Gujarat signs MoU with KOTRA to strengthen trade, industrial relations

New Delhi: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Industries and Mines Department under the Gujarat government and Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) on Tuesday in Delhi.

The priority sectors in focus under this signed MoU were Chemical, Petrochemical and Pharmaceuticals; New and Renewable Energy; Start-up Ecosystem; Textiles and Apparels; Urban Infrastructure; Food Processing and Agro related industries; Skill Training and Development; Automobile, etc.

KOTRA is the national trade and investment promotion organisation operated by the Government of the Republic of Korea.

The MoU was signed by Principal Secretary Industries and Mines MK Das on behalf of the Government of Gujarat and Dr. Kwon, Pyung-oh on behalf of KOTRA.

The MoU was signed with an aim to recognize a mutual desire to further enhance and strengthen Korea – Gujarat trade and industrial investment relations and to encourage ongoing dialogue and cooperation.

Both Industries Department of Gujarat and KOTRA will assist each other to provide in-market support to their respective mission delegates for travel abroad.

KOTRA will also take part in Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2019 to be held from January 18 to 20 next year.

Gujarat which is a leading destination for foreign investment and bilateral trade is a key contributor to this relationship. Incidentally, Gujarat’s export to South Korea was around $1 Billion in 2017-18, which was approximately 25% of India’s total export to the nation. In recent past, South Korean companies in the field of textiles and chemicals manufacturing have also expressed interest in investing in Gujarat.

On a related note, KOTRA will open an office in Ahmadabad to facilitate trade and economic cooperation specifically between Gujarat and South Korea.

A Vibrant Gujarat promotional delegation is proposed to visit South Korea in the coming months and could leverage this MoU to pitch Gujarat as India’s most favourable trade and investment destination.

The outcomes of this MoU are thus expected to shape relations between the two regions going forward, and bring them closer in terms of holistic socio-economic development.

Gujarat Industries Commissioner, Smt Mamta Verma and Resident Commissioner of Gujarat in Delhi, Arti Kanwar were present during the MoU signing ceremony. (ANI)