Anand Sharma to embark on tri-nation 8-day visit on Feb 12

New Delhi, Feb 9 (UNI) Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma will leave here on February 12 on an eight-day official visits to Cuba, Dominican Republic and Jamaica for discussions with their leaders on expanding cooperation in various sectors.

In Cuba the Minister will co-Chair the Indo-Cuban Joint Commission Meeting in Havana on February 12-13. The Joint Commission will review and 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 Videsh Ltd. Besides this, the OVL has got 30 per cent share in six more off-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 and other Cabinet Ministers on regional and global issues in the context of Cuba being the Chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement since September, 2006.

During his stay in Dominican Republic on February 14-16, the Minister will meet the Foreign Minister of the Dominican Republic and call 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 a leadership role in the 15-Member Caribbean Community, which is integrating as a single market.

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

UNI