Vibrant Gujarat global investor summit to greet Africans with 'Africa Day'

There will be a special 'Africa day' as part of the ninth edition of the Vibrant Gujarat global investor summit next month, in which over 32 African countries are likely to take part, a senior state government official said Monday.

South Africa and Morocco are the partner countries for the Africa day celebrations to be held on January 19, which will offer a platform for more engagement between Gujarat and Africa in the areas of strategic partnerships, trade and investment, principal tourism secretary SJ Haider said. Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde, Rwandan Prime Minister Ngirente, ministers of eight regional economic committees, and ambassadors of over 25 African countries will participate in the event.

That apart over 250 business leaders, students, and over 800 Indian businessmen will also participate in the African Day celebrations, he said.

"For the first time, we are organising an Africa Day as part of Vibrant Gujarat this year. Of the 54 African nations, we have so far received a positive response from 32. In the coming days, we hope to get more confirmation," he said.

The 2019 edition of the summit will be held between January 18 and 20, which will have 14 round-table meetings on key sectors that are mutually beneficial, apart from cultural events and site-visits, Haider said, adding there will also be an exclusive African pavilion spanning 2,200-sqm area.

During the last summit, over 160 delegates from over 18 African countries had participated, Haider said, adding the 2017 annual meeting of the African Development Bank was also organised in Gandhinagar. A five-day global trade show will also be organised during the 2019 summit which is likely to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 17.