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Trade irritants with Turkey to be resolved soon: Prabhu
New Delhi, Dec 18 (IANS) Irritants in India’s trade with Turkey will soon be removed, and efforts are being made to address the issue of Turkey’s trade deficit with India, Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu said on Tuesday.
Addressing the India-Turkey Business Forum here organised by industry chamber Ficci, Prabhu said as part of improving trade relations with Turkey, the Indian Finance Ministry was also looking at a proposal from that country on allowing bilateral trade to be carried out in local currency.
“We have discussed all issues and we will resolve those so as to promote trade and investments between the two countries,” Prabhu said following a meeting here with visiting Turkish Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan.
“A proposal to trade in local currencies is now being discussed in the Finance Ministry and we are hopeful that this would be dealt with soon,” he said.
On the issue of their trade deficit with India raised by Turkey, Prabhu said that bilateral business relations would have to be made sustainable.
“We cannot just export, we have to import from Turkey too,” he said.
Prabhu said discussions with his Turkish counterpart revolved around issues such as setting up of banking facilities in both countries, tapping of construction opportunities in India, and increasing Turkish commodity exports to India of products like boric acid and poppy seeds.
Earlier this year, the Indian Cabinet approved an agreement between both countries to ensure quick and transparent processing of poppy seed imports from Turkey.
Prabhu also said he is slated to visit Turkey as the head of a business delegation in February 2019.
Speaking on the occasion, Pekcan noted the bilateral trade volume last year was $7 billion and going by the data of the first 11 months, the figure is all set to reach $8 billion mark next year.
“Turkey would like the figures to be much higher along with balanced trade,” she said.
The Turkish Minister expressed hope that issues such as non-acceptance of Turkey’s letters of credit and the absence of a correspondent bank in India would be resolved before Prabhu’s forthcoming visit to Turkey.
Turkey continues to remain excluded from India’s liberalised visa regime, with e-visa facilities having already been granted to over 160 countries.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.