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India-Africa Projects
Egypt
Inauguration of the Pan Africa E-Network, 16 August 2010.
Hon’ble External Affairs Minister of India, H.E. Mr. S.M. Krishna and Hon’ble Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Arab Republic of Egypt, H.E. Dr. Tarek Kamel jointly inaugurated the Pan African E-Network Project on Monday, the 16th August, 2010 by conducting a video-conference through a video link between New Delhi and Cairo via the E-Learning Centre in Alexandria.
An E-learning Centre has been operational since July 2009 at Alexandria University under the Pan African e-Network Project (a fibre-optic network to provide satellite connectivity, tele-medicine and tele-education to all 53 nations of the African Union). The Tele-medicine Centre under the Project has also become operational at Suzanne Mubarak Regional Centre for Women’s Health and Development.
ITEC programme
Under the ITEC programme over 50 slots have been allotted in 2010 to Egypt and about 35 have travelled to India so far to undergo training in various fields.
Botswana
Technical Training
Due to the increasing demand from Botswana, India has been increasing ITEC slots for Botswana from year to year. As of now the total number of ITEC slot earmarked for Botswana is 60.
Pan-African e-network
India has extended to the Government of Botswana the facility of VVIP connectivity and distance learning. The projects are under the last stage of completion.
Housing
On April 14th 2008, India's Ministry of Housing amd Urban Poverty Alleviation, in collaboration with Building Materials and and Technology Promotion Council, Housing and Urban Development Corporation, and High Commission of India in Gaborone, organised an International Exhibition-cum-Seminar on Innovative Building Materials and Construction Technologies for Sustainable Housing in Africa in Gaborone, Botswana. As a follow-up, the Government of India has committed to Botswana Pula 25.8 million worth of aid package for opening of training centres and construction of housing complexes.
Guinea
Urban Transport Facilitation in Conakry: 100 Ashok Leyland Buses were provided by GOI in May 08 in the presence of the then Guinean PM Lansana Kouyate, to address the problem of urban transport infrastructure in Conakry.
Ivory Coast
PAN African Network
MOU for implementation of the PAN African project was signed in 2006 between India and Ivory Coast. The site selected for tele-medicine is the Teaching Hospital of Youpougon (outskirts of Abidjan) while the Teacher Training School (Ecole National Superieure) at the University of Cocody was chosen for Tele-education linkage. Equipments have already reached Abidjan and implementation is in progress.
M.G. Park for IT and Biotechnology
The Indian government released a Line of Credit of US$20 million (in June 08) for the development of a Free Trade Zone(FTZ) in Grand Bassam (40km from Abidjan) christened as Mahatma Gandhi Park (VITIB) by the Ivory Coast President. Government of India's credit line is to be utilized for the construction of VITIB Campus, laying Fiber-Optic Cable, Network Operations/Data Centre, ICT/Bio-technology Training etc. Implementation is in progress with the short listing of Indian companies for the commissioning of the proposed activities.
CDT (Centre for Demonstration of Technologies)
CDT is a project funded by GOI for demonstrating the utility of value-addition to the ubiquitous tropical raw materials available in Ivory Coast which get wasted due lack of preservation/ processing techniques. The CDT proposes to demonstrate to the aspiring Ivorian entrepreneurs the various technologies involved in food processing - fruit pulp preparation from mangoes, papaya etc, production of vegetable chips from tapioca, cassava, preparation of starch from root tubers etc. CDT is a joint venture of India (though NRDC) and Ivory Coast [by Ivorian Tropical Technologies (I2T)]. The project was inaugurated by Minister of State for External Affairs, ANand Sharma on 14 Jan 2009.
Liberia
All Women Indian Police Unit
A 125-member Female Formed Police Unit, the first ever such unit deployed in United Nations history (from Central Reserved Police Force), has been deputed to UNMIL for assisting policing of Monrovia. They are also involved in sensitizing the population and preventing gender violence and child aggression. They have earned universal appreciation and goodwill from people from all walks of Liberian public life, including the President and senior government officials, UN and the common public.
Mozambique
The Government of India has so far provided five Lines of Credit totaling US$115 million. The first LOC was granted in September, 2004. Out of this US$ 10 million was allotted for rural electrification in Zambezia province, US$ 8 Million for water management and US$ 2 Million for a coir project. The water drilling project has been completed and the rural electrification project is nearing completion. Another US$20 Million LoC was granted in December 2006 for electrification of Gaza province. The third LOC of US$20 million was approved in April, 2008 and an MOU signed to this effect between EXIM Bank and Government of Mozambique in May, 2008 in Maputo. Under the MOU the loan of US$ 20 million will be used for water supply projects in Nampula and Zambezia provinces of Mozambique. Fourth Line of Credit for US$25 million for IT Park in Mozambique has been approved by the Government of India in August, 2008. The last and fifth LOC for US$30 million was approved in December, 2008 for financing rural electrification projects in the provinces of Gaza, Inhambane, Zambezia, Nampula.
India is also providing assistance in setting up of a Cashew Processing Plant in Mozambique out of the annual grant of US$ 200,000 offered by the Government of India in 2003. HMT (I) Ltd., which was appointed as the implementing agency for the project, had already sent the plant to Mozambique in 2007. The plant’s installation though is still awaited due to non-availability of infrastructure facilities at the site.
India has also been providing training to the Mozambican government nominees each year in a wide range of disciplines under the ITEC/SCAAP programme. The number of slots for Mozambique under SCAAP programme has been increased from 20 to 30 from 2008-09. Under ICCR’s GCSS scheme, 15 scholarships for undergraduate, Graduate and Research studies in India are awarded each year to qualified candidates (the value of which in real terms is over US$150,000 per annum)
Two ‘Hole-in-the-Wall’ projects funded by Indian government were installed in Mozambique in 2007 which are working very well in Macuba in Zambezia province and Chibuto in Gaza Province.
Dr. A.N. Rai, Scientist (Scientific indexing and statistics) is on a 2-year deputation to Mozambique since July 2007 under the ITEC Programme.
Investments
Many Indian companies have entered the coal mining sector in the recent past. The details of Indian companies presence in the coal sector and other areas are indicated below:
- RICON - The consortium of RITES and IRCON in December, 2004 had won the 25-year concession for the rehabilitation and management of the Beira railway system (SENA line). The rehabilitation work for over 600 kms railway line is still in progress and likely to be completed by September, 2009. India has also been assisting the Mozambican Railways (CFM) in various aspects of its operation.
- Coal India in March, 2009 was awarded two coal blocks in Moatize, Tete Province through open tender floated by Mozambican Government in December, 2008.
- Tata Steel has entered into a joint venture with Australian company Riversdale with 35% stake in coal licences covering 25,000 hectares of land. Riversdale plans to start producing coal starting from 2010 from 290,000 hectares concession in Moatize Basin in Tete province. Tata Steel acquired an additional 7.3 percent stake in Riversdale in September, 2008 raising its total share to 42%.
- In February 2008, an Indian steel company, the Global Steel Holding (GSH)(parent company of Ispat Steel) acquired two coal-prospecting licenses in Tete province, covering 30,000 hectares. It is located close to the concession operated by the Brazilian conglomerate Vale which is developing US$ 1.24 Billion coal project.
- Coal Ventures International (CVI), a consortium comprising of Coal India, SAIL, NTPC, NMDC and RINL have seriously signalled purchasing stakes in existing coal licenses. A team of their experts visited Maputo in April, 2009 to explore the possibility of acquiring coal mines in Mozambique.
- The Indian Sadbhav Engineering (SE) Company acquired 74% equity in the Hong Kong-based mining enterprise Ocean Bright Corporation Ltd. (OBCL) and gained the rights to mining prospecting in Manica, Tete and Nampula provinces. Besides they have the rights to copper ore in 24400 hectares of area in the Tete province, limestone in a similar area in Nampula province, and coal in 5230 hectares in Manica.
- Jindal Steel, Videocon, Adani Group and M/s P.K. Ores of Orissa are other companies who have joined the ‘coal pursuit’ in Mozambique by buying coal mines from local license holders.
- In 2008, two Indian companies Bharat Petroleum and Videocon Industries entered Mozambique’s oil sector by acquiring a stake in energy exploration in Rovuma Basin in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. These two companies have purchased a 20% stake in the offshore area 1 block from Andarko Petroleum of the US whose own share has been reduced to 36%.
- RJ Corp India has tied up with Pilivi Industries of Mozambique for setting up of Pepsi Cola production plant on the outskirts of Maputo.
- M/S Rusini Bio-Fuels of Hyderabad, India agreed to set up a US$ 30 million project to produce Ethanol from sweet sorghum in participation with Petromac of Mozambique.
- The Government of the Southern Mozambiqcan province of Inhambane has entered into an agreement with an Indian company Aar Ess Exim Pvt. Ltd. for the construction of a cement factory in the locality of Pambara at a cost of US$65 million.
Sierra Leone
PAN African e-Network
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed after the visit of SL Foreign Minister Mrs. Zainab Bangura to India in Oct 2008. Implementation is in progress with the arrival of the materials for installation and the appointment of a National coordinator and 3 coordinators-each for telemedicine, tele-education and VVIP terminal.
IT Centre of Excellence in Sierra Leone (CETI)
Following the bilateral discussions held during the official visit of Mrs. Bangura, GOI proposed the setting up of an IT Centre of Excellence and a draft MOU has been sent to SL Government for their acceptance. Initiated in the spirit of South-South Cooperation, the proposed IT Centre would be a capacity building exercise for the nascent knowledge-based sector in Sierra Leone based on the core competence of the Indian IT sector.
Training Institute for Diamond Cutting & Polishing in Sierra Leone (TIDCP)
A proposal to set up a Training Institute for Diamond Cutting & Polishing in Sierra Leone (TIDCP) was mooted during SL FM’s visit. The Indian expertise in this field is poised to provide the needed jobs for aspiring SL youth, as India is number one in the world in the field of cutting and polishing of diamonds. It would also be a welcome step towards addressing the thorny issue of elimination of illegal trade in conflict (blood) diamonds, which has been plaguing the country ever since bloody civil war of the 1990s.
Modernization of SIERRATEL
GOI granted a LOC of US$29.45 million for the modernization of Sierra Leone National Telecommunications Network (SIERRATEL)
Commercial Agriculture
A LOC for US$15 million was extended under bilateral funding for the development of commercial agriculture, including the purchase of a wide range of agricultural machinery and implements. This would address the pressing issue of nutrition deprivation due to endemic poverty fuelled by poor exploitation of agriculture resources in African countries. Also, GOI permitted the export of 40,000 MT of rice to SL to address the urgent food insecurity problem.
Education
GOI has expressed interest to help revamping the Education sector of Sierra Leone by deputing experts from Educational Consultants of India (EdCIL).
Gifting of Military Barracks
During the visit of Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, Anand Sharma to Sierra Leone (Freetown) on 12-13 Jan 2009, 200 military barracks were gifted to SL Armed Forces(RSLAF) as a step towards bolstering its infrastructure destroyed by many years of civil war.
Uganda
The Government of India donated four garbage disposal and three fire fire-fighting trucks to Uganda August 14, 2008.
The Indian high commissioner, Niraj Srivastava, handed over the seven vehicles to international affairs state minister Henry Okello Oryem at the High Commission premises in Kampala.
"The donation comes at a time when most of our schools are facing fires. They will help the Police to respond to fire emergencies in the schools and communities. As Kampala expands, the need for proper garbage disposal also increases," Oryem was quoted in the local media.
While Kampala City Council will receive two of the garbage trucks, one goes to Kabale and the other to Kitgum.
Zambia
The long and deep ties of friendship and the ever growing trade ties between the Governments of Republic of Zambia and Government of India fostered the formation of Indo Zambia Bank Limited, in Lusaka, Zambia.
The Government of India contributed its share of 60% in the joint venture through its three largest public sector banks viz: Bank of Baroda, Bank of India and Central Bank of India, each contributing 20% to the share capital of the Bank, apart from seconding senior personnel from their banks. The Government of Republic of Zambia contributed the remaining 40% shares initially through Zambia Industrial and Mining Corporation (ZIMCO) which was subsequently transferred to Ministry of Finance and Planning, Government of Zambia.
The Bank opened its door to the public for the first time on 24th December, 1984. The Bank has come a long way since then thanks to a conservative and selective policy in respect of lending and investment, a professional approach to risk management and a well-trained and committed staff. The support of two Governments has also imparted strength to the joint venture. The Bank enjoys tremendous customer confidence and is considered one of the most secure and customer friendly banks in Zambia.
In an intensively competitive banking industry, Indo-Zambia Bank Ltd is proud to have made several significant contributions to the Zambian economy. Consistent with its founding principles and mission the bank is truly acting as a catalyst for the economic development of Zambia. The bank has designed innovative schemes and products that cater to the requirements of all sections of the Zambian economy/society whether it is Agriculture, Mining, Tourism, Trade, Manufacturing, SME, Real Estate etc..
The bank has invested considerably in the up-gradation of information technology and all the branches of the Bank are connected to enhance customer service delivery. The Bank has provided an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) facility at all its branches. The bank has swift connectivity, which provides efficient, quick and reasonably priced services and cross border fund transfers. The bank is also live on Real Time Gross Settlement System (RTGS) and is committed to further improve the information technology on an on-going basis.
Starting as a single branch bank in 1984, the bank has come a long way and has now twelve branches. The Bank is well represented at all the major business centres in Zambia. The bank is also planning to open more branches in future. The bank has attained a well deserved place in the banking industry in Zambia, and has become a household name as `The Bank You Can Trust’.
The bank has formulated transparent, progressive business oriented policies that are not only customer friendly, but also comply with the tenets of good corporate governance. This has helped the bank to emerge as a “professionally run Institution”
The bank is a shining example of a successful joint venture that has emerged out of the friendly ties between the two Republics of Zambia and India.
0755 IST, Sunday, January 09, 2011
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The Government of India donated four garbage disposal and three fire fire-fighting trucks to Uganda August 14, 2008.
The long and deep ties of friendship and the ever growing trade ties between the Governments of Republic of Zambia and Government of India fostered the formation of Indo Zambia Bank Limited, in Lusaka, Zambia.
The bank has invested considerably in the up-gradation of information technology and all the branches of the Bank are connected to enhance customer service delivery. The Bank has provided an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) facility at all its branches. The bank has swift connectivity, which provides efficient, quick and reasonably priced services and cross border fund transfers. The bank is also live on Real Time Gross Settlement System (RTGS) and is committed to further improve the information technology on an on-going basis.
