India-Africa Project Partnership: 9th CII- EXIM BANK Conclave March 17 - 19, New Delhi

Manmohan aims to tap African market


MEETING OF MINDS: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with Ethiopias Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Hailemariam Desalegn on his arrival in Ethipoia.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who is on a six-day visit to Ethiopia and Tanzania, aims at increasing India's footprint in Africa through partnerships in capacity building, skill transfer and trade and infrastructure development.

New Delhi's push for a larger role in Africa comes amid major initiatives taken by China and Japan to tap the emerging markets of the continent.

"Africa is emerging as a new growth pole of the world, while India is on a path of sustained and rapid economic development...both Africa and India have the advantage of a youthful population, commitment to democracy, pluralism, and spirit of entrepreneurship...these are the compelling factors for a strong and purposeful partnership that responds to the realities of the 21st century," PM said in a statement ahead of his departure.

On a political level, Singh will use the second Africa-India Forum summit in the Ethiopian capital, on May 24 and May 25, to push for UN reforms and jointly combat the threat of terrorism and piracy.

The Africa-India Forum meet, to be attended by 15 nations, will discuss widening the ambit of Indo-African partnership for mutual benefit. The summit is expected to culminate in the Addis Ababa declaration, which will set the agenda for consolidating the strategic partnership between India and the African Union. An Africa-India Framework for Enhanced Co-operation will be firmed up at the summit.

Singh said that the India-Africa Forum was designed to respond to the needs and priorities of Africa and for India to learn from Africa's rich experience. "It (forum) is based on equality, mutual trust and a consultative and transparent approach. It is a living embodiment of South-South co-operation," the prime minister said.

During the summit, Singh is expected to make a pitch for UN reforms; particularly, the expansion of UN Security Council. India wants Africa to get a permanent seat in the Security Council. African countries too have supported India's bid a permanent membership in the UNSC.

Singh will hold a bilateral meet with his Ethiopian counterpart, Meles Zenawi, besides addressing a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament.

(The Economic Times)



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