NRI Congress Karnataka - UAE Chapter celebrates victory of Karnataka assembly elections in Dubai
Dubai, UAE: The NRI Congress Karnataka - UAE Chapter, under the leadership of Mr. Mohammed Azeem, celebrated the historic victory of the Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023 in Dubai on Saturday, May 20, 2023. The event brought together prominent personalities and supporters of the Indian National Congress (INC) to commemorate the achievement.
Mr. Mohammed Azeem (Dubai Real Estate Pioneer & Director - Irham Healthcare Group), Shafi Naser (Investor, Dubai Real Estate Corp Inc), Rahman Sajipa (President & Member of various cultural organizations) Shaikh Muzaffer (Founder, Aim India Forum), Dr. Aris (Social Worker), Aslam, Zaheer Bikampady, Mohammed Niyaz, Mohammed Noushad, Rizwan Kundapur, Mohammed Imran, and others were present during the event.
The members of NRI Congress Karnataka Chapter extended their congratulations to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, and the Cabinet Ministers for their remarkable achievement in the elections.
The event also showcased admiration for various political leaders through the display of their pictures, including, AICC President Malikarjun Kharge, KPCC President DK Shivkumar, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, UT Khader, Dr. Parameshwar, Ramalinga Reddy, MB Patil, BK Hariprasad, Rizwan Arshad, KH Muniyappa, Inayat Ali, NA Haris, Priyank Kharge, Sharath Bacchegowda, Pradeep Ishwar, B. Nagendra, Suneel Mane, Saleem Ahmed, Ashok Rai, Dr. Arati Krishna, and many others.
Attendees shared their thoughts and discussed the establishment of the NRI Karnataka Congress in the UAE, emphasizing the importance of supporting and representing Karnataka's culture and strengthening ties with the government. Mohammed Azeem emphasized the need for a strong representation of the KNRI body in the UAE to support Kannadigas in need, particularly focusing on the youth as the future of the community.
The chief guest, Shafi Naser, congratulated the Congress party on its victory and expressed optimism about positive developments in the state under its leadership.
The celebration concluded with a vote of thanks and a dinner, fostering camaraderie and unity among the attendees.
It is worth noting that the NRI Congress Karnataka - UAE Chapter aims to create a platform for NRIs to engage in the political process, promote the interests of the Karnataka community abroad, and contribute to the development and welfare of the state.
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India, New Zealand ink free trade agreement
New Delhi (PTI): India and New Zealand on Monday inked a free trade agreement, aimed at boosting two-way commerce and investments.
The pact was signed by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and visiting New Zealand's Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay.
The FTA provides duty-free access for 100 per cent of India's exports to New Zealand, covering all tariff lines or produce categories, and is expected to significantly boost MSMEs and employment by enhancing competitiveness in labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, and processed foods.
Earlier, New Zealand maintained peak tariffs of up to 10 per cent on key Indian exports, including ceramics, carpets, automobiles, and auto components.
With zero-duty market access from entry into force as New Zealand's other trade partners, Indian products will be fully competitive in that country, enjoying a level playing field.
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Significantly, India also secured duty-free inputs for its manufacturing sector, including wooden logs, coking coal, and waste and scraps of metals, lowering production costs and enhancing the global competitiveness of the Indian industry.
On the other hand, India has offered tariff liberalisation on 70.03 per cent of tariff lines covering 95 per cent of bilateral trade value, while keeping 29.97 per cent of tariff lines excluded to protect India's sensitive sectors.
The products that are kept in exclusion are mainly -- dairy (milk, cream, whey, yoghurt, cheese etc.), animal products (other than sheep meat), agricultural products (onions, chana, peas, corn, almonds), sugar, artificial honey, animal, vegetable or microbial fats and oils, arms and ammunition, gems and jewellery, copper and articles thereof (cathodes, cartridges, rods, bars, coils), aluminium and articles thereof (ingots, billets, wire bars) among others.
On 30 per cent of tariff lines of New Zealand, India will provide duty elimination on goods such as wood, wool, sheep meat, and leather-raw hides.
Similarly, 35.60 per cent of tariff lines are subject to phased elimination over 3, 5, 7, and 10 years, including petroleum oil, malt extract, vegetable oils, selected electrical and mechanical machinery, and peptones.
New Zealand products which enjoy tariff reductions include wine, pharmaceutical drugs, polymers, aluminum, iron and steel articles, and goods that only 0.06 per cent fall under tariff rate quotas, including Manuka honey, apples, kiwi fruit, and albumins, including milk albumin.
The FTA also includes a commitment to facilitate USD 20 billion in investment into India.
A rebalancing clause is incorporated into the Agreement to provide a framework for addressing any shortfall in investment delivery, thereby ensuring robust and tangible economic outcomes.
Total bilateral trade in goods and services reached USD 2.4 billion in 2024.
