India Eyes West African Market Through Ivory Coast Partnership

NEW DELHI: India in collaboration with Cote d’Ivoire Chamber of Commerce and Indian Chamber of Commerce in Cote d’Ivoire organized two day “India Day” at Abidjan on March 2-3 eyeing to expand economic footprints in Western Africa.

The two days events included the 3rd India-Cote d’Ivoire Business Forum: Business Connect, inaugurated and addressed by Minister of Commerce and Industry Souleymane Diarrasouba.

A special Health Care Seminar inaugurated and addressed by the Minister of Health and Public Hygiene Dr Eugène Aka-Aouélé, two days Solo exhibitions by 30 Indian companies showcasing their products and services to the Cote d’Ivoire business and public in general. These events were in continuation of a series of such bilateral trade and investments promotion events organised by the Embassy in Cote d’Ivoire.

The two-day events received an overwhelming response with more than 100 Cote d’Ivoire and 50 plus Indian companies including 15 companies who travelled from India only to participate these events. The excellent response to these events is reflective of the growing interest among Indian enterprises to invest in Cote d’Ivoire.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador of India YK Sailas Thangal highlighted the strong growth of Indian economy and improving its rank in the Ease of Doing Business.

Thangal added that Cote d’Ivoire has been experiencing unprecedented growth during the last 9 years averaging 8% annual growth and urged the Indian entrepreneurs to look at Cote d’Ivoire as an unrivalled economic opportunity.

Thangal also urged the Cote d’Ivoire business community to look eastwards towards India not just for capital, but for innovation and experience-sharing to realize future growth in Cote d’Ivoire. Noting the complementarities in India and Cote d’Ivoire on their entrepreneurial skills Ambassador Thangal encouraged the innovators of both sides to look at each other as partners in co-producing innovation and value for both India and Cote d’Ivoire for boosting India-Cote d’Ivoire cooperation in new emerging areas.

Delivering his keynote address Minister of Commerce and Industry Souleymane Diarrasouba said Investment environment in Cote d’ivoire remains bullish and expected explosive growth in food processing and agriculture sectors of the economy. He also highlighted the various initiatives taken by the Government of Cote d’Ivoire to stimulate faster growth.

The Commission for promotion of Private Investment in Cote d’Ivoire (CEPICI) made a detailed presentation on the Economic and Investment Landscape in Cote d’Ivoire, the growth story as well as Regulatory Landscape and Investment Structure in Cote d’Ivoire.

The event also generated more in-depth B2B & B2G interactions among Indian participating companies and Cote d’Ivoire business and government which would hopefully lead to productive business joint ventures between Indian and Cote d’Ivoire businessmen.

Source: ET

Image Courtesy: Eolabidjan