Arriving in the last league of African tour, Prez Kovind urges Indian diaspora to contribute in India’s growth

Lusaka, April 11: Arriving in the last leg of the African tour, President Ram Nath Kovind addressed the Indian Community in Lusaka, Zambia. Addressing the Indian diaspora, he urged the masses to become a partner in India's growth and asked them to take advantage of Overseas Citizen of India, OCI programme.

 

President arrived at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka. He was received by President of Zambia Edgar Chagwa Lungu. It is the first time that an Indian President has visited Zambia since 1989. Arriving at the airport President Kovind later on addressed the Indian diaspora in Zambia.

 

Talking to the Indian dispora, Prez Kovind insisted and said that the India is keen to strengthen ties with Indians abroad and as a living bridge between India and Zambia it is for the Indian community to make this partnership more meaningful. The President further pointed out that Indian investment has created jobs for the locals and Indian community and business netted into the mutual benefits of the people in Zambia. President Kovind said India is the fastest growing economy in the world and one day it will be a superpower.

 

On his second visit to Swaziland yesterday, President Kovind inaugurated the Royal Science & Technology Park in Swaziland. The Park has been developed and built with Indian assistance and will be a hub for IT capacity building and IT-enable services

The President is also scheduled to address India-Zambia business forum today. Mr Kovind and his Zambian counterpart will also participate in foundation stone laying ceremony of Lusaka city roads decongestion project which will be implemented with the support of India.

Four MOUs will be signed between the two countries which include, the establishment of Entrepreneurship Development Institute in Zambia, taxation, visa exemption on diplomatic passports and judicial cooperation. The President will also address India-Zambia business forum. Private investment in Zambia by Indian companies currently stands at over 5 Billion US dollars in sectors such as mining, infrastructure, manufacturing and pharmaceuticals.

There has been a steady increase in bilateral trade during last 10 months which stands at 1.2 billion US dollars. Kovind and his Zambian counterpart will also participate in foundation stone laying ceremony of Lusaka city roads de-congestion project which is being implemented with the Indian support.

President Kovind and his counterpart Edgar Chagwa Lungu will have delegation-level talks today.