Cement dispatches rise 20% in western region
Cement offtake and prices have risen considerably in the western region since last month. However, unlike in the past, the demand this time has been more prominent from the rural and semi-urban markets which have

Transporters bag ministry nod on state-wise minimum freight package
Transporters ended their week-long nationwide strike last Thursday, but only after getting assurance from the ministry of surface transport on most of their demands, including statewise minimum freight package and no toll for existing bridges.

Orissa cyclone may prompt Centre to unveil $45.4mn storm disaster-reduction plan
After the massive devastation caused by the severe cyclonic storm in the Orissa coast on last Friday, the Centre is actively considering implementation of a $45.4 million storm-disaster-reduction project which will be supported by other countries in the region.


  Commodity Briefing
  Panel formed to look into Kerala mills' issues
  AEPC seeks sops for processing units
  Polyester staple prices up 35% in one year
  Indonesia is top Australian wheat market
  Cotton prices continue to decline
  Malaysia to pump in cash to support rubber prices
  Cambodian rubber production may dip as farmers fell trees
  SEA, COOIT seek correction of inverted duty structure
  Heavy rainfall likely in Orissa, Bengal and Bihar
  Export earnings from spices rise to Rs 932 crore in H1
  Ban on rubber imports under advance licence scheme puts exporters in a spot
  Vietnam coffee supply thin as fresh rains delay harvest
  `Common clearing house a must'
  `Comexes can assist investors diversify into commodities'
  `Commodity exchanges must improve administration for online trading'
  Brazil coffee crop may fall short of target
  Pharming -- A new concept that blends biotechnology with medicines
  Gold's roller-coaster ride may see prices touch $325 again
  Crude oil output rises 1% in April-September
  Nalco production up in April-August
  `LNG plans in Gujarat may not be viable'
  Trader sentiments improve as physical gold trade comes out of hibernation
  Canada may emerge big diamond supplier
  European Union in two minds over three GMOs
  LME needs to wake up to threats of `exchange lookalikes' -- Lord Bagri
  Exporters panic-buying pushes up black pepper prices
  Edible oil prices down as inflows continue to rise
  `Centre's apathy may expose farm sector to global pressure'
  Rajasthan gram production may decline by 7 lakh tonnes
  `Policies needed to reduce dependence on edible oil imports'
  Asia's rice imports likely to fall as weather and crops improve
  Vietnam to change rice export quota norms
  NDDB chalks out plan to quadruple milk procurement
  `India may have to import rice'
  US appeals against WTO ruling on tax scheme
  Oil price steadies as buyers return