Its business mixed with pleasure for visiting Africans

New Delhi, March 15 (IANS) While India's continued economic success has enamored several of over 350 African delegates who are here for a business and networking summit, it is its breathtaking diversity and dimension and endless potential that will make some stay back and some to return.

The conference organized jointly by the Export-Import Bank of India, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the commerce and external affairs ministries at the Taj Palace Hotel is host to nearly 400 political and business leaders and diplomats from 34 African countries.

"This is my first visit here, and I am so eager to get out and visit places," said Warren Gunda, who works for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malawi, told IANS.

"I had time to go some places in Delhi, but am sure it is nothing compared to the vastness of this country," said Gunda who will not be able to go to many places, as he is scheduled to return home Tuesday night.

This is the sixth edition of the India-Africa Project Partnership summit which is expected to firm up projects worth nearly $10 billion.

Many of the participating countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Botswana, Senegal are out to woo potential investors, outlining the incentives for each category of investor.

Indian infrastructure and factory goods manufacturers are showing off their wares, with many running audiovisual films and engaging eager African business prospects in animated talks.

But once the business is done, in conference rooms, coffee shop and lounges, many are planning to either shop before its time to catch the flight or are headed to nearby tourist destinations like the Taj Mahal in Agra.
 
"I have set aside a couple of days after the seminar tomorrow. Will go to the Taj Mahal, have been wanting to see it since so long," said B.M. Mojo, part of the Nigerian delegation.

"There are others on my list too, but they will have to wait for another time," rued Mojo.

Nelisiwe Shongwe, the information, communications and technology minister from Swaziland, is here to tie up a $10 million Exim Bank credit for a science park in Mbabane, the country's capital and largest city.She was fascinated to know at the lunch table that India had over 60,000 newspapers and magazines, nearly 70 news channels and 22 constitutionally recognised languages.

With the handful of Swaziland's media being sought to be regulated through a media bill, Shongwe wanted to know if India had a similar media law. When told that the Indian press was completely free to criticise the government, she like many others from Africa said they had much to learn from India and familiarise themselves with the mind-boggling size and diversity of the country