January 15, 2002
'16'
INDIA TO OFFER ASSISTANCE TO COTE’D IVOIRE IN DRUGS & PHARMACEUTICALS
THREE CORE AREAS IDENTIFIED FOR INCREASE IN TRADE
RUDY MET PM OF COTE’D IVOIRE
India would offer assistance to Cote’d Ivoire in supply of drugs and pharmaceuticals, diagnostic medical instruments and para-medical products. This was indicated by Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, here yesterday in a meeting with H.E. Mr. Pascal Affi’n Guessan, Prime Minister of Cote’d Ivoire (Ivory Coast). Shri Rudy said that this assistance would be in keeping with the requirements of the Cote’d Ivoire Essential Drugs Act. Three core areas were identified by both the sides for enhancing the trade volume from the current level. These areas are drugs and pharmaceutical sector, information technology and small scale industry. Shri Rudy briefed the visiting Prime Minister about the impressive progress made by India in the field of Information Technology and asked him to consider India as one of the sourcing country for their need in this sector. Mr. Pascal Affi Guessan, who is on a two-day visit to India, was accompanied by the Industries Minister Mr.Alain Cocauthrey.
Shri Rudy expressed India’s willingness to cooperate with Cote’d Ivoire in the field of Small Scale Industry & Engineering Sector and assured that India is all for sharing its expertise in the developments of SMEs and offered to supply quality products and technology at international competitive prices. In this regard, the Indian Minister mentioned areas such as assisting in erection, commissioning and commercial running of small scale industry projects, imparting training to the entrepreneurs in various institutes in India, facilitate the supply of machinery and equipment and promoting joint ventures. Shri Rudy emphasised the need for a joint trade committee meeting to be held between the two countries at the earliest opportunity.
The visiting Prime Minister expressed his country’s desire for expansion and diversification of trade with India and said that both the countries share an important economic relationship. He appreciated India’s role in the Doha Ministerial of WTO and added that it is must for the developing world to have a common approach in the further negotiations.
The main items exported by India includes Cotton yarn/fabrics, transport equipment, Rubber manufactured products except footwear, electronic goods etc.whereas imports include items like Cashewnuts, wood and wood products, cotton raw and waste etc.