Vice President Guy Scott Arrives in India
From Rosaria Lubumbashi in New Delhi, India
March 16, 2013, ZANIS………Vice President Guy Scott has arrived in New Delhi, India.
The Vice President arrived at 19:40 hours local time at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
ZANIS reports from New Delhi that Zambia’s High Commissioner to India Susan Sikaneta, Acting Deputy High Commissioner, Bwalya Nondo were on hand to receive the Vice President and his entourage.
Accompanying the Vice President is Dr Charlotte Scott, the second lady.
Others in the delegation include Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Emmanuel Chenda, Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication Christopher Yaluma and some Senior Government officials.
Immediately after his arrival, the Vice President was driven to Taj Palace Hotel where he will be lodging during his official assignment.
Upon arrival at the Taj Palace Hotel, Minister of Gender and Development Inonge Wina, who is in the advance party, welcomed the Vice President.
Defence Advisor at the Zambian mission in India Brigadier General Chola Museba and support staff from the Zambian mission were also on hand at the hotel to receive Dr Scott.
As they were entering the hotel, Dr Scott and his wife were given a treat by some hotel staff who smeared the two with Tikka, an Indian traditional sign of good luck and prosperity.
Additionally, Dr Scott and his wife were also dressed with Garland, an Indian traditional symbol of welcome.
Dr Scott is in India to attend the 9th Cll-EXIM BANK Conclave on India-Africa Project Partnership, which begins tomorrow, Sunday, 17 March, 2013.
The meetings will be taking place at Taj Palace Hotel.
According to the programme released by the Zambian mission in India, Dr Scott is expected to pay a courtesy call on India’s Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.
Further, the Vice President during the official opening of the 9th CII –EXIM BANK Conclave on India-Africa Project Partnership will deliver an address in plenary.
The Vice President will also address and chair special sessions, to be held on, Zambia and India –Africa Infrastructure Partnership, respectively.
Dr Scott will also tour Angelique International Limited to discuss Rural Electrification and Agriculture projects in Zambia.
And in Udaipur, the Vice President will tour the World’s biggest Zinc Mine, which is owned by Vendatta, with an objective to look into modern mechanisation, technology, productivity and automation.
The tour will be with a view to exploring the possibility of boosting mining development in Zambia.
A visit to the International Technology Park in Pune is another engagement for the Vice President.
His visit to Pune is intended to explore the prospects of setting up an IT Park facility in the economic zone in Lusaka South, which will give drive to economic development in the service sector.
The Vice President will then travel by road from Pune to Mumbai where he is expected to experience the infrastructure and road network.
While in Mumbai, he will address the Mumbai Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
The 8th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India Africa Project Partnership was held in India last year under the theme, ‘Creating Possibilities: Delivering Value.’
According to the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)’s website, business results from its last held eight conclaves recorded significant achievements with 1510 projects worth USD 104 billion to have been deliberated.
CII with the support of the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the Government of India are organising the said event.
The gathering offers an opportunity for participating countries to showcase their work to large numbers of decision makers from Africa.
More than 30 African countries of business leaders and officials will be in attendance.
Vice President Dr Guy Scott will represent Zambia at this year’s conclave.