Al Akhbar, (25-4-2006)

New Delhi-(Iman Anwar):

 

The Egyptian Ambassador in New Delhi Dr. Kheir El Din Abdel Latief said that trade exchange between Egypt and India amounted to US$ 1.15 billion.

 

He added that the government of India is looking forward to the visit of President Hosni Mubarak to receive Nehru Award for peace, which India conferred on President Mubarak in appreciation of his role in spreading peace. In fact, this award is the highest Indian decoration given to a foreign leader and highly esteemed in India. He indicated that contacts are being made to hold the Joint Commission meeting under the chairmanship of the foreign ministers of the two countries. He added that India is looking forward to expanding and developing cooperation with Egypt in different walks of life. This Indian desire is reflected in the invitations extended to several officials in different sectors to visit India. The Egyptian Ambassador said that there are enormous opportunities of cooperation and interaction with India especially in the fields of economy, commerce and investments. He said that current level of cooperation in these fields is not up to the aspired for level, in spite of the promotion of the level of cooperation over the past years. He indicated that Egypt can benefit from India's experience in the fields of education development, scientific research, technology, printing, elimination of unemployment, healthcare, railway development, small & medium scale industries and woman empowerment.  He highlighted that trade exchange between the two countries reached US$ 1.15 billion (the Egyptian exports account for US$ 800 million of which US$ 500 are oil exports). He said that the volume of Indian investments in Egypt registered US$ 800 million and it is expected to reach US$ one billion by the end of 2006 and US$ 1.6 billion within the coming few years, as some Indian businessmen are considering the establishment of a number of projects in Egypt in the fields of industry, weaving, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, services and tourism. He added that the Indian tourists visiting Egypt reached 50,000 tourists with an increase of 15,000 tourists compared to the statistics of 2002. Studies conducted abroad indicated that India is among the top five countries in terms of tourist expenditure.

 

Joint Secretary, West Asia and North Africa, at the Indian External Affairs Ministry: Contacts are being made with Egypt for holding the meeting of the Joint Commission under the chairmanship of the two countries' foreign ministers

 

Contacts are being made between Egypt and India for holding the meeting of the Joint Commission under the chairmanship of the two countries' foreign ministers. The meeting will discuss the means to enhance relations in different fields.

 

These statements were given by Ms. Mani Mekalai, Joint Secretary, West Asia and North Africa at the Indian External Affairs Ministry. She added that there are permanent consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries and exchange of views over different regional and international issues.

 

Ms. Mani Mekalai confirmed that India welcomes the visit of President Hosni Mubarak to New Delhi anytime to receive Nehru Award for peace. She indicated that such a visit would push forward bilateral relations in all fields. She added that the economic reforms being implemented by the Egyptian government are important for Egypt as well as for its economic and commercial relations with India.

 

She stressed her country's support for the rights of the Palestinian people, ending the suffering of the Palestinian people and their right to an independent state. In this regard, she stressed India's commitment to the resolutions of international legitimacy. She underlined the importance of giving the right to the Palestinian people and the new government to determine their future. She also underscored the necessity of implementing the Roadmap plan, which was adopted by the International Quartet Committee. At the same time, she indicated that her country's relations with Israel are not at the cost of India's historical relations with the Arabs and do not affect the Indo-Arab relations at all.

 

Referring to the offending cartoons of Prophet Mohamed, Peace be Upon Him, the Indian official confirmed that her country denounces any insult to religions, as they should be respected by everybody. She added that India gives a model of a democratic society harboring people of different religions, who coexist in peace and harmony. So, what is raised about dialogue among civilizations and cultures seems strange to us, because it is already there. India is a model of a multi-cultural civilization.

 

Deputy Secretary General of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry: The Egyptian-Indian economic relations are not up to the level of the historical relations between the two countries

 

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry in India is considered the locomotive of development in the country, as no Foreign President visits New Delhi without meeting its leaders to discuss investments and joint ventures. Also, no Head of State in India makes a tour abroad without accompanying a businessmen delegation including representatives of the Federation.

 

Mr. Rajan Kohli, Deputy Secretary General of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry said that the task of the Federation is to back the government's efforts on two fronts: expanding cooperation with the world countries and achieving development in different industrial and commercial fields. In fact, this will help the state achieving its objectives inside and outside.

 

He indicated that the taskforce in these two fronts are 200 million workers in 36 major and minor sectors. Also, the Federation interacts with the governments to solve the problems that might impede the implementation of its developmental objectives. He indicated that the Federation has mechanisms for cooperation and bilateral agreements with 74 countries regulating the exchange of visits, study of carrying out joint ventures and holding periodical meetings for the joint commissions.

 

Mr. Kohli said that the Egyptian Embassy in New Delhi exerts efforts to facilitate and support cooperation with Egypt. He said that he feels sorry that economic relations between the two countries are not up to the aspired for level in spite of the good historical relations between India and Egypt.

 

He indicated that several ventures are being implemented with different world countries including countries in East Asia, the Gulf, Europe and the US, while Egypt is absent. Businessmen delegations from these countries are visiting New Delhi every now and then to discuss the possibility of establishing a venture, signing an agreement or establishing joint investments. However, no Egyptian economic or commercial delegation has visited Egypt over the last two years. He indicated that his country is a promising market and its investments abroad are doing well.

 

He expressed his hope that the Egyptian businessmen would put cooperation with India on top of their priorities.

 

Director of National Museum in India hopes to showcase pharonic monuments at the museum

 

Dr. Sohan, the Director of the National Museum in India said that he hopes to showcase pharonic monuments at the museum. He indicated that the museum includes around 200,000 exhibits of exquisite art both foreign and Indian, giving a detailed insight into Indian history and its cultural heritage. He added that the museum was inaugurated in 1960 and about 20,000 people, 30% of them are tourists, daily visit the museum.

 

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