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India and Tunisia can calibrate in the following sectors: The fourth session focussed on Travel, Tourism &

Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Information Technology, Trade, where Director, Diplomatic Affairs, IATC, Mr Mohit
Agro-food Processing, Agriculture, Technology, Research, Srivastava asserted, “COVID has created an economic
Telecom, Transport, Marketing Infrastructure,” said Professor imbalance in the world where international trade is witnessing
Boutheina Regaieg. a sharp decline disrupting the economic activity. Tourism
Former Federal Minister, Government of India, Dr. S. and trade has deep roots in the national economy reducing
Krishnakumar (IAS Retd.) asserted, “200 big joint ventures economic and employment benefit related to services aff ecting

and enterprises connected with India are already in Africa and agriculture, thereby promoting dynamic diversifi cation and
they have to be multiplied manifold. India has also successful strengthening countries’ economies.”
experiences in rural development, empowerment of women Adding to the discussion, the Traffic & Sales Head,
such as the Self-Help Groups, PMs Rural Banking Revolution Ethiopian Airlines - India, Mr Kirubel Shitahun said, “Safety
which can be implemented in Africa as well.” and Hygiene will be the New Normal post-COVID and we
However, the third session had a discussion around India- are looking forward to more innovations to gear up the travel
COMESA trade relations, where the Minister Counsellor, and tourism industry. We are operating with full precaution
Embassy of Ethiopia in India, Mr. Demesew Kebede Tekle and ready to expand flights to bring Africa and India closer.”

mentioned, “Ethiopian Government is restructuring the The Founder & CEO of MYPPE Wellness Services Private

custom tariffs in order to rationalise national opportunities. Limited, Mr Kavin Kumar Kandasamy said, “We have
The Ethiopian Government has introduced low duties on been providing protective gears and a lot of other safety
raw materials and semi-finished products. According to and wellness equipments to the hospitality sector, corporate

projections, India Africa trade could double by 2021, if offices and institutions to help people engage in the New
appropriate steps are taken by sovereign and corporate Normal which will be well suited for Africa.”

entities to raise the full benefit of the growth of the two trade Mr Nrupesh Soni, Founder, Namibia Travel and Tourism
partners.” Forum, Windhoek-Namibia, in his remarks mentioned that
there are no direct flights for Southern
Africa for more than 15 countries to India.
Also, digitisation is the right way to look
at opportunities in Africa. While Director-
Culture & Tourism, IATC, Mr Gaurav
Gupta said, “It is important to step up in a
new manner now to engage better in trade
and tourism. It is very likely to see the
future in India-Africa terms, with already
existing strong relations and working on
the voids the coming days will witness the
Indo-Afro story much robustly.”

About India Africa Trade Council
(IATC)
President, Qualimedicina, Bologna Italy, Prof Franco The IATC is a premier organization of
Naccarella said, “Economic ventures between India and companies and businesses from 52 African nations jointly
Europe especially in the Green Economy and Energy Sector operating with the Indian Economic Trade Organization. It
is of importance. Setting an India Silk Way/ Silk Road to is an organization which is being run by a consortium of
Europe and Africa is an important way of communication national and international organizations under the guidance
between us. The Adriatic Sea is a common sea between Africa of an eminent board of senior bureaucrats, professionals
and Countries in Europe but is a common sea also for India and industrialists globally. It provides a dynamic forum
for goods coming through this canal”. While Director, BRK for exchange of critical technological knowledge and
Consulting Academy, Chennai-India Mr B. Ramakrishnan, approaches relevant to economic and business endeavour
remarked, “Indian Education System has been accredited as of high importance. At IATC, we have discussions around
an outstanding system globally which could be benefi cial for key focus areas like growth of MSME’s, procurement of
the African region. India and Africa have huge forest reserves technologies, capital investment programs, import export
which can enhance corporation in agro and pharmaceutical opportunities, education, healthcare, R&D programs and
sectors. cultural exchange.

Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 8 • Issue 9 • November 2020, Noida • 25