The Hindu Business Line : CII keen to expand trade with Abu Dhabi, says Munjal

THE CII has signed an MoU with Higher Colleges of Technology-Centre of Excellence for Research and Applied Training (HCT-CERT) in Abu Dhabi for sharing its expertise in manufacturing and human resource development and is looking to forge closer relations with the Abu Dhabi emirate which has embarked on a major developmental programme.

The CII President, Mr Sunil Kant Munjal, who is currently leading a CII delegation to the UAE, told Business Line that the MoU is aimed at utilising the CII's services in promoting capacity building in small-scale industries and human resource development.

Indian expertise and skills in high technology, manufacturing and engineering will be shared with UAE nationals, he said. "It would involve joint training programmes in Abu Dhabi as well as in India. The CII is already involved in facilitating training programmes for the UAE students in India. Now, with this MoU, we will be involved in training people here. The modalities of the MoU are still to be worked out," he said.

The MoU was signed by Mr Munjal and the UAE Minister of Education, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan. Mr Munjal said that the CII was keen to expand trade and investment potential with Abu Dhabi.

In his talks with Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Economy and Planning Department, the CII's contribution in Abu Dhabi's industrial diversification was discussed.

"The Abu Dhabi Government is quite keen to play a more proactive role in promoting Abu Dhabi outside the UAE and we would be interested in participating in the Emirate's industrial diversification plan," he said.

The good political and economic relations between the two countries will help facilitate more exchanges in terms of trade and investment, he said.

The CII official also highlighted the boom in the Indian economy, its strength in manufacturing and moves by Indian MNCs to invest overseas.

"We are also inviting UAE investments in projects in India," he said. Mr Munjal, who also met senior officials of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the visit to Abu Dhabi was positive and he expected more CII involvement in the Emirate in the coming period.

In view of the fact that 40 per cent of India's exports come from the small-scale sector, the Abu Dhabi officials discussed ways to make use of Indian expertise in this sector.

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