BILATERAL MEETING BETWEEN INDIA AND NETHERLAND ON SHIPPING

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Union Minister for Shipping, Shri Ved Prakash Goyal highlighted the role and importance of ocean as well as inland water in the economy of India and Netherland at the Conference on WATER FOR FUTURE held in Mumbai today. The Conference was jointly organised by Royal Netherland Embassy with the Ministry of Shipping and Confederation of Indian Industry. The delegation of Netherland was led by Joop Win, Minister for foreign Trade and Mrs. Agnes Van Ardenne, Minister for Development Co-operation. The Conference was attended by all sections of Marine Community. Later, in the evening the Ministers from Netherland had a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Shipping, Shri V.P. Goyal. Wide ranging issues pertaining to inland waterways and ports sector were discussed in the meeting. The Dutch delegation wanted to identify the specific sector/projects wherein both the nations can explore the possibilities of Joint Venture activities.

Shri Goyal offered them to involve in the field of dredging of National Waterways in India and the dredging operations being ensued at Kolkata Port. The Dutch Ministers invited Shri Goyal to visit Netherland in the coming months where the formal agreement for the cooperation in the above areas is expected to be signed.