Ministry pegs state-run units' divestment mopup target at Rs 7,000cr for 98-99
Undeterred by a sluggish market and depressing economic scenario in the wake of a worldwide recession, the finance ministry's economic affairs department has recommended a PSU divestment target of Rs 7,000 crore for 1999-2000. A recommendation to this effect has gone to the union cabinet from the finance ministry.

Ministry sets HR coil import floor price at Rs 14,300 a tonne
The commerce ministry announced a floor price of Rs 14,300 per tonne for hot rolled coil imports on Wednesday night. The commerce ministry's recommendation has now been forwarded to the ministry of finance.

Equipment firms seek hike in price preference limit for private power plans
Leading domestic equipment manufacturers including Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (Bhel) have asked the government to extend the 15% price preference to cover private sector power projects as well. The recently announced mega power project policy gives this benefit only to projects under the public sector.

  Australia corporate profits slip in third quarter
  Euro seen lacking a lender of last resort
  "Encourage use of ammonium sulphate"
  Indonesia seeks rice and soybeans
  Fresh proposal for hiking import duty soon
  Finance ministry set to pare social-sector outlay
  Canada's Talisman oil firm faces church's ire
  FCI asked to procure cyclone-hit paddy, rice
  Customs to set up data sites at Mumbai port
  Insurance PSUs are well-equipped to face comptetition
  Executive Briefing
  Japan confident of deflecting Clinton criticism, says Obuchi
  Kumaramangalam favours PowerGrid capital restructuring
  US regulator to be probed for Long-Term Capital Management near-collapse
  US mortgage real invesment trusts may get some relief
  Banks ask state power boards to form kitty to repay working-capital loans
  Aluminium semi-fabricated products' producers call for lower import duty
  Slowdown takes a toll on new firms' registration
  Konkan Railway chalks out marketing strategy in bid to step up freight tariffwa
  Cut output but restore Bombay High, says Vijayraghavan
  IDFC pitches for power reforms to nip guarantees, escrow woes
  FIPB seeks SIA clearance to reconsider application
  Stamp duty on property deals may be slashed to 15%
  IDBI assures support to steel sector
  Financial Briefing