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India identifies Africa as next big market for telcos: NASSCOM

The two-day conference and exhibition in Kenya aimed at building synergy among India and African Countries to showcase innovative products and services and to bring together thought leaders across the entire ICT value chain

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NEW DELHI: More than 100 Indian technology companies convened at Nairobi, Kenya, to showcase their products and services and to reiterate the relationship and commitment between India and the Africa. The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) along with Telecom Equipment & Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC) had organized The Indo-Africa ICT Summit 2015. The two-day conference and exhibition in Kenya aimed at building synergy among India and African countries to showcase innovative products and services and to bring together thought leaders across the entire ICT value chain to discuss solutions to regulatory and business issues.

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At the event, NASSCOM also launched a report titled, India–Africa: Partners in Growth, aimed at understanding the business relationship between the two countries. The event was inaugurated by Najib Balala, Cabinet Secretary Government of Kenya and Rakesh Garg, Secretary Telecom Government of India. Various senior Government officials and business leaders from India, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda attended this event. NASSCOM indicates that the event is expected to be attended by over 2,000 visitors and 300 conference delegates.

The Indo-Africa ICT Expo 2015 presented the latest technologies that would help companies in Africa to evolve and maintain a competitive edge in the communications and digital world. Indian companies used this event as an opportunity to foray into the continent and specifically enter Kenya.

The bilateral trade between Kenya and India amounts to $4.47 billion as of 2013-14, with India's exports to Kenya at $4.18 billion. The focus of the expo was on Kenya and its neighbouring countries - Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda and Somalia; bringing together 100+ companies from India and Africa at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC), Nairobi, Kenya.

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Speaking about the summit, Shivendra Singh, Vice President, Global Trade Development, NASSCOM said, “Africa is turning into one of the fastest growing regions in the world, offering huge domestic market potential and growing economically at more than 5% per year. This conference only reiterates the fact that India and Africa are well on their way to collaborate and become the next global leaders in technology.”

Najib Balala, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Mining, Government of Kenya, said, “ICT is set to drive global development in an unprecedented way. The Kenyan government recognizes ICT as one of the key drivers of the economy to transform Kenya into knowledge economy. Indian companies are using innovation to create world class products that can be used in India and other markets. I am sure this summit will encourage the already strong network between both countries.”

The event was supported by Department of Telecom and Department of Commerce, Government of India. The host and partner association in Kenya for the event was ICT Authority, Kenya and was supported by the Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology, Republic of Kenya.

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