Indian embassy celebrates ITEC Day [Archives:2003/672/Local News]

Mohammed bin Sallam
The Indian embassy on Monday gave a reception party at Taj Saba Hotel on celebration of ITEC Day attended by a host of officials, diplomats and journalists.
In his address Mr. P.O Bagagi, the Indian Charge d'Affaires said “The Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Program is borne out of India's commitment to South-South cooperation. ITEC as well as SCAAP (Special Commonwealth African Assistance Program, meant for African countries) are the instruments through which India enhances, on a bilateral basis, technical and economic cooperation with other developing countries around the world. Both the ITEC and SCAAP programs are fully funded by the government of India experts on a grant basis. The ITEC program covers areas such as deputation of India experts abroad, pilot projects, feasibility studies, consultancy services and short-term training courses for foreign trainees in various Indian institutions to enhance their professional skills. At present, more than 141 countries across the world (including Russia) are covered by the ITEC and SCAAP programs.”
About the ITEC relation with Yemen, he said “The history of collaboration with Yemen under the ITEC program is very old. Yemeni nationals have been receiving training under ITEC in the following major fields: computer, oil flow measurement, income generation activities for rural women, audit, rural development, computer hardware/software, food processing, fertilizer quality control, etc.”
He said further “ITEC scheme is one of the programs of cooperation in the field of human resources development. Regrettably, during the year 2001-2002 and 2002-2003, these ITEC slots were not fully utilized and during the current year, Yemeni requests for such courses are not overwhelming-which may gain lead to under-utilization of earmarked slots. It is worth mentioning here that during the years 2001 and 2002, India was a No. 1 important Yemeni product and India was one of the largest exports of goods to Yemen. We have done analysis of about 200 items, in 4 6 items India was the first and largest exporter of goods to Yemen and in 73 items India was second or third largest exporter of goods and in 81 remaining items, India was fourth or plus exporter of goods. Total bilateral trade between India and Yemen during the year 2002 was to the tune of 780 million dollars.”
He concluded saying “I have great pleasure to inform you all, that the 5th Session of the India-Yemen Joint Committee Meeting and Indo-Yemen Joint Business Council meetings are scheduled to be held in Sana'a during the last week of the year 2003. India might organize “India Enterprise Show” in Sana'a and possibly in Aden also during that period. Two delegations may further cement the bonds between India and Yemen”.
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