India, Czech Republic call for broadening trading basket

India and Czech Republic today agreed to increase exports in emerging niche areas like IT, engineering items, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment. During the signing ceremony of the protocol of the Joint Czech-Indian Economic Commission, the Czech side said there were more possibilities for exports of machine tools, textile, leather processing machines, hospital berths and other medical equipment. It was indicated at the session that the enlarged European Union, of which Czech is a member, was expected to provide a new imulse to broadening trade and investment relations between the two countries. Both sides agreed that the value of bilateral trade at 234.8 million dollars during the first nine months of 2004 did not reflect the potential. The protocol was signed by Commerce Secretary S N Menon and Czech Deputy Minister of Industry Miroslav Somol.