India holds talks with African regional economic blocs

NEW DELHI - Extending an invitation to African countries to further implement the India-Africa Joint Action Plan, India held talks with the various Regional Economic Communities (RECs) of the continent.

“The purpose of this visit is to have a deeper engagement between India and the regional communities to further the implementation of the Joint Action Plan on the framework of cooperation following the India-Africa forum summit, Joint Secretary (East and South Africa) Gurjit Singh told IANS.

There are eight RECs recognised by the African Union, including the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Nearly 20 delegates from the regional blocs of Africa attended the inaugural ceremony of India International Trade Fair and participated in “Techmart India 2010″ organised by National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC).

The delegation also held discussions on the role of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in South South Cooperation during their three-day visit which ended Tuesday.

Singh also said that it is for the first time that India has held a meeting with the RECs and that the delegation has reacted very positively to the “willingness of India to engage with them and they also appreciated the Indian model of cooperation where we invite their suggestions in our consultative process”.