admindevelopment under its Indian Technical and Economic Co-operation programme.
ITEC is a demand-driven and response-oriented programme, which is a bilateral programme of assistance by the Government of India, which seeks to address the needs of developing countries.
Addressing guests at a reception to mark ITEC Day in Harare on Monday, Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Jeitendra Tripathi said his country would continue increasing the number of Zimbabweans receiving specialised training in India.
“The aim of our programme is to share the experience, knowledge and give training to the people of developing countries. So far more than 15 000 trainees from 161 countries have benefited and some of them have risen to hold high political and official posts in their respective countries. For Zimbabwe we started with 11 participants years ago and in view of the group interests in Government. We have since increased the number to 150 this year and we are likely to get it to 2 000 next year,” Mr Tripathi said.
The training courses, he said, were tailor- made for professionals among them research-ers, engineers, teachers, ICT telecommunica-tion management, human settlement and renewable energy from developing countries.
“India will remain committed to assist Zimbabwe and other developing countries through the ITEC programme,” he said.
Small and Medium Enterprise and Co-operatives Development Minister Mrs Sithembiso Nyoni commended India for being an all-weather friend to Zimbabwe.
“India is an all-weather friend to Zimbabwe and has continued to give us unwavering support. India has supported us with US$5 million state-of-the-art equipment and machinery for Harare and Chitungwiza and 14 other centres,” Minister Nyoni said.
She said the equipment and machinery was for training of small and medium enterprises and would go a long way in uplifting SMEs.
ITEC beneficiary Miss Annah Takombwa from the National Biotechnology Authority, a parastatal under the Ministry of Science and Technology Development who undertook a training programme on applications of biotechnology and its regulations, commended the course.
She said the three-week course enlightened her in her field of work and would go a long way in enhancing her profession and Zimbabwe.
Another trainee who has also just returned from India, Mr Joseph Hwani a renewable energy specialist at the Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre said Zimbabwe could draw lessons from the Asian country and propel our development.
He also praised the ITEC course saying it was informative and would enable him assist Government improve service delivery.
ITEC programme was launched on September 15, 1964 as a bilateral programme of assistance of the Government of India.
It is the flagship programme of the Indian Government’s technical co-operation effort, not only because of its wide geographical coverage but also for innovative forms of technical co-operation.
Online Reporter