Cabinet signs MoUs with Jordan, Vietnam

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the proposal for signing two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between India and Jordan on cooperation in the field of health and medical science and cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters.

The MoU on health and medical science covers the following areas of cooperation- Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Health System Governance, Services and Information Technology in Health, Health Research, National Health Statistics, Health Finance and Health Economy, Chronic Disease Control, Tobacco Control, Diagnosis, Treatment and Medication in Tuberculosis and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices.

A working group will be set up to further elaborate the details of cooperation and to oversee the implementation of the MoU.

The MoU on cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters will help in the availability of relevant information for the prevention and investigation of customs offences.

The agreement is also expected to facilitate trade and ensure efficient clearance of goods traded between the countries.

The agreement would provide a legal framework for sharing of information and intelligence between the customs authorities of the two countries and help in the proper application of customs laws, prevention and investigation of customs offences and the facilitation of legitimate trade.

The draft text of the agreement has been finalised with the concurrence of the two customs administrations.

The draft agreement takes care of Indian customs' concerns and requirements, particularly in the area of exchange of information on the correctness of the customs value, tariff classification and origin of the goods traded between the two countries.

The cabinet also approved the signing of a MoU between India and Vietnam on Economic and Trade Cooperation.

The MoU would expand more bilateral trade and economic cooperation between India and Vietnam.