May 2015

President Pranab Mukherjee embarks upon state visit to Sweden, Belarus

DNA India, May 31, 2015
President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday embarked on a five-day state visit to Sweden and Belarus, the first ever by any Indian head of state, during which a number of key agreements are likely to be signed.
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ESCAP launches Asia-Pacific energy porta

Dawn, May 30, 2015
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) on Friday launched a new online portal which will provide unprecedented access to information on the energy policies of the region, and advance the sustainable energy agenda.
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Satellite imagery to enable large-scale monitoring of Asia s rice areas

Agro Professional, May 29, 2015
Information derived from satellite images can soon be made available to governments to help guide policy related to food security and sustainable development, particularly in rice-growing areas.
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Premier Kathleen Wynne Announces Mission to India

News.Ontario, May 28, 2015
Premier Kathleen Wynne will lead a mission to India in early 2016 to foster more opportunities for trade and investment and promote Ontario’s expertise in sustainable development.
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UNIDO and UfM to promote inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development in the Euro-Med region

ENPI-INFO, May 27, 2015
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) have signed an agreement to work closely to identify joint opportunities to advance inclusive and sustainable development in countries of the Mediterranean region.
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Akon s solar academy aims to light up Africa

EarthTechling, May 26, 2015
The Senegalese-American recording artist just ratcheted up efforts begun more than a year ago with his Akon Lighting Africa initiative, announcing the launch of a new Solar Academy for the continent.
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Phl to APEC: Integrate MSMEs into global trade

Philstar, May 25, 2015
The Philippines set the tone for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation s (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) meeting by calling on member economies to consider the interests of small businesses, particularly micro and rural enterprises, in pursuit of sustainable and inclusive growth.
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A ‘blue’ economy emerging to support ‘green’ economy in Sri Lanka

Island, May 24, 2015
The document titled the “Future We Want” highlights the ocean’s contribution to growth, stating; “We stress the importance of the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and seas and of their resources for sustainable development.
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EU to strengthen relationship with ASEAN

Business Asia One, May 23, 2015
The European Union (EU) has been a significant – if underrated – partner in ASEAN and Singapore, but it is stepping up its commitment to the region, said the EU’s ambassador to Singapore yesterday.
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High-level gathering: Pak PM to attend water conference in Tajikistan

Tribune, May 22. 2015
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is likely to attend an international conference on water-related issues in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, which will be held from June 9 to 11.
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M&M takes 33% in Mitsubishi’s agriculture machinery arm for $25 million

Times of India, May 21, 2015
Auto major Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) on Thursday signed a definitive agreement to acquire 33 per cent stake in farm machinery subsidiary of Tokyo-headquartered Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for $25 million (about Rs 158 crore).
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Switzerland lifts ban on mango imports from India

Business Standard, May 20, 2015
According to trade sources, the Swiss ban was in retaliation for last year s suspension by India in import of chocolates and other confectionery products.
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APEC poised to lower services barriers to lift Asia-Pac small businesses

FTSE Global Markets, May 19, 2015
Greater liberalisation of services sectors in Asia-Pacific markets is needed to widen the door for small business participation in cross-border trade and usher in improved job creation, growth and quality of life for people across the region, say senior officials and private sector representatives at the APEC conference in the Philippines.
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Big Data and drones could bring more precision to Indonesia s farms

Food Navigator Asia, May 18, 2015
Not long in office, Indonesian president Joko Widodo plans to grow rice production by 30% each year a sum that is vitally necessary for the country to be self-sufficient in rice by 2017.
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Feel the winds of change, PM Modi tells Chinese CEOs

Asian Age, May 17, 2015
Reaching out to Chinese investors, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asked them to take advantage of the winds of change in India, with a much more transparent, responsive and stable regulatory regime, even as leading firms from the two sides signed 26 deals worth more than $22 billion.
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India announces $ 1bn credit line to Mongolia to support its infrastructure development

India Today, May 17, 2015
India on Sunday announced a USD 1 billion credit line to Mongolia to support its infrastructure development.
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UN ESCAP report forecast Indian growth at 8.1% in the current year

Live Mint, May 15, 2015
Going in line with the estimates of the Finance Ministry, an UN ESCAP report titled, ‘Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2015 has said that Indian economy is likely to clock 8.1 percent growth in the current financial year, from 7.4 per cent last year, spurred by strong consumer spending amid low inflation, infrastructure projects and government’s reform measures.
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Asia Pacific Nonwovens Symposium reveals future industry trends

Innovation In Textiles, May 14, 2015
The second Asia Pacific Nonwovens Symposium concluded two days ago in Shanghai, attracting 150 attendees from 25 countries to hear presentations revealing trends affecting markets for nonwoven fabrics going into hygiene applications in China.
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ADB agrees to finance $6B for PCP strategy 2015-19

Pakistan Observer, May 13, 2015
The Asian Development Bank (ADB), Tuesday, agreed to finance $ 6 billion for the next five years in Pakistan, aligning its country partnership strategy with vision 2025.
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China to revive ancient Silk Road

EU Observer, May 12, 2015
The initiative of Belt and Road short for the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road were put forth by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Central Asia and Southeast Asia in September and October of 2013.
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India s KV Kamath to head new BRICS bank

Financial Times, May 11, 2015
India has named private sector banker K.V. Kamath as head of the New Development Bank, the so-called Brics bank of the big emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, according to government officials in New Delhi.
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Government to invest more in agriculture once the resources grow: FM

Live Mint, May 10, 2015
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley expressing his confidence in the Indian growth story has said that India s economy grew an estimated 7-7.5 percent last fiscal year and will keep growing this year, but the government will have to invest more in agriculture to keep up the momentum.
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Fair trade body okays Shanghvi’s deal with Suzlon

Business Standard, May 9, 2015
Fair trade watchdog Competition Commission of India (CCI) has cleared billionaire Dilip Shanghvi’s proposed Rs 1,800-crore stake buy in wind turbine maker Suzlon Energy.
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China, Russia Prepare $2 Billion Agricultural Investment Fund

Wall Street Journal, May 8, 2015
China and Russia agreed to launch a $2 billion investment fund to develop agricultural projects in the two countries and set up a free-trade zone between their key farming belts, the state-backed Russian Direct Investment Fund said Friday.
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Inaugural Sustainable Energy and Technology in Asia 2016 to be held in Thailand

Eco-Business, May 7, 2015
The development of the world economy based on energy adequacy and balance, as well as the application of advanced technology and its compatibility, is one of the reasons for the conception of the international symposium and exhibition “Sustainable Energy and Technology in Asia” or “SETA 2016.
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FAO, EBRD and UfM seek to boost food security in the Mediterranean

New Food Magazine, May 6, 2015
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) have co-organised the Private Sector Forum on Food Security in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Region , a two-day conference (5-6 May) to deepen relationships between the public and private sector and to develop initiatives to increase investment in agricultural and food systems.
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UN officials cite strengthening cooperation with regional partners as a priority

India Blooms, May 5, 2015
United Nations Secretary-General Ban K-moon and the General Assembly President Sam Kutesa on Monday drew attention to the importance of the Organization s cooperation with regional partners to shape a bold new vision for a post-2015 development agenda.
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Leveraging Impact Investment in Post-2014 Afghanistan

The Diplomat, May 4, 2015
Unlocking Afghanistan s very real potential will require significant investment.
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