Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of State visits Sweden

[Hindustani78]

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Czech, Mr. Lubomir Zaoralek meeting the Minister of State for Commerce & Industry (Independent Charge), Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, in New Delhi on December 20, 2016.

 

[Hindustani78]

Cabinet
04-January, 2017 13:18 IST
Cabinet approves signing of MoU between India and Portugal in the field of agriculture and allied sectors

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for signing of an Agreement for cooperation in the field of Agriculture and allied sectors between India and Portugal.


The Agreement covers various activities in these fields which include exchange of scientific and technical information, trade in plants and plant products, exchange of information in phytosanitary issues, training programmes, seminars and visits of experts and consultants.


The Agreement provides constitution of a Joint Working Group comprising of representatives from both countries, the task of which would be to monitor the implementation of the present MoU and making concrete proposals for agriculture cooperation and develop guidelines and priorities for future cooperation in the field of agriculture and allied sectors.


The Agreement shall enter into force on the date of its signing and shall remain in force for a period of five years and shall be automatically extended for a subsequent period of five years unless either Party gives written notice through diplomatic channels to the other Party of its intention to terminate the Agreement at least six months before its expiration.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Minister for Energy, Utilities and Climate, Denmark, Mr. Lars Christian Lilleholt calling on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, on the sidelines of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on January 10, 2017.

The Minister for Energy, Utilities and Climate, Denmark, Mr. Lars Christian Lilleholt calling on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, on the sidelines of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on January 10, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi meeting the Swedish Education Minister, Ms. Anna Ekstrom, on the sidelines of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on January 10, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi meeting the Swedish Education Minister, Ms. Anna Ekstrom and a group of Swedish CEOs, on the sidelines of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on January 10, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Finance
06-February, 2017 18:09 IST
India and Austria Sign a Protocol amending the India-Austria Double Taxation Avoidance Convention



India and Austria signed a Protocol amending the existing Convention between the two countries for Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income here today. The Protocol was signed by Shri Sushil Chandra, Chairman CBDT on behalf of India and Mr. Georg Zehetner, Charge d’ Affaires, Embassy of Austria on behalf of Austria.



The Protocol will broaden the scope of the existing framework of exchange of tax related information which will help curb tax evasion and tax avoidance between the two countries and will also enable mutual assistance in collection of taxes.


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[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises
07-February, 2017 14:38 IST
Economic Cooperation with Central and Eastern Europe

The Government is taking various measures for bringing investment from all over the world, including Central Eastern Europe, to India like opening up Foreign Direct Investment in many sectors, carrying out FDI related reforms and liberalization and improving ease of doing business in the Country.

India has engaged Czech Republic in heavy engineering since its formation. Further, India has been interacting with Russian Federation in heavy engineering since its formation for technological cooperation in the field of heavy engineering.

Czech Republic and Russian Federation remain major partner of India in heavy engineering industry through their continued support. Some of the major achievements emanated from interactions with these countries are indicated below:

Ministry of Industry, Czech Republic has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 24.11.2015 for technology cooperation in heavy engineering. It includes modernization of Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC) by Czech Engineering Firms.

HEC was set up with Russian collaboration. An MoU has been signed between HEC and M/s. CNIITMASH, a Russian Government Company, for transfer of latest technology to HEC and setting up a training infrastructure for highly specialized metallurgy like electro slag re-melting, welding, gearbox manufacturing and non-destructive testing.

BHEL has signed a MoU on 15.04.2015 with the Russian Joint Stock Company INTMA to set up a Gas-based Power Project in Kazakhstan .

Andrew Yule & Co. Limited has signed a MoU with M/s. Togliatti Transformator, Russia on 10.01.2014 for technical knowhow and design in the field of manufacturing of transformer.

This information was given by Minister of State in the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Shri Babul Supriyo in reply to a written question in the Lok Sabha today.

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Ministry of Shipping
07-February, 2017 15:05 IST
Shri Nitin Gadkari Holds Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium : Seeks Greater Belgian Participation in the Maritime Sector

The Minister of Shipping and Road Transport & Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari met the Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium Mr. Alexander De Croo, in Mumbai yesterday to discuss bilateral issues concerning the maritime sector. Shri Gadkari sought greater participation of Belgian companies in Sagarmala projects, inland waterways and development of industrial clusters. He talked about the immense opportunities that exist in India in the areas of coastal shipping, inland water transport, cruise, new port development, smart-port industrial city and development of green ports and urged the Belgian delegation to further strengthen the cooperation that already exists between the two countries in the maritime sector.

The Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium recalled the expeditious steps taken by Government of India in setting up the JNPT Antwerp Port Training Centre, which is now functioning well. He assured that Belgium would extend full cooperation for the development of the maritime sector in India. He further said that these issues can be discussed in detail in the forthcoming Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union (BLEU) meeting, which is slated to be held in May 2017. Another high-level visit of Belgian delegation is also scheduled to visit India in November 2017.

The meeting was attended by Shri Ravindra Agrawal, Joint Secretary (Sagarmala), Ministry of Shipping, Shri Neeraj Bansal, Chairman In-charge, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, Mr Jan Luykx, Ambassador of Belgium to India, Mr Peter Huyghebaert, Consul General of Belgium to India, Mr. Marc Van Peel, President of Port of Antwerp, Mr Kristof Waterschoot, Managing Director APEC & PAI, , Mr Luc Arnouts, Commercial Director Port of Antwerp, Baron Mr Eddy Bruynickx, Honorary CEO of the Port of Antwerp and Mr Jürgen Marchand, Trade Commissioner, Flanders Investment and Trade.

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The Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium, Mr. Alexander De Croo meeting the Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology and Law & Justice, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, in New Delhi on February 07, 2017.

 

[Tshering22]

Nordic nations have the best recycling and renewable energy technologies in the world. We would vastly benefit from such a know-how.

 

[dev_moh]

This guy is one of my favourites, working real good without much fuss...

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Commerce & Industry
15-February, 2017 10:32 IST
Agreement between India and Croatia on Economic Cooperation

Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of Croatia on Economic Cooperation was signed by Commerce and Industry Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Government of India and Ms. Martina Dalic, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy, Government of the Republic of Croatia on 14th February, 2017 in Zagreb, Croatia.

India and Croatia had earlier signed an Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation in September, 1994 with an aim to promote and develop bilateral trade and economic relations. The present Agreement between India and Croatia would be a step in continuity as the last one expired in November, 2009.

India’s bilateral trade with the Republic of Croatia during 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 were US$ 148.86 million, US$ 205.04 million and US$ 148.44 million respectively. The bilateral trade during the last three years has remained stable despite global slowdown.

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The Minister of State for Commerce & Industry (Independent Charge), Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman and the Deputy Prime Minister of Croatia, Ms. Martina Dalic signed an agreement on economic cooperation, in Zagreb, Croatia on February 14, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Agriculture
16-February, 2017 18:36 IST
Shri Radha Mohan Singh meeting with H.E. Shri Jon Georg Dale, Norwegian Minister for Agriculture

Bilateral cooperation in fisheries between India and Norway has grown tremendously and there is great potential for enhancing the relationship in this sector.

Good potential for cooperation with Norway in the field of dairying for increasing the yield of milk in India: Shri Singh

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Radha Mohan Singh met H.E. Shri Jon Georg Dale, Norwegian Minister for Agriculture today in New Delhi. On this occasion, Shri Singh said that India and Norway have traditionally close relations and our efforts will be to maintain the same in future. Shri Radha Mohan Singh further said that bilateral cooperation in fisheries between India and Norway has grown and there is ample potential for furthering relationship in this sector.

Shri Singh said that both countries can cooperate on developing and introduction of climate smart fishing techniques; to explore and develop technologies to capture underutilized fish resources; to increase the export of marine products. Shri Singh further said that Norway may also consider cooperation in the field of dairying for increasing the yield of milk in India.

The Agriculture Minister appreciated the research work being done on CLIMAWATER, CLIMARICE and ClimaAdapt in Andhra Pradesh, Telengana and Tamil Nadu states in India by Norwegian Institute of Bio-economy Research (NIBIO), Ministry of Agriculture. ClimaAdapt focuses on climate change in the Agriculture and water sectors. Shri Singh hoped that Norway may consider extending the research programme to other states also.

Shri Singh stated that India’s trade in agricultural commodities with Norway in 2014-15 included US$ 17.65 million in exports which increased to US$25.57 million the next year. Imports were of the order of US$ 2.48 million in 2015-16. Both the countries can, however, do much more in bilateral trade.

India is a signatory of the Global Crop Diversity Trust since 2006 to ensure the long-term conservation and availability of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture to achieving global food security and sustainable agriculture. Accordingly, Government of India has deposited 25 accessions of pigeon pea (Arhar) to Svalbard Global Seed Vault in 2014 for safety duplication. GoI has now intended to deposit 100 accessions of Sorghum and 100 accessions of Paddy during the visit of Indian delegation in February, 2017.

Shri Singh stated that our Government has put great focus on furthering relationships with likeminded countries, not only for catalyzing our trade and investment prospects but also sharing the knowledge that we have accumulated over the years with our friends. Shri Radha Mohan Singh hoped that Mr. Jon Georg Dale, Norwegian Minister for Agriculture’s visit to India will set a milestone in achieving the objective of expanding and strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries in the Agriculture sector.

After that, Union Agriculture Minister has inaugurated the retail sale counter of National Seeds Corporation in Krishi Bhawan. In order to match up with the government campaign to provide food items on affordable prize to common man, National Seed Corporation is now entering in to the production of Rice, Wheat Flour, Pluses, mustard oil, Besan, Dalia, Oats etc along with value addition to the Seeds which is not suitable for sowing. Corporation has opened the Retail Sale Counter in Krishi Bhawan. These products will be supplied to the customers at reasonable rates under “Farm Sona” Brand of the Corporation. Corporation not only increased its revenue but non-seed will be utilized and also the food product will be provided directly from ‘farm to the kitchen’ of the consumer.

Thereafter, Shri Singh inaugurated “Organic Cafeteria” in Krishi Bhawan to promote Organic farming. All food items in this “Organic Cafeteria” will be prepared of the organically produced raw materials. This Cafeteria will be run by Sikkim State Co- operative Supply, and Marketing Federation Ltd. (SIMFED).

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The Norwegian Minister for Agriculture, Mr. Jon Georg Dale meeting the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Radha Mohan Singh, in New Delhi on February 16, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Vice-Chair, European Conservatives and Reformists Group, Mr. Geoffrey Van Orden meeting the Minister of State for Commerce & Industry (Independent Charge), Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, in New Delhi on February 20, 2017. The Commerce Secretary, Ms. Rita A. Teaotia is also seen.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Vice-Chair, European Conservatives and Reformists Group, Mr. Geoffrey Van Orden meeting the Minister of State for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines (Independent Charge), Shri Piyush Goyal, in New Delhi on February 20, 2017.

A European delegation with the MPs led by the Vice-Chair, European Conservatives and Reformists Group, Mr. Geoffrey Van Orden meeting the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Shri Arun Jaitley, in New Delhi on February 20, 2017
.

 

[Hindustani78]

Cabinet
22-February, 2017 13:47 IST
Cabinet approves signing of an Agreement between India and Poland on cooperation in the field of agriculture and allied sectors

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for signing of an Agreement between India and Poland on cooperation in the field of agriculture and allied sectors.

The agreement covers various activities in the field of agriculture and allied sector including exchange of information on the current situation in agriculture, the phytosanitary conditions of crops, threats posed by harmful organisms and the threats posed by animal infectious diseases. It also covers the participation in fairs, exhibitions, seminars and conferences related to agriculture and agri-food processing; undertaking and developing joint economic initiatives including the support or agrifood trade between the states of the Contracting Parties.

The Agreement provides for constitution of a Joint Wording Group (JWG) comprising of representatives from both countries. The JWG will prepare plans of cooperation and to provide solutions to the problems arising during the implementation of the Agreement.




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Cabinet
22-February, 2017 13:49 IST
Cabinet approves signing of Air Services Agreement between India and Greece

Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the signing of Air Services Agreement (ASA) between India and Greece.

The Agreement has the potential to spur greater trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchange between the two countries bringing it in tune with the developments in the civil aviation sector. It will provide enabling environment for enhanced and seamless connectivity while providing commercial opportunities to the carriers of both the sides ensuring greater safety and security.

The essential features of the ASA are as follows:

i. Both countries shall be entitled to designate one or more airline.

ii. The designated airlines of either country shall have the right to establish offices in the territory of the other country for the promotion end sale of air services.

iii. The designated airlines of the two countries shall have fair and equal opportunity to operate the agreed services on specified routes.

iv. The designated Airline of each party can enter into cooperative marketing arrangements with the designated carriers of same party, other party and third country,

v. As per the Route Schedule, the Indian carriers can operate to Athens, Thessaloniki, HerakIion and any 3 points to be specified later in Greece from points in India, whereas the carriers of Hellenic Republic can establish direct operation to 6 metros viz. New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennal. Any points shall be available as intermediate and beyond point for the designated carriers of India as well as the designated carriers of Greece.

At present there is no ASA between India and Greece. The delegations of two sides met in New Delhi on 6-7th September, 2016 and finalized the text of ASA. The agreement is as per latest International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) template keeping in view the latest developments in civil aviation sector and with an objective to improve the air connectivity between the two countries.

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A European Union Delegation calling on the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, in New Delhi on February 22, 2017. The Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ms. Leena Nair is also seen.

A European Union Delegation calling on the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, in New Delhi on February 22, 2017. The Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ms. Leena Nair is also seen.

 

[Hindustani78]

The delegation of the Committee for Internal Market and Consumer Protection, European Union led by Ms. Vicky Ford meeting the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, in New Delhi on February 23, 2017. The Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri C.R. Chaudhary and the Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Hem Kumar Pande are also seen.

The delegation of the Committee for Internal Market and Consumer Protection, European Union led by Ms. Vicky Ford meeting the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, in New Delhi on February 23, 2017. The Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri C.R. Chaudhary and the Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Hem Kumar Pande are also seen.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-germany-ratify-social-security-agreement-4543637/

India and Germany have ratified the Social Security Agreement (SSA), which will come into force from May 1 this year, to help promote more investment flows between the two countries.

The SSA will also integrate the provisions of the 2008 social insurance pact that exempts detached workers of the two countries from making social security contributions in either countries so long as they were making such contributions in their respective countries, the External Affairs Ministry said, adding the 2008 pact will then cease to be in force. The two sides have exchanged instruments of ratification on Friday.

“The new agreement establishes the rights and obligations of nationals of both countries and provides for equal treatment of the nationals of both countries and unrestricted payment of pensions even in the case of residence in the other contracting state (benefits export principle).

“The requirements to be entitled to a pension can be met by aggregating the periods of insurance completed in India and Germany, whereby each country pays only the pension for the insurance periods covered by its laws. The period of posting will be up to 48 calendar months,” the ministry said.

As on date, India has signed and operationalised Social Security Agreements (SSAs) with 18 countries — Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, and South Korea.

 

[Hindustani78]

Cabinet
06-March, 2017 20:56 IST
Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Renewable Energy between India and Portugal

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Renewable Energy between India and Portugal. The MoU was signed on 6th January, 2017 in New Delhi.

The MoU will help in strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Both sides aim to establish the basis for a cooperative institutional relationship to encourage and promote technical bilateral cooperation on new and renewable issues on the basis of mutual benefit equality and reciprocity. The MoU envisages constitution of a Joint Working Group which can co-opt other members from Scientific Institutions, Research Centers, Universities, or any other entity, as and when considered essential.

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Cabinet
06-March, 2017 20:55 IST
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Portugal on cooperation in the field of IT&E

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Portugal on cooperation in the field of IT&E. The MoU was signed on January 6, 2017 in New Delhi.

The MoU will help in developing a long term and sustainable cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual interest in the areas of IT&E in line with each country's laws and regulations.

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