Embassy of India

ABIDJAN - COTE D'IVOIRE

Chairman of Cote d’Ivoire Chamber of Commerce,

Deputy CEO CEPICI,

Representatives from Ministry of Commerce

Honorary Consul General of India, in Liberia

Businessmen from Cote d’Ivoire and India,

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

It is an honour for me to be here addressing this distinguished gathering of officials and business leaders. At the outset let me take this opportunity to thank the Cote d’Ivoire Chamber of Commerce (CCI) and CEPICI and Indian community for bringing large numbers of business who are interest to do business with India. I pay my highest respect and gratitude to individuals and organizations who had contributed to concretize the Cote d’Ivoire-India friendship and cooperation.

Ladies and gentlemen, Cote d’Ivoire and Indian economies have complementarities and there are great opportunities for win–win cooperation between India and Cote d’Ivoire.

Today, Cote d’Ivoire stand on the threshold of a promising future, it is an island of opportunity with young, confident and vibrant people led by dynamic leadership. Cote d’Ivoire is an example of Africa on the move. Over the last 6 years it has become an engine of economic growth in West Africa, enjoying an average annual growth of around 9% setting a best example of what Africa can achieve in 21 century. This impressive economic performance makes CI the most attractive among the 8 countries sub-region of WAEMU (West African Economic and Monetary Union).

 

Cote d’Ivoire is also a member of ECOWAS guaranteeing free movement of goods to a market of 300 million in 15 countries. The country is witnessing increasing gender parity, rising educational and health standards, and expanding infrastructure and connectivity. It is an important point that all potential investors should take note of.

 

India's engagement with Africa has always been guided by a simple principle and that is to follow African priorities, which is to liberate Africa’s potential and not constrain its future. India always relies on African talent and skills and also help to build as much local capacity to create as many local opportunities as possible. India with this approach has been intensifying and deepening our engagements with Africa.

 

India and Cote d’Ivoire could have win-win cooperation in many key sectors of the economy such as education and research in the field of agriculture & mechanization to enhance productivity, agro-based industries especially establishing processing plants for cashew and cocoa, automobiles to improve both public and commercial Transportation industries, and in Pharmaceutical to make the health care more affordable and maximize the reach to its population.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, all of you present here today has the resources and capability to make this happen. My request to you all is let us come together and work as equal partners for promoting India-Cote d’Ivoire trade and investment relations. Embassy of India in Abidjan will always be ready to work with any company to promote India-Cote d’Ivoire partnership.

 

With these few words let me thank one and all and wish you all a very happy Christmas and New Year.

Thank you.