A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the Department of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Government of India and the U.S. Commerce Department to establish an Infrastructure Collaboration Platform. Under the agreement, both governments will facilitate U.S. industry participation in Indian infrastructure projects.                                                                                                 

Paving the way for implementation of trade facilitation pacts at WTO, India and US have resolved an impasse over food security related issues while safeguarding interest of Indian farmers. With the US agreeing to support India's proposal on public stockpilin g of food, it would now go for ratification by the WTO General Council to facilitate signing of Trade Facilitation Agreement that has been stalled for months. Announcing the breakthrough, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that India and the US have successfully resolved their differences on the public stockholding issue for food security purposes in WTO.    

The Government is creating a National Industrial Corridor Development Authority to carry out project development activities, appraise and approve projects and implement and coordinate all central efforts for industrial corridor development. "Renewed efforts are now being made to not only cover the existing gaps in physical infrastructure but going much beyond that and creating a world-class physical infrastructure," Additional Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion Shatrughna Singh said. 

India has set up a special committee to expedite Japanese investment in India - in addition to the Japan Plus team constituted last month -- to research, promote and facilitate Japanese businesses seeking to invest in India. In September, Prime Minister Modi visited Japan and urged businesses there to set up shop in India and turn the country into a manufacturing hub.