Noted
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Dipped: To 16 per cent, India’s export growth in December 2007, mainly due to the rising rupee. Total exports during the month was $12.3 billion, compared to $10.61 billion the previous December. Cumulative exports during the first nine months of 2007-08 were at $111 billion.
Risen: To a five-month high of 3.93 per cent, the inflation rate based on the wholesale price index for the weekended January 19. The surge in inflation is fuelled by manufactured foodstuff like edible oils, ghee, sugar and primary articles like wheat, arhar, soyabean and industrial fuels such as furnace oil and light diesel oil.
Slashed: To Re 1 per minute, the rate charged by MTNL for international calls to about 100 countries by its internet protocol (VoIP) customers. Customers can avail of this rate for calls to Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Japan, Malaysia and Kuwait, among other countries. Call rates to the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong are already at Re 1 per minute.
Relaxed: By the government, FDI norms for investments in seven key sectors. It has allowed 74 per cent FDI in non-scheduled airlines, 49 per cent in commodity exchanges and up to 49 per cent FDI in credit information companies. Then, PSUs in petroleum refining can, with prior FIPB approval, accept up to 49 per cent FDI. And 100 per cent FDI has been allowed in titanium mining.
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