January 22, 2002
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RUDY TO ATTEND INDO-MOROCCAN JCM AT RABAT
INDIA PARTICIPATES IN KHARTOUM INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR
Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, would attend and co-chair the 3rd session of Indo – Moroccan Joint Commission Meeting to be held at Rabat on 23-25 January, 2002. The meeting is being held after a lapse of over six years. The meeting is expected to identify ways and means to expand the bilateral trade, which is presently balanced heavily in favour of Morocco. The measures which could be considered include increased participation in trade fairs/exhibitions organised in the two countries, frequent exchange of business delegations, conclusion of appropriate agreements/MOUs in the identified fields of cooperation, removal of non-tariff barriers and other trade restrictive rules, regulations and procedures etc. The possible areas of cooperation include telecommunications, power, tea, tobacco, agriculture research & education, development of small-scale industry and information technology. Shri Rudy is expected to meet various Ministers of Morocco including the Prime Minister H.E.Mr.Abderrahmane Youssouffi and Foreign Trade Minister Mr.Abdelkrim Benatiq.
During his Sudan visit, Shri Rudy would attend 19th session of the International Fair of Khartoum to be held during January 23 to February 2, 2002. India had participated in the Fair last year also and the business generated at the Fair was to the tune of Rs.42 crore. The Khartoum Fair is the major forum in the African region for investment in numerous industrial and development projects. Sudan is India’s third largest market in West Asia and North Africa. India’s exports to Sudan during April-September 2000 were Rs.181.28 crore, which included transport equipment, pharmaceuticals, textiles and engineering goods.