Post on 10-Mar-2023
WHEN COUNTRIES WORK TOGETHER, GROWTH IS FOSTERED.
WHEN A CONTINENT & SUB-CONTINENT UNITE, THE WORLD TRANSFORMS.
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AFRICA INDIA ECONOMIC FOUNDATION (AIEF)
A grand vision to initiate collaboration between Africa & India in harnessing
knowledge in all its forms for the growth,
development and prosperity of Africa
& India especially through the vibrant
63 million Micro Small and Medium
Enterprises (MSMEs) and the Private
Sector present in India
AIEF ‘s objective is to serve as an Institutional Mechanism to be a platform
for the Private Sector & MSMEs to promote knowledge, technology, industry, trade, commerce and investments between the countries of Africa and India.
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GENESIS OF AIEF - THE CONFLUENCE OF VISIONARIES
G. Rathinavelu, Founder Chairman, INMA International Limited, a renowned Nation-Builder for over four decades and has continuously executed distinct landmark projects across India and the world, meets Mr. Pierre Atepa Goudiaby, World renowned architect and former special advisor to the Government of Senegal.
Both friends commit to extend co-operation at a national, supra-national level.
G. Rathinavelu, was appointed Consultant, Govt. of Senegal and Guniea Bissau, during Oct’ 2000, for the purpose of bringing in Industrial culture and technology to Senegal & Guniea Bissau from India.
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THE BIRTH OF TEAM 9
G. Rathinavelu conceives the concept of TEAM-9 (Techno Economic Approach for Africa India Movement) bringing together India and select eight West African Nations - Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana & Guinea Bissau.
The Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the eight West African countries with India was held in New Delhi in March 2004, wherein a joint Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Ministry of External Affairs
and India pledged concessional credit of USD 500 million through Exim Bank for projects in TEAM-9 countries.
For the first time a chapter was opened under this framework.
The concessional credit lines were used for several projects successfully strengthening the relationship through the initiative.
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I am happy that young entrepreneurs like you have brought together India and these West African countries on one platform for techno-economic cooperation with long term impact on Indo-African ties in all spheres of life.
- Former Prime Minister, Bharat Ratna
Shri. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
TESTIMONIALS
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THE BIRTH OF
AIEF
The success of TEAM-9 (Techno-Economic Approach for Africa–India Movement ) initiative gave birth to the creation of larger
vision, Africa India Economic Foundation
(AIEF) during the year 2007.
AIEF is an organization registered in India with the objective of enhancing knowhow, industry, trade, commercial and business relations between Africa and India.
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THE NEED FOR AN AFRICA-INDIA PLATFORM
As different countries in Africa choose different paths based on their particular economic profiles and comparative advantages, the future of Africa will rise through its deep rooted intra-continental
and inter-continental trade through definitive
integration and co-operation to promote
economic growth and human development.
Such a large transformative vision for businesses to work together has given the need for a
common multi-dimensional, unifying platform
(AIEF) that brings entrepreneurs of the
partnering countries to work together in a
holistic relationship.
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AFRICA –THE FUTURE.After several decades, the African states have made sincere efforts to unite and evolve multilateral institution, the African Union (AU) to create and support a pan-African economic space which could provide them the requisite levers for international collaboration and growth.
Trade and not Aid approach in modern times has across several stages, led to the creation of African
Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) – the
largest trade agreement since WTO and seeks to establish “a single continental market for goods and services with free movement of business persons and investments”. It would end up reducing the average export tariffs of 6.1 percent on over 90% of the items.
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The Initiative of AFRICA INDIA ECONOMIC FOUNDATIONwas welcomed and supported by the African Union in their AU Summit 2020on 6-7 Feb 2020 at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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India stands ready to work with African union and Africa India Economic Foundation to build a strong relationship between the business communities especially the Private Sector and MSMEs
Amb. T.S. TirumurtiSecretary
(Economic Relations)Ministry of External Affairs
Government of India.
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We feel that the time has come to take our business and trade relations to the next level, Including, trade and investments,
particularly in the private sector.
Chief of staffBureau of the Chairperson, African
UnionGovernment of India.
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We strongly are of the opinion that, we together can develop a networking platform between the private sectors and SMEs of America, Africa and India for business-to- business interactions, to enable more successful partnerships and to promote cross-border and international business synergies.
Mr. Elisha Pulivarti President/CEO, U.S. India SME Council Washington DC. USA
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Leverage technology, expertise, experience, provide know-how for Industrial, and Small, Medium & Large scale development between Africa and India
Increase the export potential and opportunities for diversification for the Private Sector & MSMEs of Africa and India
Support Private Sector & MSME Businesses in Africa and India to move up the international value chain.
Provide training and skills as essentials to the technology transfer programs between Africa and India
Access to international concessional finance and credit lines.
WHAT AIEF HAS SET OUT TO ACHIEVE…
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Managing committee - AIEF
Er. G. RathinaveluCo-Founder
PadmabhushanDr. A. Sivathanu Pillai
– Father of Brahmos
Dr. Pierre Atepa GoudiabyCo-Founder
Padmashri Dr. T. K. Viswanathan
Former Law secretary &Secretary General, Lok Sabha
Er. Anil Shinde General Secretary
Mr. Ravi Kumar S Joshi Former Cabinet
Secretary, GoI
Amb. SheshankFormer Foreign
Secretary,GoI
Mr. Rana SomFormer Chairman
NMDC and HindustanCopper, GoI
Dr. G. BalachandranServed as Head of the Centre
for American Studies at IDSA, & was involved in India-US NSSP negotiations & Indo-US Nuclear
deal.
Er. R. KanchanaveluJoint Secretary
H.E. Thierry Cabou Knight of Magisterial
Grace of Sovereign Order of Saint Jean of Jerusalem
of Rhodes and of Malta.
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THE WORLD OF MSMEs
According to World Bank reports, the MSME sector in Asia, Africa and Middle East together contributes over
35% of global economic activity
Its contribution to employment is a
staggering 60% plus
The value of B2B transactions done by this sector through formal channels is
greater than $3 trillion
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MSMES & AFRICA – AN OVERVIEW OF THE FUTURE, TODAY.
MSMEs in sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 25 to 40 percent of GDP and often more than 60 percent of employment (World Bank Report 2020).
With MSMEs constituting 80% of Africa’s enterprises, Africa’s consumer market is literally a gold mine with 1.7 billion people and a projected growth over $ 6.7 trillion consumer and business spending by 2030.
Africa now collects $500 billion in tax revenues; and $60 billion in remittances and almost the same in FDI ( AfDB economic outlook report)
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UNDERSTANDING THE COMMON CHALLENGES OF PRIVATE SECTOR & MSMEs
Lack of information & communication technology (ICT) usage
Inadequate finance for expansion
Inadequate market intelligence and information
Little scope for expansion or diversification
Challenges in reaching global market
Challenge in attracting foreign investment
Not Adopting Modern business strategies
And challenge in identifying the right and reliable partners
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WHAT THE INDIAN PRIVATE SECTOR & MSME NEEDS AT THIS HOUR
Indian Private sectors & MSMEs are clearly adopting a cautious approach and waiting for demand to revive. This points to the fact that we must build the road to recovery for the MSME industry on much more than just depending on any financial stimulus.
It is the right time to take a detailed look at what needs to be done to make this sector more productive & competitive at an inter-continental plane and Africa- India in particular.
Most Indian Private sectors & MSMEs, however, are still grappling with a lack of competitiveness, especially when compared to global counterparts.
The issue is structural – our MSMEs are not becoming larger in scale, with 99% of the estimated 50 million in India continuing to be micro-small enterprises through their life cycle, with limited means and aspirations.
Sub-scale units are tied to low productivity, and so the vicious circle continues.
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WHAT CAN HELP INDIAN PRIVATE SECTOR & MSMEs SCALE AND MOVE UP THE VALUE CHAIN…
Private Sectors & MSMEs cannot rely anymore on the domestic market alone. Hence, they have to sharpen their competitive edge and prepare for the global market.
Private sectors & MSMEs have an opportunity to actively shape this through forging partnerships with big players–including foreign entities–who are looking at exploring the vast African market or setting up low-cost manufacturing bases and place a premium on the hyperlocal data and specific knowledge of micro markets that MSMEs possess.
Such partnerships could present a significant opportunity for private sector & MSMEs to scale fast and move up the value chain within a brief span of time.
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AFRICA & INDIA - CONSTANTLY EVOLVING GROWTH STORY
India’s Commitment to Africa Partnership was re-established through 10 Guiding Principles as articulated by Indian PM Modi during his Uganda visit, and addressed to the African Nations. The key elements include
“Africa will be at the top of our priorities. We will continue to intensify and deepen our engagement with Africa. As we have shown, it will be sustained and regular.”
“We will keep our markets open and make it easier and more attractive to trade with India. We will support our industry to invest in Africa.”
Since the prime minister’s declaration of these principles in July 2018, there have been important developments in some of the areas identified as priority. These form the basis for a long-term, forward-looking Africa policy.
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AFRICA & INDIA - CONSTANTLY EVOLVING GROWTH STORY
Four main pillars embody India’s development partnership approach with Africa: capacity building and training under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC); Lines Of Credit (LOC) or concessional loans and grant assistance; trade; and investments.
From being the fourth-largest investor in the continent, to being the largest employer, to capacity-building initiatives for local youth, India is continuously working on developing its multi-dimensional relationship with Africa.
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Private Sector & MSME framework
Access to affordable finance
Raw materials supply and management
Quality standards & certification
Access to technology
Product innovation & patenting
Building human resource capital – the first asset of MSME & Private sector
Policy, Regulatory & Business environment
Knowledge-sharing, Technical Expertise & Skill Development
Access to markets
Singling out our first vital element and its directly influential attributes :
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Partnership & Networking Platform
Collaborative Entrepreneurship
Innovation and Technology Transfer
Skill Development
Access to Institutional Concessional/Affordable Finance
Trade & Investment
WHERE AIEF MAKES THE DIFFERENCEKeeping the observed challenges in mind that are critical to the sustainable growth of Private sectors & MSMEs, AIEF focuses on:-
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THE PANDEMIC IMPACT ON AFRICA & INDIA
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an adverse economic impact on both Africa and India.
Private sector & MSMEs may be challenged in Africa and India but are crucial for the economy – MSMEs reach the people on the ground, including the informal economy.
African & Indian Governments have strong Private sector & MSME - support components to mitigate the impact on these enterprises.
Private sector & MSMEs are particularly important now that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is in force and will be creating tremendous economic opportunities.
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AIEF HAS THE WHEREWITHAL TO
Provide recommendations for strengthening capacity building, dialogue and implementation of the way forward to leverage the Cooperative Enterprise Model for enhancing Private sector & MSME formalization
Suggest solutions for addressing all key challenges facing private sector & MSME formalization and growth through distinct Industry Specific, AIEF-AIBC Institutional Enterprise Models.
Strategically, Practically establish the formalization and growth of Private Sector & MSMEs in Africa and India.
Potential to access a fund of funds institutional structure.
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AIEF welcomes aspiring Entrepreneurs, Institutional leaders, from Africa & India and across the world.
- Private sectors, MSMEs, Institutions, Associations of MSMEs - Chambers of Commerce
to become part of the Global Vision.
Elevating to a distinct position in the Business
Advantages as an AIEF Member
Scale up as a Global Entity with accessable investments
In depth analysis, vetting & Project development Guidance
Privileged access to world class forums and industry centric events associated with AIEF
Identify & Collaborate only with the best-of-the-best in business who are members of AIEF
Complete access to the relevant centres of power - Cut across all perceived hassles and experience 100% transparency
Access the best resources across the value chain
On Ground Support system for establishment & successful commencement of business
Access to potential and untapped markets
Create mutually beneficial and long-lasting partnerships for Growth
AIEF – Private Sector & MSME collaboration Framework
AIEF will create an inclusive and equitable economic, innovation ecosystem
for business collaboration, trade and development through a
Proactive Institutional Mechanism.
AFRICA INDIA BUSINESS CENTRE
Africa India Economic foundation has envisioned
to create Africa India Business Centre.
AIBC will be an exclusive iconic complex,
strategically located in the commercial capital
of India – Mumbai. AIBC will foster the new
knowledge revolution in the technological and
communications era for the future of the Africa &
India growth story. Concept and Design of the Master Plan.
French Architect Amédée Santalo
Dedicating a floor for each African country’s business communities, AIBC will have the best-in-its-class features and amenities.
AIEF will foster a vibrant business partnership, Exchange of ideas, experience and cultural exchange and between the countries of Africa and India.
The Tower and the Conference Centre
Senegalese architect Dr. Pierre Atepa Gudiyaby
AIEF will contribute to the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in Africa & India, by accelerated Development Mechanism.
AIEF will Provide all entrepreneurs of Private Sectors & MSMEs from Africa & India and across the world, the opportunity to realize their full potential through knowledge-based development and collaboration.
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