1.   

Tremendous Potential for Multilateral Partnerships: Indian Ocean Global Forum 2012

The Indian Ocean Rim countries have vast resources – maritime, natural, oil reserves, diamonds, gold and human resources, making it a “region of enormous potential”, said Pierre Laporte, Minister of Finance, Trade and Investment, Seychelles. He was speaking at the first edition of the Indian Ocean Global Forum 2012 - Enhancing Partnerships for Trade, Infrastructure and Resource Development.

2.   

Farm Sector to Benefit From FDI in Retail: Kamal Nath

Union Minister Kamal Nath today strongly defended FDI in multi-brand retail, saying the agricultural sector would benefit from the move in a big way. "As many as 40 per cent of vegetables are rotting as there is no backend. Multi-brand retail is a model that will work and the advantages outweigh the risks. Advantages of a backend and cold-chains being formed, sourcing, quality standardisation, etc are going to mainly help our agricultural sector," Kamal Nath, Union Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Minister said.

3.   

Gujarat woos investors in the Gulf region

A ten-member Indian delegation, led by Gujarat Industries Commissioner Kamal Diyani, will today showcase investment opportunities to industrialists and businessmen in Dubai at a seminar on 'Investment Opportunities in Gujarat'. The delegation, which will visit Abu Dhabi and Sharjah this week, also met businessmen in Kuwait to discuss investment opportunities.

4.   

Punjab seeks greater border trade with Pakistan

With trade between India and Pakistan growing steadily since 2007 when trucks from either side were allowed restricted access to the other country, Punjab now wants to open up border trade with its neighbours in a big way. Traders in Indian Punjab and Pakistani Punjab want greater flexibility, particularly through the land route. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has also been batting for more trade through the Attari-Wagah land route, besides supporting opening of more trade routes like Hussainiwala and Fazilka and people-to-people exchange programmes.