Ấn Độ sẽ ký các hiệp định thương mại với Nhật Bản, Malaysia và EU vào nửa đầu năm 2011

India to sign trade pact with Japan, Malaysia and EU in first half of 2011

 

The Hindu
December 24, 2010

India will open its trade in goods and services with Malaysia, Japan and the European Union in the first half of 2011, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said here.

Talking to newsmen here, Mr. Sharma said the first half of next year would witness signing of comprehensive market and investment promotion agreements with Japan, Malaysia and the EU. India has already signed a framework agreement for the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) with Malaysia and concluded negotiations for a similar pact with Japan

With the EU, which has a bilateral trade of $76 billion with India, differences had cropped up on the level of opening of the market, dairy farming, issues pertaining to child labour and environment. After the India-EU summit attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Brussels on December 9, the negotiations have been intensified and are likely to be concluded by March next with a formal agreement coming by spring time. Mr. Sharma informed that India had launched negotiations for comprehensive economic partnership agreement with New Zealand and Canada. India had already entered into comprehensive market opening pacts with Singapore, South Korea and 10-nation economic bloc ASEAN.

Similarly, Mr. Sharma said a national policy aimed at making India a manufacturing hub leading to creation of more jobs and boosting economic growth would roll out by the end of next month. “We are in dialogue with the Planning Commission and it is my expectation that by the end of January 2011, we should be able to roll out the National Manufacturing Policy,'' Mr. Sharma said.

He said the new policy seeks to attract high-technology from advanced economies. “Our aim is to make India one of the manufacturing hubs. It will create jobs and boost economic growth,'' he remarked. Mr. Sharma said the Commerce Ministry had recently sent out a note for inter-Ministerial consultation for formulating the policy.

(Source: http://www.thehindu.com/business/article977131.ece; accessed 25 Dec. 2010)

India-Malaysia Joint Statement in 2010

Joint Statement on the Framework for the India-Malaysia Strategic Partnership

October 27, 2010

The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak and the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh met in Kuala Lumpur on 27 October 2010. They recalled their decision during the visit of the Prime Minister of Malaysia to India in January 2010 to expand and deepen India-Malaysia bilateral relations by establishing a strategic partnership between the two countries.

The two Prime Ministers acknowledged the long history of cultural and civilization contacts between the two countries and their shared commitment to democracy and development. They also acknowledged that both sides had made a contribution in promoting economic development and stability in the Asia-Pacific and recognized each others’ responsibility in the promotion of peace, development and security of the region based on a convergence of political and economic interests and aspirations. Both leaders recalled that India and Malaysia have a mutual stake in the progress and prosperity of the other, and expressed their determination to imbue greater dynamism to the relationship through all-round cooperation and engagement. They expressed their common desire to elevate bilateral relations to the level of a long term and strategic partnership based on mutual equality and mutual understanding.

In this context, the two Prime Ministers have identified the following elements of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries:

1. The two leaders agreed to maintain regular dialogue and contact at the summit level, including at the margins of international conferences;

2. Both sides acknowledged the importance of enhancing and deepening all-round cooperation through biennial meetings of the Joint Commission headed by the Foreign Ministers of the two countries, and that the next meeting shall be held in Kuala Lumpur in the first half of 2011;

3. Both sides welcomed the steady high level exchanges between the two countries and agreed to promote more exchanges at the Cabinet level including between the Ministers in charge of Trade & Industry, Railways, Road Transport & Highways, Tourism, Energy including new and renewable energy, Higher Education and Knowledge;

4. Both sides will continue to hold biennial foreign office consultations, including on regional and strategic issues of mutual interest, between the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia and the Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs of India;

5. Both sides also agreed to enhance defence exchanges and cooperation through regular exchanges between the Defence Ministers, senior defence officials, Chiefs of the Armed Services and regular Service-to-Service Staff Talks and regular ships visits.

6. The two leaders agreed to explore the possibilities of joint collaboration on projects of mutual interest in the defence sector on the basis of experience gained by both sides during the successful completion of the SU 30 MKM training programme, including in the areas of industry collaboration / partnership. The Malaysian side looks forward to participation from the Indian defence industry at the soon to be established Malaysian Defence and Security Park. Both sides also agreed to support each others defence exhibitions;

7. The two leaders firmly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and agreed to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism including through information sharing and the establishment of a bilateral Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism at an early date;

8. The two leaders affirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral trade and investment cooperation and deepen their economic engagement as the core of the strategic partnership;

9. Both sides welcomed the conclusion of the negotiations towards a high quality and mutually beneficial Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) to further enhance trade and investment flows between the two countries, and have agreed to sign the CECA by 31 January 2011 and to implement it by 1 July 2011. Both sides shall ensure realization of the above timelines for signing as well as implementation of the CECA;

10. Noting that the expansion of mutual investment will contribute to the reciprocal economic growth of both countries, the two leaders agreed to enhance cooperation and support at the governmental level to further strengthen existing bilateral collaboration in infrastructure development and involvement in infrastructure projects particularly in the construction industry and provide business opportunities in investment through joint business and government collaboration;

11. The two sides will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation Relating to the Provision of Technical Assistance Services on Highway Management and Development. This MoU will further enhance the participation by Malaysian engineering and consultancy companies in the development of national highways in India;

12. The two leaders welcomed the establishment of a high-level India-Malaysia CEOs Forum that was launched in Putrajaya during the visit, to develop enhanced partnership and cooperation at the business level. The two sides will also consider specific recommendations made by the CEOs Forum to the two Governments on improvements in the business environment and on measures for enhancing investment and trade flows between the two countries in the future;

13. Both sides agreed to explore the possibilities of enhancing cooperation in the financial sector including through participation in each others’ capital markets, through the exchange of views between the Finance Ministries and the relevant agencies of both countries. The Indian side welcomes the decision of the Malaysian side to give a commercial banking license to Indian banks;

14. Both sides recognized the competitive advantage of Indian software companies in IT and ITES, and have agreed to set up a Joint ICT Talent Development Consultative Committee (JICTDC) involving stakeholders from both the governments, relevant agencies, industry players and training institutions to make specific recommendations to both the governments for IT skills training, talent development and greater engagement of Indian IT companies in Malaysia;

15. Both sides agreed to study the possibility of enhancing the scope and level of joint collaboration in the hydrocarbons sector between PETRONAS of Malaysia and ONGC Videsh Limited of India in third countries, as well as importance of identifying possible collaborative projects in the new and renewable energy sector through the establishment of a Joint Working Group between the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology & Water of Malaysia and the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy of India;

16. The two leaders recognized that underpinning the two countries relationship are vibrant and longstanding people-to-people ties. In this regard, both sides will strive to promote a quantum leap in tourism, academic, culture and people-to-people exchanges between India and Malaysia, including through the development of specific proposals for University-to-University level collaborations, vocational and English language teaching, for consideration by the two Governments. They agreed that the Joint Working Group on Higher Education shall meet in Kuala Lumpur as early as possible for that purpose;

17. Both sides welcomed the establishment of the Indian Cultural Centre in Kuala Lumpur and will encourage wider cultural exchanges between the two countries;

18. Both sides welcomed the establishment of an Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) India Chair in Development Studies at the University of Malaya, Contemporary Malaysian Studies Centre at the University of Madras and note the intention by the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur to establish a Centre for Engineering Excellence at the University Sains Malaysia;

19. The two leaders acknowledged that the partnership has moved beyond the bilateral framework and that the two countries share a mutual interest in cooperating for peace, prosperity and security of the Asia-Pacific region and beyond;

20. Both sides recognized the central role of ASEAN in the regional processes and the importance of greater participation by India in regional initiatives in the long term interests of the region;

21. Both sides recognized the importance of concluding an ambitious and mutually beneficial ASEAN-India FTA in Services and Investments at the earliest possible time in order to give full play to the economic forces of the region in the service of the two peoples;

22. Malaysia welcomed India’s initiative to revive Nalanda University to strengthen regional educational cooperation among the Asian countries. Both sides also recognized the need to establish more centres of excellence in Asia;

23. Both sides underscored the importance of open, transparent and inclusive regional arrangements based on mutuality of interests with ASEAN as the driving force. They welcomed ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations, ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and East Asia Summit (EAS) as important regional mechanisms that advance peace, economic growth and stability of the Asia-Pacific region. Both sides welcomed the progress on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in East Asia (CEPEA);

24. The two leaders agreed that a comprehensive reform of the United Nations remains a priority in order for the organization to effectively address today’s global challenges. The two leaders also agreed to work in partnership towards achieving a more representative, more efficient and more effective UN Security Council especially its expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories;

25. Both sides reiterated their common commitment to nuclear non-proliferation objectives based on a fair, universal, non-discriminatory and verifiable regime, and express serious concern at the threat of proliferation of WMD and their means of delivery, and pledge to work together to counter such threats.

The Prime Ministers of India and Malaysia reiterated that with the exchange of visits between them in 2010, the two countries are embarking on a new stage in India-Malaysia relations through the establishment of this Strategic Partnership. Pursuant to this, the two Prime Ministers directed the concerned agencies of both governments to implement the elements outlined in the Declaration in order that form and content be given to the Strategic Partnership as soon as possible.

Putrajaya
October 27, 2010

(Source: http://meaindia.nic.in/mystart.php?id=530116603; Accessed 12 Dec. 2010)

Indian Prime Minister's Official Visit to Malaysia October 2010

Media Statement by PM after Official Talks with Prime Minister of Malaysia

October 27, 2010

His Excellency Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib, Prime Minister of Malaysia and,

Distinguished members of the Malaysian media and Indian media

This is my first bilateral visit to Malaysia and I am delighted to be in this beautiful country. I wish to convey my sincere appreciation to Prime Minister Dato' Sri Najib and the people of Malaysia for the very warm welcome given to me and for the excellent arrangements that have been made for our stay.

When Prime Minister Najib visited India in January this year, he had spoken of his wish to see a qualitatively new relationship between our two countries. My visit to Malaysia reflects the commitment of our Government to advance our relations to new heights.

India and Malaysia are two major countries of Asia. Malaysia is an influential member of the world community whose voice is heard with great respect in global institutions.

Our discussions today have laid the basis for a multi-faceted partnership between India and Malaysia. This will contribute to the peace, prosperity and development of Asia.

Prime Minister Dato' Sri Najib and I have agreed today on the framework for a strategic partnership. The Joint Statement outlines a road map for enhanced contacts between our countries at the political, business and people-to-people levels, based on our shared values of democracy and multiculturalism. We have agreed to work closely with each other on regional and international matters of common interest, including on combating the scourge of terrorism.

It is a matter of deep satisfaction that we have successfully concluded negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement. We have agreed that the two sides will work to complete the formalities by 31 January 2011 so that CECA can come into force by the agreed date of 1 July 2011. I am confident that this Agreement will transform our economic engagement in a substantive way.

Today we will also formally launch the India-Malaysia CEOs Forum. This will encourage direct interaction between business and industry in each other’s countries as well in third countries. I conveyed to the Prime Minister that India welcomes greater Malaysian investment in our infrastructure and manufacturing sectors, and our companies similarly look forward to doing greater business in Malaysia and the ASEAN region.

We have agreed to further enhance exchanges in the fields of tourism, civil aviation, culture, higher education and labour.

We discussed regional and international issues of common interest. We agreed on the need to reform the United Nations, including its Security Council, and international financial institutions. Both of us share the view that the regional architecture for cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region should be open, inclusive and transparent.

I thanked the Prime Minister for Malaysia’s constructive role, as ASEAN Coordinator, in helping to work towards a early conclusion of the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement in Services and Investment.

The year 2010 is a turning point in the history of India-Malaysian relations. The understandings and agreements that we reached today have established a solid foundation for the building of a Strategic Partnership, and bringing our two peoples together for a better future.

Thank you.

Kuala Lumpur
October 27, 2010

(Source: http://meaindia.nic.in/mystart.php?id=530116605; Accessed 12 Dec. 2010)

Indian Community in Southeast Asia

Remarks by PM at Indian Community Reception at Kuala Lumpur

October 28, 2010

I am happy to have this occasion to meet members of the Indian community in Malaysia.

The Malaysian Indian community holds a very special place in our hearts. You represent the largest gathering of people of Indian origin in the world. You have been contributing to the political, economic, social and cultural fabric of Malaysia, while preserving your ties with India. This is not an easy task. But you have successfully done so by blending Indian culture and values with the local milieu. Your achievements fill us with pride and joy.

I compliment you for the affection that you still have for the land of your ancestors. I applaud you for your contribution to the progress and prosperity in Malaysia.

Malaysia has today transformed itself into a modern industrialized nation. With its democratic framework, plural and progressive values, Malaysia provides a unique development model, which is relevant to the entire developing world and the international community.

Today India is also on the move. We are in the midst of a major transformation in addressing our developmental challenges within a democratic framework.

India offers a growing and vibrant market, young work force, and an attractive destination for foreign investors. We are already a trillion dollar economy. We are aspiring for a growth rate of 9-10% per annum. As our economy expands and creates more opportunities, it provides a new platform for collaboration between India and overseas Indian communities. I invite you to make use of these new investment and business opportunities in India in the best manner that you can.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas is now a full-fledged mechanism for reaching out to our overseas community. I am delighted to know that the Malaysian delegation is usually one of the largest and most active delegations at the annual Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas.

We enjoy excellent bilateral relations with Malaysia. India-Malaysia relations have grown significantly in the last five years. Prime Minister Najib’s visit to India earlier this year, and my return visit this year clearly demonstrate our common desire to upgrade our relations in a comprehensive manner. We have also finalized a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement that will create an institutional framework for expanding business and commerce manifold.

The Indian community in Malaysia is well placed to take advantage of the opportunities that will come as relations between India and Malaysia deepen and grow.

With cultural and social links to India and deep understanding of our language, culture and the way we do things, the Malaysian Indian business community can serve as the bridge for fostering economic linkages between the two countries. I look forward to seeing greater involvement by you in this endeavour.

I am pleased to learn about the efforts the community has made in preserving Indian traditions and culture. It is in recognition of this that we decided to open an Indian Cultural Centre in Kuala Lumpur earlier this year.

I am happy to learn that you are making use of the educational facilities we offer in India. I know that there is a much greater demand for education in India from Persons of Indian Origin globally than we can currently fulfill. The Government is considering ways to address these demands. Our Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs runs a Diaspora Scholarship Scheme that offers scholarships to PIO and NRI students studying in Indian universities. I am told that one third of practicing Malaysian doctors have obtained medical degrees from India. Some Malaysian Universities have now begun collaborating with Indian Universities to develop twinning programmes, particularly in medicine and engineering. I hope that the Malaysian Indian community will benefit from these initiatives.

I am happy to announce today a contribution of Rs 5 crore to augment the Indian Scholarship Trust Fund, which will raise the corpus to Rs. 7.55 cr. The Fund was set up by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1946 to provide assistance to Malaysian Indian students. At the request of the Indian community in Malaysia, I am also pleased to announce 20 scholarships for Malaysian students to pursue courses in traditional system of medicine in India.

The respect that non-resident Indians have earned abroad, including in Malaysia, is a matter of pride for all Indians. As a government we will continue to provide all assistance to the community in Malaysia through our High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.

I wish each of one of you and your families the very best, and season’s greetings on the occasion of Diwali.

Thank you.

Kuala Lumpur
October 28, 2010

(Source: http://meaindia.nic.in/mystart.php?id=530116609; Accessed 12 Dec. 2010)

Indian Prime Minister's Official Visit to Malaysia October 2010

Joint Statement on the Framework for the India-Malaysia Strategic Partnership

October 27, 2010

The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak and the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh met in Kuala Lumpur on 27 October 2010. They recalled their decision during the visit of the Prime Minister of Malaysia to India in January 2010 to expand and deepen India-Malaysia bilateral relations by establishing a strategic partnership between the two countries.

The two Prime Ministers acknowledged the long history of cultural and civilization contacts between the two countries and their shared commitment to democracy and development. They also acknowledged that both sides had made a contribution in promoting economic development and stability in the Asia-Pacific and recognized each others’ responsibility in the promotion of peace, development and security of the region based on a convergence of political and economic interests and aspirations. Both leaders recalled that India and Malaysia have a mutual stake in the progress and prosperity of the other, and expressed their determination to imbue greater dynamism to the relationship through all-round cooperation and engagement. They expressed their common desire to elevate bilateral relations to the level of a long term and strategic partnership based on mutual equality and mutual understanding.

In this context, the two Prime Ministers have identified the following elements of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries:

1. The two leaders agreed to maintain regular dialogue and contact at the summit level, including at the margins of international conferences;

2. Both sides acknowledged the importance of enhancing and deepening all-round cooperation through biennial meetings of the Joint Commission headed by the Foreign Ministers of the two countries, and that the next meeting shall be held in Kuala Lumpur in the first half of 2011;

3. Both sides welcomed the steady high level exchanges between the two countries and agreed to promote more exchanges at the Cabinet level including between the Ministers in charge of Trade & Industry, Railways, Road Transport & Highways, Tourism, Energy including new and renewable energy, Higher Education and Knowledge;

4. Both sides will continue to hold biennial foreign office consultations, including on regional and strategic issues of mutual interest, between the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia and the Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs of India;

5. Both sides also agreed to enhance defence exchanges and cooperation through regular exchanges between the Defence Ministers, senior defence officials, Chiefs of the Armed Services and regular Service-to-Service Staff Talks and regular ships visits.

6. The two leaders agreed to explore the possibilities of joint collaboration on projects of mutual interest in the defence sector on the basis of experience gained by both sides during the successful completion of the SU 30 MKM training programme, including in the areas of industry collaboration / partnership. The Malaysian side looks forward to participation from the Indian defence industry at the soon to be established Malaysian Defence and Security Park. Both sides also agreed to support each others defence exhibitions;

7. The two leaders firmly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and agreed to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism including through information sharing and the establishment of a bilateral Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism at an early date;

8. The two leaders affirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral trade and investment cooperation and deepen their economic engagement as the core of the strategic partnership;

9. Both sides welcomed the conclusion of the negotiations towards a high quality and mutually beneficial Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) to further enhance trade and investment flows between the two countries, and have agreed to sign the CECA by 31 January 2011 and to implement it by 1 July 2011. Both sides shall ensure realization of the above timelines for signing as well as implementation of the CECA;

10. Noting that the expansion of mutual investment will contribute to the reciprocal economic growth of both countries, the two leaders agreed to enhance cooperation and support at the governmental level to further strengthen existing bilateral collaboration in infrastructure development and involvement in infrastructure projects particularly in the construction industry and provide business opportunities in investment through joint business and government collaboration;

11. The two sides will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation Relating to the Provision of Technical Assistance Services on Highway Management and Development. This MoU will further enhance the participation by Malaysian engineering and consultancy companies in the development of national highways in India;

12. The two leaders welcomed the establishment of a high-level India-Malaysia CEOs Forum that was launched in Putrajaya during the visit, to develop enhanced partnership and cooperation at the business level. The two sides will also consider specific recommendations made by the CEOs Forum to the two Governments on improvements in the business environment and on measures for enhancing investment and trade flows between the two countries in the future;

13. Both sides agreed to explore the possibilities of enhancing cooperation in the financial sector including through participation in each others’ capital markets, through the exchange of views between the Finance Ministries and the relevant agencies of both countries. The Indian side welcomes the decision of the Malaysian side to give a commercial banking license to Indian banks;

14. Both sides recognized the competitive advantage of Indian software companies in IT and ITES, and have agreed to set up a Joint ICT Talent Development Consultative Committee (JICTDC) involving stakeholders from both the governments, relevant agencies, industry players and training institutions to make specific recommendations to both the governments for IT skills training, talent development and greater engagement of Indian IT companies in Malaysia;

15. Both sides agreed to study the possibility of enhancing the scope and level of joint collaboration in the hydrocarbons sector between PETRONAS of Malaysia and ONGC Videsh Limited of India in third countries, as well as importance of identifying possible collaborative projects in the new and renewable energy sector through the establishment of a Joint Working Group between the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology & Water of Malaysia and the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy of India;

16. The two leaders recognized that underpinning the two countries relationship are vibrant and longstanding people-to-people ties. In this regard, both sides will strive to promote a quantum leap in tourism, academic, culture and people-to-people exchanges between India and Malaysia, including through the development of specific proposals for University-to-University level collaborations, vocational and English language teaching, for consideration by the two Governments. They agreed that the Joint Working Group on Higher Education shall meet in Kuala Lumpur as early as possible for that purpose;

17. Both sides welcomed the establishment of the Indian Cultural Centre in Kuala Lumpur and will encourage wider cultural exchanges between the two countries;

18. Both sides welcomed the establishment of an Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) India Chair in Development Studies at the University of Malaya, Contemporary Malaysian Studies Centre at the University of Madras and note the intention by the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur to establish a Centre for Engineering Excellence at the University Sains Malaysia;

19. The two leaders acknowledged that the partnership has moved beyond the bilateral framework and that the two countries share a mutual interest in cooperating for peace, prosperity and security of the Asia-Pacific region and beyond;

20. Both sides recognized the central role of ASEAN in the regional processes and the importance of greater participation by India in regional initiatives in the long term interests of the region;

21. Both sides recognized the importance of concluding an ambitious and mutually beneficial ASEAN-India FTA in Services and Investments at the earliest possible time in order to give full play to the economic forces of the region in the service of the two peoples;

22. Malaysia welcomed India’s initiative to revive Nalanda University to strengthen regional educational cooperation among the Asian countries. Both sides also recognized the need to establish more centres of excellence in Asia;

23. Both sides underscored the importance of open, transparent and inclusive regional arrangements based on mutuality of interests with ASEAN as the driving force. They welcomed ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations, ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and East Asia Summit (EAS) as important regional mechanisms that advance peace, economic growth and stability of the Asia-Pacific region. Both sides welcomed the progress on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in East Asia (CEPEA);

24. The two leaders agreed that a comprehensive reform of the United Nations remains a priority in order for the organization to effectively address today’s global challenges. The two leaders also agreed to work in partnership towards achieving a more representative, more efficient and more effective UN Security Council especially its expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories;

25. Both sides reiterated their common commitment to nuclear non-proliferation objectives based on a fair, universal, non-discriminatory and verifiable regime, and express serious concern at the threat of proliferation of WMD and their means of delivery, and pledge to work together to counter such threats.

The Prime Ministers of India and Malaysia reiterated that with the exchange of visits between them in 2010, the two countries are embarking on a new stage in India-Malaysia relations through the establishment of this Strategic Partnership. Pursuant to this, the two Prime Ministers directed the concerned agencies of both governments to implement the elements outlined in the Declaration in order that form and content be given to the Strategic Partnership as soon as possible.

Putrajaya
October 27, 2010

(Source: http://meaindia.nic.in/mystart.php?id=530516603; accessed 8 December 2010)