The report forecasts global economic growth to 2.6% in 2024, barely above the 2.5% threshold commonly associated with a recessionary phase. The report says the prevailing focus on inflation overshadows urgent issues like trade disruptions, climate change and rising inequalities. It advocates for structural reforms and coordinated global efforts, proposing …
In a strange twist to the raging lumber dispute between the us and Canada, both nations have interpreted a recent World Trade Organisation (wto) ruling on the issue as a vindication of their respective stands. While the us contends that it has scored a "technical point', Canada says the body …
The Bandi river in Rajasthan is dying. Flowing through various villages of Rohet tehsil in Pali district, its water has a reddish hue like red rum. It can no longer be used for irrigation or drinking. "Even animals do not drink this water,' says Gangadhan Charan, a resident of Gadhawara …
The lac dye is bright red. It is derived from insects like cochineal, kermes and lac, also called Kerria lacca. It takes about three lakh insects to yield one kilogramme of dye. These scale insects thrive on a variety of trees and bushes such as kusum (Schleichera oleosa), palash (Butea …
We know the potential, we know the opportunity. We have the necessary diversity and the knowhow. But still, not many plants are in use for extraction of dyes in India. Of 40 species of indigo found in India, only 16 yield the dye and only four are commercially grown in …
Five years ago, Ama Herbal, a Lucknow-based company, quick to see potential in the natural dye industry, started to manufacture natural dyes. “The response was tremendous. Everyone asked us for samples within 15 days of writing to them,” says Y A Shah, the company’s managing director. “But later, everything backfired. …
Indonesia's tropical forests are fast dwindling, courtesy rampant illegal logging. Taking stock of the situation, the country has now imposed a permanent ban on log exports. In October 2001, a joint decree banning exports of logs was passed temporarily. The government discussed the matter with the International Monetary Fund (imf) …
UPDATE Beached! Non-government organisations get the sinking feeling that the wssd will deliver nothing, after the final preparatory meeting in Bali comes to no good "M r Annan, the Earth Summit is sinking,' alarmed civil society groups wrote to un Secretary General Kofi Annan, after the final preparatory meeting to …
For Internet savvy farmers Few Indian farmers know the actual price and stock level of their produce in the market or mandi before they come to sell. Too many people, vested interests and the sheer spread of the markets makes it difficult for them to decide the right product mix …
In one fell swoop the us has dealt a crippling blow to the Canadian lumber industry, slapping a 27 per cent duty on softwood timber imports from the country. The us salvo is the latest move in a protracted dispute spanning almost 20 years. Its significance for Canada can be …
a vital agreement signed by the Union government to develop the aids vaccine has few takers due to the lack of transparency in the project. The allegations are that many ethical and health-related questions have been overlooked. India recently joined hands with New York-based non-profit organisation International aids Vaccine Initiative …
cleaner recycling of electronic waste is something the industry has been looking forward to for the last one decade. It might just have got lucky. Considering that in the us alone in 1988 5-7 million tonnes of e-waste was generated and that 50-80 per cent of it was exported to …
Zambia and Kenya are set to lock horns over ivory trade at the next Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (cites) meeting scheduled for November 2002. While a proposal to lift the international ban on ivory trade has been put forth by the Zambian government, Kenya is likely to …
The passing of the Patents (Second Amendment) Bill, 2002, by both Houses of Parliament is one more step towards complete compliance with the trips Agreement (Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights). However, further amendments would have to be incorporated to completely comply with trips provisions, since the …
On July 1, Denmark will take over chairpersonship of the European Union. Then it will be the responsibility of the newly elected right-wing Danish prime minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, to help define and promote the global role of the only group of nations in a position to challenge the dominance …
There's an anti-us wave among Mexican transporters. They are upset over the us delay in implementation of North American Free Trade Agreement (nafta) that would let Mexican trucks deliver goods in the us. Mexican truck companies have asked authorities to suspend opening the border to us cargo vehicles. Execution of …
THIS publication is a collection of papers on the state of market towns and their trends in some countries of the Hindu-Kush Himalayan region. The role market centres in small towns play in the urbanisation of the region, the consequent impact on livelihood, strategies for mountain development, issues of evolution …
In 1995, Indian exporters got a rude shock when a consignment of Darjeeling tea was rejected by Germany. The reason for this drastic measure: the tea leaves contained excessive pesticide residue levels. The unsavoury incident left a bitter aftertaste in India, but the fact remains that the tea did contain …
After an 11-year break, Japan intends to import whale meat again. Although the plan has been flayed by environmentalists, Japan has said that it would also expand its research whaling programme. "Japan has been discussing the issue for months with Norway and hopes to reach a positive conclusion soon,' said …
Imported liquefied petroleum gas (lpg)-powered buses will ply on Beijing roads soon. The move has been directed to bring down the rising vehicular pollution and to prepare the city for hosting the forthcoming Olympic Games in 2008. It is reported that an agreement has been signed between Beijing lpg Company …
