( 3 minutes read)
· A South African diplomat Ndebele said that there is a unique
“chemistry” between South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which can help restore economic
relations between the two friendly countries at a faster pace during
post-Covid-19 days.
· Ndebele conceded that the bilateral trade with India has been
affected by the Covid-19 because of the restrictive lockdown, at a
time when two countries were gearing to embellish the economic
engagement. He observed that movement of goods between the two
countries were affected because the supply chains in both countries
are in disarray.
A South African diplomat Ndebele said that there is a unique
“chemistry” between South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which can help restore economic
relations between the two friendly countries at a faster pace during
post-Covid-19 days
Now both countries are coming out of the lockdowns and new
opportunities are explored. In the post-Covid-19 days, there is the
need for both countries coming together and supporting fully the
private sector
Ndebele conceded that the bilateral trade with India has been affected
by the Covid-19 because of the restrictive lockdown, at a time when
two countries were gearing to embellish the economic engagement. He
observed that movement of goods between the two countries were
affected because the supply chains in both countries are in disarray.
However, Ndebele said that the warm and cordial relationship between
the two countries would fully deliver on its economic potential.
Now both countries are coming out of the lockdowns and new
opportunities are explored. In the post-Covid-19 days, there is the
need for both countries coming together and supporting the private
sector.
These ideas were expressed at a webinar which Confederation of
Indian Industry (CII) organized with various opinion makers in
African countries, where a number of suggestions have cropped up.
Mukul Sarkar, Chief General Manager at Exim Bank, also participated at
the webinar and assured that he would brief the Indian industry the
present state of the South African business to Indian counterparts.
.
Rajesh Ranjan, High Commissioner to Botswana, mentioned about the
opportunities existed in Botswana for investing in pension funds in
India.
Prasant Agrawal, Indian High Commissioner in Namibia said that
consideration is being given to establishing an alternative port in
Namibia to open a new channel for transporting goods to the region.
There was also an invitation for Indian companies to develop
e-commerce in the region and also to set up export processing zones
jointly.
Tata Motors representative in South Africa, felt that the Make in
India Ambulance project, which had seen success in Seychelles and
Malawi, could be extended to the rest of Africa.
Srikar Reddy, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs,
underscored the need for finding alternative ways of trading with
Africa and called on mission heads to play a key role in diversifying
export opportunities to southern Africa.
