New Delhi : The union cabinet on Wednesday approved three MoUs with Qatar for cooperation in the fields of skill development, tourism and customs.
The MoU for cooperation in skill development and recognition of qualifications will facilitate workforce mobility, skill development and placement of youth in overseas jobs in Qatar, while the MoU in the field of tourism is aimed at encouraging co-operation between tourism sectors, tour operators, travel agents and other private sector tourism firms in the two countries, according to an official statement.
“It will also encourage public and the private sectors to invest in tourism, create favourable conditions for long-term co-operation in the field of tourism and help exchange visits of tour operators, media and opinion makers for promotion of two-way tourism,” it said.
India received more than 6,000 tourists from Qatar in 2015 and the Gulf country is a potential market for India in terms of medical tourism.
The third agreement pertains to co-operation in customs matters, would help in “the availability of relevant information for the prevention and investigation of customs offences”, according to the statement.
“The agreement is also expected to facilitate trade and ensure efficient clearance of goods traded between the countries,” it said.
Qatar is an important trading partner of India and bilateral trade has been expanding over the years.
“In view of the steady growth in bilateral trade, it was felt imperative to provide a legal framework for sharing of information and intelligence between the customs authorities of the two countries,” the statement said, adding that this will “help in proper application of customs laws, prevention and investigation of customs offences and to facilitate legitimate trade”.