Powerloom count

CHENNAI: The central ministry of textiles will soon begin a census of powerlooms across the country as groundwork for better policy decisions in the sector. A ministry source here said the focus would be on collecting detailed data on the kind of loom operated, the region where it is used and the number of imported looms. “This will give the government a clear picture of the present scenario and allow better textile policy decisions,” the official said. Government has allowed the import of 60,000 shuttle-less looms by 2007. — HNS

Tanzania-India trade

DAR ES SALAAM: Trade between Tanzania and India has increased in the last four years - from $187.8 million in 2000 to $320 million in 2004. In the first seven months of 2005, the trade volume was $112 million. Tanzania’s main imports from India include machinery, electrical appliances, cereals, clothing, motor vehicles and oils, while the east African country’s exports are cashew nuts, gemstones, raw cotton and spices. — Xinhua

US economy slows

WASHINGTON: US economic growth slowed dramatically in the last three months of 2005 to just by 1.1 per cent as government and consumer spending fell away. US GDP, after expanding by an annualised 4.1 per cent over July-September, dropped to its weakest pace in three years after 10 consecutive quarters of growth above three per cent. Over all of 2005, GDP grew by 3.5 per cent, down from 4.2 per cent in 2004. — AFP

Singapore economy

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s economy should continue to perform strongly this year, prime minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Saturday in a Lunar New Year message to the city-state, forecasting jobs growth in 2006. — AFP