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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Secretary-General to visit India

12 February 1999

Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku will visit India from 13-17 February 1999, for discussions with Indian leaders and to participate in the Asia Trade and Investment Forum being organised in New Delhi on 14-16 February.

During his visit, the Secretary-General will pay a courtesy call on the President of India, Mr K R Narayanan and hopes to have substantive discussions with, among others, the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, the Minister of External Affairs, Mr Jaswant Singh and the Minister of Finance, Mr Yashwant Sinha. His discussions are expected to cover matters of mutual interest, including preparations for the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to take place in South Africa later this year.

The Asia Trade and Investment Forum is being jointly organised by the Commonwealth Business Council and the Confederation of Indian Industry. It is being held in recognition of the fact that the Commonwealth accounts for 20 percent of global trade and that over 50 per cent of Commonwealth trade originates in the Asian region.

Given the considerable changes and recent turmoil in international markets, the organisers of the Forum see an increasing need for public-private sector dialogue and feel that the Commonwealth can play a leadership role in promoting international stability and sustainable growth for emerging economies. The outcome of the Forum will constitute an important input into the Commonwealth Business Forum to be held in the wings of the Commonwealth summit in South Africa.

In a statement, on the eve of his visit to New Delhi, Chief Anyaoku said he was greatly looking forward to his discussions with Indian leaders. Referring to the Asia Trade and Investment Forum in India, he said:

This is a reflection of the importance which the Commonwealth increasingly attaches to strengthening economic and commercial co-operation. It is my hope that the Commonwealth Business Council will build upon this significant initiative for the Asian region with other regional events of this nature so that the Commonwealth's role in promoting international economic stability and sustainable development can be brought into sharper focus.

Note to Editors:
Further information about the Asia Trade and Investment Forum can be obtained from: Dr Mohan Kaul, Director-General, Commonwealth Business Council, London,
Tel: 0207 747 6330/6566
Fax: 0207-747 6530:
E-mail: cbc@commonwealth.int.

Issued by the Information and Public Affairs Division, Commonwealth Secretariat,
Marlborough House,
Pall Mall,
London SW1Y 5HX,
United Kingdom.
Tel: 0207-839 3411;
Fax: 0207-839 9081;
Telex: 27678

99/11 12 February 1999

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ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION
Commonwealth Secretariat Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7747 6385/6 Fax: +44 (0)20 7839 9081
Email: info@commonwealth.int