importance of Dubai as a key trading hub for the global food industry is highlighted by the arrival of a number of country leaders, government ministers and top-level delegations scheduled to attend Gulfood 2013, the world’s largest annual food trade show, opening on 25th February at the Dubai World Trade Centre,” said Gulffood 2013 in a statement.