(a) the details of the international maritime agreements signed by the Government during each of the last three years and its impact on economic growth and development of the country;
(b) whether the Government has signed agreements with Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles with regard to cargo movement; and
(c) if so, the details thereof along with the volume of trade expected to be increased and income generated as a result thereof?
MINISTER OF SHIPPING (SHRI NITIN GADKARI)
(a)to(c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN RESPECT OF REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.524 FOR ANSWER ON 30TH APRIL, 2015 ASKED BY SHRI A. ANWHAR RAAJHAA AND SHRI SENGUTTUVAN B. ON INTERNATIONAL MARITIME AGREEMENTS.
(a) Government has entered into the following International Maritime Agreements/Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the last three years, namely:-
(i) A MoU for cooperation in the field of Ocean Economy between India and Mauritius was signed during the visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister to Mauritius on 11-12 March, 2015.
(ii) A MoU between India and Netherlands for bilateral cooperation in the fields of Ports and Maritime Transport and Logistics, which was originally signed on 12th February, 2008 was extended on 1st May, 2014 for a further period upto 10th May, 2017 in Netherlands.
(iii) A Maritime Shipping Agreement between India and Vietnam was signed at Hanoi, Vietnam on 24th May, 2013.
(iv) A MoU on Technology cooperation in the Shipping and Ports Infrastructure sectors between India and Austria was signed at New Delhi on 3rd October, 2012.
Signing of International Agreements/MoUs for bilateral cooperation in maritime sector with foreign countries helps both countries to encourage and facilitate steady growth of maritime traffic, exchange and training of staff and students from maritime establishments, exchange of information necessary for accelerating and facilitating such growth, establishment of joint ventures in the fields of maritime transportation, ship building and repairs, information technology, port facilities etc.
(b)&(c):No agreement has been signed with regard to cargo movement with Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles.