India, Israel to forge cooperation in shipping, road safety

New Delhi, Mar 21 (UNI) India and Israel today agreed to explore the possibility of setting up of a Joint Working Group for the road safety programmes and forging effective business links in the shipping sector by finalising a Model Shipping Agreement by July this year.

This was decided at a meeting between Union Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Minister T R Baalu and Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Transport and Road Safety Minister Shaul Mofaz here.

The Israeli Deputy Premier was accompanied by his country's ambassador to India, Mr David Danieli, and other senior officials.

Mr Baalu informed the visiting dignitary about the various developmental projects currently under implementation in the road and port sectors and about the numerous investment opportunities available in India in these sectors.

Regarding road safety standards in the country, Mr Baalu said government had embarked upon several initiatives to bring about perceivable improvement in the road safety standards.

''The rate of accident per 10,000 vehicles has, in fact, started showing a declining trend, though marginally,'' he said.

Both the leaders opined that the two countries should explore areas of cooperation and share the experience and expertise in the road safety methods.

Mr Baalu also informed Mr Mofaz that his ministry was working on an ambitious highway development programme, envisaging PPP projects of 50 billion US dollars under the various phases of the National Highway Development Programme (NHDP).

About the National Maritime Development Programme (NMDP), the minister said a total of 276 projects were being taken up under the Public Private Partnership (PPP).

Under the NMDP, an investment of 12.5 billion dollars is envisaged in the port sector till 2011-12 and another 9.5 billion dollars is planned in the the shipping sector till 2025.

The Minister told his Israeli counterpart that under the existing policy, 100 per cent foreign direct investment under automatic route was permitted in construction and maintenance of ports and harbours.

The visiting dignitaries were informed that considering the Israeli expertise in the field of high tech intercepting vessels, Hindustan Shipyard Limited is all set to finalise a joint venture in association with a leading Israeli company for bidding for 15 interceptor boats/vessels.

The two sides also discussed the progress made on the earlier proposal of the Maritime Agreement between two countries. ''It will be expedited with the finalisation of the Model Shipping Agreement by July this year,'' Mr Baalu said.

UNI