The union cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the following proposals on 15th December 2023
i.Approves declaration of Surat Airport (Gujarat) as an International Airport
ii.Approves MoU signed between India and Tanzania on Cooperation in the field of sharing successful Digital Solutions
iii.Approves MoC signed between India and Saudi Arabia on cooperation in the field of Digitization and Electronic Manufacturing
iv.Approves draft MoU between USA, India to enhance innovation ecosystems through innovation handshake
v.Approves MoU between India,Italy on Cooperation in the field of Industrial Property Rights
Cabinet Approves Declaration of Surat Airport as an International Airport
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the proposal to declare Surat Airport as an International Airport.
- The Surat International Airport will facilitate seamless export-import operations for the thriving diamond and textile – industries
- Due to increased passenger traffic and cargo operations, the international status will encourage regional development.
- It will also enhance economic growth, attracting foreign investment and bolstering diplomatic ties.
- Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted its license as an aerodrome for public use in 2011 as per the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines
Note: It is second busiest airport in Gujarat after Ahmedabad. It was awarded the status of a customs airport on 9 Jun 2018. Surat Airport was built by the state government of Gujarat in the early 1970s.
Cabinet Approves MoU Signed Between India and Tanzania on Cooperation in the Field of Sharing Successful Digital Solutions
The Union cabinet chaired by prime minister Narendra Modi was notified about a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 9th October, 2023 between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Information, Communication and Information Technology of the United Republic of Tanzania on cooperation in the field of sharing successful Digital Solutions implemented at Population Scale for Digital Transformation.
- The MoU will encourage Government To Government (G2G) and Business-to-business (B2B) bilateral cooperation in the field of Digital Public Infrastructure(DPI).
- The administration of the activities mentioned in the MoU will be funded by the regular operating allocations
- Employment opportunities will be made in the field of Information Technology (IT).
Background
i.For the last few years, India has been successfully implementing the DPI and ensuring a smooth flow of services to the public even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ii.This led to India exploring business opportunities, sharing best practices, and attracting investments in the digital sector by way of collaborating with various countries.
iii.MeitY plays its part by signing MoU/Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC)/agreements with various countries to ensure cooperation where each country has its own specific needs and requirements.
iv.India Stack is a set of digital infrastructure components that collectively enable various entities, including governments, businesses, and individuals, to interact and conduct transactions electronically
v.India has entered into MoUs with countries such as Armenia, Sierra Leone, Suriname, Antigua, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Papua New Guinea, and Mauritius, offering them the India Stack and DPI
Cabinet Approves MoC Signed Between India and Saudi Arabia on Cooperation in the Field of Digitization and Electronic Manufacturing
The cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was notified of the Memorandum of Cooperation(MoC) signed on 18 August 2023 between MeitY of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on cooperation in the field of Digitization and Electronic Manufacturing
Key Features of MOC
- To strengthen collaboration in the fields of Digitization, Electronic Manufacturing, e-governance, smart infrastructure, e-health, and e-Education
- It promotes partnerships in research in digital innovation
- Use of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Robots, Cloud Computing, and Blockchain, etc
- Innovative training through e-Teaching, e-learning, and exchange programs
- To develop joint training programs for capacity building and access to highly skilled information and communication Technologies profession
- Strengthening of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) and start-up ecosystem by sharing information on business accelerators, venture capital and setting of technology start-up
Cabinet Approves Draft MoU Between USA, India to Enhance Innovation Ecosystems Through Innovation Handshake
The union cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister approved the draft MOU between the United States of America (USA) and the Republic of India to ‘enhance innovation ecosystems through an innovation handshake’.
Key Points
i.5th India-U.S commercial Dialogue held on 10th March 2023 during the visit of U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo between 8-10 March
- It was relaunched with a focus on supply chain resilience, climate, and clean technology cooperation, advancing inclusive digital economy, and facilitating post-pandemic recovery
- Launched the new working group on Talent, Innovation, and Inclusive Growth (TIIG)
ii.Joint statement by President Biden and Prime Minister Modi in June 2023
- Established an “Innovation Handshake” to support dynamic startup ecosystems, address specific regulatory hurdles to cooperation, and promote innovation and job growth, particularly in Critical and Emerging Technologies (CET).
iii.An Mou was signed on 14th November 2023 in San Francisco, USA to formalize the cooperation to boost commercial opportunities in the high-tech sector
- Two future Innovation Handshake events are scheduled in India and the United States in early 2024
- Hackathon in Silicon Valley to help address global economic challenges and
- Events, a roundtable with the private sector, and “ Open Innovation” programs to be organized to strengthen cooperation.
Cabinet Approves MoU Between India, Italy on Cooperation in the Field of Industrial Property Rights(IPR)
The Union cabinet chaired by the prime minister approved the signing of the MOU between the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry of the Republic of India, and the Directorate General for the Protection of Industrial Property-Italian Patent and Trademark Office of the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy of the Italian Republic on Cooperation in the field of Industrial Property Rights (IPR).
Key Points
- Establishment of a mechanism for allowing the participants to develop cooperation activities in the field of IP and IT services related to this field.
Background
i.MoU has been signed to support access and participation in the national and international IPR systems with a focus of start-ups and SMEs.
ii.To explain the procedure related to processing of IPR application, promoting IP awareness, and encouraging IPR commercialization and enforcement.
iii. It also includes the exchange of best practices, experiences, and knowledge in the field of IPRs by way of events and programs, which can be organized by a single participant or in collaboration.
Note: Industrial property rights are not specifically described but form part of Intellectual property rights. Industrial property law aims to regulate the rights to certain inventions and industrial or commercial creations.
About Tanzania
President – Samia Suluhu Hassan
Capital– Dodoma
Currency– Tanzanian shilling
About Saudi Arabia
Prime Minister – Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud
Capital – Riyadh
Currency – Saudi riyal
About U.S.A
President– Joseph Robinette Biden Jr.
Capital– Washington, D.C.
Currency– United States Dollar
