Africa Roundup - August 2011

1. India is confident of reaching the trade target of $15b, by 2014, between India and South Africa. An India-South Africa joint CEO forums just concluded.

2. An Indian NASSCOM delegation is set to visit Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya. NASSCOM is looking for a long term partnership with some of the African countries, and considers Kenyan government as being very supportive. Ghana is considered as the Gateway to West Africa and as the best in terms of investment in the region.

3. Rotary Club Chandigarh has been instrumental in providing free surgeries for some children from Malawi. Talking about Malawi, its President Bingu wa Mutharika is an alumni of Sri Ram College of Commerce. He studied economics in India, and calls himself 'Dilliwalla". There are many Africans who fondly recollect India's help. For example the Namibian High Commissioner said:

"India never forgets Africa's development. There is a very special bond between Africa and India and it should continue with the younger generations to really fulfill our dream. Like Mutharika, India also made us proud by recognizing our efforts every time,"

Shri M. Hamid Ansari, Vice President of India
meeting with H.E. Dr. Bingu Wa Mutharika, 
President of Malawi in Malawi on January 07, 2010.

India ranks first, ahead of China, for Malawi's imports.However, Chinese immigrants into Malawi is high owing to their merchants and investments. India for its part, is second to China, and has extended $180 million in credit lines.

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