India Committed to expand and diversity trade with Africa
New Delhi: Anand Sharma, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, during his address at the India Business Forum (an umbrella organization of Indian business representatives in South Africa), in Pretoria, South Africa today, emphasized India’s commitment to further expand and diversify trade with Africa, to which South Africa was a gateway. During his interaction, Sharma highlighted the need for Indian businesses to continue their proactive engagement in South Africa with its emphasis on ethical factors as well as job creation and skills development for the local economy which was a distinct element of Indian investment as compared to other foreign investors.
Sharma called on Mr. Kgalema Motlanthe, Deputy President of South Africa, in Pretoria today and discussed the key aspects of bilateral relations and steps being taken to consolidate and diversify the strategic and economic partnership between the two countries. On the multilateral front, Sharma briefed the Deputy President about the forthcoming WTO Ministerial Meeting being hosted by India in New Delhi from 3-4 September, 2009 to make progress on the Doha Round.
Sharma is scheduled to call on President Jacob Zuma tomorrow and also hold bilateral meetings with the Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Ms. Maite E. Nkoana-Mashabane as well as his counterpart Dr. Rob Davies. The two Ministers would also address a meeting of CEOs of both countries in Johannesburg on 24 August. Sharma would also address on ‘India’s Economic Engagement with Africa’ at the Gordon Institute of Business Science in Johannesburg the same evening.
Sharma is currently on an official visit to South Africa from 20-24 August at the invitation of his counterpart, Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Rob Davies.
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