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Corporate Economy Expressions Markets Leisure 16 January 1998   Jalan to meet bank, FI chiefs to sort out bottlenecks in core sector funding The ascension of Bimal Jalan to the post of the Reserve Bank governor seems to have come as a boon for core sector projects in the country. In his short tenure, he has already held two meetings with financial institutions to raise funds for infrastructure projects. Jalan will now be meeting chiefs of banks and financial institutions on Friday to sort out fund raising details.   Private Net players free to fix tariff rates Private Internet service providers (ISPs) in the country can now fix their own tariffs, following an announcement to this effect made by the Centre yesterday. The Centre also unveiled a three-tier license structure and qualification norms for ISPs. The tariffs would, however, be subject to the regulations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of Indias (TRAI). BJP denies lock-in plan for foreign funds investment Rumours that the ascent to power of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may cause a drop in the FII investment in India's markets have now been annulled. BJP leader and former finance minister Jaswant Singh on Thursday stated that the BJP would not impose a six-month lock-in period on FII investment. His statement was also supported by BJP general secretary Pramod Mahajan who claimed that rumours of a lock-in period were totally false. Indonesia signs revised IMF package deal Indonesian president Suharto signed a new letter of intent on Wednesday spelling out a revised reform programme linked to a bailout led by the IMF.   Japan urged to open markets as exports rise Japan's plans to increase their exports to the United States in a bid to help its economic revival is not likely to meet with a favourable response. US authorities have stated that if Japan wanted to increase its exports to the US, it should also make its markets conducive for a two-way trade arrangement with the US. Japan long-term debt to exceed GDP infiscal 1998 The Japanese finance ministry has predicted a gloomy time for Japan's economy in the next fiscal. The ministry has forecast a total long-term debt of 529 trillion yen for the next fiscal, a sum far in excess of the projected gross domestic product (GDP) of 520 trillion yen.     Council releases readership survey   Airlines Association hits air-pocket as UP Air opts out   Executive Briefing   Rupee hit will raise country's export competitiveness, say analysts   Hong Kong property firms unlikely to default on payments   Third quarter sanctions in core funding up   Brake Point   Mere screw-driver tech won't do   Auto News Kit