1.   

Agri & processed food export to set record

Agricultural and processed food exports from India are likely to set a record this financial year, despite unfavourable global economic sentiment. These exports had already surpassed last year’s annual figure in the first 10 months of the current financial year, witnessing a strong demand for India’s ready-to-eat and raw food products from foreign markets. Data compiled by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) showed India’s agri and processed foods exports shot up 63 per cent to set a record at Rs 101,504 crore in the first 10 months of 2012-13, as compared to Rs 62,244 crore in the corresponding period of last year.

2.   

3 Indian cabinet ministers to visit Russia in April

Three senior Indian cabinet ministers will be undertaking separate bilateral visits to Russia next month, sources close to the Indian Government told RIR. Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma will be visiting Moscow next month. The salient features of the upcoming ministerial visits will be discussed at the bilateral talks to be held between Vladimir Putin and Manmohan Singh on March 27 at the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Durban.

3.   

ASEAN countries eyeing Kerala as major investment destination

A high profile delegation from ASEAN today held discussions with industry heads here for promoting business ties between the bloc and Kerala. The delegation consisted of Ambassadors, Trade & High Commissioners from seven ASEAN countries including Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Philippines, Indonesia & Myanmar. The discussions were held at an interactive session with the ASEAN Heads of Mission, a CII press release said.

4.   

India's 2013-14 sugar output looks positive: ISO chief

Sugar production in India in the next year looks positive despite concerns about drought situation in some states like Maharashtra, a top official of the International Sugar Organisation (ISO) said today. Asked if drought in key sugarcane growing states would impact overall sugar output in India, London-based ISO Executive Director Peter Baron said, "Drought in some states is a concern. But we are positive about sugar production next year."