Centre sticks to its guns, allow 40% foreign equity in insurance ventures
Brushing aside opposition within the party rank and file, the government has decided to introduce the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) Bill in its original form which provides for 40 per cent equity to foreigners.

IBA takes the wind out of unions' sails, plans wage pact with prospective effect
The Indian Banks' Association (IBA) has turned the heat on bank unions and officers' associations by announcing that the seventh bipartite wage settlement will be implemented with "prospective effect".

Government introduces Coffee Bill in Lok Sabha
The government on Monday tabled a bill to give freedom to coffee growers to market their entire produce and increase export cess for the commodity. The bill, which was tabled in the Lok Sabha, seeks to amend the 1942 Coffee Act and rationalise penalties for violations of various rules.

  China cuts interest rates third time to achieve GDP target
  Baby Bells, computer firms push for Internet access
  Thai senators ask govt to dilute bankruptcy bills
  Asian slump emphasised by zinc major pull-out
  Centre may introduce patents amendment bill next week, says Bakht
  Cambodia to impose strict norms for garment units
  Ministry moots subsidy on low-analysis fertilisers
  Rubber conference highlights need for R&D
  General insurance sector loses clout in revamped tariff advisory panel
  Bal Thackeray assures protection to industrialists
  Paris Convention on patent rights comes into effect
  Executive Briefing