India and Israel to explore areas of Cooperation in Shipping & Road Safety

India and Israel have agreed to explore areas of cooperation in the road safety programmes. This was decided at a meeting when the Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport & Road Safety, Mr. Shaul Mofaz, called on the Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Thiru T.R. Baalu, here today. He was accompanied by the ambassador of Isreal to India Mr. David Danieli and other senior officials of the Government of Israel. Senior officials of the Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways were also present on this occasion.

Thiru T. R. Baalu told the visiting dignitary about the various developmental projects currently under implementation in the road and port sector and about the numerous investment opportunities available in India in these two sectors.

Regarding road safety standards in the country, Thiru Baalu told him that Government of India has embarked upon several initiatives to bring about perceivable improvement in the road safety standards and the rate of accident per 10,000 vehicles has, in fact, started showing a declining trend though marginally. Both the leaders opined that the two countries should explore areas of cooperation and share the experience and expertise in the road safety methods. The two sides agreed to explore the possibility of setting up of a joint working group for this purpose.

Thiru Baalu also informed Mr. Mofaz that his Government is working on an ambitious Highway development programme which envisages PPP projects of US $ 50 billion under the various phases of the National Highway Development Programme (NHDP).

Thiru Baalu told the Deputy Prime Minister about the National Maritime Development Programme (NMDP) under which 276 projects are being taken up under Public-private partnership (PPP). He said that under the NMDP, an investment of US $ 12.5 billion is envisaged in Port sector till 2011-12 and another US $ 9.5 billion in Shipping sector till 2025. The Minister told his Israeli counterpart that under the existing policy, foreign direct investment upto 100 % under automatic route is permitted in construction and maintenance of ports and harbours.

The visiting dignitaries were informed that considering the Israeli expertise in the field of high tech intercepting vessels, the Hindustan Shipyard Limited is at the advanced stage of finalizing a joint venture in association with a leading Israeli company for bidding for 15 interceptor boats/vessels.

The two sides also discussed the progress made on the earlier proposal of the Maritime Agreement between two countries. Thiru Baalu said that it would be expedited with the finalization of the Model Shipping Agreement by July this year.

Source : Press Information Bureau

Keywords