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13 Sep, 2023 News Image India, Saudi Arabia Invest Forum meets in New Delhi, decides to set up offices in both countries.
On the sidelines of the State Visit of the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to India, to participate in the Leaders’ Summit of the bilateral Strategic Partnership Council, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India and the Saudi Ministry of Investment organized an India-Saudi Arabia Investment Forum 2023 (“The Forum”) in New Delhi yesterday.
 
The Forum witnessed the attendance of more than 500 companies from India and Saudi Arabia. This is the first such formal investment symposium between India and Saudi Arabia and it comes as a follow-up to the announcement made, previously, by the Saudi Crown Prince to invest approximately $100 Billion in diverse sectors of the Indian economy.
 
The Ministerial Session of the India-Saudi Investment Forum 2023 was co-chaired by the Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal and the Minister of Investment, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Mr. Khalid A. Al Falih.
 
Jointly addressing the business gathering, the two Ministers discussed, inter-alia, ways and means of expanding bilateral collaboration in various domains including start-ups, digital infrastructure development, increasing collaboration between the business and investor ecosystems of the two countries including through closer cooperation between the Investment promotion agencies of the two countries and through setting up of investment promotion offices, encouragement of Saudi Sovereign Wealth Funds to consider direct investments into India in addition to the current inflow of investments through funds, and possibility of joint projects.
 
Some of the other key outcomes during the Ministerial discussion included concurrence on fast-tracked realization of partnership opportunities identified under the Committee on Economy and Investments of the Strategic Partnership Council. The Ministers also outlined potential investment collaborations in the domains of food processing, logistics and infrastructure, healthcare, energy particularly renewable energy, skill development, space, ICT, start-ups particularly in the digital domain.
 
In welcome remarks at The Forum, Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh  highlighted the importance of bilateral relationships between the two countries and emphasized upon mutual growth by furthering economic and cultural relations between the two countries.
 
The Forum also witnessed detailed Presentations by Invest Saudi, Invest India, Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority of Saudi Arabia, GIFT City, IFSC (International Financial Services Centre), Saudi Ministry of Culture and the Film Commission, and National Center for Privatization, Saudi Arabia, showcasing the abundant Investment Opportunities, both in India and in Saudi Arabia.
 
Further, breakout sessions were conducted with the discussion centred on potential bilateral collaboration in the domains of: ICT & Entrepreneurship; Chemicals & Fertilizers; Energy & Sustainability; Advanced manufacturing; and Food security. Concerned businesses from both sides with expertise and interest in these sectors addressed the gathering to share their views on the potential for enhanced collaboration in these respective domains.
 
Earlier in the day, more than 45 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) were concluded between the two sides, in G2B and B2B formats. These MoUs are expected to further deepen the economic engagement between the two sides and are also likely to accelerate investment flows between the two sides.

 Source:  pib.gov.in
13 Sep, 2023 News Image Rich agricultural heritage of our country has flourished due to the efforts of our farmers, who have carefully nurtured and developed numerous plant varieties - Shri Narendra Singh Tomar.
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu inaugurated first 'Global Symposium on Farmers' Rights' (GSFR) today, in a ceremony held at ICAR Convention Centre, National Agricultural Science Centre, New Delhi. President Murmu conferred the ‘Plant Genome Saviour Communities’ Award (6) and ‘Plant Genome Saviour Farmers Reward’ (16) and ‘Plant Genome Saviour Farmers Recognition’ (4) awards to the invited Indian farmers. These awards are instituted by the PPVFR Authority as per the provisions of the PPVFR Act, 2001. She also inaugurated the newly constructed ‘Plant Authority Bhawan’, the office of the PPVFR Authority, and an online plant variety ‘Registration Portal’. Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, MoS Shri Kailash Chaudhury and Secretary, Shri Manoj Ahuja were also present on the occasion.
 
In her address, Smt Droupadi Murmu congratulated organizers FAO and the Secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (the Treaty) for appropriately choosing India as the country to host the prestigious meeting, given its rich agricultural, cultural and ethnic diversity. She welcomed the delegates in the land of “Vasudhaiv Kutumabakam” (world is one family), a philosophy deeply ingrained in India’s culture and traditions. She said that farmers have toiled and enterprisingly developed or conserved landraces, wild-relatives and traditional varieties of crops, and provided the building blocks for the modern crop breeding programs, thus ensuring food and nutritional security for human beings and live-stocks alike. She said that holding of GFSR was very appropriate, as farmers are primary food producers (‘annadatta’) and only if there is food then there is body, and if there is body then any work gets done. That is why farmers need to be saluted and it is our duty to protect their rights and future.
 
Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar while welcoming the President of India, expressed his happiness that the GFSR proposed by the GoI during the Ninth Session of Governing Body of the FAO’s International Treaty held in New Delhi (during September 17 to 24, 2022), has been ably organized by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) in collaboration with Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPVFR) Authority and in partnership with Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), and ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR). He said that agricultural biodiversity conservation is not just a duty but a vital necessity for the survival of ecosystems. The rich agricultural heritage of our country has flourished due to the efforts of our farmers, who have carefully nurtured and developed numerous plant varieties. He said that these varieties of plants are not only a source of livelihood but also a living testimony of the deep connection between nature and culture.
 
Secretary, DA&FW, Shri Manoj Ahuja informed that India has been the first country in the world to include Farmers’ Rights in the context of Plant Variety Registration through its Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPVFR) Act, 2001. Chairperson, PPVFR Authority, Dr T. Mohapatra delivered the welcome address and apprised about the genesis and expectations of the GFSR.
 
Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR), Dr R.S. Paroda, Chairman, Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS) and former Secretary, DARE & DG, ICAR, Mr Kent Nnadozie, Secretary, ITPGRFA and Mr Takayuki Hagiwara, FAO Representative in India, were also present on the occasion.
 
India is hosting the GFSR from September 12 to 15, 2023, that is being attended by more than 700 delegates from 59 countries. including the National Focal Points of the International Treaty, farmer bodies from around the world, policy makers, scientists, research scholars, industry representatives, government officers, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, legal experts and civil society. This first of its kind symposium aims to facilitate implementation of Farmers' Rights by Contracting Parties of the Treaty through discussions on innovative approaches, effective policies, best practices, knowledge, and experience sharing in implementing Farmers' Rights. The Global Symposium would also provide a platform to promote recognition of farmers as conservers of agrobiodiversity and guardians of global food security.

 Source:  pib.gov.in
12 Sep, 2023 News Image Rice sowing area surpasses 400 lakh hectares marks.

The Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare has released progress of area coverage under kharif crops as on 8th September 2023.

Area: In lakh hactare

S. No.

Crop

Area Sown

2023

2022

1

Rice

403.41

392.81

2

Pulses

119.91

131.17

a

Arhar

42.92

45.61

b

Urdbean

31.89

37.08

c

Moongbean

31.11

33.67

d

Kulthi

0.31

0.29

e

Other pulses

13.68

14.53

3

Shri Anna cum Coarse cereals

182.21

181.24

a

Jowar

14.08

15.58

b

Bajra

70.84

70.46

c

Ragi

8.73

9.29

d

Small millets

5.24

4.93

e

Maize

83.33

80.97

4

Oilseeds

191.49

193.30

a

Groundnut

43.73

45.30

b

Soybean

125.40

124.06

c

Sunflower

0.70

2.00

d

Sesamum

11.98

12.97

e

Niger

0.57

0.88

f

Castor

9.00

7.94

g

Other Oilseeds

0.11

0.14

5

Sugarcane

59.91

55.65

6

Jute & Mesta

6.57

6.97

7

Cotton

125.00

126.87

 

 

 

 

Total

1088.50

1088.02

 


 Source:  pib.gov.in
12 Sep, 2023 News Image India, Brazil to work for expansion of PTA with Mercosur bloc.
India and Brazil on Sunday agreed to work together for the expansion of India-Mercosur preferential trade agreement (PTA) to further promote economic ties, an official statement said. Mercosur is a trading bloc in Latin America, comprising Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.
 
The issue came up for discussion during the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva here at the sidelines of the G20 Summit.
 
'Expressing satisfaction over the growing trade between India and Mercosur, both leaders agreed to work together for the expansion of India-Mercosur PTA during Brazil's Mercosur Presidency, to leverage the full potential of this economic partnership,' a joint statement issued after the meeting said.
 
The two countries also welcomed the establishment of the India-Brazil Business Forum as a dedicated platform for private-sector collaboration.
 
'The leaders noted with satisfaction the conclusion of domestic procedures for the entry into force of the India-Brazil Social Security Agreement,' it added.
 
India-Mercosur preferential trade agreement (PTA) came into effect on June 1, 2009.
 
In such agreements, two countries reduce or eliminate customs duties on a limited number of goods agreed between them. Expansion of the agreement would include more numbers of goods and negotiating norms to promote trade in services and boost investment.
 
This PTA has limited coverage and contains only 450 tariff lines or products.
 
India's exports to Latin America have increased to USD 17.7 billion in 2022-23 compared to USD 15 billion in 2021-22. Imports, on the other hand, rose to USD 22 billion in the last fiscal against USD 21.74 billion in 2021-22.
 
The bilateral trade between India and Brazil has increased to USD 16.6 billion in 2022-23 from USD 12.2 billion in 2021-22.

 Source:  economictimes.indiatimes.com
12 Sep, 2023 News Image India s national organic policy to be revised, monitoring to be bolstered.
Policies and procedures of India’s National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) will be revised and it will include measures to strengthen the monitoring system, the Commerce Ministry has told a Chennai-based voluntary services organisation.
 
'... as per the directions of the NAB (National Accreditation Board), a committee is being constituted for revision of NPOP policy and procedures,' the Ministry told the Shree Shree Shree Swami Vivekananda Trust (SSVT).
 
Suggestions received from the stakeholders, including from the trust, will be placed before the committee for perusal, he said.
 
Best policy, but...
The Ministry was responding to a letter from SSVT on July 8 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking 'an honest introspection to revamp the organic enforcement system'. SSVT said a recent audit of the European Commission emphasised the NPOP launched in 2001 as one of the best policy and procedural documents. 
 
'It is also a fact that the European Commission audit cited lapses in the enforcement in our organic agriculture. Our Trust wrote letters on January 5, February 7 and April 8 highlighting numerous pitfalls with the view of protecting Bharat’s interests…,' SSVT said.  
 
There was an immediate need to nominate competent auditors to conduct due diligence on enforcement procedures and implementation of organic farming at the level of certification bodies besides APEDA. This will help protect and preserve the label and authenticity of organic produce in the country, it said.
 
SSVT stressed the need for due diligence in view of repeated breach of rules, while some bodies were habitual offenders (change of promoters and entity names) in the organic agriculture certifications.
 
Aadhaar linkage
Referring to the allegations of duplication of farmers in growing organic produce, Commerce Ministry’s Verma said the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is making provisions for linkage of Aadhaar, land documents in the online system for further strengthening the system.
 
However, trade sources said the Ministry has been talking of such linkages for quite sometime but nothing has happened yet. 
 
The SSVT said the role of APEDA, the nodal agency for organic exports, as secretariat and evaluation committee is vital in facilitating the decision-making process of NAB. 'Out of 36 evaluation committee members, it is interesting to note that 10 members belong to APEDA and Commodity Boards,' it said. 
 
The Minister, however, has said internationally laid down procedures are being followed in the organic certification process. 
 
Farm ministr’s move
However, the trust said since the evaluation committee was the pillar of NPOP enforcement, its selection suggests that 'there is a weak and fragile approach imbibed in the institutional framework at this level'.  
 
The Commerce Ministry’s communication complements a move by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. 
 
In February this year, the Ministry said it plans to come up with a new certification system for organic cotton and its derivatives as part of its efforts to promote Indian export. 
 
Indian organic exports have been under pressure in view of various shortcomings being reported from abroad, especially the European Union, in shipments of organic products.

 Source:  thehindubusinessline.com
12 Sep, 2023 News Image Over two dozen MoUs signed between India-Saudi industries in Delhi.
Over two dozen Memoranda of Understanding were signed between India and Saudi Arabia companies, ranging from Information Technology, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and human resources, among other sectors.
 
These MoUs were signed between private companies of both countries, including Serum Institute of India, HP, VFS Global, and ICICI Bank. The signing of the MoUs was facilitated by Invest India and Saudi Arabia's investment ministry.
 
The signing of the agreements happened as Saudi Arabian Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud began his State visit after having participated in the G20 Summit in New Delhi. The Saudi Crown Prince arrived in Delhi on a three-day visit on Saturday and stayed back after the G20 Summit for his state visit.
 
In a brief statement, Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated India for a successful G20 presidency.
 
'Well done India, a lot of announcements made that will benefit both our countries, the G20 countries and the whole world. So I want to say to India well done, and we will work to create a future for both countries' he said.
 
Earlier today, the Saudi Crown Prince was accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. The ceremonial welcome was followed by a bilateral between the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House.
 
Prabuddh Sen, COO South Asia for VFS Global, said, 'In line with the vision of PM Modi's connecting people approach, VFS Global is proud to be associated with Indian MEA in Saudi Arabia operating India visa centres and likewise operating Saudi visa centre in India.'
 
VFS Global signed a MOU with the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA) for opening a travel and hospitality academy in Saudi Arabia in (Riyadh). VFS will provide upskilling in the travel and hospitality space.
 
'VFS Global is in line with people-to-people connect. VFS Global has 3500 plus visa application centres in 145 countries serving the interest of sovereign governments interest,' Sen added.

 Source:  economictimes.indiatimes.com
12 Sep, 2023 News Image Need to re-evaluate pearl millet cultivation in India amid climate change: Study.
There is a need to re-evaluate how and where pearl millet, also called bajra, is grown in India amid changing climate conditions, according to the latest study by ICRISAT and ICAR-AICRP. Pearl millet -- an essential cornerstone of India's food security -- finds itself at a critical juncture, it said.
 
Amid shifting weather patterns and evolving agricultural priorities, the study urges a timely revision of the classification criteria governing pearl millet cultivation zones, established in 1979.
 
Currently, India's zones are based on rainfall and soil type -- A1 for arid regions in Rajasthan, A for semi-arid regions in North and Central India, and B for semi-arid regions with heavy soils in South India.
 
The proposed changes suggest re-evaluating the A zone, considering evolving climate conditions, it added.
 
The study was conducted by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research - All India Coordinated Research Project on Pearl Millet (ICAR-AICRP).
 
According to ICRISAT Director General Jacqueline Hughes, 'With climate change now a permanent reality, it is imperative to recalibrate the approach towards understanding and nurturing this vital crop for dryland communities'.
 
This new classification system aims to optimize pearl millet production to effectively assist policymakers, researchers, and farmers to make better evidence-based decisions, he said.
 
'The existing A zone can be broken down into three distinct subzones -- G, AE1, and AE2, covering the states in North and Central India. The G zone encompasses Gujarat, AE1 covers East Rajasthan and Haryana, and AE2 covers Uttar Pradesh,' said Vincent Garin, Post-Doctoral Fellow at ICRISAT.
 
The new zoning framework identifies 'AE1' as the core of India's pearl millet production, where favourable climate and soil conditions, along with improved pearl millet varieties, have led to significant yield increases.
 
'AE2' shows promising yield progress and better farming practices, offering potential for export-oriented gains.
 
The G zone is experiencing more rainfall due to climate changes, which may lead farmers to shift towards cash crops and limit pearl millet cultivation to the summer season.
 
'This collaborative effort with ICRISAT has led to innovative tools that can greatly improve pearl millet farming, including the selection of new testing sites,' said Tara Satyavathi, Director of ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research and Project Coordinator of ICAR-AICRP on Pearl Millet.
 
The study used digital technology and crop models to re-evaluate the zones, creating a 'digital twin' of the pearl millet system. This digital twin helps design crops and strategies tailored to the current and future climate conditions of each region.

 Source:  economictimes.indiatimes.com
12 Sep, 2023 News Image Centre sells 1.66 LMT wheat and 0.17 LMT rice through Open Market Sale Scheme (D) in e-auction held recently.
As a part of Government of India initiative for market intervention to control the retail price of rice, wheat and atta, weekly e auctions of both wheat and rice are organized. The 11th e-auction of 2023-24 was held on 06.09.2023. A quantity of 2.0 LMT wheat from 500 depots and 4.89 LMT rice from 337 depots were offered from across the country.
 
In the e-auction, 1.66 LMT wheat and 0.17 LMT rice was sold. The weighted average selling price was Rs. 2169.65/qtl for FAQ wheat against the reserve price of Rs. 2150/qtl Pan India whereas weighted average selling price of URS wheat was Rs. 2150.86/qtl against the reserve price of Rs. 2125/qtl.
 
The weighted average selling price was Rs. 2956.19/qtl for rice against the reserve price of Rs. 2952.27/qtl Pan India.
 
In the current tranche of e-auctions, the reduction in retail price is being targeted by offering up to 100 tons maximum for a buyer for wheat and 1000 tons for rice. This decision is to encourage small and marginal end users and to ensure that more participants could come forward and bid for the quantity from their depot of choice.
 
In order to avoid hoarding of stocks traders were kept out from the ambit of wheat sale under OMSS (D) and regular checks/inspections are being made at the Flour Mills of the processors who have purchased wheat under OMSS (D). Till 05.09.23 898 checks across the country have been made.

 Source:  pib.gov.in
12 Sep, 2023 News Image India and Turkey relation strengthened after PM Modi and Turkish President holds talk.
Signalling a way forward in their ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan explored potential in areas like trade and investment, defence and security, civil aviation and shipping.
 
The two met on Sunday evening at the end of the G20 summit. Relations with Turkiye are stabilising since India extended relief for the earthquake in February and with the rise of Indian investors to Europe using Turkiye as a gateway.
 
Later, talking to reporters, Erdogan described India as his country's 'greatest trade partner in South Asia.'
 
'Turkiye and India, which is our biggest trading partner in South Asia, have a serious potential in many fields, especially economy,' said Erdogan, as he seeks trade and investment to boost his country's economy.
 
During the meeting between the two leaders, relations between the countries were discussed in all their dimensions, according to Turkish officials. Projects that would increase economic cooperation and bilateral trade volume, as well as current regional and international issues concerning both countries, were also on the agenda.
 
Turkish officials affirmed that India and Turkiye have similar approaches to the Russia-Ukraine war and favour diplomatic solutions to the crisis.
 
Trade volume between India and Turkiye rose from $5.7 billion in 2020 to $12.3 billion in 2022. Indian companies have invested about $ 126 million in Turkiye (as per Central Bank of Turkiye data) and Turkish investment in India is about $210.47 million (as per Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, India).
 
India was also one of the first nations to send relief and rescue help to Turkiye in the wake of the February earthquakes that killed over 52,000 people in the south-eastern regions.

 Source:  economictimes.indiatimes.com
12 Sep, 2023 News Image Rishi Sunak tells UK Parliament of 'warm, productive' FTA talks with PM Modi.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday told lawmakers that he had 'warm and productive' discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards a free trade agreement (FTA) with India as he updated the UK Parliament on his recent visit to New Delhi for the India-led G20 Summit. Addressing the House of Commons after his first visit to India as British Prime Minister, the 43-year-old leader began by flagging his and his wife Akshata Murty's Indian connections and financial interests in India.
 
In his detailed parliamentary statement, Sunak went on to highlight his three key aims of the India visit, which included increasing diplomatic pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin over the conflict in Ukraine, climate action and strengthening ties with India.
 
'I held warm and productive discussions with Prime Minister Modi on strengthening our relationship in defence, technology and a free trade deal between our nations,' Sunak said.
 
India and the UK have concluded 12 negotiating rounds towards an FTA, which both sides believe will significantly enhance the GBP 36 billion bilateral trade partnership. While in India, Sunak told reporters that things aren't quite agreed on the pact and that he 'won't rush things'.
 
'For the record, let me declare that as is a matter of public record, I and my family are of Indian origin. My wife and her family are Indian citizens with financial interests in India,' Sunak told the Commons with reference to Murty's shares in Infosys - the software major co-founded by her father Narayana Murthy.
 
Sunak pointed out that even as most G20 leaders came together in Delhi in a spirit of cooperation, one leader was missing from the summit.
 
'Putin has lacked the courage to face his G20 peers day after day. His actions cause horrendous suffering in Ukraine, violating the UN Charter, threatening European security and disrupting global energy supplies... Leaders united in calling out the human suffering caused by Putin's war,' he said.
 
On his other key priority at the summit, he stressed that the UK is seen as a global leader on climate issues.
 
'At the G20, I made a record commitment of over 1.6 billion pounds for the Green Climate Fund, the single biggest international climate pledge the UK has ever made,' he said.
 
Against the backdrop of UK media revelations over the weekend of the arrest of a parliamentary researcher on suspicion of spying for China, Sunak told MPs that he met Premier Li Qiang on the margins of the summit in New Delhi to condemn such actions.
 
'I was emphatic with Premier Li that actions which seek to undermine British democracy are completely unacceptable and will never be tolerated. I also emphasised the UK's unyielding commitment to human rights, and I was clear on the importance of maintaining stability and international law as the basis for stable relations,' he said.
 
During questions raised by members of Parliament, Sunak was asked about the case of British Sikh activist Jagtar Johal who is lodged in an Indian jail on serious charges. The British prime minister confirmed that he had raised the matter during his talks with the Indian counterpart and that the UK 'remains committed to seeing a resolution' to the case.

 Source:  economictimes.indiatimes.com