1.   

Government increases support for boosting exports

To boost exports the government has revised the financial ceiling for reimbursement of grant under Market Development Assistance scheme (MDA) for participation in BSMs/Trade Fairs/Exhibitions in overseas markets with effect from June 01, 2013. As per the revised guidelines the exporting Companies with export turnover of upto Rs. 30 crores in the preceding year will now be eligible for MDA grant and in case of LAC region there is no such ceiling, earlier this limit was Rs. 15 crores.

2.   

Commerce Ministry officials visiting China; bridging trade gap top agenda

Bridging the widening trade deficit with China through greater market access for Indian products like pharmaceutical and agriculture will be on top of the agenda of Commerce Secretary S R Rao during his three-day visit to Beijing beginning tomorrow. Rao, who will be leading a team of government officials, is also expected to discuss other issues related to the services sector. "Indian IT industry face problem in doing business in China. India needs more market access in IT sector as well besides pharmaceutical and agriculture," an official said.

3.   

'PM’s visit to US is extremely important'

Salman Khurshid Monday returned from Saudi Arabia after what was the first visit in 5 years by an Indian foreign minister to the country for bilateral talks. On his way back, he spoke exclusively to TOI on a range of issues. How significant is the invitation to PM Manmohan Singh to visit US this year for bilateral talks and what are your expectations from it? It is extremely important.

4.   

'Latin America, Caribbean keen to boost trade with India'

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Eduardo Rodríguez Parrilla Monday proposed closer cooperation between the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), a bloc of 33 sovereign countries in the Americas, and BRICS, the grouping of five major economies that includes India. Addressing a talk organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) here, Parrilla - who is here on a four-day visit - said that Latin America and the Caribbean region share a "lot in common" with India and the region was keen to boost trade relations with New Delhi.