Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-02-08

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] FinMin in India, two accords discussed

[01] FinMin in India, two accords discussed

The two ministers also discussed the economic situation of their two countries, the liberalisation of international trade, and the prospects for promoting the relations between Greece and India.

Alogoskoufis told reporters after the meeting that they also discussed the prospects of the Indian economy, the growth rate of which exceeds 9 percent, stressing that India was the third largest economy in the world.

"It was a very interesting meeting, as the Finance Minister of India is a very well-known politician and has for years been taking part in the reforms programme of the Indian economy," Alogoskoufis said.

He said that they further discussed the planned agreement for the promotion of investments, as well as an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation, and also ways of rendering relations between the two countries closer.

The Greek minister also stressed that there were very large prospects in the tourism sector as well, given that India's middle-class travels frequently and Greece could become a very good tourism destination for them.

Alogoskoufis further briefed Chidambaram on the developments in Southeastern Europe and Greece's role in the region, which he said afforded very big opportunities for investments and development.

The Indian economy is becoming increasingly extroverted, and this was of great importance to Greece, since it entailed big opportunities for even closer economic relations with India, Alogoskoufis noted.

Alogoskoufis departed Wednesday for an official visit to India, at the head of a large business delegation, aimed at promoting bilateral trade relations.

He is scheduled later Thursday to address the country's leading entrepreneurs at a conference organised by the Hellenic Exports Promotion Organisation (HEPO) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

The Greek minister will also meet with Indian Minister of External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee, while the Greek business delegation members will meet with their Indian counterparts.

On Friday, Alogoskoufis will meet with Indian reporters and afterwards he will hold a meeting with India's Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath. Later in the afternoon of the same day, he will give a press conference and attend the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Federation of Greek Industries (SEB) and the Confederation of Indian Industr (CII).

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