ECOWAS, India sign MOU on cooperation

ECOWAS, India sign MOU on cooperation

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen multi-sector cooperation in nine core areas.

The MOU was signed in Abuja by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Ambassador James Gbeho, and the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Mahesh Sachdev.

The agreement

The core areas include banking, food and agro-based industries as well as building and construction of roads.

It also covers cooperation in metallurgical mechanical energy, textile, leather, transport, communication, electronics and biotechnology industries.

Both parties are expected to establish procedures and mechanisms for the effective operation of the MOU such as implementation strategies, programmes and activities.

A statement by the commission in Abuja on Tuesday, quoted Gbeho as saying that the MOU was “a tool for development which aims at helping both regions achieve the vision of a people-driven institution by contributing to improving the welfare of the regions' citizens.”

“The organisation has been trying its best to improve the welfare of the region's citizens and looks forward to collaborating with India which has a lot of similarity with ECOWAS member states,'' the statement said.

Potential for cooperation

The president also applauded India's economic development, describing it as a source of inspiration for ECOWAS member states. 

The Indian high commissioner said the MOU held a great potential for broadening cooperation between ECOWAS and India which, he noted, already enjoyed good bilateral relations with the member states.

Sachdev used the opportunity to invite Gbeho to the second Africa-India Summit scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa between May 24 and May 25. 

He described the first summit held in Delhi in April 2008 as hugely successful, saying the second edition would follow up on some of the agreed activities.

The high commissioner also said there would be a meeting on the sidelines between Indian and African businessmen toward boosting business cooperation between operators from both parties.

Fourteen African leaders attended the first Africa-India Summit. 

NAN/Williams