HDFC ups lending rates

New Delhi, Aug. 2: HDFC, the country’s leading housing finance company, today hiked retail prime lending rate by 50 basis points to 16.50 per cent. The revised rate is effective from August 1 and is in line with recent rate hikes in the economy, Housing Development and Finance Corporation said.

EU trade talks

New Delhi, Aug. 2: Negotiations on a comprehensive free trade pact between India and the EU, which began in June 2007, have reached an “advanced and delicate stage”, minister of state for industry Jyotiraditya Scindia told Parliament.

South Australia

Calcutta, Aug. 2: South Australia Premier Mike Rann today invited business delegations from India to explore opportunities in mining, education and tourism in that region. He was speaking at an event organised by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce in association with The Telegraph.

HSBC jobs

Mumbai, Aug. 2: HSBC today ruled out job cuts in the country as part of its global recast, saying India is a strategic market and one of the key profit centres. The bank said it was finding it difficult to offset the high attrition rates.

RIL gas output

New Delhi, Aug. 2: The prized KG-D6 fields of RIL produced 31 per cent less than previously projected natural gas output in the April-June quarter, the oil ministry said today.