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Mahatma Gandhi Information Technology & Biotech Park Inaugurated
Posted on: June 27, 2019 | Back | Print
The Mahatma Gandhi IT & Biotechnology Park (MGIT-BP) was jointly inaugurated by the Hon’ble Vice President of Cote d’Ivoire His Excellency Daniel Kablan Duncan and the Ambassador of India to Cote d’Ivoire at an Inauguration ceremony in Grand-Bassam, Cote d’Ivoire today on 27 June 2019. MGIT-BP is a dedicated Free Trade Zone (FTZ) for IT & Biotechnology.
It may be noted that Prime Minister Modi has made Africa a priority for our foreign policy. PM has outlined 10 principles of our engagement with Africa in July 2018 in Kampala. The inauguration of the project is an important milestone in 150th anniversary celebration of birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. In addition, the ceremony showcases the commitment of Government to expedite projects under the 100 days plan.
The MGIT-BP is being built with India’s assistance through EXIM Bank Lines of Credit of US$ 20 million. The MGIT-BP project consists of two parts firstly, architectural concept & design for the buildings of FTZ and construction of main building to host IT enterprises. Secondly, supply and commissioning of equipment which included, Computer Assembly Plant, VSAT with Satellite Earth Station, Networking Lab, Human DNA Lab, Data Storage Area Network, an Audio-Visual Lab & a Power Generator. The first part of the project was implemented by Shapoorji Pallonji while the second part of the project was implemented by United Telecom Limited (UTL).
There has been a significant intensification of our engagement with Cote d’Ivoire over the years and has extended six Lines of Credit aggregating to USD 207.70 million, aimed at building Infrastructure, improving the Ivorian skills and create opportunities. To maintain the momentum in our bilateral engagements, Embassy of India in Abidjan in collaboration Exim Bank of India, is also organizing "India-Co?te d'Ivoire Business Forum" on the sidelines of inaugural ceremony.
The MGIT-BP symbolizes the growing and shining example of cooperation between India and Cote d’Ivoire, energized by high level of political commitment from both the countries. The MGIT-BP is expected to bring direct benefit to the lives of the people in Cote d’Ivoire. The project is expected to further consolidate our cooperation & bilateral relations especially in context of transfer of technology and sharing of development experience to build capacities of partner countries in Africa, to face challenges of knowledge economy in 21st century.
June 27, 2019