TEAM HERALD

PANJIM: In a precursor to Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Vladivostok, Russia beginning September 2 this year, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal led a 4-chief minister-delegation from August 11-13. This resulted in the signing of some Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) for better trade between the two countries. This included 140 private company representatives and also the Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant. This was the maiden occasion that a CM-level delegation led by a Central Indian Minister pitched for Indian investments abroad. 

Talking exclusively to Herald, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said, “The signing of MoU at Vladivostok in Russia was on international cooperation between the two countries, India and Russia. As far as mining is concerned, it was an agreement on exchange of technology between the two countries. Also, if any private industry is interested from India, they can go and do their business either in Vladivostok or other states in Russia. In fact they are welcoming Indians to do business in Russia, not only in mining but in coal, diamond, agriculture sectors too. In the same way we also invited them as regards to tourism and we can develop our mutual relationships between the two countries.”

When asked if there were any separate MoU signed by the Goa Chief Minister on coal, Sawant said, “We have not signed any agreement for coal separately as such. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going there on September 2 to Vladivostok to meet their President to develop the relations between the two countries.”

He was attending the installation of Ganesh idol and the “puja” thereafter in Raj Bhawan’s temple which was inaugurated by the Governor of Goa Mridula Sinha. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant  Kavlekar, former Speaker Rajendra Arlekar, Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar and the President of the Goa’s Raj Bhawan’s Employees Recreational Society and Police Superintendant Vishram Borkar among others.