PwC to launch India-Africa desk

DURBAN: International accounting company, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) will launch an India-Africa desk to facilitate links and joint ventures between businesses in India, South Africa and the rest of Africa.

The launch will take place simultaneously in Johannesburg and Mumbai on Thursday.

In Johannesburg, the launch will be attended by the Indian High Commissioner Rakesh Bhatia, Durban's Deputy Mayor Logie Naidoo and Deepak Kapoor, Managing Partner of PwC India.

Executives from several Indian and South African companies as well as prominent South African businessmen will be attending.

PwC project leader, Troopti Naik said in a statement that India was now one of the economic power houses of the world and trade and investment between Africa and India was significantly on the rise.

"Indian companies want to come to SA as part of their global expansion, especially in sectors such as mining, pharmaceuticals, telecoms and automotive and SA companies are evaluating expansion opportunities in India", he said.

Naik said that PwC was presently compiling a comprehensive survey report that would feature interviews with executives from both inbound and outbound companies based in India and South Africa.

The company would consider relevant business trends and the profiles of Indian companies wanting to operate in Africa, he said.