India-supported FTZ for technologies
The Mahatma Gandhi IT & Biotechnology Park (MGIT-BP) was inaugurated on 27 June 2019 as part of India’s broader engagement with Africa.
The MGIT-BP, a Free Trade Zone (FTZ) for IT and BioTech Park, is being built with India’s assistance through EXIM Bank Lines of Credit of US$20 million.
The project consists of two parts:
Firstly, architectural concept and design for the buildings of FTZ and construction of main building to host IT enterprises.
Secondly, supply and commissioning of equipment which included, Computer Assembly Plant, VSAT with Satellite Earth Station, Networking Lab, Human DNA Lab, Data Storage Area Network, an Audio-Visual Lab & a Power Generator.
The first part of the project was implemented by Shapoorji Pallonji while the second part of the project was implemented by United Telecom Limited (UTL).
There has been a significant intensification of India’s engagement with Cote d’Ivoire over the years and has extended six Lines of Credit aggregating to US$207.70 million, aimed at building Infrastructure, improving the Ivorian skills and create opportunities.
To maintain the momentum in bilateral engagements, Embassy of India in Abidjan in collaboration Exim Bank of India, had also organized “India-Côte d’Ivoire Business Forum” on the sidelines of inaugural ceremony, said the Ministry of External Affairs in a release on 28 June 2019.
The MGIT-BP symbolizes the growing and shining example of cooperation between India and Cote d’Ivoire, energized by high level of political commitment from both the countries.
The MGIT-BP is expected to bring direct benefit to the lives of the people in Cote d’Ivoire.
The project is expected to further consolidate the two countries cooperation and bilateral relations especially in context of transfer of technology and sharing of development experience to build capacities of partner countries in Africa, to face challenges of knowledge economy in 21st century.
In July 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had outlined 10 principles of engaging Africa as a priority of foreign policy.
The inauguration of the park is an important milestone in 150th anniversary celebration of birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. fiinews.com
