Date:23/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/03/23/stories/2006032301810500.htm

Back India, South Africa to sign pact on maritime cooperation

Our Bureau

New Delhi , March 22

India and South Africa would sign an agreement to improve cooperation in merchant shipping and other related activities. The Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Mr T.R. Baalu, is leading a high-level delegation of his Ministry to the Republic of South Africa to sign the Agreement on Merchant Shipping and other maritime-transport related matters between the two countries.

The bilateral Maritime Shipping Agreement aims at increasing cooperation between India and South Africa in the field of shipping and to promote development of contacts between shipping organisations of the two countries, said a release. A Maritime Liaison Committee would be set up under the agreement for promoting merchant shipping and other maritime-transport related matters between India and South Africa, it added.

The agreement provides for facilitating Indian companies to establish joint ventures in the field of maritime transportation, ship building/repairs and would facilitate exchange of information for accelerating the flow of commercial goods at sea and seaports. Assistance to vessels in distress in the search and rescue regions of the two countries also forms an integral part of the agreement, it stated.