A dream package for steel industry
Union finance minister Yashwant Sinha presented a dream package for the steel industry, that should haul it out of recession and put it back on the rails. The 8% special import duty imposed on all imports (with exceptions) and a 5% import duty on cold rolled (CR) steel, will help the sagging industry recover to a major extent.

CAR hike to trigger spate of equity issues by public-sector banks
The finance minister's proposal to hike the capital-adequacy ratio (CAR) of banks to 9% in the next two years is likely to trigger a host of public issues by state-run banks in the current fiscal. The Punjab National Bank will lead the pack.

Housing sops may be a boon to cement industry
Cement makers are finally building up hope. Finance minister's announcement of a much needed emphasis on housing has come as a big relief to cement producers who are optimistic that the move will bring an end to the worst recession in recent times.

  Reliance, Tatas, SBI, ICICI all set to storm public-sector insurance bastion
  Sidbi to leave IDBI fold
  ARC to bail out weak state-run banks
  New PF investment norms set to benefit core sector
  Budget Briefs
  India bonds target $1bn mopup
  Budget Briefs
  Budget Briefs
  Housing may spur growth
  "Singapore economy still growing despite crisis"
  Top View
  Plugging leaks, widening the base
  Service tax to net Rs 220 cr from 3 lakh professionals
  Hard landing for Asia as growth shrinks
  Samadhan scheme
  Mixed reactions from southern captains of industry
  Cement industry expects demand to harden soon
  Looters nibble at Indonesia's coffee crop
  N-tests cost nation dear
  World Briefs
  Tougher stand needed on capital adequacy norms
  2-day national seminar on soyabean begins
  Optimism tempered with caution
  Budget Briefs
  Japan grain imports may slow down
  Top View
  Cardamom production may fall by 30%
  BJP favours total liquidation of central PSUs, says CPM MP
  Blow to cigarette industry
  Budget Briefs
  Re-rolling industry feels let down
  Survival, the game at Malaysian hotels
  Excise duty hike to hit exports
  Indonesia central bank tries to block banks' interest-rate war
  `Singapore not to record negative growth'
  Thailand inflation no cause for worry, say experts
  Industry's pleas fall on deaf ears
  Malaysia sticks to 2.5% growth forecast for 1998
  Diversification to get a boost
  "Duty evasion to come down"
  Bosnia bank reforms in race against time
  Centre to dilute equity to 26% in state-run firms
  Another interim budget, says Manmohan Singh
  Budget Briefs
  Karnataka to focus on irrigation, power projects for future
  Stress on atomic energy to beat US sanctions
  Import-duty cushion to prop firms margins
  Swadeshi budget raises tariffs by 8%
  DoT doesn't accept CAG contention
  Oil sector has little cause for cheer
  Budget generates hope for the power industry
  AIAM seeks higher outlay for highways
  Funding of telecom projects may remain difficult
  Highways may get chunk of outlay
  Budget Briefs
  Industry gives budget a cautious welcome
  Significant jump in outlay for ports, shipping
  Top View
  Local computer prices may stay firm
  Making up to cosmetics and toiletries sector
  Cement manufacturers are building up hopes
  Shipping sector decries denial of core berth
  SAIL chairman lauds growth oriented budget
  "Budget likely to revive agriculture"
  Steely determination, duty sops may push through cold-rolling projects
  Budget Briefs
  Non-modvat import duty may inject life into bulk drugs industry
  Budget Briefs
  Top View
  Praise, flak dot import-duty move
  Action & Impact