India Calling 2007 Conference

-WD Team

Indian Merchant Chamber (IMC) and Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) are jointly organizing India-South Africa Business conclave at Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, August 1-3, 2007. It will focus on subjects, such as, Power, IT and Telecom; Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, Healthcare; Education and vocational training; Finance, Banking and Micro Credit; Global Warming; Mining and Diamonds; Media, Sports and Entertainment.

This event will not only highlight IMC’s centenary year 2007-08 but also the centenary of the Satyagrah movement that was launched in South Africa. The Guests of Honor from both countries will include; Dr. Essop Pahad, Minister in the Presidency, Republic of South Africa; Mr. Kamal Nath, Union minister for Industry and trade; Mr. Ravi Vayalar, Union minister of oversees Indian Affairs; Mr. Sehloho Francis Moloi, High Commissioner of South Africa in India and Mr. Rajiv K. Bhatia, High Commissioner of India in South Africa.

According to Mr. Sehloho F. Moloi, High Commissioner of South Africa, India, “South Africa has long established business in mining with India and has further potential in various fields including mining, energy and so on. It is upto the business people to see how both our governments can open up to establish the business relations further. The trade has doubled up in the last two years to more than $ 4 billion and we aim to reach $ 50 in the next few years.”

Mr. Nayan Patel, Chairman, India Calling pointed out that this Bi-national business conclave would aim at: Forging an all round strategic partnership between India and South Africa; Projecting the two countries as investment destinations with unlimited business opportunities; Providing a platform for the SMEs in both countries to interact and identify business opportunities, forging technical collaborations and joint ventures; Sharing the experiences between the two countries about their programmes aimed at poverty eradication, employment generation, raising the standard of living and improving the healthcare systems.

“It is not all about selling India to South Africa but also learning from them,” spoke Mr. Patel. Mr. Niraj Bajaj, President, IMC talked about a post conference visit to Botswana for an interaction with their trade and commerce delegates on special invitation from August 5-8, 2007. The main objective of this visit will be to explore bilateral trade and investment opportunities in the areas of Diamond manufacturing, IT, Glass, Leather, Pharmaceuticals, Gem and Jewellery, Infrastructure, etc. Botswana offers a stable political environment, low corporate and personal tax rate, transparency with no exchange controls.

Along with the conclave there will be an annual event of IMC’s Ladies Wing’s ‘Call of the Peacock 2007’. An exhibition showcasing fashion garments, accessories, jewellery, etc., with 40 Indian women entrepreneurs participating. It will also double up as a platform for importers and exporters to deal with each other directly. This will be held on August 3-4, 2007 and will be headed by the President Mrs. Minal Bajaj.

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