Lok Sabha approves Finance Bill

NEW DELHI: Holding firm on not rolling back the hike in prices of petrol and diesel, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday announced a debt relief package for coffee growers and marginal changes in tax proposals to benefit sectors such as construction and encourage the setting up of new hospitals.

Read More

Housing and healthcare reform helps improve lives

The Heilongjiang provincial government is investing billions in housing projects and healthcare in an effort to improve local livelihoods. Liu Xiaodong used to live in a shantytown in Qiqihar, but this was demolished to make way for new buildings. Liu and his family, who have a low income, got a new apartment subsidized by the government. “We had to walk like half an hour to find a public toilet …

Read More

Malaysian exports of LEDs to glow brighter

MALAYSIAN exports of light emitting diodes (LED), which amounted to RM1.81 billion last year, are due to rise by a further 20 per cent this year. Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said yesterday that last year’s exports reflected a 12 per cent rise from 2008. “We are confident that exports of these products will increase this year based on improvements to …

Read More