India, Mexico sign industrial Action Plan

New Delhi, Sep 25 (UNI) India and Mexico today signed the Action Plan for 2006-07 to promote bilateral trade and cooperation in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

According to the agreement, both sides would cooperate in areas such as light engineering (engineering goods, auto components, nuts and bolts), information technology, gems and jewellery, food processing machinery, handicrafts, garments, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, and handtools.

Besides, it was agreed upon to identify two joint projects between the MSMEs of the two countries.

India and Mexico would also examine the possibility of establishing a Business Development Centre in each country for promoting exports and investment and cooperate in virtual trade promotion.

As a first step, hypertext links between websites of the Ministry of Trade and Economy of Mexico and the Ministry of Small-Scale Industries and Agro and Rural Industries were created today during the Joint Committee Meeting.

The Plan further envisaged that both sides would establish forums in the respective countries to facilitate joint ventures, licensing, sub-contracting and commercial alliances and distributorship opportunities by sharing information and experiences.

Both sides also agreed to exchange technicians and students for capacity building.

The Action Plan was inked by Ministry of Small-Scale Industries and Agro and Rural Industries Secretary Anupam Dasgupta and Mexico's Vice Minister for Small and Medium Scale Industries Alejandro Gonzalez.

Earlier, the Mexican delegation, led by Dr Gonzalez, called on Small-Scale Industries Minister Mahabir Prasad.

Mr Prasad said the Plan was being signed at an auspicious time as the 'Navratras' had already started, and explained the significance of the auspicious period to the Mexican delegation, an official statement said here.

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