India ITME & Kenyan association sign MoU at AFRICA 2020

ITME
AFRICA 2020 Exhibition – “Prosperity through Technology” opened to a great
response in Addis Ababa ITME AFRICA 2020, the first of its kind business and
technology exhibition opened on 14th February 2020 at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
receiving 1791 unique visitors and 2100 + footfalls in 2 days from 35 countries
across the globe.

Exhibitors
from 15 countries showcased modern textile technology and engineering sectors
from waste water recycling, dyestuffs and chemical products, pumps and valves,
logistic equipment and more. Apart from 85 companies from India under the umbrella
of EEPC and FICCI, Italy had a showed prowess of 22 companies, Swiss pavilion
with 12 companies and China with 19 companies. This unique exhibition was
inaugurated by H. E. Teka Gebreyesus, State Minister, FDRE Ministry of Trade
Industry, Ethiopia, Dorothy Tembo, Executive Director, International Trade
Centre, UN, Geneva, Anurag Srivastava, Ambassador of India to The Federal
Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and amongst the other esteemed dignitaries who
graced the program with their presence Tizita Mulugeta, Ambassador of
Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to India, Demeke Atnafu Ambulo, The Consulate
General Of The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Mumbai, Munteha Jemal
Seid, Director General of Business Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ato
Silesh Lemma, Director General ETIDI, Ambassador Dewano Kedir, Permanent
Secretary of Economic Affairs, FDRE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and official
representatives from other countries as well.

The
highlights of the day included donation of a “Laxmi CM-R Shuttleless Flexible
Rapier Loom” from the Laxmi Shuttleless Looms Private Limited, to the Ethiopian
Textile and Fashion Technology (EiTEX), Bahir Dar University. EiTEX is
Ethiopia’s premier textile educational institution the powerloom will
contribute to teaching of EiTEX’s cadre of over 3000 students and expose
enterprises in the Bahir Dar area to the newest weaving technologies available.
This donation was supported and facilitated by the International Trade Centre’s
SITA Project. ITC also launched their report on Africa. India ITME Society and
Kenya Association of Manufacturers signed MOU for further co-operation between
India and Kenya in textile engineering sector.

The
other concurrent programmes during the day were the Investment Seminar
organised by ITC and moderated by Govind Venuprasad, Coordinator – SITA, ITC
saw an excellent response and was well received by the audience. The panelist
for the sessions were Phyllis Wakiaga, Executive Director, Kenya Association of
Manufacturers, Navdeep Sodhi, Partner, Gherzi Textil Organization, Switzerland,
Sudatta Mandal, Chief General Manager, Lines of Credit Group, Exim Bank of India,
Antje Steiner, DEG Invest, Regional Office East Africa, Sanjeeva Ileperuma,
Director/CEO, Strathmore Apparel Manufacturing PLC, Eth., Pankaj Bedi,
Chairman, United Aryan (EPZ) Ltd, Kenya, Philip Osafo-Kwaako, Chairman,
Akosombo Industrial Co Ltd, Ghana and The B2F Meetings with Bank of Ethiopia,
AWASH and Dashen and B2G meeting with Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.

Anurag
Srivastava, Ambassador of India to The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
said, “India is a front runner for investment in Ethiopia for textile and
garment industry. There is a tremendous untapped potential for export of readymade
garments from Ethiopia to the West. Therefore the Textile industry, which is
the largest Industry of India should explore Investment possibilities in
Ethiopia and take advantage of the duty free facilities.”

Dorothy
Tembo, Executive Director, International Trade Centre, UN, Geneva said, “ITME
AFRICA 2020 is a tribute to the African continent and the trade relation
between India and Ethiopia over the past 2 decades have increased more than 8
folds. While African Companies are interested in upgrading their machineries
but the major challenges they face are the financial support. Quiet a few of
the companies are already looking forward to participate in the next ITME
AFRICA event,” she said.

 Hari Shankar, Chairman, India ITME Society
shared that more than 180 textile and technology companies from 15 countries
have to Addis Ababa to showcase their latest technology, machinery relevant to
Ethiopian textile and apparel sector. Buyer delegations from Ethiopia,
Botswana, Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania showed keen interest in doing
business with the Indian participating companies. “ITME AFRICA 2020 scheduled from
14 – 16 February 2020 is a pioneer event poised to be a catalyst not only for
the textile industry but also for the technology and engineering sector across
the continent of Africa. ITME AFRICA 2020 is set to be instrumental in
establishing Africa’s textile footprints prominent globally and to further
develop bilateral trade and connect to new markets in Africa,” as expressed by Seema
Srivastava, Executive Director, India ITME Society.

Italian Trade Commissioner
said, “It was a great inauguration ceremony, we have arranged for 22 companies
in the Italian pavilion 2nd biggest after India pavilion in ITME AFRICA 2020.
We have different specialization of textile machinery in the pavilion. The fair
is well organised. Day 2 and day 3 shall see more visitors. As Ethiopia is the
hub and an important market we expect more participants. Have a great
expectation from this fair. The organization was good.”

Ernesto
Maurer, President Swiss Textile Machinery said, “Happy with the first day
attendee and presence of many of these companies shows the diversity of the
exhibition. Many interested parties were here and from fibre to shirt. Ethiopia
can take more steps to bridge the gap but should start soon, it might take time
but it will get there.”

Richard
Salvatore, Co-ordinator, TEMSAD, Turkey said, “The response to this maiden
event by India ITME Society was exceptional with a good quality of visitors
flowing in. We could meet and interact with many people from Industry
Associations and officials, whom we could otherwise never meet and connect with
in any other exhibition outside Africa.”

Day
2 of the event has many more add value concurrent programs with ETIDI
conducting seminar on “Potential Africa” which shall be attraction for all
business men and the Technical Seminar on Cotton Development and Agro-copter
from IIT Madras which has seen unprecedent registration from Technical
Community / Academics / Students. The B2B Meetings with Business Delegates from
Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania looking at sourcing from
India & Overseas opened up many possible opportunities for Trade &
Investment and engaging and turning them into potential customers.