http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/economy/denmark-keen-to-invest-in-water-management/article4393482.ece KOLKATA, FEB 8: Denmark is looking to invest in sectors such as water management, renewable energy and education here in the country. According to Freddy Svane, Ambassador of Denmark, Memoranda of Understanding have been inked with the Delhi Jal Board and Gujarat Water Resources Development Corporation for water management contracts. “Chances of arsenic contamination and wastages are pretty high here in India and we can provide a solution in this regard,” Svane said. He was speaking at an interactive session organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC). According to the Ambassador, renewable energy is yet another area of Danish business expertise. Nearly 25 per cent of Denmark’s energy requirements are met through wind energy. This apart, the country was keen to explore tie-ups in the field of education. Indian IT remains an area of interest. According to him, bilateral trade between the two countries in 2012 (calendar year) accounted for nearly $1 billion. While Indian exports to Denmark include pharmaceuticals, garments, agri-products and machinery, Indian imports include machinery.

1. Denmark eyes more investments
in water, renewable energy
Trade talk: Sumit Mazumdar (left), Senior Vice-President, Indian
Chamber of Commerce with Freddy Svane, Ambassador of Denmark to
India, and Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy during an interactive
session in Kolkata on Friday.

2. KOLKATA, FEB 8:
Denmark is looking to invest in sectors such as water management,
renewable energy and education here in the country.
According to Freddy Svane, Ambassador of Denmark, Memoranda of
Understanding have been inked with the Delhi Jal Board and Gujarat
Water Resources Development Corporation for water management
contracts.
“Chances of arsenic contamination and wastages are pretty high here
in India and we can provide a solution in this regard,” Svane said. He
was speaking at an interactive session organised by the Indian
Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
According to the Ambassador, renewable energy is yet another area
of Danish business expertise. Nearly 25 per cent of Denmark’s energy
requirements are met through wind energy.
This apart, the country was keen to explore tie-ups in the field of
education. Indian IT remains an area of interest.
According to him, bilateral trade between the two countries in 2012
(calendar year) accounted for nearly $1 billion. While Indian exports to
Denmark include pharmaceuticals, garments, agri-products and
machinery, Indian imports include machinery.

3. FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
Batting for a free trade agreement (FTA) between the European
Union and India, Svane said that bilateral trade between India and
Denmark was likely to improve once FTA were in place.
Besides Denmark, the 27-member bloc EU consists of countries
like Germany, France, Austria, Spain, Greece and Italy. They
together form India’s largest trading partner.
“We don’t have any issues on outsourcing. We are a strong and
ardent supporter of globalisation which means we want joint
solutions,” he said.
The India-EU free trade agreement plans to bring down tariffs (on
goods) and liberalise trade in services.
“We hope that the FTA will be in place by the end of this year,” he
said.
The talks were set to conclude sometime in 2011. But differences
between the two sides have led to the delays.