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 …
It's perhaps a lesson for India's Disinvestment Ministry. It is now forced to look at the environment liabilities that would be part of the baggage during a hiving-off process. True, the entire sticky business of selling off the gargantuan public sector undertakings has not been a cake-walk, though it started …
the issue of access to drugs has shifted from anti aids drugs in Africa to anti anthrax drugs in the us. The us government is contemplating to override the patent on Ciprofloxacin, which is held by the German pharmaceutical company, Bayer and procure generic copies from other sources. This move …
The 4th wto ministerial conference in Doha has granted that governments are free to take all necessary measures to protect public health. Simply put, governments can override patents without the threat of a backlash of large pharma multinationals. It is now upto governments to use these powers to bring down …
TALL and slender with a luminescent white complexion - this could be a description in a stereotype matrimonial in an Indian newspaper or it could be a vague attempt to describe the king of rice - basmati. The mystical values basmati evokes across the world, other rice varieties do not …
buckling under the pressure of the industry, the Sri Lankan government has indefinitely postponed its plans to impose one of the world's stringent bans on genetically modified (gm) food. The ban was initially imposed in May 2001. But it was postponed a month later due to pressure from the World …
Australian nuclear waste will now be shipped and processed in Argentina. Officials of both the countries recently signed an agreement to this effect, which has caused concern among the environmentalists. Australia presently sends its spent fuel to France for reprocessing. But following the treaty, Argentina will import the spent uranium …
us president George W Bush's position on a recent trade agreement with Jordan sends mixed signals on the issue of whether his administration will enforce the use of labour and environmental safeguards in trade relations. The us-Jordan Free Trade Agreement (fta) was negotiated in October 2000. It is considered
To put it in a nutshell, the factors that have contributed to the lack of development of organic market in India include low awareness about the perils of chemically farmed products, high prices of organic produce, lack of consumer confidence in organic food standards and their erratic supply. Smritee Singh, …
The government's interventions have focused on promoting certified organic production, missing out the challenge of using the organic route to reward traditional, marginal farmers. This misplaced priority seems to be changing. A master plan for the production of organic coffee is almost ready. Formulated by the coffee board, the plan …
New regulations in China regarding the import of genetically modified (gm) products have created a furore in the us trade and political circles. According to the us department of agriculture, 68 per cent of us soybean falls under the gm category. "It is critical to our soybean exports that China …
India has again lost a major battle in the global arena with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) granting a varietal patent for three basmati rice strains to a US company, RiceTec Corporation. As per the patent, RiceTec cannot sell the strains under the brand name basmati, but there …
the Philippines has recently passed a stringent law for labelling of products containing genetically modified organisms (gmos). In contrast, six European countries face trial for failing to protect their environment from the gmo threat. As per the new Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act of the Philippines, infringement can …
pharmaceutical giant Cipla has introduced a three-in-one aids drug called Triomune. The new drug is a combination of stavudine, lamivudine and nevirapine. Cipla could synthesise the drug because Indian laws allow generic copies to be made. The generic drug would remain one of its kind, as the patent holders of …
Early this month, the Karnataka legislative assembly passed the much-awaited legislation to deregulate the sandalwood business, by lifting government monopoly over sandalwood. The Karnataka Forest (Amendment) Bill, 2001 will now allow cultivation of sandal trees in private lands and the government will also revise its cost. The Bill comes as …
the International Whaling Commission (iwc) has never faced such a threat to its very existence. The 53rd meeting of the iwc, held in London from July 23-27, is a definitive pointer to it. As its 43-member countries stood sharply polarised on the line of pro and anti-whaling, the meeting discussed …
the Indian system of medicines can take a leaf out of the French experience when it comes to marketing their products. Geographically labelling the medicinal plants used in various preparations, which shows their source of origin, would translate into better business. Not only would it put a seal of genuineness …
Several eyebrows have been raised over the Cipla offer to supply anti- aids drugs at one-third the current price to developing countries like South Africa. On March 7, 2001 Cipla Ltd of Mumbai, formally requested the South African department of trade and industry to issue compulsory licenses to patents on …
Globalisation is increasingly reducing the power of individual governments vis a vis multinational corporations whose annual turnover far exceed the gross national product of many wto members. This makes wto a major force influencing countries to open up to the world faster. Unfortunately this leaves a country vulnerable to market …
Sixty per cent of the world's important fish stocks are in urgent need of management to rehabilitate them or keep them from being overfished. While the idea of sustainable fishing remains mired in inter-nation conflicts and controversies, 35 per cent of the most important commercial fish stocks show a pattern …
