Transport high on India-Finland cooperation pact

New Delhi, Mar 13: India and Finland have decided to explore areas of cooperation in the fields of Highway as well as Shipping and Port sector.

Visiting Prime Minister of Finland Matti Vanhanen and the Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T R Baalu discussed the issue here today. Ms Susanna Huovinen, Minister of Transport and Communications of Finland was also present on the occasion.

Mr Baalu told the visiting leaders about the ambitious National Highway Development Programme (NHDP) and informed them of the Government's decision to take up all future highway upgradation programmes through Public-private partnership (PPP).

The Minister also informed them about the formulation of National Maritime Development Programme involving an investment of about 22 Billion US dollrs in Ports, Shipping, Shipyard and Inland Waterways.

The Finnish Prime Minister highlighted the recent growth trends of Finnish investments in India and explored future opportunities for the Finland investments to participate in the country's road and port development programmes.

Mr Baalu sought mutual cooperation in the area of Ship building and emphasised that the advanced technology of Finland in this area would help the Indian Ship building industry. The two sides agreed that there was a need to establish a close coordination and communication for understanding the respective areas of strength, capability and achievements in technology pertaining to highway and port sector.

They also agreed to explore the possibility of forming joint ventures in the area of Cargo handling equipment and cooperate in the areas of Inland Water transport and Maritime training.

UNI