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India-Africa summit to focus on agriculture, energy

Sandeep Dikshit

NEW DELHI: The largest-ever India-Africa conclave, being held here from March 19 to 21 will discuss 131 projects worth over $10 billion. Although relegated to the margins in mainstream discourses on merchandise trade, several African countries are India’s important trade partners and the summit is aimed at further intensifying and diversifying that relationship, it was noted a news conference ahead of the “The India Africa Project Partnership 2008.”

The conference will focus on four main areas: technology, agriculture, human resources and energy. Many countries with long-standing ties including Nigeria, India’s second largest source of imported crude petroleum; South Africa, the fourth-largest source for India’s gold imports; and Morocco and Senegal, leading sources of India’s global imports of inorganic chemicals, will attend the meet.

Ethiopian Ambassador Gannet Zewide pointed out the immense trade potential with African countries, many of whom are recording double digit growth. “Africa is striving to close the chapter of poverty,” she added.

High Commissioner of Ghana John Bentum Williams felt the involvement of Indian entrepreneurs in Africa was well timed, “as Africa has a lot of potential now.” Ugandan Ambassador Nimisha Madhwani said that Africa was a safe investment destination.

On the other hand, Chief Mentor of the CII Tarun Das emphasised that the core of the India-Africa relationship was the people-to-people liaison. Both countries shared common histories and challenges — to eliminate poverty and build infrastructure and connectivity through low-cost, appropriate technology. He hoped the conference would not only increase economic cooperation and joint partnerships, but also ‘build a human bridge between India and Africa.’ Africa, he said, “is the Continent of Light — that’s where the sun will shine tomorrow.”

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