India Plans To Open Air Corridor To Central Asia For Trade In Agro Products

Admin 2 days ago General Leave a comment 44 Views

Image credit: State.Gov

Mumbai:

Port Wings News Network:

“The economically fast growing India and Uzbekistan, which is the most populous country of Central Asia, should collaborate to promote connectivity of central and South Asian regions. I am confident that the forthcoming international conference on “Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity – Challenges and Opportunities”, which is scheduled in Tashkent in July 2021, will promote the political dialogue to strengthen connectivity of the two regions,” said H.E. Mr. Dilshod Akhatov, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to India at an interactive meeting with Mr. Vijay Kalantri, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Uzbekistan in India.

Civil aviation and air cargo transportation hold untapped potential for boosting connectivity between both the countries. Government of India proposes to open air corridors to Central Asian countries for transportation of fruits and vegetables, food and other agricultural products. According to Uzbek experts, charter cargo flights to India are possible from Tashkent, Navoi and other aviation hubs of Uzbekistan.

Amb. Mr Akhatov further remarked, “I am confident that the setting up of the Regional Center for the Development of Transport and Communication Interconnectivity, which is proposed by the President of Uzbekistan at the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, will provide the much needed momentum to this effort.”

The Ambassador invited Indian companies to explore investment and joint venture opportunities in chemical, medicines, textile, leather, information technology and telecommunications sectors in Uzbekistan. He pointed out, “Special attention is given to the implementation of joint projects with Indian companies in Uzbekistan’s free economic zones, including seven pharmacological FEZs.”

In his remarks, Mr. Kalantri pointed to the recent progress in bilateral economic relations. He informed, “Both the countries agreed to implement 50 investment projects worth USD 3 billion last year. India has also opened a credit line of USD 448 million for four development projects in Uzbekistan, including road construction, wastewater treatment and information technology.”

He added, “Today, there are more than 280 firms with Indian capital operating in Uzbekistan, and joint projects worth over USD 650 million are being realized. During the last four years, we have witnessed a considerable intensification of trade and economic cooperation with India. At the same time, the level of bilateral trade is low at USD 442.6 million in 2020 and we need sustained efforts to promote mutual trade and investment.”

Mr. Kalantri raised hope that the opening of the Uzbek-Indian trade center in New Delhi in 2017 and the establishment of the Uzbek-Indian Center for Entrepreneurship Development in Tashkent in 2018 will strengthen commercial ties.  The Uzbek-Indian Committee for the Coordination and Promotion of Practical Implementation of Bilateral Projects, formed in 2019, is expected to strengthen state support for cooperation.

He noted India’s accession to the Ashgabat Agreement and the first trilateral meeting for joint use of Chabahar port in Iran as progressive moves to promote connectivity.

Ms. Sangeeta Jain, Senior Director (AIAI) nominated to 109th Session International Labour Conference of ILO

More than 187 countries to participate at the 109th Session of International Labour Conference of International Labour Organisation (ILO) comprising of Employers Group/Employee /Government representatives from June 03-19, 2021 and November 25- December 11, 2021(Virtual).

Ms. Sangeeta Jain, Sr. Director, All India Association of Industries (AIAI) has been nominated by the Government of India, as a Women Advisor to attend this meeting once again.

The Government delegation will be led by Mr. Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State (IC), Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India.

The 1st Conference will be held at Geneva and 2nd will be held this year in November 2021.  The session will be comprising the composition of Employer’s group of the Indian Tripartite delegation.

Ms. Jain has also attended earlier ILO Conference as an Advisor and also participated in World Trade Organisations “WTO Public Forum’ besides other International and National Conferences overseas.

Ms.  Jain said that the topics to be discussed are Inequalities  and the world of work, strategic objective of social protection (social security), justice for Fair Globalization, applications of Conventions and Recommendations.

Share