INDIA & ANGOLA TO COOPERATE
IN PHARMA, HEALTH CARE & MANUFACTURING SECTORS
ANGOLAN
PLANNING MINISTER MEETS VIDYA SAGAR RAO
India and Angola
have decided to cooperate in the areas of pharmaceuticals, health
care and manufacturing sector. India would also assist Angola
in their reconstruction efforts. This was indicated in a meeting
between Dr. Ana Dias Lourence, Minister of Planning of the Republic
of Angola and Shri Ch. Vidya Sagar Rao, the Minister of State
for Commerce & Industry here today. "India has competence
and expertise in the areas of health care, pharmaceutical sector
and hospital equipments. The cooperation in these areas would
immensely benefit both the countries", Shri Rao said.
During the meeting,
Shri Rao drew attention of visiting Minister towards the fact
that diamond cutting and polishing units in Angola as the possible
area of cooperation between the two countries since India has
world-class technology and manpower in this area. This would also
help in providing large employment opportunities in Angola, the
Minister added. The Angolan Minister agreed to work closely to
further cooperation in this area. "We think it is possible
to cooperate for developing manufacturing sector in Angola which
is at nascent stage", Dr. Lourence said in the meeting. She
evinced keen interest in knowing the ‘Focus-Africa’ Programme,
launched last year by India to enhance economic cooperation between
the two regions.
The Angolan Minister
said that the ongoing reconstruction programme in her country
would provide immense opportunities for cooperation in the sectors
of cement, heavy industry, agro-industry and manufacturing activities.
Both sides stressed the importance of increasing the current bilateral
trade, which is at very low level. To achieve this, the Ministers
emphasised the inclusion of trade bodies and private sector in
this effort.
