M.J. Akbar inaugurated ‘Namaskar Africa’ trade show in Ghana and signed bilateral agreements in Equatorial Guinea
Minister of State Shri MJ Akbar made official visits to Ghana and Equatorial Guinea from August 14 to August 18, 2017 to launch the Freedom@70 celebrations and to inaugurate FICCI’s ‘Namaskar Africa’ trade show.
Highlights of the visit
i.During the visit, MOS called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo,and held talks with Minister for Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration, Mrs. Shirley Botchway.
ii.MOS handed over a symbolic cheque of US$1 million as grant assistance towards rehabilitation of the Presidential residence of Flagstaff House built earlier with a GOI concessional Line of Credit.
iii. MOS and Ghanaian Foreign Minister also jointly re-laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Foreign Service Institute under the Ghanaian MFA financed through a GOI concessional Line of Credit.
iv.On 16 August, MOS along with the Ghanaian Minister for Trade & Industry inaugurated the ‘Namaskar Africa’ Business Forum-cum-Exhibition.
v.” Namaskar Africa” started with an India-Central Africa Regional Business Forum in Republic of Congo. Over 60 Indian companies were participated in the exhibition.
vi. The event has organized jointly by the Indian Commerce Ministry and the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) aims to brand India a leading economic player and partner to the West African region.
Bilateral agreements
It was the first bilateral visit from India at Ministerial level. The following bilateral agreements were signed:
(a) Agreement on Establishment of a Joint Commission.
(b) Protocol for Consultations between Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India and Ministry of External Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.
(c) Agreement on Exemption from Visa requirement for holders of Diplomatic and Official/Service Passports.