India, Germany to strengthen civil nuclear ties
Hannover: India and Germany plan to expand and enhance their relationship in the field of civilian nuclear energy and would deepen their relationship in the defence field.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel made the announcement at a joint press conference held with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ahead of the opening of the Hanover Fair.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said India had an impeccable record on nuclear non-proliferation, was a responsible nuclear power with no first-use, and it fully complied with guidelines of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Singh also drew attention to irritants in the economic relationship between the two countries.

At the opening of the Fair, Singh drew attention towards trade and investment barriers faced by Indian companies while doing business with Germany. He said Indian companies faced visa and work permit problems in Germany. Employment and taxation laws also pose problems, as do some environment and labour standards. "While our companies have recast operating procedures, some requirments remain onerous," he said.

At the joint press conference, Singh welcomed the setting up of the Indo-German energy forum, which will address energy concerns, including energy security, efficient use of energy, and eco-friendly technologies. The two countries will also work towards jointly funded Indo-German Science Centre in New Delhi.
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India signs protocol agreement with China to export mango, grapes
Hyderabad: Indian farmers can now export mangoes, grapes and bitter gourd to China as the Union Ministry of Agriculture has signed the crucial Protocol agreements with the latter. According to A.K. Gupta, advisor (WTO) of Apeda (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) efforts were on to secure market access for basmati rice in China; mangoes in Australia, Japan and the US; Russia for bovine meat and poultry products and Thailand for bovine meat.

Listing Apeda's efforts to increase agri and processed food exports, he cited moves like setting up a market facilitation centre in the Netherlands and taking up promotional campaigns in Europe, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Kuwait and the UAE in the last few seasons.
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