Commerce Minister Kamal Nath on Monday said the Foreign Trade policy would be announced by April 10, and a policy for Special Economic Zones during this session. ‘‘We will announce the Foreign Trade within the first ten days of April,’’ Nath said, assuring that there were no differences with the finance minister over its contents. ‘‘There are no differences with the finance ministry, but discussions are on over some issues,’’ Nath said. The commerce ministry is reportedly keen to grant tax exemptions to exporters, while the finance ministry is against the move due to fiscal implications. On the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Bill, Nath said, ‘‘The Bill would be introduced in Parliament in the current session, after recess.’’ Nath, who was attending a conference on infrastructure reforms organised by FICCI also said, ‘‘There are issues (with infrastructure) that need to be addressed, such as greater transparency, better regulatory mechanism and a change in attitude.’’ Infrastructure: US for consistency from India New Delhi: The United States on Monday said that India needs to demonstrate greater consistency in its approach towards building quality infrastructure. ‘‘If world-class infrastructure is truly a priority, then India will have to have an overriding clarity of purpose and courageous political leadership,’’ the US Ambassador in India, David C Mulford, said at a Ficci seminar on infrastructure. Highlighting changes that may be necessary, Mulford said, ‘‘World-class infrastructure to deliver water cannot be created unless water is priced. This may challenge existing attitudes but it is nevertheless the reality.’’ —ENS
