In a partial modification in the order related to applications for licences/registration, FSSAI has revised the options for selecting the validity period during application for FSSAI licence and registration wherein the food businesses can now choose a period between 1 to 5 years.

 

This decision shall be applicable to both new and renewing applications.

 

'Henceforth, Food Business Operators applying for new licence/registration or applying for renewal shall be able to select the validity period of 1 to 5 years in their applications with effect from 08 th November 2023, with fee as applicable for the selected period as per Schedule 3 of FSS (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011,' reads the order issued by the FSSAI.

 

The other conditions will remain unchanged, the order added.

 

Earlier, the FSSAI in January this year had issued a detailed order for renewal of licence/registration wherein it had decided to grant instant approval for renewal of licences/ registration of food businesses without requiring the scrutiny of the concerned authority aimed at streamlining the process of licensing/registration.

 

The conditions for such ‘grant of approval’ to the food businesses for renewal of licences/registration include ‘No change in the existing details of the licence/registration shall be allowed, and the FBOs whose licence/registration was cancelled or suspended, will not be allowed to renew.'

 

These conditions along with a declaration was also sought from the FBO regarding permissions from Central Ground Water Authority, if applicable, along with declaration that the FBO does not hold more than one active licence/registration to any other food business(s) at the same premises.

 

Under the conditions, there shall also be no late fee of Rs 100 per day levied if the renewal application is filed in the last 30 days prior to expiry. However, the penalties levied for applying renewal of expired licence/ registration upto 180 days after the date of expiry shall continue.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a landmark decree on Monday regarding measures to increase the efficiency of attracting investment into Kazakhstan and accelerating economic growth. India is one the countries from where Kazakhstan is seeking FDI.

 

As stipulated in the decree, the Investment Promotion Council will have the power to make binding decisions on both central and local government bodies and entities in the quasi-public sector. Additionally, the Council is empowered to develop temporary regulatory legal acts with the force of law, supplementing the government’s efforts to create a conducive environment for investment.

 

Tokayev has consistently demonstrated a proactive approach to attracting foreign investment and strengthening economic ties globally. He often engages in meetings with investors, both domestic and foreign, particularly during official visits abroad. A recent example of such diplomatic engagement occurred during the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

 

In UAE, Tokayev met with UAE Minister of Investment, Mohammed Al-Suwaidi. During their discussion, they explored potential collaboration on joint projects between UAE’s Presight AI Holding and Samruk-Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund, as well as strategic agreements involving QazaqGaz and Kazakhstan Temir Zholy focusing on artificial intelligence. Overall, Kazakhstan signed 20 agreements with foreign companies worth $4.85 billion in green energy, infrastructure, and digitization on the sidelines of COP28. The enhancement of the investment policy reflects a key component of Tokayev’s broader economic strategy.

 

According to the World Investment Report 2023, published by the UN Conference on Trade and Development, Kazakhstan saw an 83% increase in net foreign direct investment (FDI) flows, reaching $6.1 billion, despite a sharp decrease in global investment flows in 2022. Kazakhstan is leading in attracting FDI among post-Soviet Central Asian countries, securing a 61% share.

 

The Kazakh President’s decree aims to redirect investment into key sectors, particularly manufacturing, to ensure the sustainable development of the economy. The measures outlined in the decree are expected to streamline decision-making processes, promote accountability, and create a more favorable investment environment for both domestic and foreign investors.

India's exports to Oman could soon get duty concessions with the two sides having begun talks for a free trade agreement.

 

Mineral fuels, inorganic chemicals, compounds of precious metals and iron and steel are India's top exports to Oman while oil, fertilisers and plastics are the top imports.

 

Officials said that the negotiations will be fast tracked and the pact could be on similar lines as the one with the UAE. India's exports to Oman in April-September FY24 were $2 billion and imports were $2.1 billion.

 

'Discussions have started and the agreement would be a comprehensive one,' said an official. The government has identified petroleum products, gems and jewellery, engineering products, pharmaceuticals, cement and ceramic products, ready made textiles, and footwear as some goods with scope for more trade with Oman.

 

India could also push for fast tracking the approval for Indian pharma products that are already registered by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), UK drug regulator MHRA and European Medicines Agency, similar to a provision in its trade pact with the UAE. Both Oman and the UAE are part of the Gulf Cooperation Council with which India aims to ink a trade pact. Besides duty concessions, the commerce and industry ministry is also analysing non-tariff barriers and product-specific rules as part of the India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations.

 

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar met Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation of Suriname Mr Albert R. Ramdin today at New Delhi. At the outset, the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare extended a warm welcome to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation and the accompanying delegation.

 

Union Minister Shri Tomar shared his happiness that the meeting of the Joint Working Group on Agriculture and allied sectors was held on 15thNovember 2023. He also said that it is encouraging to see that we are moving ahead with the implementation of the work plan for the period of 2023-2027.Shri Tomar said that efforts like the Deccan High-Level Principles for Food Security and Nutrition, and the Millets and other Ancient Grains International Research Initiative (MAHARISHI) launched during India’s G20 Presidency, will play a significant role in addressing challenges related to food insecurity, hunger, and malnutrition. The minister invited Suriname to be a part of the MAHARISHI whose secretariat is based in the Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad. India and Suriname can work together to bring millet (Shree anna) to the plates around the world.

 

Shri Narendra Singh Tomar said that the India-Suriname bilateral relations are based on shared aspirations for development and we have MOU and frequent high-level interactions. He appreciated Suriname’s efforts in the areas of millet cultivation and Ayurveda. He concluded that India is doing well in the area of agricultural technology such as drones and agri-stack and we will be happy to share our expertise with Suriname. He also thanked the visiting Minister for extending invitation to visit Suriname.

 

Mr Albert R. Ramdin shared that this meeting paves the way to further strengthen bilateral ties between both the countries. He stressed that the twin issues of food and energy security will emerge as major concern in the near future and both countries have ample scope to collaborate in these areas. He also stated that Suriname has launched a project for cultivation of millets and expressed interest to be part of MAHARISHI initiative. Mr Albert R. Ramdin also highlighted that India and Suriname can focus on the areas of training and study visits, technical assistance, knowledge sharing in areas related to climate change, germplasm exchange and food processing. Suriname is also setting up an Ayurveda health centre and look forward to India’s cooperation in growing medicinal plants.

India Tuesday announced a $250 million line of credit to Kenya for modernisation of its agricultural sector as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto agreed to strengthen bilateral ties in the field of defence, trade, energy, digital public infrastructure and healthcare.

 

After Modi-Ruto talks, the two sides signed five pacts providing for cooperation in a range of areas including sports, education and digital solution, and unveiled a joint vision document to scale up maritime engagement in the Indian Ocean region.

 

India also raised the issue of two Indian nationals who went missing in the east African country in July last year.

 

The missing Indians were identified as Zulfiqar Ahmad Khan and Zaid Sami Kidwai. There were reports that they were abducted. Reports in October last year had cited a close aide of the Kenyan president claiming that the two missing Indians were killed by the disbanded Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) unit.

 

After the talks, Modi said India has been a 'reliable and committed' development partner for Kenya and that New Delhi is fully prepared to share its achievements in digital public infrastructure with the east African nation.

 

'As two agrarian economies, we agreed to share our experiences. We have also decided to provide a line of credit (LoC) of $250 million to modernise Kenya’s agricultural sector,' PM Modi said.

 

Dammu Ravi, secretary (economic relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said the Kenyan side offered land for farming to Indian companies under a cooperative model besides showing interest in India’s payment system, UPI (Unified Payments Interface).

 

Modi said India and Kenya are 'unanimous' that terrorism is the most serious challenge facing humanity and both sides have decided to increase counter-terror cooperation.

 

'Africa has always been given a high priority position in India’s foreign policy. Over the last decade or so, we have increased our cooperation with Africa in a mission mode,' Modi said.

 

The prime minister said both sides also deliberated on defence cooperation and emphasised on military exercises, capacity building as well as linking the defence industries of both the countries.

 

He said close cooperation between Kenya and India will strengthen 'all our efforts in the Indo-Pacific'.

 

Approximately 80,000 people of Indian origin in Kenya, who consider that country as their second home, are the 'biggest strength' of the ties, Modi said.

 

In the talks, Ruto invited Indian companies to take advantage of the conducive and attractive environment to invest in Kenya, especially in agriculture, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, health, green energy and green mobility sectors.

 

The joint statement said the Kenyan side thanked India for extending concessional Lines of Credit (LOC) for projects in sectors such as energy and textiles and small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs).

 

On defence cooperation, the joint statement said the two leaders also noted with appreciation the recently concluded MoU between Goa Shipyard Ltd and Kenya Shipyard Ltd that will pave the way for mutually beneficial commercial ventures and also support Kenyan interest in developing shipbuilding, repair, and maintenance capacities.

The newly set up cooperative export body NCEL has got permission to export 14,92,800 tonnes of non-Basmati rice to 16 countries and 50,000 tonnes of sugar to two countries, Cooperation Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday in the Rajya Sabha. The National Cooperative Exports Ltd (NCEL) was registered in January this year under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002.

 

It covers agriculture and allied activities as well as handloom and handicraft items by enrolling a large number of co-operatives under its fold with a target to double its revenue by 2025 from the current level of about Rs 2,160 crore.

 

Shah, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, said NCEL has so far received 2,581 applications for membership under different classes from 22 states and Union Territories.

 

'NCEL has so far got permission for exports of 14,92,800 tonne non-Basmati white rice to 16 countries and 50,000 tonne sugar to two countries,' Shah said.

 

NCEL will provide a complete ecosystem for promotion of exports mainly of agricultural commodities for the benefits of our farmers, in which India has a comparative advantage, he said.

 

All cooperative societies, from the level of primary to apex, who are interested in exports, are eligible to become its members, he added.

 

The minister further said NCEL will focus on exporting the surpluses available in the Indian cooperative sector by accessing wider markets beyond the geographical contours of the country, thereby, increasing the demand of Indian cooperative products/services across the globe and fetch best possible prices for such products/services.

 

It will promote exports through various activities including procurement, storage, processing, marketing, branding, labelling, packaging, certification, research and development, etc. and trading of all types of goods and services produced by cooperative societies, he said. This society will also help cooperatives in getting benefits of various export related schemes and policies of different ministries in a focussed manner, he added.

 

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, on December 4, announced that Meghalaya has successfully secured the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the renowned Lakadong turmeric.

 

Sangma emphasised the government’s commitment to obtaining GI tags for all indigenous fruits exclusive to Meghalaya. He revealed that the initiative to secure the GI tag for Lakadong turmeric commenced four years ago, and the persistent efforts of the government have now come to fruition.

 

Sangma explained, 'The GI tag bestows uniqueness upon Lakadong turmeric, signifying its specificity to our region. This recognition enhances the product’s value, facilitating the state in promoting and marketing it on a global scale.'

Negotiators from India and the UK returned to the negotiating table this week trying to work out compromises on difficult issues, including rules of origin, market access for vehicles (including EVs) and Scotch, easier work visas and liberalisation of financial services, but some areas remain tough to crack, sources said.

 

'Negotiators from both countries tried their best this week to look for breakthroughs in tough areas. Undeterred by the passing of two Diwalis without a pact in place, the two sides focussed on speeding up talks. There is concern that once attention shifts to the general elections in India in early 2024, things may get indefinitely deferred,' sources said.

 

Last year, former Prime Minister of UK Boris Johnson had set a Diwali deadline for conclusion of the India-UK FTA talks but it could not be met. Due to continuing differences in a handful of areas, efforts made by the Rishi Sunak-led government to complete the negotiations by October-end also did not materialise.

 

'In the 14th negotiating round in New Delhi this week, differences were narrowed in some areas. This has to be built upon in subsequent meetings,' the source said.

 

Major differences that have held back the proposed India-UK FTA so far include provisions under rules of origin  (ROO) that prescribe the minimum processing which needs to happen in a FTA partner country for a good to qualify for duty cuts. The UK is not happy with the 'strict' ROO proposed by India as many of its companies, especially in the area of automobiles, that source a lot of raw materials from the EU, may not be eligible for tax cuts. 'India is careful about ROO as it does not want its domestic market to be flooded with goods from third countries at preferential duties agreed to under the FTA,' the source said.

 

IP rights

In the area of Intellectual Property Rights, the UK wants India to agree to measures going beyond the WTO’s TRIPS Agreement, but New Delhi wants to protect its generic producers and is wary of any commitment that could result in extension of patents beyond their regular periods, the source added.

 

To further interest of its workers, India has been insisting on liberal visa rules for IT and health professionals and a social security agreement that would protect contributions of short-term workers, but the UK is not 'very enthusiastic' about it.

 

The UK, on the other hand, wants more access for its financial services industry, including banks and insurance, that India is not very confident about extending because of the need to protect domestic players.

Bahadoli village in Palghar taluka, which is popularly known as ‘Jambulgaon’, has obtained a geographical indication (GI) tag for its unique oblong-shaped fruit, five years after a farmers’ outfit initiated efforts in this direction.

 

The new identification, members of Bahadoli Jambhul Utpadak Shetkari Gat said, would give a boost to the sales of the fruit which has been cultivated for decades and a primary source of livelihood for thousands of farmers.

 

Prakash Kini, a jamun cultivator, said, 'The GI tag will help increase the price. This is the second such tag for a fruit in Palghar district after the chickoo of Bordi and Dahanu. Efforts of various government officials, including the district collector, Govind Bodke, are appreciated.'

 

It was in 2018 that one Jagdish Patil, a resident of Bahadoli, took the initiative to form an organisation of farmers growing jamun and then proceeded with the documentation for securing a GI tag for the fruit. After the Gat came into being, the next effort was to approach Palghar taluka agriculture officer, Tarun Vaity.

 

Bahadoli jamun has an approximate length of 3.10 cm and width of 2.87 cm, and weighs 18.32 grams. This is one of the nine fruits, pulses, vegetables and others in Maharashtra to have got a special identification, as per the issue of Geographical Indications Journal published on Nov 29.

 

'Also on the list is Badalapur jamun but the two varieties have different characteristics,' said Ganesh Hingmire, who has taken the initiative to get GI tag for various fruits in the state.

 

Jamun cultivation is spread over 55 hectares at Bahadoli. Two of the trees are more than 100 years old while several others are between 50 and 80 years, farmers said. The cultivators get an average rate of Rs.250 per kg during the season which is of two months and starts in April.