admin“Africa has lots of minerals, lots of human resources and the only thing required is the need to organise yourselves and you will see that the century belongs to Africa,” said Mr Triphati. He said Africa should never underestimate itself.
“Africa should not feel that you are disadvantaged, you are still developing,” he said. Mr Triphati said India has strong trade links with Africa. Together, India and Africa account for a population of 2,2 billion people with a combined gross domestic product of nearly US$3 trillion.
India is Africa’s fourth-largest trading partner and a significant investor across the continent.
Bilateral trade between the two sides has grown from US$4,6 billion in 2000 to US$60 billion in 2011-12.
At the ninth edition of India-Africa Project Partnership conclave held in New Delhi in March India said its trade with Africa is targeting to top US$90 billion by 2015.
Issues discussed at the summit to catalyse greater South-South co-operation included sustainable power, achieving food sufficiency, building capacity and infrastructure and encouraging Indian private investment in African manufacturing, agriculture, mining, education, health, skills building and infrastructure sectors.
The summit also explored how Africa could achieve food sufficiency and make it a global food basket, have effective and affordable healthcare and housing, water, infrastructure and power among other issues.
India and Africa share close historical ties and are co-operating in technology transfer, economic co-operation and capacity building.
India trains over 10 000 African scholars every year.
Online Reporter