FOREIGN TRADE
PM for making North-East as bridge to SE Asia
THE North-Eastern region could become an economic bridge-head for trade with South-East Asian countries by using its locational advantage, the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, said on Tuesday. "India is working actively to promote ... More

New York's ICSC setting up shop in India
EVEN as the debate over allowing foreign direct investment (FDI) in the retail sector remains, here's another fillip to the industry. The International Council of Shopping Centres (ICSC), New York, is officially setting operations in India. ... More

`Trade barriers in developing nations must be lowered'
THE International Chamber of Commerce wants India to take a leadership role in getting the developing countries to negotiate for lowering the trade barriers that exists between them. "Trade barriers between developing countries are extremely ... More

HEALTH
Andropause worries dog Delhi males
THE travails of modern lifestyle and the ageing process are found to take their toll on young male in Delhi faster that it affects his counterpart in Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. And while a healthy lifestyle holds the only key to delaying the ... More

NRI doctors to help conduct medical camps
THE President of Telugu Association of North America (TANA), Dr Navneeth Krishna, today said medical camps could be organised in Government Hospitals in Andhra Pradesh in collaboration with doctors of Indian origin working in the US. TANA is ... More

PHARMACEUTICALS
Esperion drug for heart syndrome soon
IN a small village near Milan in Italy, the incidence of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS), a form of heart problem, is virtually absent among the people. One of the reasons ascribed by scientists is that a specific gene in them, perhaps, helps ... More

Rs 150-crore pharma fund fails to impress industry
FOUR years after it was announced, the Rs 150-crore Pharmaceutical Research and Development Support Fund finally looks set to get off the blocks. And while the Department of Science and Technology (DST) feels that it is better late than never, ... More

STEEL
Foundry units in tight spot over rise in pig iron prices
NOTWITHSTANDING the steep rise in the prices of pig iron over the last 12 months, the sudden upswing in prices between December 2003 and January 2004 has come as a rude shock to the foundry sector. Unable to withstand the onslaught of rising ... More

TAXATION
FKCCI calls for educating industry on VAT
THE Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) has called for educating trade and industry on the advantages of the value-added tax. In its pre-Budget memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister, Mr S.M. Krishna, the ... More

TEXTILES
Excise exemption for in-house consumed yarns, fabrics
FOR a sector that is yet to fully emerge from recession and not provided any specific sops in the Mini Budget, here is some cause for cheer. In a move expected to benefit not just large mills but also small textile processors in centres such ... More

RADIO/TV
Broadcasters want market to decide channel prices, ads
NOT happy about being left out during the consultation process, the broadcasters under the aegis of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) have decided to ask the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to look into issues relating to ... More

GEMS & JEWELLERY
Dubai to host World Diamond Council meet
The third annual meeting of the World Diamond Council will be held in Dubai in late March. It will be hosted by the Dubai Metals and Commodities Centre (DMCC). About 60 delegates, including Mr Eli Izhakoff, Chairman and CEO of the World Diamond ... More

INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS
Chamber to help investors set up units in Korba district
THE Korba Chamber of Commerce & Industries (KCCI) has volunteered to play the role of facilitator to prospective investors who would like to invest in Korba district of Chhattisgarh. The chamber will provide all assistance to investors with ... More

Plea for passport office in Mangalore
MANGALORE: The Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has requested the Union Government to set up a full-fledged passport office in Mangalore. Addressing presspersons here on Tuesday, the KCCI President, Mr R.D. Kini, stated ... More

BIO-TECH & GENETICS
Biotech research school coming up in rural Maharashtra
The Rs 10-crore school is expected to take the benefits of research and development in biotechnology to the rural heartlands of India. More

EVENTS
Kerala and the World Social Forum
AS the ongoing World Social Forum (WSF) at the sprawling NESCO grounds in Mumbai's Goregaon suburb draws to a grand close on Wednesday, nearly 100,000 men, women and youth will be packing their bags to return to the 132 countries they came ... More

Workshop on `family business' in Kochi
KOCHI: CII-Kerala is organising a one-day workshop on `family business' here on Saturday. The objective of the workshop is to discuss some of the critical aspects of family business such as mentoring of younger generation, building of ... More

EXPORTS & IMPORTS
Defence equipment export potential seen at Rs 20,000 cr
IN the next three years, India should have an export target of Rs 1,000 crore in the defence equipment segment, according to Defence Minister Mr George Fernandes. Speaking at the Shri Ram Memorial lecture organised by PHD Chamber of Commerce ... More

NATURAL CALAMITIES
Rice for drought-hit dists in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Government has sanctioned 25,000 tonnes of rice to seven drought-hit districts in Kerala, according to an official release. The rice will be released under the aegis of the `food-for-work' scheme. Kannur, ... More

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