[ Home ]
[ Speeches & statements ]
North West to benefit from relations with India
29 January 2008
The Consul General of India, Mr Navdeep Suri, paid a courtesy visit to Premier Edna Molewa on Tuesday morning as part of the overall objective of cementing mutually beneficial relations between the two countries. Mr Suri's visit follows the visit of a North West delegation to India last year which was led by Premier Molewa.
Molewa identified small business development as a critical area where the province could benefit from India. "Sustainability of small and medium businesses remains a challenge in the North West. We can learn a great deal from India's success in this area", said Molewa. According to the Consul General, 40% of India's exports are from the small business sector.
Mr Suri predicted that in a few years' time, India is likely to be the largest investor in South Africa. In this regard, the Consul General made an undertaking to facilitate interaction between the Indian Business Forum with the North West Provincial Government with a view to identifying investment opportunities in the province. Other areas of co-operation identified are exchange programmes in the areas of arts and culture as well as skills development.
Mr Suri urged the North West Provincial Government to take the opportunities provided by the Indian government which entail, among other things, entrepreneurship development, information technology, auditing, etc. The Office of the Premier will immediately embark on a process of recruiting candidates for the training programme.
Molewa thanked the Indian government for choosing to be a partner in the reconstruction and development of the country. "More importantly, the areas we have identified for cooperation are consistent with the objectives of our growth and development strategy. Skills development remains the pillar on which lies our hope of defeating the scourge of poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment," she said.
For enquiries contact:
Cornelius Tanana Monama
Tel: 018 387 3456
Cell: 082 578 4063
Issued by: North West Provincial Government
29 January 2008