Chairman of Paradip Port Trust Sudhanshu Sekhara Mishra on Friday described African countries, the longstanding partner of India in the Non-Aligned Movement, as the new destination of opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors from Odisha. He identified agriculture, minerals-based industries, tourism and FMCG as some of the sectors where the local investors should focus.
In his special address at a seminar on ‘Trade and Investment Opportunities in Africa’ organised here by the Odisha State Council of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Mishra referred to Africa as the potential food bowl of the world and listed out its numerous other advantages.
Mishra, who is the Vice-Chairman of CII State Council, said the Paradip Port is well-poised to be the gateway of trade between Odisha and African countries and invited the visiting delegation to check out the infrastructure.
Chairman of CII State Council and CMD of Nalco Ansuman Das said in his welcome address that global companies have begun to enlarge their African footprints. Indian presence was mostly marked by small and medium enterprises, but now the bigger Indian companies are making a foray into the African market.
State Industries Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev said Odisha is having a lot of similarities with the countries in Africa so far as mineral wealth and poverty are concerned. But Odisha is making rapid strides in use of its mineral wealth and can guide the African countries.
Past Chairman of CII State Council and MD of Gupta Power Infrastructures MK Gupta said his company is already in business in Africa and shared his experience with the audience.
CII State Council Past Chairman JB Pany delivered a vote of thanks at the inaugural session, which was followed by a presentation by the delegation from Africa on the business opportunities that African countries have to offer.
The African delegation was represented by Embassy of Ethiopia’s Minister Counsellor (Business Diplomacy) Jerusalem Amdemariam Tadesse, Namibia High Commission’s Commercial Counselor Jakova Katuamba, Rwanda High Commission’s First Counsellor Joseph Kabakeza, Uganda High Commission’s Third Secretary Nick Chiles Muramira and Embassy of Zimbabwe’s Commercial Counselor Mervyn Chiwayu.