Cabinet Approvals on January 4 2017

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, on January 4, 2017, gave its approvals for agreements in the field of Agriculture & allied sectors and Custom Matter with the three countries including Uruguay, Portugal and Kenya.

Government Approves Custom Agreement with Uruguay

The Union Cabinet under PM Modi approved signing of an agreement between India and Uruguay for cooperation and mutual assistance in Customs Matters.

• The draft text of the proposed Agreement was finalized with the consent of the two Customs Administrations.

Features of the Agreement

The Agreement will make available relevant information for the prevention and investigation of Customs offences and facilitate trade and ensure efficient clearance of goods traded between the countries.

• The Agreement would provide a legal framework for sharing of information and intelligence between the Customs authorities of the two countries and help in the proper application of Customs laws, prevention and investigation of Customs offences and the facilitation of legitimate trade.
• The Agreement will ensure correctness of the Customs value declared, the authenticity of certificates of origin of goods and the description of the goods traded between the two countries.
• Uruguay is an important trading partner of India among members of the MERCOSUR, a trading block in Latin America. India signed a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with the MERCOSUR which came into effect from 1st June, 2009.

Uruguay :

• Capital: Montevideo
• Currency: Uruguayan peso
• President: Tabare Vazquez

Cabinet Approves Signing Agreement with Portugal for Agriculture & Allied Sector

The Union Cabinet also gave its approval for signing of an agreement for cooperation in the field of Agriculture and allied sectors between India and Portugal.

Features of the Agreement

Under the Agreement a Joint Working Group would be constituted comprising of representatives from both countries. The group would be responsible to monitor the implementation of the MoU and make concrete proposals for agriculture cooperation and develop guidelines and priorities for future cooperation in the field of agriculture and allied sectors.

• The Agreement covers various activities including exchange of scientific and technical information, trade in plants and plant products, exchange of information in phytosanitary issues, training programmes, seminars and visits of experts and consultants.
• The Agreement will come into effect from the date of its signing and shall remain in force for a period of five years.
• The agreement would automatically extend for a subsequent period of five years unless either Party gives written notice through diplomatic channels to the other Party of its intention to terminate the Agreement at least six months before its expiration.

Portugal :

• Capital: Lisbon
• Currency: Euro
• Prime minister: António Costa

Union Government Approves Signing MoU with Kenya for Cooperation in Agriculture & Allied Sector

Union Cabinet led by PM Modi approved signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Kenya on bilateral cooperation in the field of Agriculture and Allied Sectors.

Features of the Agreement

Here also a Joint Working Group would be constituted that will comprise representatives from both countries. The group will have the task to develop detailed cooperation programmes and monitor implementation of the MoU.

• The MoU shall enter into force on the day of signing and shall remain valid for a period of five years and shall automatically be renewed for a subsequent period of five years unless either Party notifies the other in writing, six months before the expiry of the validity period of the intention to terminate it.
• The MoU will cover area including agricultural research, animal husbandry and dairy, livestock and fisheries horticulture, natural resource management, post-harvest management and marketing, soil and conservation, water management, irrigation farming systems development and integrated watershed development integrated pest management, agricultural plant, machinery and implements, sanitary and phytosanitary issues.

Kenya :

• Capital: Nairobi
• Currency: Kenyan shilling
• President: Uhuru Kenyatta