Government gives ex-post facto approval to India-South Africa agreement on tourism

New Delhi, Aug 10 The government today gave ex-post facto approval to a memorandum of understanding with South Africa for cooperation in the field of tourism.

The main objectives of the MoU, inked last month, is to expand bilateral cooperation in tourism sector; exchange information and data, invest in tourism and hospitality sectors; and encourage cooperation between stakeholders, including hotels and tour operators.

"The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and South Africa for cooperation in the field of tourism," an official release said.

South Africa is an emerging tourism source markets for India, which received over 51,900 tourists from that country last year.

The Cabinet also approved transfer of land belonging to the Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation (IISWC) Research Centre at Chandigarh to the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) for construction of a 60-meter peripheral master road in Mansa Devi Complex in Panchkula.

While 13,290.30 square meters of IISWC land will be transferred to HUDA, the Haryana development body will transfer another 178.75 square meters of land to the research centre.

The transfer of government land will help in the growth and development in the region leading to more employment generation, a statement said.

PTI