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.
