Johanns to take up trade issues with PM, Pawar, Nath

New Delhi, Nov 18 (UNI) US Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns arrives here on a five-day visit starting today during which he will discuss bilateral and multilateral trade issues with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and Commerce Minister Kamal Nath among others.

Mr Johanns, who is seeking to get the deadlocked Doha talks back on track, is of the view that as a leader of the G-20 trade group of developing nations India plays an important role in the World Trade Organisation Doha negotiations.

Further, he has expressed interest in continuing important joint efforts to promote science and technology and create a sound regulatory environment that promotes trade and investment.

During his visit, he will also meet Food Processing Industries Minister Subodh Kant Sahay, Members of Parliament and private industry representatives to advance the cause of trade liberalisation.

He is scheduled to speak to the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on Indian-US agricultural trade and the Doha Round. He will also visit a farm community and a major agricultural market.

The India-US Agricultural Knowledge Initiative (AKI) was announced by Dr Manmohan Singh and U S President George W Bush in July 2005.

Meanwhile the AKI board, which met here today, announced several new projects including training opportunities for nearly 100 Indian government and private sector officials, joint Indian and American research projects, a multimillion-dollar agricultural market information system project and cold chain assessments to improve post-harvest capabilities.

The meeting was chaired by A Ellen Terpstra, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, and co-chaired by Dr Mangala Rai, Director General of the Indian Council on Agricultural Research.

The AKI is a partnership that brings the US and Indian private and public sectors together to work on innovative projects that will increase Indian agricultural productivity, help Indian farmers prosper and strengthen trade.

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