News - Issue -6 August 15, 2007

• The Kerala Government proposes free air tickets to Indian workers wanting to return to India under the amnesty scheme offered by the United Arab Emirates.
  
• UAE has set a deadline for illegal foreign workers to acquire legal status or face deportation. Emirates Airlines and Air India have also announced discounted fares to amnesty seekers and additional flights.
  
• It is expected that in future all the financial transactions including real estate, bank accounts etc will require PAN card. SBI Mutual Fund is facilitating the process of applying and getting PAN card.
  
• Popular Archie comic will have an Indian Character named Raj, son of an Indian American NRI. Raj will join as Archie’s friend.
  
• Dubai, Washington and Kuala Lumpur will have Welfare Centers, set up at Indian missions that will provide financial, legal and medical help to Indians abroad. Dubai Centre will be under the Indian Ambassador to the UAE and will serve Middle East nations. Washington (US, Canada) & Kuala Lumpur (Southeast Asia).
  
• Time magazine says that India will overtake the US by 2050 as measured in dollar terms. Measured by purchasing power parity, India is already on the verge of overtaking Japan to become the third largest economy in the world.
  
• Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and the International Organization of Migration (IOM) signed an agreement, opening the way for Indian workers to the European Union.
  
• NRIs to establish International Business School at Kochi.
  
• Kochi hosted the 3-day Kerala Property Expo organized by Kerala Builders Forum.