India, South Africa can jointly help develop Africa, says Zuma
By IANSFriday, June 4, 2010
NEW DELHI - India and South Africa can jointly help in the development of Africa as the next global economic destination, South African President Jacob Zuma said here Friday.
“India and South Africa could both make a significant contribution to the establishment of Africa as the next global growth centre,” Zuma said in his address in a meeting with three Indian business chambers.
He said there was a vast potential for economic development beyond the borders of South Africa.
“There are around 200 million people in the southern African region alone and one billion across Africa,” said Zuma adding that “it has also sustained significant levels of average economic growth over the last few years - thanks in part to improved political conditions and sound economic policies”.
But there was an urgent need to improve infrastructure, transport links, energy networks, as well as demand for capital investment, skills technology and knowledge. “For both India and South Africa, this presents a massive business opportunity,” he asserted.
Zuma was on a three-day visit to India which ended Friday.
Demonstrating that economics was the new buzzword in bilateral ties, the South African President was accompanied by 200 businessmen - the largest ever business delegation accompanying a head of state to India.
