▼ 6th Indo-Myanmar JTC held [06-28-17]
 The 6th India - Myanmar Joint Trade Committee (JTC) Meeting co-chaired by Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Commerce & Industry from India and Dr. Than Myint, Union Commerce Minister from Myanmar was held on 27th June 2017 at New Delhi.
The Joint Trade Committee plays a key role in facilitating issues related to enhancement of the bilateral economic partnership between the two countries.
Both countries have long history of shared religious, linguistic and ethnic ties.
Myanmar is India’s gateway to South East Asia and ASEAN with which India is seeking greater economic integration through ‘Act East’ Policy.
Myanmar shares a long land border of over 1600 Kms with India as well as a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal.
The bilateral relationship has been further strengthened by the high level exchanges between our countries. Prime Minister of India visited Myanmar in November 2014 for the Twelfth India-ASEAN Summit. State counsellor of Myanmar visited India in October 2016
Trade and Commerce play a significant role in the bilateral relationship of the two countries, with India’s trade with Myanmar growing by 6.01% from USD 2.05 bn in 2015 -16 to USD 2.18 bn in 2016-17.
The total export achieved in 2016-17 was 1.11 USD Billion, reflecting an annual growth of 3.79%. The import stood at 1.06 USD Billion showing a growth of 8.43%.
During the meeting discussions were held on exploring the feasibilities of direct shipping lines with Sittwe port and Vizag/ Chennai. Similarly, the need for direct air connectivity with Chennai/ Guwahati was discussed.
The quick finalisation of the Mode of Operation(MoO) for making the Border Haats functional on the ‘India-Myanmar border’ was lauded.
It was noted that 10 points spread across 4 states viz., Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland and Manipur, have been identified for operationalising Border Haats.
Both sides also agreed to explore opening of two new Border Trade Points at Pangkhuwa and Zoninpuri.
Both sides also agreed to deepen their engagements in some of the mutually identified core sectors.
Comprehensive MoUs would be explored in areas of Health Care and Textiles. The MoUs on capacity building between RBI and CBM signed on 22 September, 2015 and on cooperation in the field of Power Sector signed on 19 October, 2016 will be operationalised quickly.
The proposed MoU between RBI and Central Bank of Myanmar on currency exchange rate fixation also needs to be expedited. Myanmar side was also requested to explore the suggestion of opening of a Counsellor Office in the North-East.
Project Development Fund for CLMV was also highlighted. The 4th India - CLMV Business Conclave has emerged as the main B2B forum for countries of the region and India.
The 5th Edition is now poised to be organized in Cambodia. She expressed the hope that the Conclave along with JTIF set up by the Ministry will help faster growth of business to business contacts and FDI inflows between the two countries.
The Minister requested the Government of Myanmar and its business community to actively partner in India’s initiatives to strengthen her manufacturing capacities, viz. ‘Make in India’ and stated that India is also ready for a similar move in Myanmar.
|
▼ National medical and wellness tourism board holds meeting [06-20-17]
 The Third Meeting of the National Medical and Wellness Tourism Board was held today under the chairmanship of Dr Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism and Culture.
In the Second Meeting of the Board held on 28th March, 2017, it was announced that comprehensive framework and roadmap on Medical and Wellness Tourism would be prepared and presented before the nation in time for the International Yoga Day on June 21st 2017.
The Committee presented its report for adoption by the Board in which a standard framework for assessment and accreditation of all AYUSH facilities that cater to Tourism has been created.
The institutions can apply online for self-assessment which would then be reviewed for accreditation.
All organisations that are already accredited and/or qualified and/or certified by NAAC, NABH, ISO-9004, Indian Yoga Association (IYA), Center of Excellence (CoE), Organisations affiliated by Universities, Approved Integrative Hospitals and government AYUSH Institutions and Green Leaf / Olive Leaf organisations approved by Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala would be listed on the Ministry of Tourism website by 21st June 2017.
The Ministry of Tourism is also celebrating the 3rd International Day of Yoga through various initiatives:
- A 30 second Radio Spot promoting Yoga was developed and is airing on 17 AIR FM stations starting 14th June.
- A 60 second Television commercial promoting India as a land of Yoga has been developed. A month long TV campaign promoting Yoga is to be launched on Doordarshan network on 21st June.
- A campaign promoting Yoga is running on all social network channels of Ministry of Tourism from 15th May 2017 to 21st June 2017.
- IDY 2017 posters and standees developed to be used by India tourism international and domestic offices.
- The International Day of Yoga was highlighted at the India stand at SATTE, Delhi in Feb 2017 and Yogshala Expo held in Delhi in June 2017.
- The private sector is also encouraging participation in Yoga Day events with Tour Operators planning special trips to Yoga camps and special Yoga Experiences for groups who are visiting on the Yoga Day.
National Medical and Wellness Tourism Board - The National Medical and Wellness Tourism Board was constituted under the Chairmanship of the Minister for Tourism.
- It was formed in October 2015.
- It aims to provide dedicated institutional framework to take forward Medical Tourism and position India as competent and credible medical and well tourism destination.
|
▼ Sikkim signs MoU with British Council [06-16-17]
 The Human Resource Development department of Sikkim government signed an MoU with the British Council to enhance quality of education in the state.
The MoU will improve the educational structure of the schools of Sikkim as planned by the Chief Minister and his vision to revolutionise Sikkim's education and help children achieves greater feats in life.
The purpose of the MoU is to support the aims and aspirations of the young people of Sikkim through collaborative projects in the area of English, education and skills by strengthening the capacity of the teachers and other professionals, working with youth in the state and support its cultural economy.
The programme also include capacity building in teaching, learning and research pedagogy of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Social Science teachers from undergraduate colleges and universities in Sikkim by UK higher education experts along with internship of young faculties at relevant UK Universities.
|
▼ 18 sectoral groups for smooth roll-out of indirect tax [06-12-17]
 The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has constituted 18 sectoral groups like telecom, textiles, gems and jewellery, e-commerce and mining, constituting officers both from the Centre and states to address sector-specific issues and assist in smooth roll-out of the new indirect tax regime from July 1.
The constitution of the 18 sectoral groups was decided in the 14th meeting of the GST Council held on May 18-19 in Srinagar.
These 18 sectoral groups representing various sectors of the economy and containing senior officers of the Centre and the states are being set up to ensure smooth implementation of GST by timely responding to the issues and problems of their respective sectors.
These groups will interact and examine representations received from trade and industry associations/bodies of their respective sector, highlight specific issues for the smooth transition to the GST regime and prepare sector-specific draft guidance.
The other sectoral groups are banking, financial and insurance, exports (including export oriented units and special economic zones), information technology and information technology enabled services, transport and logistics, micro small and medium enterprises (including job work).
Also included are oil and gas (upstream and downstream), services received and provided by government, food processing, big infrastructure (airport and sea ports including maintenance, repair and overhaul, power sector, housing and construction).
Other groups are on travel and tourism, handicrafts, media and entertainment and drugs and pharmaceuticals.
The officials of these sectoral groups will deal with the issues and the problems of the respective sectors they represent.
The concerned industry groups/associations or even individual industry representatives may approach the respective sectoral group officers with their problems, if any, relating to GST implementation who, in turn, will try to guide and help them in resolving the same.
This exercise will help in dealing with most of the sectoral problems and issues at the local/regional level.
|
▼ First railways HR round table conference held [06-12-17]
 Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu inaugurated Indian Railways’ 1st HR Round Table Conference. C
Railway is a large organisation & for every big organisation, it is necessary to revisit the basic issues, introspect them and bring a change to be competitive, versatile & efficient.
People in the organisation has to take a decision of change. Organisational change can happen only if the shortcomings are realised.
Railways is a complex organization. It has commercial role, social role and welfare role and has to meet expectations of people which are unique and conflicting. It also has to play a role of national transporter.
Railways is the most important strategic asset of country.
The change should start from the top level so it should be discernible to the people as discussed in the HR Round Table Conference. Railways as an organisation should cater to the larger corporate goals, corporate goals should cater to societal priorities.
The action & attention should be at Divisional level, Railway Divisions as a business unit should be a focal point of the changes.
Chairman Railway Board Shri AK Mital said that In all other organization the cost of employees is around 30% whereas in Indian Railways it is 60% of the operation cost.
The need of the hour is to increase the earning so that the cost of employees will go down which will be possible only when efficiency & output of each & every employees will improve.
|
▼ 18th annual India Russia summit held, agreements signed [06-2-17]
 The complete list of MoUs signed by PM Modi with Russia are listed below:
List of MoUs/Agreements exchanged during the visit of Prime Minister to Russia (June 01, 2017)
| Sl.No. | Title of MoUs/Agreement | Indian signatory | Russian Signatory |
|---|
| 1. | The program of cultural exchanges between the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of India for 2017-2019. | Ambassador Pankaj Saran | Vladimir Medinskyii Minister for Culture | | 2. | The General Framework Agreement for the construction of the third stage of the Kudankulam NPP (KK5 & KK6) along with the Credit Protocol | Shri Satish Kumar Sharma, Chairman NPCIL | Mr Alexei Likhachev, CEO ROSATOM | | 3. | Agreement between the Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent) and the Council of India on Scientific and Industrial Research on granting access to Rospatent experts to the Indian Digital Library of Traditional Knowledge (TKDL) | Ambassador Pankaj Saran | Mr Grigory Ivliev Head of ROSPATENT | | 4. | The contract between JSC «Russian Railways» and the Ministry of Railways of the Republic of India on the preparation of the justification for the implementation of the high-speed service at the Nagpur-Secunderabad section | Ambassador Pankaj Saran | Oleg BeloserovPresident of Russian Railways |
| 5. | Memorandum of cooperation between ALROSA Joint Stock Company (Public Joint Stock Company) and the Council for the Promotion of the Export of Precious Stones and Jewellery of India | Shri Praveen Shankar Pandya,Chairman,Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) | Mr Sergei IvanovPresident ALROSA |
Source: PIB The Saint Petersburg Declaration by the Russian Federation and the Republic of India: A vision for the 21st century was also part of the summit. Ties India and Russia span the spectrum from Culture to Defence (Sanskriti se Suraksha). 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries have been marked by a high degree of convergence on various bilateral and global matters. The Prime Minister mentioned St. Petersburg Declaration, issued today, as a benchmark of stability in a turbulent, interdependent and interconnected world.
|
