NEW DELHI
The India ASEAN Trade Council, in an effort to enhance trade ties between Maharashtra and ASEAN nations, held a conference led by the Indian Economic Trade Organization. The MAH-ASEAN event, slated for November, is set to spotlight companies from Maharashtra keen on collaborating with ASEAN partners.
The council’s regional office was launched in Pune by Maharashtra’s Social Welfare Minister, Dileep Kamble, alongside MLA Eknath Khadse. A pivotal announcement during the event was the appointment of Dr. Sachin Kate as the Trade Commissioner for the India ASEAN Trade Council. Notable attendees included the Consul of Myanmar Prof. Dr. Ranganthan, Pune’s esteemed businessman Shailendra Goswami, and Dr. Asif Iqbal, President of the Indian Economic Trade Organization.
Amidst the presence of Pune’s vibrant business community, Dr. Kate acknowledged the virtual participation of ambassadors from Myanmar and Laos, reiterating India’s commitment to fostering robust partnerships with ASEAN nations. With a wealth of opportunities spanning sectors like MSMEs, Pharma, Education, Agriculture, and Manufacturing, this collaboration also aims to facilitate business alliances, academic partnerships, and bilateral delegations.
The ASEAN bloc, encompassing nations like Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, and others, plays a pivotal role in India’s foreign policy, thanks to the nation’s Act East Policy. ASEAN ranks as India’s fourth-largest trade ally, accounting for 11.28% of India’s total exports. The completion of the ASEAN-India Free Trade Area solidifies this relationship further.
In his capacity as the Trade Commissioner, Dr. Kate outlined ambitious plans for bolstering multilateral relations. Scheduled delegations to Malaysia in October and Indonesia in November are strategic steps towards this goal.
These visits will focus on a plethora of sectors, from education and agriculture to startups and IT.
India’s contributions to ASEAN, especially in trade and development across member states, have been significant. A noteworthy gesture during the event was the presentation of an appointment certificate to Dr. Kate by the Minister of Maharashtra.
Highlighting future endeavours, the Trade Commissioner’s office is set to release an
annual ASEAN report at EXCON 2023 in Bangalore, emphasising global infrastructure materials. This initiative, led by HASBER Pune, underscores the ‘MAKE IN INDIA’ concept’s potential in ASEAN nations.