Accra, May 18, GNA - A two-day mini conclave on India-Africa Project Partnership opens in Accra from May 25 2006.

A statement issued in Accra said the meeting dubbed "Making India - A Partner of Choice" was a follow-up to similar meetings held in 2005 during which 281 projects worth 11.26 billion dollars had been discussed and projects worth 312 million dollars were under execution. It would be in three sessions - an inaugural and technical sessions and a one-on-one meeting with potential partners who would discuss focussed projects with key industry members from India. In 2005, the statement said, 35 African countries took part in the conclave and showed interest for Indian delegations to visit their countries to display their capacities. In response Indian industry had shown interest to travel to African countries to explore the emerging opportunities.

The Ghana meeting would attract high level businessmen and government officials from Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Congo, Comoros, Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Sierra Leone. Niger was also subsequently included.

Sectors targeted include agriculture, agro-processing, construction, railways, infrastructure and rolling stock, consultancy, minerals, transport, waterways, ports and airports, power and non-conventional energy.

It said regional conclaves organised in 2006 in Southern Africa in Lusaka, Zambia, and in the Eastern Africa in Addis Ababa had been deemed a grand successes.

A techno-economic approach for Africa-India Movement was set up between India and eight West African countries, namely Ghana, Burkina Faso, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali and Senegal in New Delhi in March 2004.

A memorandum of understanding among the eight African countries and India was signed with the objective to accelerate economic, social and cultural development of the member countries through transfer of technology, know-how and knowledge management involving governments, experts and entrepreneurs.

The Government of India extended concession line of credit of 500 million dollars to the nine member countries in areas such as agriculture, industry, infrastructure, science and technology and training.

Agreement with regard to 282 million dollars had already been cleared for various projects with the member countries of which two agreements worth 60 million dollars, relating to construction of Seat of governance and Presidential office complex and rural electrification have been signed with Ghana and are under execution.