Training Programme announced by MEA for SAARC Health Professionals

The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC) on April 14, 2020 announced a training programme for the health care professionals from SAARC countries.

About the Programme

The programme is to be conducted by the Ministry of External Affairs. On March 15, 2020, PM Modi during the video conference with the SAARC leaders suggested for the health professionals to come together to fight against COVID-19 jointly. He also proposed creation of SAARC COVID-19 Emergency funds.

COVID-19 Emergency Funds

India contributed 10 million USD towards the funds. Pakistan contributed 3 million USD. Bangladesh, Nepal and Afghanistan have announced to contribute 1.5 million USD each. Sri Lanka has announced to contribute 5 million USD. Maldives and Bhutan are to contribute 200,000 USD and 100,000 USD respectively. The accumulated sum of money in the funds account to 21.8 million USD.

ITEC

The ITEC is Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme. The programme was established in 1964. The ITEC is bilateral in nature. However, lately the programme is being used to help multilateral groupings such as ASEAN, BIMSTEC, WTO, IOR-ARC (Indian Ocean Rim-Association for Regional Cooperation), CARCICOM (Caribbean Community).

The programme is completely funded by India. It offers training and also allows foreign students to continue their higher studies.

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2020