2006 Exports Topped Expectations (January 11, 2007)
Indian exports achieved a key milestone when it crossed the psychological barrier of USD 100 billion in 2006 with a growth rate of 24% and over 13% of total gross domestic product (GDP) valued at USD 800 billion compared to 6% in 1990-91.<More>

Problems with SEZ Policy (January 11, 2007)
The Industry and Commerce Ministry has rightfully taken credit for the creation of the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Act 2005 but the policy lacks transparency and seems ad hoc in implementation.<More>

Russia to Scale Back Oil Output (January 11, 2007)
Citing “problems in transiting crude across Belarus,” Russian President Vladimir Putin urged Cabinet colleagues to lean on oil companies to explore “the possibility of scaling down extraction of oil” and hinted at diverting oil transit routes away from Minsk.<More>

Venezuela to Nationalize Telecom (January 11, 2007)
Bucking the global trend to privatize and globalize businesses and state-owned enterprises, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced plans to nationalize his country’s electrical and telecommunication companies.<More>

UN Withdraws Aid for Bangla Poll (January 11, 2007)
As tens of thousands of troops take up positions to stop the opposition blockade of a discredited poll on the 22nd, the United Nations said that it withdrawing assistance in the upcoming poll and that it was “concerned” about the future of democracy in that country.<More>

Israel-China Sign New Treaties (January 11, 2007)
Visiting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Chinese Premier Web Jiabao signed three agreements covering cultural exchange, export of Israeli citrus fruit, and sale of water purification technology to China.<More>

US Bombs Islamists in Somalia (January 11, 2007)
At least two incidents of US plane and helicopter bombed Islamists caught in a pincer between Ethiopian and Somali forces on the one hand and Kenyan troops on the other and many believe that key al Qaeda militants may have been killed in the attack.<More>