Pib

Pib

1. Minister of Commerce and Industry in Russia to participate in Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting and bilateral discussions with Russian leadership and business leaders

During his visit, the Minister of Commerce and Industry met the Member of Board (Minister) for Trade of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EaEC), Ms. Veronika Nikishina on November 15 and discussed early start of negotiations of the Free Trade Agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Commission, as well as the potential and opportunities for increasing trade cooperation.

The Minister will separately address a gathering of Russian Small and Medium Enterprises and a select group of Russian investors at Delovaya Russia today. He will also meet his other Russian counterpart, the Minister of Industry & Trade of the Russian Federation, Mr. Dennis Manturov. The discussions are likely to included ways to strengthen India- Russia Investment and collaboration in creating Joint Ventures under the Make in India initiative of the Government of India.

2. Indo-Bangladesh Exercise ‘SAMPRITI 2017’ comes to an end

The exercise is aimed at strengthening and broadening the aspects of interoperability and cooperation between the Indian and Bangladesh Armies while working together in a counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism environment under the UN mandate. Exercise was conducted under the aegis of the Red Horns Division of Gajraj Corps and had two distinct components which included Command Post Exercise (CPX) and Field Training Exercise (FTX).

3. The Steering Committee of the South Asia Regional Training and Technical Assistance Center (SARTTAC) met in national capital today and applauded the work done by the Center at a faster pace since its inauguration; Endorses the Center’s Fiscal Year 2018 Work Plan.

In his Opening Remarks, the Chairman, Shri Dinesh Sharma, Special Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Government of India noted that “for building SARTTAC to meet its potential, a convergence of bright, right and positive minds are needed”. The Steering Committee Members welcomed the speed with which SARTTAC has become operational and the array of capacity development (training and technical assistance), the Center has delivered across all work streams in a short space of time. They strongly supported the demand-driven principles embedded in the preparation of the Work Program. The Committee appreciated the range of training delivered to Member countries, including in-country training and the inclusion of subnational officials from India. There was an appreciation for the efforts being made to blend the training with technical assistance, leveraging the unique design of the Center that allows it to deliver both the types of support. The Committee also recognized the efforts, the Center has been making to customize training that is tailored to the unique needs of the South Asia’s economies.

4. Moody’s upgrade Sovereign Credit Rating of India to Baa2 from Baa3

Moody’s have also rightly recognized the Government’s commitment to macro stability which has led to low inflation, declining deficit and prudent external balance and Government’s fiscal consolidation programme which has resulted in a reduction of fiscal deficits from 4.5% of GDP in 2013-14 to 3.5% in 2016-17 and its consequential sobering impact on general government debt. Government intends to stay the course on fiscal consolidation in the medium term.

5. Health Ministry introduces Daily Drug Regimen for treatment of Tuberculosis

The salient features of this treatment strategy are use of Ethambutol in continuation phase for all patients, drugs to be given daily (as against only 3 times weekly previously), fixed dose combination (FDC) tablets to be used which will reduce pill burden (as against separate 7 tablets previously), for children, child friendly formulations as dispersible tablets and use of Information Technology (IT) enabled treatment adherence support system.

Current WHO Global TB Report, 2017 has reported that incidence of TB has reduced from 28.2 lakh to 27 lakh and mortality by 60 thousand over the last one year, which is a testimony of anti TB drive by Government of India.