Ahead of the India-Africa Forum Summit on October 26, 53 African trade ministers will be congregating on October 23 to fast-track long-pending trade agreements, as India looks to increase its trade relationship with African countries.
“It will be the largest meeting of trade ministers in India. It will give us an opportunity to review our trade relation status and take our engagement forward,” a government official was quoted as saying anonymously by Indian publication, Live Mint.
According to the publication, India is currently engaged with various African groupings - such as the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu), the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) - in preferential trade agreements.
Despite current negotiations between Sacu and Comesa, both groupings are still deciding how to proceed further, said the government official, adding that progress on all agreements would be reviewed during the meeting.
