New Delhi: With a collaborative aim to strengthen the India-Gabon partnership, Union Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan flagged off Gabon’s first Agri- SEZ project from New Delhi, on Wednesday. Project Gajapati to Gabon is a collaborative International Outreach Initiative to add new dimensions to India’s engagement with Africa.
The flag-off event of Gabon’s first agricultural SEZ project was attended by the Ministers of Government of Gabon; Minister of Culture Mve Ellah Charles; Minister of Investment Hughes Mbadinga Madiya; AOM Group, Centurion University, students, and citizens from Odisha & Gabon.
The AOM group with Centurion University will be implementing this project as the technical and knowledge partner. In the first phase of the program, 30 farmers and 20 B.Sc./M.Sc. Agri and B.Tech/M.Tech Engineering students from Gajapati district of Odisha will be traveling to provide technical assistance for the agriculture SEZ which is being developed under this project.
Expressing his confidence towards the project he stated that the establishment of an agriculture and food processing SEZ in Gabon is a significant milestone towards enhancing food security and self-sufficiency in the country. Adding, he also said that in furtherance of India’s commitment to supporting Africa’s developmental journey, Centurion University is acting as the knowledge and technology partner for this project. It is also a matter of great pride that the university through this agro project has established a knowledge bridge between Gajapati district of Odisha and Gabon to facilitate knowledge exchanges and share expertise & best practices to support Gabon’s transformational journey.
‘This initiative based on the principles of ‘South-South’ cooperation is rooted in mutual trust and embodies the spirit of developing together as equals. I am confident that this endeavor will immensely contribute to Gabon’s food security and economic prosperity and further strengthen our dynamic partnership, said Dharmendra Pradhan in his tweet.
Highlighting the strengthening bond of the India-Africa relationship, he said that, in the last 9 years, India-Africa relations have immensely grown, recording more than 35 high-level visits from India and more than 100 similar ones from Africa.
‘Development partnership is a key pillar in India’s African policy. Being a trusted partner in the journey of socio-economic development, India has extended concessional loans of over US$ 12.3 billion to Africa and US$ 700 mn of grant assistance with development projects in various sectors,’ he mentioned.
Speaking about India’s G20 Presidency, he said that India’s G20 Presidency is unique given India’s role in amplifying the voice and concerns of the Global South and developing countries, scripting another chapter in strengthening India- Africa relations.
Gabon and other African countries have a lot to learn from India’s development journey and recent initiatives like the Aspirational Districts Program.
