18 Jan 2024: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. MoIs in the field of Medical Products Regulation
2. MoU between India and Kenya
3. Memorandum of Understanding between India and the European Commission
4. Expo-Wings India 2024

1. MoIs in the field of Medical Products Regulation

Syllabus: GS-2, IR

Context:

Cabinet approves Memoranda of Intent (MoI) between India and two other countries in the field of medical products regulation.

Details:

• The MoIs were signed between the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and –
  • Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nov 2023.
    • It seeks to establish a framework for fruitful cooperation and exchange of information between CDSCO and the Netherlands on research involving human subjects in matters relating to medical products regulation in line with their International responsibilities.
    • The MoI between the regulatory authorities of the two countries will facilitate a better understanding of medical products regulation about pharmaceuticals including raw materials for pharmaceutical use, biological products, medical devices and cosmetic products.
  • Directorate General for Medicine, Foods and Sanitary Products Organizations of Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistant of the Dominican Republic in Oct 2023.
    • The MoU will promote the exchange of information and cooperation in areas pertinent to medical products and relevant administrative and regulatory matters within the jurisdiction of the parties. 
    • It facilitates interaction amongst regulatory agencies to tackle substandard, falsified medicines in the international markets.
  • Agencia Nacional de Regulaction, Control Y Vigilancia Sanitria – ARCSA, Doctor Leopoldo Izquieta Perez, The Republic of Ecuador in Nov 2023.
    • The MoU would facilitate a better understanding of the regulatory aspects between the two sides and would help in increased cooperation in the field of medical products regulation and better coordination in international fora.
    • It will facilitate the export of medical products leading to foreign exchange earnings.

2. MoU between India and Kenya

Syllabus: GS-2, IR

Prelims: Digital solutions of the govt of India 

Context:

Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding between India and Kenya on cooperation in the field of sharing successful Digital Solutions implemented at Population Scale for Digital Transformation.

Details:

• The MoU was signed in December 2023 between the Government of the Republic of India through the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Government of the Republic of Kenya through the Ministry of Information, Communications and Digital Economy.
• The MoU intends to promote closer cooperation and exchange of experiences and digital technologies-based solutions in the implementation of digital transformational initiatives of both the country.
• It will remain in force for three years.
• Both G2G and B2G bilateral cooperation in the field of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) will be enhanced.
• It is expected that the MoU will lead to more employment opportunities in IT.

Background:

• MeitY is collaborating with many countries and multilateral agencies to foster bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the ICT domain. 
• This aligns with the various initiatives taken by the Government of India such as Digital India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, etc. to transform the country into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.

3. Memorandum of Understanding between India and the European Commission

Syllabus: GS-2, IR

Prelims: MoU between India and the EC, EU-India Trade and Technology Council

Mains: India – EU relations

Context:

Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding between India and the European Commission on Working Arrangements on Semiconductors Ecosystems under the framework of EU-India Trade and Technology Council.

Details:

• The MoU was signed in Nov 2023 under the framework of the EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC).
• The MoU intends to strengthen cooperation between India and the EU towards the enhancement of semiconductors for the advancement of industries and digital technologies.
• There will be both G2G and B2B cooperation to boost the resilience of the semiconductor supply chains. It will also leverage complementary strengths to promote collaboration in the field of semiconductors.

4. Expo-Wings India 2024

Syllabus: GS-3, Defence

Prelims: Expo-Wings India 2024

Context:

Expo-Wings India 2024 inaugurated in Hyderabad.

Expo-Wings India 2024:

• It is a global aviation summit considered the largest aviation sector event in Asia.
• The theme of Wings India 2024 is “Connecting India to the World in Amrit Kaal: Setting the Stage for India Civil Aviation @2047”.
• Around 1500 delegates from 106 countries are taking part in the expo.
• UDAN 5.3 was launched in the inaugural session of the event.
• The event includes conferences, meetings, networking dinners, exhibitions, etc. where stakeholders from the global aviation community will participate.
• India is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets and currently the third-largest civil aviation market in the world.

Read previous PIB articles here.