Towards richer India-Africa partnership
October 09, 2020
Africa is a key growth market for Tata International, which has a presence in more than 12 countries on the continent. The company is always seeking new ways by which it can deepen relationships here and forge new partnerships, delivering better service and newer products to customers.
This thrust dovetails with the Government of India’s vision of enhancing the economic engagement between the two regions. The annual CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India Africa Project Partnership event is a manifestation of this, organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Export-Import Bank of India (India Exim Bank) with the support of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. Mr Noel N. Tata, Managing Director, serves as Chairman of the CII Africa Committee, helping drive the initiative.
This year, considering the global restrictions effected by the pandemic, the conclave was held digitally for the very first time. Organised on September 22 -24, the event saw participation by Government officials and ministerial participation from Africa, with over 1,800 attendees. It also provided a forum for Indian and African business leaders to interact through a virtual exhibition and B2B meetings.
Mr Tata participated in the Ministerial Session on ‘Enhancing India’s Trade & Investment with Africa through Bilateral, Regional and Continental level Partnership’ on September 23. Mr Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Railways, Government of India; Hon. Lucia Iipumbu, Minister of Industrialisation and Trade, Republic of Namibia; Hon. Eng. Victor Francisco dos Santos Fernandes, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Republic of Angola, Hon. Amelia Anne Kyambadde, Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Republic of Uganda; Hon. Mr Jean-Lucien Bussa Tongba, Minister of External Trade, Democratic Republic of Congo; Hon. Roy Kachale, Minister of Industry, Republic of Malawi; Hon. Lamin Jobe, Minister for Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, Republic of The Gambia; Hon. Soraya Hakuziyaremye, Minister of Trade and Industry, Republic of Rwanda; Hon. Robert Ahomka-Lindsay, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Republic of Ghana; Mr Aliyu Mohammed Abubakar, Director General – Trade Bilateral, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Republic of Nigeria; and Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, Confederation of Indian Industry also addressed the session.
The increasing participation of African nations in the conclaves and the growing relevance of the platform has given shape to policy dialogues of the Government of India, EXIM Bank and industry. CII membership has also greatly benefited from the platform.
The first CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India Africa Project Partnership was held in 2005. Over the last 15 editions, the conclave has seen the participation of eminent dignitaries from across Africa and India, who have actively built bridges to strengthen the partnership between our two regions.
Tata International’s participation served to showcase our existing ties with the continent, the products and services the company offers and the rich relationships that have been built through the years – with industry, with customers and with the larger community.
