Cabinet approves setting up of Pan- African project

New Delhi, July 5 (UNI) The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for setting up of the Pan-African Network in 53 countries of African Union at a cost of Rs. 542.90 crores.

The project will show-case India's capability in IT sector, technology, health care and education. The project only pertains to setting up a demonstration model in each country, and is conceived as a developmental project.

Briefing newspersons here on the outcome of the Cabinet meeeting here, Information and Bradcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi said the successful implementation is expected to enhance India's profile in the region and add a fresh dimension to India's partnership with Africa.

Pursuant to African Unions' endorsement of the project, an India-AU MOU for setting up of the Pan-African e-Network was signed in October 2005.

Draft Country Agreement between each African Union Member States participating in the Pan-African e-Network Project and TCIL was also signed.

Till date 23 countries have signed the model agreement with TCIL President A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, during the inaugural session of the Pan-African Parliament held at Johannesburg on September 16, 2004, had proposed to connect all the 53 nations of the African Union (AU) by a satellite and fiberoptic network that would provide effective communication and connectivity among the nations. It was decided that Ministry of External Affairs would coordinate work related to the project.Thereafter, the Ministry proceeded with the setting up of the network, now called Pan-African e-Network, that would enable sharing of India's expertise in the fields of health care and education with all the member countries of the African Union.

UNI