Want to work abroad? There are green pastures in Gabon. And what is even better, it comes on the personal invitation of President Ali Bongo Ondimba.
Ondimba—who has been to India twice--extended the invitation when he met Vice President Venkaiah Naidu.
“The President has said he welcomes Indians to come to this country to be able to participate in agriculture production, to be able to do manufacturing,'' said Damu Ravi, secretary, Economic Relations, ministry of external affair at a special briefing on Wednesday. “They have special economic zones, and they have created these zones in order to encourage entrepreneurship from countries like India to come and set up manufacturing bases. the President was very clear that he wants Indians to come here and do these activities.”
This is the first high level trip by an Indian dignitary to Gabon.
The trip is also significant as Gabon is also in the Security Council as a non-permanent member. “There was interest to work together on climate change, terrorism and also the reform of the UN Security Council and the UN reform in general,'' said Ravi. “So, that was the idea that was discussed in terms of the multilateral cooperation.”
And is very much part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reach out to Africa programme. Apart from Gabon, Naidu will also visit Senegal. Yet, another first visit for an Indian vice president.
Beyond the commonalities, Naidu's visit is also an attempt to focus on energy. Gabon is one of the founders of the solar alliance, and provides opportunity for India to build solar plants. But there is also natural gas. “Gabon is truly looking for enhancing partnership with India to be able to drive the emergent Gabon,'' says Ravi. They feel that it's time for them to diversify their economy and need partners like India, particularly in the energy sector. They have a large oil, gas, minerals, forest wealth, and they want to move beyond in the direction of value addition here. So there, they see a great opportunity for the two countries to enhance this partnership.”
Senegal, the next stop for Naidu, too holds the same promise. And what's more Senegal is being courted ardently. One of the first trips that the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz took last month was to Senegal. With Russia no longer the partner Germany is looking for—especially as they move from coal to source 80 per cent of its electricity by renewables—newer partners. The country has ruled out nuclear energy too. With Senegal having vast unexplored natural gas, it might be the answer Germany is looking for. According to estimates that Senegal's Greater Tortue Ahmeyin gas field could have 15 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
India, too, is hoping to explore this option. So, the courting will continue.
