Indo-Mozambique Agriculture Plan (November 22, 2006)
India and Republic of Mozambique signed a work plan to cooperate in agriculture includes training programs for Mozambique experts in India, and technical assistance in agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, and fisheries.<More>

Global Trade Progress to Continue (November 20, 2006)
Despite losses in elections, President George Bush reassured Asian allies that his nation is still committed to global trade liberalization and promised to “remain engaged in Asia because our interests depend on the expansion of freedom and opportunity in this region."<More>

Indo-Sino Investment Treaty (November 17, 2006)
The Indian Cabinet has approved Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to sign an investment promotion and protection agreement with China during its President Hu Jintao’s visits India later this month and is expected to widen Chinese investment prospects.<More>

India Most Favored Investment Destination (November 16, 2006)
A Bank of America (BoA) study found that the average inflow into Indian bonds, equities, and loan vehicles increased 158.4% more than thrice the emerging world average of 40.3% as corporate investments was pegged at USD 19.3 billion in 2005.<More>

Most Sought IT Talent, Quality Concerns (November 13, 2006)
A recent international survey found that India to be the top destination for global Information Technology companies’ hiring but also said that India had slipped below China and Eastern Europe where companies planned to start operations next 3 years.<More>

Second Green Revolution Needs Major Reform (November 10, 2006)
Investigations and studies behind consistent suicides by farmers around the country is increasingly pointing to “avoidable, man-made” conditions ranging from drop in financial support, lack of agricultural support systems, to impractical Federal policies.<More>

Malaysia Invites Indian Investment (November 10, 2006)
Malaysia inaugurated a representative office of the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) in Bangalore and invited further Indian investments to the 15 kilometer (km) wide and 50 km long special corridor dedicated to multimedia.<More>

Manufacturing, Agri, Power Key to GDP Growth (November 09, 2006)
While the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in Tenth Financial Plan ending March 2007 is the highest growth ever achieved in a 5 year period, the rate of growth is expected to be lower than the projected 8% at 7.2% because of slowdown in manufacturing sector.<More>

ONGC-ALPS MoU for LNG JV (November 09, 2006)
The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Ashok Leyland Projects Services Ltd. (ALPS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a joint venture (JV) to cooperate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) exploration and sourcing.<More>

Security and Telecom Investment (November 08, 2006)
After a year of deregulation in the Telecommunications space allowing Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) from 49% to 74%, the Government has received only 2 applications while others complain that the security restrictions are too harsh for viable investment.<More>

China Pushing FTA (November 08, 2006)
An important component in Chinese President Hu Jintao’s visit will be a push India to grant it a “market economy” status through a free trade agreement (FTA), something that most developed economies have so far refused.<More>

India 3rd Largest Investor in Belgium (November 08, 2006)
Making a strong pitch for Indian investments in Belgium, visiting Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt said that his country has fought red tape and liberalized tax and labor laws and is becoming a “magnet” for investments making India is the 3rd largest investor.<More>

Disinvestment Not for Judicial Review (November 02, 2006)
Removing a major obstacle to disinvestment, the Supreme Court (SC) threw out a case filed by a labor union challenging the sale of a Government-owned hotel citing a Disinvestment Commission (DC) report recommending the sale of this non-core asset.<More>

10% Growth Can Remove Poverty (October 30, 2006)
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said he hoped that the Indian economy will grow at 10% in the “near future" and that this “rapid growth” will in “10 to 20 years” will “remove the ancient scourge of poverty, illiteracy, and unemployment.”<More>

Slow Inflow of Imported Wheat (October 26, 2006)
Ministry of Agriculture disclosed that about 2 million tons (mt) or 40% of the ordered 5.5 mt will reach India by mid-November at various ports—Mumbai, Chennai, Visakhapatanam, Kandla, and Mundhra.<More>

Russia-EU Energy Disagreement (October 23, 2006)
Depending on over 25% of energy from Russia, the 25 EU nations are unable to agree on how to demand “predictability” in energy supply while balancing values and economic interests.<More>

Action to Increase Wheat Production (October 23, 2006)
India has formulated an Action Plan to increase production and productivity of wheat by targeting 50% of wheat cultivation areas in 138 districts of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, and West Bengal.<More>

Cabinet OKs IT Law Amendment (October 17, 2006)
Heeding demands by Indian and foreign customers of Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES), alias Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) to address data security and privacy protection issues, the Federal Cabinet approved amendments to relevant laws.<More>

Y-on-Y Industrial Growth Higher (October 13, 2006)
An upsurge in manufacturing took cumulative industrial production from April-August to 10.6 compared to 8.7 last year and August saw a 9.7% rise compared to 7.6% but lower than July’s growth of 12.7% but analysts say that consumer demand has not slacked.<More>

India-Mozambique to Co-Operate on Mining (October 11, 2006)
A Republic of Mozambique delegation led by its Minister for Mineral Resources Esperanca Laurinda Bias, Mozambique is visiting India to discuss bilateral cooperation in the mining sector, related technologies, and expertise sharing.<More>

Macro Indicators Strong, Agri Worrisome (October 11, 2006)
Although economic growth is at 7.5%-8%, inflation in check at 5%-5.5%, investments in Telecom & IT estimated at USD 16 billion, and more reforms on financial and retail sector in the offing, the Indian economy continues to roar but Agriculture continues to be a major worry.<More>

Cotton Output Up (October 05, 2006)
Industry estimates predict a rise in cotton output to 260-275 lakh bales against 245 lakh bales last year despite crop damage due to floods in Maharashtra and Gujarat earlier with the use of genetically altered and hybrid cotton seeds.<More>

Indo-Sri Lanka Trade Looking at USD 3B (October 05, 2006)
From a mere USD 650 million in 2000, the Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is set to take bilateral trade to USD 3 billion next calendar year despite unethical business practices not-conducive to business by the Sri Lankan Government (SLG).<More>

Indian Outward FDI Expansion (October 04, 2006)
In further expansion of Indian business with outward foreign direct investment (FDI), Wipro announced the acquisition of a Swedish hydraulic company and Tata Power announced plans to set up plants in South Africa, Nepal, Vietnam, and Bhutan.<More>

31 New SEZ (October 03, 2006)
Despite intense opposition and public debate over Special Economic Zones (SEZs) policy, the Board of Approvals (BoA) cleared 31 proposals including the South Korean Posco’s proposal for a Rs. 55,000 crore (USD 12 billion) steel project.<More>

TRAI Releases 3G Roadmap (September 29, 2006)
Breaking the suspense, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) announced a roadmap for third generation (3G) mobile services to start next June, but Minister for Telecommunication Dayanidhi Maran said that he will formalize a report in 3 months.<More>

Reliance Opposes Open Bidding for Gas (September 29, 2006)
Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has petitioned the Government not to institute competitive bidding for the valuation or sale of gas to avoid “inherent problems” and has instead asked for a crude-oil linked pricing along the lines that Iran had proposed to India.<More>

An Ultra Mega Power Project in Jharkhand (September 29, 2006)
A 4000 megawatt (MW) ultra mega project will be set up in Jharkhand making it the 9th of a series of such projects throughout the nation rising from the original 5—Orissa, Andhra Pradesh (AP), and Tamil Nadu (TN) wanted one each and got it.<More>

NHPC to Start Inter-State Power Trading (September 28, 2006)
With plans to become a 10,000 megawatt (MW) company by 2010 from current 3750 MW, the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) plans to start coal-fired units, inter-state trading of electricity, and revive proposals for units in Nepal and Bhutan.<More>

Commies Blocking Labor Reforms (September 27, 2006)
Often portrayed as a capitalist communist of the modern Chinese variety, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee conceded that “globalization is inescapable” but told Industry representatives that major labor reforms are unnecessary.<More>

Poultry Broiler Set to Grow (September 27, 2006)
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) predicted that India’s poultry broiler meat productions is likely to grow by 10% to 2.2 million tons (mt) in 2007 because of strong domestic demand and the nation is free from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).<More>

ONGC’s Mangalore SEZ (September 22, 2006)
The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) will invest Rs. 35,000 crore (USD 7.6 billion) in the Special Economic Zone at Mangalore to house a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant, a 15 million ton (mt) refinery, petrochemical plant, and power plant.<More>

OECD Asks India to Overhaul Regulations (September 20, 2006)
An influential international body advised India to overhaul its outdated business regulations such as reservations for small firms, tariff structures, and labor laws for large companies to derive benefits from global economy such as investments and technology.<More>

India, China Asian Economic Growth Engines  (September 19, 2006)
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected India ’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth at 8.3% this year and 7.3% in 2007 but but cautioned financial managers on inflation due to oil prices and strong domestic demand and budget deficit.<More>

SAIL Top Dog in Steel (September 15, 2006)
Well executed capacity expansion plans and good earnings growth has propelled public sector utility company Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) to outpace its rivals including private players such as Tata Steel and Hindustan Zinc.<More>

Fastest Mobile Growth as Margins Drop (September 15, 2006)
India raced past the capture the fastest growing mobile market in the world but operators say that the average revenue per user (ARPU) has steadily fallen correlating to steep declines in tariffs because of intense competition and cheaper short-message service.<More>

India Ups CFTC Contribution (September 14, 2006)
Pledging support to “develop institutional capacity among the developing member countries” of the Commonwealth, India promised to increase its contribution to the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation by £50,000 to £850,000.<More>

Energy Usage Patterns and Social Progress (September 14, 2006)
India estimates that it will consume 70% more energy by 2030 and although it seeks to generate energy through other sources such as nuclear, coal, and renewable sources, about 60% of this will be from oil and natural gas.<More>

Four Ships with Wheat in South (September 14, 2006)
A Ministry of Food note said that four ships are offloading .155 million metric tons (mmt) of wheat at Chennai, Cochin, and Vizag ports out of which 78,380 mt has already been distributed. An additional 6 ships have arrived with .325 mmt of wheat and are being fumigated, quality checked, and berthed.<More>

Indo-US Trade Set to Exceed 2005 Level (September 14, 2006)
Indo-US bilateral trade during January-May 2006 has grown substantially with 23.3% increase in imports and 19% increase in exports totaling USD 12 billion and set to pass last year’s level of USD 26.8 billion (previous year’s level was USD 21.6 billion).<More>

Govt Reduces SGRY Grain Allotment (September 13, 2006)
The Ministry of Rural Development announced that it will allocate lesser amount of food grain for Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY), a food-for-work program, to laborers from 5 kilograms to 3 kilograms because of “limited availability.”<More>

IBSA Trade Rises Dramatically (September 12, 2006)
Calling the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) grouping an “emerging trinity in the new geography of international trade,” United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) values the intra and inter regional trade close to USD 10 billion for 2007.<More>

Increase in Import of “Sensitive” Items (September 12, 2006)
Ministry of Commerce and Trade says that the total import of “sensitive” items during April-May 2006 has been Rs.2792 crores (USD 606 million) compared to Rs.2524 crore (USD 548 million) last year or an increase of 10.6%.<More>

IMF Asks for Financial Reform (September 08, 2006)
Visiting International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Rodrigo de Rato said that “There is a need to make the financial system more efficient” and the “structural reforms” is required for India “more capable of benefiting from world economy.”<More>