Dubai Getting Ready for Dubai Shopping Festival
Decorative Lighting that adorns streets and highways of Dubai..photo V.M.Sathish
The Minister for Petroleum and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Ali I. Al-Naimi calls on the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on January 05, 2005.
ROUND TABLE OF ASIAN MINISTERS ON REGIONAL COOPERATION IN THE OIL ECONOMY
STABILITY, SECURITY SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH MUTUAL INTERDEPENDENCE
As the inspiration and initiative of Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, Minister (Petroleum & Natural Gas), the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas is organizing a Minister level Round Table Conference between Principal buyers and sellers of Oil in Asia in New Delhi on 6 January 2005. The round table is the first of its kind for Asia and is particularly appropriate in the backdrop of recent volatility and high oil prices in the international oil markets.The round-table conference, will not narrowly concentrate on issues of marketing alone but more broadly deal with the theme of stability, security and sustainability through interdependency in the Asian oil economy considering the dramatically altered international scenario at the commencement of the 21st century in which Asian buyers account for about two-thirds of global purchases of oil produced in Asia; the importance of preparing an oil products markets geared to these emerging realities; mutual investment to increase Asian output of oil and gas; and the possibility of institutionalizing an Asian dialogue in the context of the emerging power of Asia in the global oil economy.
Asia has emerged as a major oil consumption center, with the present consumption being around 40% of total world consumption of around 82 million barrels per day. As per the estimates, against the increase in global oil consumption of around 3.3% in 2004 over 2003, the Asian consumption increased by over 5%. West Asia produces around 22 million barrels per day of crude, which is more than 26% of total global crude production and about 46% of traded crude. 64% of West Asian crude supplies came to Asia during 2003. As Asia is projected to continue to be the dominant consuming center in the next 20/25 years (projected oil consumption in 2025 is about 43% of global consumption) and West Asia is projected to be major supplier of crude (projected crude production in 2025 is about 31% of global production), the interdependence between the two cannot be overstated.
There would be Minister level participation in this conference from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, UAE, Qatar and Japan. Besides these countries, there would be delegations from China, Korea and Indonesia. There would also be participation from OPEC(oil producing exporting countries), IEA (International Energy Agency) and IEF (International Energy Forum). On the sidelines of this Conference, we would also have bilateral meetings with different countries for furthering cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector.
15 Prominent Overseas Indians to get Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards - 2005
The Minister of State (IC) for Overseas Indian Affairs, Shri Jagdish Tytler holding a Press Conference on 'Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas -2005' which being in Mumbai on 7 January 2005 in New Delhi on January 04, 2005.Fifteen prominent Overseas Indians including NRIs will be honoured with the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Awards-2005 this year. This was announced here today at a press conference by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Overseas Indian Affairs, Shri Jagdish Tytler.
The awardees are: Sh. M. Arunachalam (Hong Kong) and Sh. Yusuffali M.A. (UAE) in the field of Business; Ms. Amina Cachalia (South Africa), Sir (Dr.) J.K. Chande (Tanzania), Sh. Ahmed Kathrada (South Africa) and Sh. Basdeo Pandey (Trinidad & Tobago) in the field of Public Affairs; Prof. Alokeranjan Dasgupta (Germany) and Sh. Vikram Seth (UK) for literature; Prof. Sunil Khilnani(USA) & Lord Bhikhu Chhotalal Parekh (UK) for Political Studies & Science; Prof. Jagdish Bhagwati (USA) for Economics; Dr. Sam Pitroda (USA) – Technology; Sh. Manoj Night Shyamalan (USA) – Cinema; Sh. Vijay Singh (Fiji) – Sports and Dr. Sant Singh Virmani (Phillippines) for Agriculture Science.
The recommendation for conferment of these awards to the above fifteen eminent persons was made by a Jury-cum-Awards Committee chaired by the Hon’ble Vice President of India with MOS, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary, Secretary, MOIA, Shri N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu and Prof. G.S. Randhawa, Retd. Vice Chancellor of Guru Nanak University. The recommendation has since been approved by the President of India and a notification is under issue, Shri Tytler informed.The awards, consisting of a medal and a citation, will be conferred by the President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam at the valedictory session of the PBD-2005 on 9th of this month at Mumbai.
PRAVASI BHARTIYA DIWAS TO BE HELD IN MUMBAI ON SCHEDULE MINUS CELEBRATION ELEMENTS – JAGDISH TYTLER
The Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Overseas Indian Affairs, Shri Jagdish Tytler today confirmed that the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas-2005 will be held at Mumbai from Jan.7-9, 2005, as scheduled. However, due to the Tsunami tragedy, all the celebration elements of the PBD like cultural programmes, entertainment functions, cocktails and “thanks giving” dinner etc. have been cancelled.
Addressing a press conference here today, the Minister said that a large number of Overseas delegates have come out with offers to contribute to the Indian Government’s efforts to rehabilitate the Tsunami victims. Keeping in view such a response some of the sessions of the PBD are being modified to focus on the ways to channelise the contribution of overseas Indians in a constructive manner. The PBD will have a special Plenary session on “Disaster Management Reconstruction and Rehabilitation : Role of Overseas Indians”.
Shri Tytler further said that the Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas this year has been structured in a very focused and business like manner. It, in fact, is a serious, carefully planned official conference with sectoral and state sessions and business exhibition. There is lot of enthusiasm among the overseas Indians which can be gauged from the fact that the so far 1902 delegates have registered themselves for participating in the PBD at Mumbai. Out of these 1400 are Overseas Indians from as many as 60 countries. This is a significant increase in participation of Overseas Indians as compared to last year when only 800 Overseas Indians got registered themselves. It will be interesting to note that out of these 1400 Overseas Indians coming to participate in the PBD as many as 804 have confirmed hotel bookings in Mumbai and, in fact a large number of them have already arrived and touring various other parts of India before reaching Mumbai.
The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs is making all out efforts to use this opportunity to build a Global Indian Family and strengthen our bonds with the Diaspora by involving them (e.g. NGOs of Overseas Indians, scientists, engineers, geologists, community activists and people working at gross-root level) in rehabilitation and reconstruction work. `We expect productive outcome from the PBD deliberations which my Ministry would systematically follow-up thereafter’, he added.
Shri Tytler said that a large number of Eminent Overseas Panelists have confirmed participation. The PBD will be inaugurated on 7th Jan, 2005 by the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and the President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam will confer the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Awards at the valedictory session on 9th Jan, 2005. Several other senior Indian Ministers, Chief Ministers and Eminent persons have also confirmed their participation in the PBD.
`Such a high level participation is an ample demonstration of the fact that despite the magnitude of the tragedy, the Government of India is back in “business as usual” mode; is coping with relief work and projecting Indian’s resilience in the face of adversity; and honouring its commitment to hold this function’, Shri Tytler concluded.
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