minister

Commerce vice-minister Zhong Shan expects a record-breaking number of buyers and exhibitors at the Canton Fair, the mainland's largest trade show. But he warned of "more challenging and complicated" prospects for global trade this year.

The 111th session of the twice-a-year China Import and Export Fair - as it is officially known - will be held in Guangzhou from 15 April to 5 May.

Malaysian Muslims have been warned by Minister Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom to avoid consuming a brand of beer claiming to be halal, as it contains more alcohol than is permitted. He said that despite claims by the distributor that the beer only had 0.01 percent alcohol content, laboratory tests showed that it contained as much as 0.5 percent alcohol.

"We will refer to the Royal Malaysian Customs Department to get a better picture," Khir told reporters on Sunday.

India's foodgrains output is set to rise to a record 235.88 million metric tonnes this crop year, according to government estimates, a figure which is likely to pave the way to lifting the export ban on wheat and common rice varieties.

Citing the government's latest crop estimates, farm minister Sharad Pawar said wheat output during the year through June is likely to rise to 84.27 million tonnes from 80.8 million tonnes last year, while rice output will increase to 94.11 million tonnes from 89.09 million tonnes over the same period. 

As part of the recent expansion of India's Cabinet, Vayalar Ravi, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, was given the additional charge of the Civil Aviation Ministry.

"I believe Air India is the face of the nation. But it is in a very poor condition. ... The basic question is how long can Air India run at a loss? My intention is to bring it to a place where it can break even" says Ravi.