African delegation to visit India for $5.6 bn projects

NEW DELHI: To discuss and forge collaborations for 102 projects worth $5.6 billion in the areas of agriculture, minerals, infrastructure, transport and education, a 250-member delegation from the African countries will visit India next month.

"We require to build long-term relations between India and Africa that are beneficial to both sides," Chairman of Confederation of Indian Industry's Africa Committee Syamal Gupta told reporters here on Monday.

While there is a lot of investment in West Africa, now efforts are on to focus on Central Africa, he said.

The African delegation would participate in the conclave on India-Africa Project Partnership-2008, being jointly organised by the CII, EXIM Bank and Department of Commerce.

Ranbaxy, Tatas, Mahindras, Reliance and others are already doing business with African countries, Gupta said.