Anand Sharma to embark on 3-nation 8-day visit

New Delhi, Feb 9: Minister of State for External Affairs AnandSharma will leave here on February 12 on an eight-day official visitsto Cuba, Dominican Republic and Jamaica for discussions with theirleaders on expanding cooperation in various sectors.

In Cuba the Minister will co-Chair the Indo-Cuban Joint CommissionMeeting in Havana on February 12-13. The Joint Commission will reviewand expand cooperation in areas like Information Technology,Bio-technology, Energy, Sports and Science and Technology.

Cuba has recently awarded two off-shore oil blocs to ONGC VideshLtd. Besides this, the OVL has got 30 per cent share in six moreoff-shore blocs in a Consortium led by the Spanish oil company, Repsol.

Indian biotech companies, Biocon and Panacea, have established joint ventures to produce vaccines using Cuban technology.

The Minister will hold talks with the Foreign Minister of Cuba andother Cabinet Ministers on regional and global issues in the context ofCuba being the Chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement since September,2006.

During his stay in Dominican Republic on February 14-16, theMinister will meet the Foreign Minister of the Dominican Republic andcall on the President.

Dominican Republic has recently opened an Embassy in New Delhi.

The Government of Dominican Republic is keen to attract Indian companies in IT and other areas.

The Minister who will be in Jamaica from February 17-19, will meet the Foreign Minister and call on the Prime Minister.

Jamaica is the largest country in the Caribbean region and has aleadership role in the 15-Member Caribbean Community, which isintegrating as a single market.

There is business opportunity for Indian companies in sugar and mining sectors in Jamaica.

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