India-Africa conclave to focus on long-term alliance

New Delhi, Apr 21: A series of conclaves on India-Africa Project Partnership, focusing on developing long-term sustainable partnerships, will be held in Africa from April 24-29 and May 2006, under the aegis of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

The conclave 'India-A Partner of Choice' as part of CII's 'Focus Africa' initiative, is expected to be addressed by the Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Ministers from various other African countries.

The Indian delegation to Lusaka and Addis Ababa is led by Kirloskar Brothers Limited Chairman&Managing Director (CMD) Sanjay C Kirloskar. Thirty companies are expected to be a part of the Indian delegation.

Apart from private sector and government participation, banking and financial institutions, industry associations and industry organisations and regional development agencies, will attend these conclaves.

Structured to include both formal technical sessions as well as one-on-one meetings between potential partners from various sectors, the objective of this initiative is to catalyse Indian participation as a key partner in Africa's development process.

The participants would also call on government representatives and visit local industries.

Today, Africa is generating enormous demand for appropriate technologies, products and engineering services and is looking for capacity building for optimum utilisation of its resources.

Given India's experience, resurgent economy and Government of India's concerted efforts at directing developmental co-operation programmes towards Africa, the country is generating immense confidence amongst African governments and businesses.

India's bilateral trade with Zambia for the year 2004-05 stood at 71.2 million dollars and with Ethiopia for the same period it is 63.79 million dollars.

The conclaves are expected to benefit both Indian industry and African countries by providing opportunities to make contact, identify potentialities and further economic ties.

UNI