National
Sitharaman suggests private industry-led joint Indian-Uzbek business council
New Delhi, Aug 24 (IANS) Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said India has suggested setting up and activation of a private industry led-Joint Business Council to develop and enhance business relations at all levels with Uzebekistan including investments, trade in goods and services such as education and health.
Sitharaman held bilateral talks with visiting Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov and Foreign Trade Minister Elyor Ganiev on Wednesday to discuss deepening trade and economic ties between the two countries.
She said that if the draft agreement under negotiation between India-CIS Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Uzbek Chamber of Commerce is quickly finalised and the Joint Business Council commences work, then it would be a very positive development for enhancing bilateral economic and trade relations.
The ministers underlined the high importance of transport and logistics infrastructure for strengthening bilateral trade ties.
Sitharaman also urged for reduction of import duty on leather goods and footwear in Uzbekistan from current 30 to 10 per cent, which is current Most Favored Nation (MFN) rate in India. She said that India could source finished leather from Uzbekistan.
She also asked the Uzbek Ministers to consider reducing higher import duty on Indian engineering exports to Uzbekistan.
“The Commerce Minister requested Uzbek Ministers to consider reduction of import tariff imposed by Uzbekistan which are comparatively higher especially on fabrics and made-ups (up to 30 per cent), reduction in higher MFN duty on Ready Made Garments (RMG) products which is 31.1 per cent and simplifying the procedure for registration and certification,” the ministry said in a statement.
Sitharaman said that existence of Non-Tariff Barriers such as import quotas and licensing, price and foreign exchange control, complex customs and administrative procedures, harsh sanitary norms and outright border closures have also been limiting inter-regional trade.
She also sought simplified procedures for granting visa to Indian businessmen and tourists and expressed the hope that if visa issues are resolved, tourism will also receive impetus in both countries.
Ganiev said that the Uzbek government was seriously working to liberalise and simplify various procedures, systems and norms and expressed hope that most of difficulties faced by exporters would get resolved shortly.
–IANS
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National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.