18 JAN – Malaysia takes WTO legal action against EU over palm biofuel curbs

  KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is taking legal action at the global trade watchdog against the European Union and member states France and Lithuania for restricting palm oil-based biofuels, the government said.   The world’s second largest palm oil producer, which has called a EU renewable-energy directive “discriminatory action,” is seeking consultations under the World Trade…

18 JAN – Pakistan opens bids for 20 onshore blocks for grant of Petroleum Exploration Rights

  ISLAMABAD: Directorate General of Petroleum Concessions has publicly opened bids for 20 onshore blocks for grant of Petroleum Exploration Rights through open bidding at Petroleum House, Islamabad.   According to a press release of Ministry of Energy, the minimum investment to be carried out by the Exploration and Production companies in these blocks for…

18 JAN – US biz advocacy group urges FM Sitharaman to lower tariff in next Budget

  Washington: A top India-centric American business advocacy group has suggested Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to lower tariff in the Union Budget if the country wants to compete with China-backed mega free trade agreement Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).   China and 14 other countries in November last year established the world’s largest trading bloc…

18 JAN – EESL to implement ‘Energy Efficient PNG Cook Stove’ programme across India

  New Delhi: State-run Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) has inked a pact with Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) for implementation of Energy Efficient PNG Cook Stove (EEPS) programme, across India. The EESL, a joint venture of PSUs under the Ministry of Power, Government of India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PCRA,…