Ahmedabad: The Global India Business Forum organized its second edition of India- Africa Business Conclave in the vibrant and enterprising city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat on 19 th and 20 th July 2024. Diplomats from 16 African countries and 500 plus businesspeople, exporters, importers and investors across the country were present for the conclave.
The event had the esteemed presence of ambassadors and other diplomats from the African countries of Angola, Algeria, Botswana, Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
19th July: The GIBF team took the African diplomats for a visit to Sabarmati Ashram, also known as Gandhi Ashram - a historic site located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. It was one of the residences of Mahatma Gandhi, who lived there from 1917 to 1930 and used it as one of the main centers of the Indian freedom struggle. Mr. Virat Kothari, Deputy Director of Sabarmati Ashram gave us and the diplomats a tour of the place and informed about its significance.
H.E. Prof. Ms. Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda - High Commissioner of the Republic of Uganda to the Republic India, H.E. Ms. Stella Nkomo - Ambassador Designate of the Republic of Zimbabwe to the Republic of India, Ms. Bizunesh Meseret Tegegne - Deputy Head of Mission, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the Republic of India, Mr. Abbas Abdullahi - Minister Counsellor, Head of Economic Trade and Consular at the Nigeria High Commission, Mr. Abdelali BOUILLOUTA - First Secretary of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to the Republic of India, Mr. Ernest Nana Adjei – Minister-Counsellor, Political and Economic of the Republic of Ghana to the Republic of India,
Mr. Gebru Teklay – Second Secretary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the Republic of India, Mr. Gabriel ITOUA – Economic Counsellor of the Republic of Congo to the Republic of India, Mr. Thabang Linus Kholumo – Charge d’ Affairs a.i. of the Kingdom of Lesotho to the Republic of India, Emile Mwepsei – Deputy High Commissioner and Second Counsellor of the Republic of Rwanda to the Republic of India, H.E. Percy P. Chanda - High Commissioner of the Republic of Zambia to the Republic of India, Mr. Julius Tsheko – Director, International Business for India and Asia at Botswana Investment and Trade Centre and Trade Attaché at Botswana High Commission in New Delhi, Jared Bironga Mayeika – Trade Counsellor of the Republic of Kenya to the Republic of India, Ms. Ireen Akombelwa Apuleni – First Secretary, Economic and Trade, Republic of Zambia to the Republic of India, and Mr. Peter Hobwani – Deputy Head of Mission, Republic of Zimbabwe to the Republic of India. Mrs. Bharati Dillum – the Secretary of the spouse of African Head of Mission of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr. Agaba Arthur Uganda Mission Research Assistant were also present.
Some of the African diplomats tried their hand at the Charkha (spinning wheel) to weave cloth. They wrote their feedback and experience in the visitor’s book before leaving. In the evening, we had organized a business networking dinner with our title sponsors, and other sponsors along with some esteemed companies invited by us for interacting and networking with the ambassadors. Our title sponsors Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, and Lilavati Foundation, co-sponsors Abhi Group and The Grand Heritage Resort and supporting partners Young India Business Club, ATBO Harita, Global Fortunes LLC and companies like Reliance India Ltd, Growit, Core Green, Gujarat Pesticides, United Raw Material, Global Eye, National Biostimulant Industry Federation etc., and some government officials were present for the business networking and dinner meet with the diplomats.
The Ambassadors, High Commissioner & Diplomats appreciated GIBF’s efforts in organizing such events and promoting bilateral trade. They also appreciated our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for his efforts to include the African Union in the G-20 making it G-21.
