July 9, 2021
2 mins read

India, Guinea Bissau discuss trade, development partnership

The talks were held during Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (Economic Relations) Rahul Chhabra’s visit to Guinea Bissau (GB) on July 5-6…reports Asian Lite News.

Reviewing the entire gamut of bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest, India and Guinea Bissau recently held delegation-level discussions and took stock of bilateral trade and investment.

They also discussed development partnership, capacity building and people to people ties among others.

The talks were held during the Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (Economic Relations) Rahul Chhabra’s visit to Guinea Bissau (GB) on July 5-6.

He was accompanied by Joint Secretary (C&WA) on what was the first-ever bilateral visit from the Indian side, said a statement of the MEA.

Secretary (Economic Relations) Chhabra held delegation-level discussions with Secretary of State for International Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Udé Fati, and interacted with prominent members of the Indian community.

During the delegation level discussions, both sides undertook a comprehensive review of the entire gamut of bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest.

Both sides took stock of exchanges of bilateral visits, holding of Joint Commission and FOC meetings, bilateral trade & investment, development partnership, capacity building, people to people to linkages, pending MOUs including ISA, eVBAB, and visa free travel for diplomatic and official passport holders, opening of resident missions, regional and global issues.

COWIN APP

Also discussed was capacity building training in cashewnuts processing, Digital India program, Co-Win platform and Covaxin to fight Covid-19, development of ports, mining (bauxite, phosphates), agriculture and food processing in Guinea Bissau.

Both sides noted with appreciation their cooperation on COVID-19 related issues including supply of medicines and made in India vaccines under COVAX initiative. GB appreciated for gifting 1000 MTs of rice.

The talks were held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere. Both sides agreed to exchange bilateral visits at regular intervals, the MEA statement said.

Secretary (Economic Relations) Chhabra also called on President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and Deputy Prime Minister Soares Sambú.

Bilateral relations between India and Guinea Bissau are warm and friendly and are poised to grow in the times ahead.

The two countries collaborate closely in multilateral and regional fora like IBSA, TEAM-9 (Techno-Economic Approach for Africa-India Movement), IAFS (India-Africa Forum Summit), UN etc.

The present bilateral trade of US$ 135 million is below potential and there is considerable scope for higher growth.

India imports close to 90% of Guinea Bissau’s raw cashew nuts and is the biggest export partner of Guinea Bissau.

Both sides noted to expand trade basket, organization of business delegations and road shows, both in-person, and virtual platforms.

India has extended developmental assistance to GB worth over US$ 25 million under lines of credit. India continues to extend capacity-building support with scholarships, skill development training under ITEC.

ALSO READ-UNSC calls for counter-terrorism measures

READ MORE-More African Nations Join Solar Alliance

Previous Story

Why Shah got addl charge of Ministry of Cooperation?

Next Story

China must avoid overreacting to Modi’s birthday greetings to Dalai Lama

Latest from -Top News

UAE calls for calm

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, urged Inda and Pakistan to “exercise restraint” and avoid further escalation that could imperil regional and global peace The United Arab

India Targets Pakistan Loans at IMF

Foreign Secretary Misri noted that many of the 24 bailout packages sanctioned by the IMF for Pakistan had not reached a successful conclusion….reports Asian Lite News India will present its stance at

India to Pakistan: The Choice Is Yours

Foreign Secretary Misri Labels Pakistan the Epicentre of Global Terrorism, Citing Repeated Offenses…reports Asian Lite News India issued a warning to Pakistan on Thursday, stating that any further escalation would be met
Go toTop

Don't Miss

QUAD to stem terrorism, sets up Working Group

Jaishankar also said that one of the outcomes that Quad

UK’s Labour Delegation Visits India to Deepen Ties

Throughout the trip MPs Angela Rayner and Navendu Mishra built