Al Ahram Al Iketassadi, p.11, (14-4-2008)

 

Indo-African forum: from Gandhi's spiritualism to information technology

 

By: Nazira Al Afandi

 

The Afro-Asian momentum began in the 1950s seeking independence and searching for a suitable place in the international forums on top of which is the UN. Asian and African countries sought a suitable place in the world order. Hence, African relations with India and China were established in the context of the Afro-Asian grouping.

 

Held during 8-9 April 2008, the first Indo-African Forum highlighted the huge changes in the world and the international economy. These changes reshaped the Indo-African relations in view of the IT advance, the fierce competition for raw materials and foreign markets and the south-south support. The Indo-African relations began in the mid of the last century and were based on non-violent resistance launched by Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa.

 

Hosting the Indo-African Forum, India expressed its vision in the speeches of PM Manmohan Singh and Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma on the development of the Indo-African relations in the context of Delhi Declaration for cooperation between the two sides.

  1. Customs exemption for 50 less developed states, including 34 African states. Under the project, a preferential treatment will be given to exports to the Indian market, covering about 94% of the total customs duties in India. This includes exports of cotton, cacao, aluminium, copper, cashew, sugar cane, ready-made clothes and diamond.

  2. Increasing credit available to projects implemented in Africa through the Export Import Bank of India from $2.15 during 2003/2004-2008/2009 to the double value over the next five years, along with providing additional lines of credit estimated at $5.4 billion at the level of bilateral cooperation with African states and regional and economic groupings.

  3. Focusing on infrastructure projects in railways, information and communication technology, power generation, and micro, small and medium-scale enterprises; and promoting private sector participation in this cooperation through partnership between the public and private sectors.

  4. Offering $500 million as grants from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to implement projects relating to human resources development and capacity building.

  5. Enhancing capacities for establishing regional and African institutions providing education services in science, information technology, and technical education; investing in the field of research and development of renewable energies and agriculture; and increasing the number of trainees under the Technical Assistance Program for Africa from 1100 to 1600 trainees annually.

  6. Indo-African partnership in volunteering in various development fields, starting with public health, unofficial education and women empowerment.

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