The 10th edition of the CII EXIM Bank Conclave on India Africa will focus on how both the regions can benefit each other through agriculture and agri-business
The conclave, held between 9-11 March in New Delhi, will promote strong industrial relationships between the two regions and boost economic opportunities.
According to CII, African economies could leverage the knowledge from India’s Green Revolution, White Revolution and expansion of its agri-processing industries. Indian companies could play a greater role in Africa’s agriculture sector in areas like farm mechanisation, agro-processing and storage, capacity building, setting up of agro parks and horticulture industries in Africa. Further, in pushing Africa’s agriculture production, India too can meet its food needs with imports from Africa, especially pulses where India faces huge shortfall.
The Day 2 plenary session on ‘Transforming Agriculture, Complementing for Growth’ would discuss the joint efforts underway to shore up the food security of both regions and reveal whether and how India is contributing to Africa’s farm modernisation.
The keynote speakers include José Pache, minister of agriculture, Mozambique; Godfrey Zambi, deputy minister of agriculture, Tanzania; Buri Mohamed Hamza, state minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Somalia; Sayaji Shinde, associate V-P, project marketing, Kirloskar Brothers Ltd, Sagar Kaushik, COO, United Phospherous Ltd; G. Hari, president & COO, Tractor Business Group, Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited (TAFE), Vijay Agarwal, deputy general manager, Angelique International and R.K. Agrawal, general manager (commercial), WAPCOS.
Over the last nine years, heads of states from African countries like Ghana, Cameroon, Mauritius, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Liberia, among others have participated in conclave.
The CII has also organised 13 regional conclaves in Zambia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mozambique, South Africa, Uganda, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Namibia and Nigeria.
The upcoming conclave in New Delhi is expected to encourage Indian exporters to access African nations with ease by signing MoUs and discuss a range of developmental projects. So far, projects worth nearly US$172.25bn have been discussed in the past nine editions of the conclave.
According to Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the conclave has emerged as one of the largest congregation of senior ministers, policy makers and businessmen from both regions.
The CII has also explored broader financial opportunities for Indian companies by discussing credit facilities with African financial institutions to support business endeavours.
For the 2014 edition, the theme will be ‘Accelerating Economic Growth through Innovation, Transformation, Inclusion and Governance’. Through this, CII plans to prioritise on improving India’s growth trajectory, while retaining focus on accountability and transparency in the corporate eco-system.
At the upcoming conclave, Lesotho will be the partner country and DRCongo is the focus country. The Lesotho delegation will be led by the Prime Minister Motsoahae Thomas Thabanethe, and DRCongo delegation will be led by led by Chief Minister-in-charge of Industry Isidore Mvouba.
Moreover, delegates from more than 43 African countries have confirmed their participation.
