A virtual meeting between India and Southern African Customs Union (SACU), consisting of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, have been revived to achieve a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and to discuss its various aspects.
- The Indian side was led by Srikar Reddy, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce while SACU was led by Amb. Steve Katjiuanjo, Executive Director, Ministry of Industrialization,Trade and SME (small and medium enterprises) Development of Namibia.
Key Points:
-In 2019-20, trade between India and Africa as a whole stood at $ 66.7 billion, of which the India-SACU trade was $ 10.9 billion which can expanded further.
-Imports from South Africa to India include gold, steam coal, copper ores & concentrates, phosphoric acid, manganese ore, aluminium ingots & other minerals.
-Exports from India to South Africa include vehicles and components thereof, transport equipment, drugs and pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, footwear, dyes and intermediates, chemicals, textiles, rice, gems and jewellery, etc.
About Southern African Customs Union (SACU):
It is a customs union among five countries of Southern Africa
Headquarter– Windhoek, Namibia
Executive Secretary– Paulina Mbala Elago
Recent Related News:
On May 11, 2020, A team of astronomers from the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), the (US) National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), the University of Pretoria, and Rhodes University(Both in South Africa), have used the MeerKAT telescope to solve a longstanding puzzle in ‘X’-shaped radio galaxies.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
India, Maldives inked agreement for establishment of ‘Emergency Medical Services Unit’ in Malei.On July 20, 2020, the Government of India (GoI) has signed an agreement with Ministry of Health of Maldives for the establishment of ‘Emergency Medical Services Unit’ at Baa Atoll Dharavandhoo Hospital in Male.
ii.The project would cost MVR (Maldivian rufiyaa) 8.5 million (Approximately Rs 4,14,58,782) out of which MVR 7.5 million (Approximately Rs 3,64,03,786) is grant from India. It will be constructed by LF Construction Pvt Ltd of Maldives.
iii.The agreement signing ceremony was held at Maldives’ Ministry of Health which was attended by Minister of Health Abdulla Ameen, Foreign Secretary Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed, High Commissioner of India to the Maldives Sunjay Sudir, and other officials from the Government, and the High Commission of India in Male.
About Maldives:
President– Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
Capital- Male
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