 "'Indo-Israel FTA likely to raise trade volume'")
"Negotiations for conclusion of FTA between India and Israel have progressed considerably. Various technical aspects are being minutely examined and both sides are working out the details," Yahel Vilan, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission in Israel Embassy, told reporters here.
Maintaining that both the countries have shown a strong desire and political will to have FTA, he said the two sides should be able to sign the proposed agreement soon as there are no major obstacles in sight.
Stating that India already has FTAs with countries like Singapore and Japan, Vilan said once the proposed FTA is signed, bilateral trade between the two countries which stood at around $5 billion per annum would increase at least three times.
Trade and business between the two countries would skyrocket once FTA is put in place, he said, adding that there are immense potential for growth in areas like healthcare, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, irrigation, energy, particularly from renewable sources, aviation, IT and water management.
Referring to Odisha, Vilan said Israel is keen on expanding business and entering into joint ventures mainly in healthcare, agriculture and agri-related sectors like irrigation and water management.
Vilan, who is on a three-day visit here along with other Israeli officials, said their team met senior officials of Odisha's health and housing and urban development departments besides players from industry and trade.
Stating that the visiting delegation invited Odisha officials to attend two major exhibitions on health and urban development sectors slated to be held in Israel in June, he said it would make Odisha aware of sophisticated medical devices and equipment available in Israel.
Apart from government officials, CEOs of different hospitals and others have also been invited to attend the exhibitions, he said.