'Rise in prices of manf goods a cause of concern'

Mumbai, Mar 30: Prices of manufacturing goods, particularly of things like steel, non-ferrous items, aluminum, paper, cement among others, were rising at a rate of 6.46 per cent and was a cause of concern, said Dr Ajay Dua, Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry today.

Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of a seminar on globalisation, organised by EXIM Bank here today, Mr Dua said inflation has been static for the past three weeks in a row.

''FDI is likely to cross the mark of even the USD 17.1 billion by the end of this month, compared to USD 7 billion of last year- a hike of 268 per cent,'' he added.

UNI