Agreements with Uzbekistan on health, pharma, tourism approved

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved multiple agreement proposals to be signed with Uzbekistan in various fields including health research, tourism, agriculture, and combating menace of illegal narcotics and psychotropic drugs between them, an official said.

The Cabinet approved an agreement in the sphere of "law and justice" for exchange of experience of "legal professionals, government functionaries and their training and effective legal aid mechanism for resolution", said a government statement.

Another agreement approved by the Cabinet was setting up of an Uzbek-Indian Free Pharmaceutical Zone in the Andijan Region of Uzbekistan, to be built "in view of the importance of the growth of the pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceutical industry in both countries".

A different agreement in the field of pharmaceuticals will "explore the possibilities for the production of medicines, including Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) in different therapeutic segments in both countries", according to the statement.

The Cabinet also approved an agreement with the Central Asian nation in agriculture and allied sectors for exchange of information on seed/ crop production, and research on genetics, breeding, biotechnology, plant protection, soil productivity conservation, mechanisation, water resources and mutual application of scientific results.

The pact will also explore the technologies for enhanced water use efficiency in agriculture and share experience in the field of animal husbandry, including animal health, poultry, genomics and setting up of quarantine facilities.

All agreements will be signed on October 1 during Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's arrival here early next week, the government said.

--IANS

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