Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has had a long engagement with Africa and keeping in mind its importance, started an Africa division more than 25 years ago. The organization has played a catalytic role in strengthening India – Africa ties, especially in the world of business. Today, CII has 75 counterpart organisations in 37 African countries that facilitate exchange of information between the Indian and African industry. CII also has links with Investment promotion agencies in Africa.
Over the past five years, the Indian Industry’s footprints have steadily being growing in Africa. The CII Africa Desk engages with all parts of the continent and has received a positive response from the region – both Sub-Saharan and the north. In partnership with the Government of India, CII has ceaselessly tried to promote Brand India and its ‘Triple A’ (Affordable, Adaptable, Appropriate) Technology in Africa and has seen many success stories as a result. To spread awareness about the benefits of partnering with India, we host interactive sessions with international journalists, World Trade Organisation (WTO), African Development Bank (AFDB), Regional Economic Communities, etc.
Furthermore, CII leads delegations to International events such as Mining Indaba, South Africa and organizes an India Pavilion in several African countries such as Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and at trade fairs like Auto Mechanica, Denfence and Aero-Space Expo.
One of the largest events organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) abroad is The India Show. The three day-long event-cum-exhibition is an endeavour to provide assistance in increasing India’s share and competitiveness in world markets. “The India Show” has consistently presented Indian Industry’s high quality goods, services and technologies in varied sectors, to the world. In Africa, there have been four India shows organised by CII so far – one in South Africa (2010), one in Ethiopia (2011), one in Tanzania (2013) and one in Nigeria (2015).
Other mega events organised by CII, for Africa, in India are the CII – Exim Bank Conclave on India Africa Project Partnership and the Regional Conclaves. So far, there have been 11 Africa Conclaves in New Delhi and 13 regional conclaves in Africa, namely in Zambia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mozambique, South Africa, Cote d’Ivoire, Uganda, Senegal, Tanzania, Namibia and Nigeria.
An important advantage of using CII as a platform for India – Africa interaction, is the ability to network with top government officials – such as Prime Ministers, Presidents, Ministers and Ambassadors from across Africa. We regularly organize Interactive sessions with visiting dignitaries. Such sessions can see participation of anywhere between 20 to 200 or more people and include seminars, opportunity for Q & A, sector specific presentations and a networking lunch/dinner. CII Africa Desk also organizes and participates in multi-lateral business forums(such as BRICS Forum, IBSA dialogue forum, Africa Global Business Forum, World Economic Development Forum, etc) to jointly discuss and strategise methods on enhancing South – South commercial co-operation.
These Forums are attended by CEOs and senior officials from across the world who discuss various issues impacting bilateral trade and investment; and make recommendations to enhance the same. Issues and constraints such as - tariff barriers, expediting visa applications, early finalisation of Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and technology transfer, are put across for Government consideration . In some instances, Governments are urged to liberalise norms and reduce duties.
In order to keep the industry up to date with the latest findings across sectors, the CII Africa desk regularly produces white papers, reports and publications for circulation to its membership and beyond. Research is conducted both independently and in collaboration with multi-national knowledge partners and banks.
Key Initiatives / Information
On the occasion of the 11th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Project Partnership held in New Delhi on 14 March, Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII, says that this partnership represents the hopes and aspirations of over 2 billion people and is based on developmental initiatives. This article appeared in The Economic Times on 14 March 2016.
The India Africa Forum Summit sets a new tone for economic engagement and Indian industry can leverage policies for investing in Africa. This article by Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII appeared in The Indian Express on 31 October 2015.
CII News Update
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Mr Anand Sharma, Minister of Commerce and Industry, would inaugurate the India Show being organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) with the support of Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 20-22 May 2011 on the occasion of the Second India Africa Forum Sum.....
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