SUMMARY OF AGREEMENTS SIGNED DURING HON’BLE PM’S VISIT TO THE SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC

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Exchange programme in the field of education between the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic and the Government of the Republic of India:

India and Syria have signed a Programme of Cooperation in the field of education to give a boost to already strong relations in the field of education. India offers 19 scholarships to Syrian Students for pursuing higher studies in India, similarly Syria provides 5 scholarships to the Indian students for pursuing courses in Islamic Studies and Arabic Literature in Syria. India also provides short education and technical course under the ITC Programme. There have also been regular exchanges of scholars between the two countries in various fields. In addition the Programme provides for cooperation in the field of exchange of scholars, exchange of expertise, it also calls for setting up an IT education center in Syria through the Indian Cooperation.

The agreement is based on the recognition of the profound impact of education on human resources, economic and social developments of both countries and recognizes that greater linkages between both countries in the field of education would be mutually beneficial. The agreement is based on the Agreement on Cooperation in the field of Culture & Science between the two sides signed in 1975.

Executive work plan between Department of Biotechnology, Government of India & the Ministry of High Education, Syrian Arab Republic

Department of Bio-Technology, Government of India and the Ministry of Higher Education, Syrian Arab Republic have agreed on an Executive Work Plan (EWP) for a period of 5 years (2003-2008). The principle objective of the EWP is to facilitate and broaden opportunities for co-operation between the two countries in the field of bio-technology including strengthening of R&D activities of Syrian National Biotechnological Center, exchange of scientific and technological information, joint Research Programmes in the areas of agriculture, biotechnology, animal biotechnology, medical biotechnology, microbial biotechnology, environmental biotechnology and bio-informatics.

On Syrian request, Indian side would send one eminent expert with two visits of one week per annum to Syria for scientific and managerial advice for setting up of Syran National Bio-tech Centre and also assist in teaching and R&D.

Indian side would facilitate the procurement of equipments and other necessary items for the development of eco-friendly, sustainable bio-technological products.

Indian side will also facilitate the design, innovation and construction of Syrian National Biotech Centre and its laboratories of international standards.

For human resource development, Indian side will arrange each year five M.Sc./Ph.D. slots for Syrian students. It will also provide advance diploma certificate training slot each year to one young scientist below 40 years and 3 slots for short-term training programme of 3-6 months in reputed Indian university.

Agreement on mutual co-operation between National Small Industries Corporation, India and Ministry of Industry of the Syrian Arab Republic

National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), India a premier Public Sector Organisation is engaged and assessing growth of small scale industries (SSIs) since 1955 by providing technical, financial and market support apart from fecilitsing international business partnership in the small scale sector.

Recognising the need for the SSls in Syria to modernize and be competitive, NSIC and SSI organisation of Syria have agreed to mutually carry out feaslibility studies to identify thrust areas for the development of SSIs in Syria along with, facilitating technological transfer, enterprise to promote Indian technology and investemants from India for specific industrial projects for industrial partnership in Syria. Both countries will exchange and disseminate information on goods, services and hold trade exhibitions/fairs in each country.

Cultural Cooperation Agreement beween the Sahitya Academy in India and Arab writers Union in Syrian Arab Republic for the years 2003-2006

In an effort to revive and enhance the old cultural relations between the Arab Nation and the people of India and to get a deeper insight in the cultrue, art and literature of both the countries, both sides have agreed upon to coordinate their efforts at the international meetings and conference with the aim of serving the values of humanity and just peace. Both sides will exchange their periodicals (five copies of every issue), their publications ( two copies of every book), information, and documents and do their best to introduce each country’s literature into the other country. Both sides will also exchange delegations to pursue and practice cultural activities.

Executive programme for Cultural Cooperation between the Republic of India and the Syrian Arab Republic for the years 2003-2006

Regular cultural exchanges are organised and facilitated between India and Syria under the Cultural Exchange Programme. The executive Programme provides practical framework for organizing these cultural exchanges with an aim to strengthen cultural ties between the two countries. One of the main cultural activities is performance of Indian troupes in Syria. In last 5 years about 10 cultural troupes have visited Syria. All of them were highly appreciated by the Syrian audience and got considerable media attention. Regular film weeks organised in Syria and full-fledged retrospective of "Bollywood" in the Damascus International Film festival is proposed to be organised in December 2003. An Exhibition of Islamic Arts and an exhibition of Madhubani Paintings are also being planned in Syria.

Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of The Syrian Arbic Republic on cooperation in the field of Agriculture and allied sectors

The Ministry of Agriculture, India and the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform, Syria with the aim to develop and strengthen in existing friendly relations between the two countries have agreed on MoU to cooperate in the fields of agricultural science and technology, agricultural production and agro-processing through joint activities and exchanges. The cooperation generally will cover the areas of food processing, high yield crops, animal health and reproduction and administration of soil and water resources. Both sides have agreed on regular Exchange Programme of experts, specialists, trainers and training programmes. A Joint Working Group is also proposed to monitor the activities.

MoU between the Ministry of Communication and Information technology (Department of Technology) of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Higher Education of the Syrian Arab Republic of cooperation in Information Technology and services

Department of IT and the Ministry of Education, Syria have agreed to set up a Working Group of IT to realize the existing potential in IT sector between the two countries in more focused and comprehensive manner. The focus will be on IT software, e-commerce, information security, IT-related education and IT-enabled services. Working Group will undertake the activities related to the exploration, identification, implementation and finance in IT sector. It will promote joint training programmes, seminars, joint ventures in IT hardware and software and various exchange programmes between the two countries.

Programme of cooperation in science and technology between the Government of the Republic of India and the Syrian Arab Republic for the period of 2003-2005

Pursuing further the agreement between the Department of Science & Technology and Syria Arab Republic of Feb. 16, 1978, and taking note of MOU signed on July 27, 2000 on co-operation in the fields fo S&T, both sides have agreed on the broad subject areas of joint co-operation in science policy, technical policy, biotechnology, information technology, R&D, industrial linkages and commercialization of technology transfer.

Both sides have agreed to establish an Indo-Syrian Joint Working Group for determining the areas of mutual interest and co-operation and further for implementation of joint activities and monitoring and review of the same. JWG will meet annually alternatively in India and Syria.

Apart from this, bilateral joint technical workshops, training programmes, annual science conference and exchange of scientists and research workers will be undertaken. The exploratory visit for the scientists will be held for 40 man-weeks per annum and bi-lateral exchange of scientists for 30 man-weeks per annum.

The possibility of training of Syrian scientists in reputed Indian institutes and affiliation of Indian experts with Syrian organisation, twining of Indian institutes with Syrian institutes will also be explored.

Memorandum of Understanding on technical cooperation between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic

The Government of the Syrian Arab Republic and the Government of the Republic of India have agreed to facilitate and promote technical cooperation in the form of the joint projects for specific areas of technical cooperation. These areas will reflect the priorities of both countries in the sphere of their respective economic and social development plans and programmes. The joint projects will be in the form of deputation of experts, providing short term training in technical institutions for upgrading professional skills, providing consultancy services; conducting of feasibility studies etc.