1.   

Govt allotted Rs 5,990 crore under 12th Plan, Mahant tells Rajya Sabha

In order to implement various schemes for promotion and development of the food processing sector, the government has made a Plan allocation of Rs 5,990 crore during the 12th Plan. The government had launched a Centrally-Sponsored Scheme – National Mission on Food Processing (NMFP) during 2012-13, the first year of the 12th Five Year Plan.

2.   

Quality Standard for Indian Traditional Sweets

The Sweets and Snacks Products (Traditional Sweets) for which the standards have not been prescribed fall under the category of “Proprietary Food”. These products should comply with the regulatory provisions like FSS (Contaminants, Toxins & Residues) Regulation, 2011 and Table 2 of Appendix A and Appendix B of Food Safety and Standards (FSS) (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011.

3.   

German envoy sees trade upside, boost to cooperation

The India-Germany bilateral trade, now at about €18 billion is set for a big boost as the negotiations on the free trade agreement and investments reaches a very critical phase, according to Michael Steiner, German Ambassador to India. He said that the cooperation in other broader areas such as energy, with accent on renewables, education and research, science and technological will bring people closer between the two countries.

4.   

Govt sets up committee to push exports from MSME sector

Worried over sinking contribution of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sectors in overall exports he government has set up a six-member inter-ministerial committee under the chairmanship of Finance Secretary, R. S. Gujral that will suggest measures to boost MSME exports, reports media Sunday. The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector was hit hard by the global economic slowdown and so its contribution to overall exports has declined to 36 percent from 40 percent earlier.