Govt approves MoU with Mauritius for rural development

Government today approved signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Mauritius to establish a framework for cooperation in the sphere of rural development.
The MoU, which was approved by Union Cabinet today will encourage cooperation in the field of rural development and capacity building on the basis of equality and mutual benefit between both the countries.
The MoU will establish a framework for cooperation between the National Development Unit, Prime Minister's Office of Mauritius and the Rural Development Ministry in the sphere of rural development, Rural Development Ministry said in an official statement.
Both countries have agreed to coordinate and facilitate appropriate technical cooperation, including the access to Indian expertise institutions that can assist in fulfilling the objectives of this MoU.

As per the agreement signed, a joint committee on cooperation in rural development will be established which will meet alternatively in both countries on mutually agreed dates.
An institutional arrangement for bilateral cooperation between India and Mauritius in the field of rural development and poverty alleviation was under consideration for some time.
Both countries have a large segment of their population living in rural areas and are pre-dominantly dependent on agriculture and its allied activities for their livelihoods.