Getting business visas to CIS countries to be easier

NEW DELHI: Getting a business visa to visit countries like Russia would be easier with the government working out an arrangement with its CIS counterparts wherein a recommendation from one of the apex chambers would speed up the grant of visa.

"I understand that that the government has worked out a plan with the Russian government wherein the recommendation from the apex chambers would be considered while granting business visas to Indian exporters, EEPC India Chairman Aman Chadha said.

"Similarly, with other CIS countries a proposal is being worked out so that Indian businessmen can undertake projects smoothly in this region," he added.

Besides, to improve trade ties with CIS countries, Commerce Ministry is planning to organise outreach programmes to realise their business potential.

"To fill the information gap, we in the Commerce Ministry are planning outreach programmes in five cities," Joint Secretary in the Commerce Ministry Rajiv Capoor said at the CIS Ambassadors' Round Table Forum organised by Engineering Exports Promotion Council (EEPC) India.

Two such programmes have already been conducted, including in Ahmedabad.

The problems relating to visa need to be sorted out, Capoor added.

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member countries include Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Belarus, Russia, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, while participating states include Turkmenistan and Ukraine.

In 2012-13, trade between India and CIS countries stood at $ 11.5 billion.