India, Brazil sign series of agreements in various sectors

Brasilia, Sep 12 (UNI) India and Brazil signed a series of agreements aimed at stepping up cooperation between the two countries in a variety of areas after summit-level talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva here today, in which both countries agreed to upgrade their relationship to a ''strategic level.'' The documents signed included one designed to provide a comprehensive framework for establishing air services between India and Brazil and beyond their respective territories.

It covers a wide ambit, including tariffs, user charges, aviation security and designation and authorisation of airlines.

The two sides also signed an agreement for development of cooperation in the areas of Science and Technology.

Under this, the Ministries of Science and Technology of both the countries will look at having joint research programmes and exchange of students and specialists.

The initial thrust will be in the areas of biotechnology, chemistry, climate research, marine sciences, new materials, mathematics, physics, renewable and sustainable energies, space and industry partnerships.

The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of human settlements. Both countries face similar challenges of urbanisation and development and concomitant increase in internal urban migration.

The MOU will facilitate exchange of information on housing and human settlements through biennial action plans.

The public sector Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) signed an MoU to set up a joint venture company with Brazilian company CCC for the manufacture of rail wagons, coaches and mining equipment.

BEML will invest Rs 100 crores in the project, to be located in Brazil, and hold a 60 per cent stake and manahgement control in the project.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) agreed on a work plan to ensure closer cooperation between the two premier organisations.

Major areas of cooperation envisaged under the plan include crop and livestock improvement, soil and pest management, biofuels production and technology, fisheries and animal breeding.

The two countries signed an MOU for conducting Weeks of Indian Culture in Brazil and Brazilian Culture in India. It aims at organising four week-long festivals in 2007. The MOU also provides for setting up a working group to supervise the planning and organisation of the culture weeks.

Another MOU was signed between the Bureau of Indian Standards and its Brazilian counterpart, the Associacao Brasileira de Normas Technicas for the exchange of information and expertise.

An MOU on Plant Health Cooperation seeks to promote regulatory and technical cooperation in this area, to prevent the spread of quarantine pests and to limit the impact of regulated non-quarantine pests. It was signed between India's Department of Agriculture and Cooperation and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply of Brazil.

ONGC Videsh Ltd of India and Brazil1s Petrobras signed an MOU under which the Indian company will benefit from the knowledge and expertise of the Brazilian giant in the area of deepwater exploration.

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