India, South Africa 21st Century Leaders

Capitalising on shared histories and commonalities to become global leaders will ensure that the honours in this century go to India and South Africa, a visiting Indian minister says.

Minister of State for Industries Ashwini Kumar was speaking here Thursday as guest of honour at India Calling 2007, a meet organised by the Indian Merchant's Chamber (IMC) and Business Unity South Africa. Top business leaders from both the countries attended the two-day event.

The importance given to the event by the South African government was highlighted by the participation of both President Thabo Mbeki and Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Nguka over the two days.

'I believe that no country, in the face of globalisation, can walk alone,' Kumar told IANS later, explaining his comment that India and South Africa have far to go but need to walk together in that process.

'A shared future, shared values and shared perspectives demand that India and South Africa, to achieve their own destinies in their own times, must work together,' he maintained.

'Excellent political relationships and a shared history offer the opportunity to optimise the economic potential and the emerging potential of both countries. This is not only necessary, but a duty on both countries,' the minister added.

Kumar agreed that the IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa) trilateral grouping could also assist in this process.

Commenting on remarks in an address read on behalf of his South African counterpart Mandisi Mpahlwa that the conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries was imminent, Kumar said:' We are very optimistic that the Free Trade Agreement which ought to be finalised is seeing movement in a positive direction.'

The minister said that the complementarities of India and South Africa needed to be exploited further.

'If this is converged in the two countries, I believe there will be further benefit for business that is already aligning itself in this way to make themselves globally competitive.

'The next great challenge is for the governments of the two countries to create the enabling environment to make it is easy as possible for optimal utilization,' Kumar contended.

One of the challenges that South African government delegates said would need to be addressed in this regard was that it took a minimum of 10 days to secure a visa from South African missions in India.

Kumar said the FIFA World Cup 2010 to be hosted by South Africa also posed tremendous opportunities for both Indian and South African business.

'I think India's cooperation in this through technical training and skills acquisition in South Africa is going to be enhanced. We remain resolutely committed to helping South Africa to acquire the necessary skills.

'I think overall, politically, economically, socially, the era of India and South Africa as two important players on the world stage had arrived,' the minister concluded.

During the India Calling meet, delegates from both countries participated in a range of sessions, covering areas from infrastructure, ICT, media and entertainment to education and training, finance, banking and investment and global issues such as security and corporate governance.