Kolkata Hosts Landmark International Conference To Boost Eastern India And Africa Trade Ties

News Desk, News Nation 360: The Bharat Chamber of Commerce hosted the inaugural session of the International Conference on Africa-India Business Linkage in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs. The event took place in Kolkata to showcase emerging business opportunities across the African continent. Ghana, Nigeria, Togo and Zimbabwe participated as official country partners. Senior state officials, retired Indian diplomats and African mission representatives gathered to strengthen trade architecture. West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation Managing Director Vandana Yadav and Joint Secretary A Ajay Kumar attended as guests of honour. High-ranking diplomats included Ambassador Stella Nkomo and High Commissioner Saidu Dahiru Muhammad, and Chargé d'Affaires Malemda Kamele. A traditional auspicious dance performance preceded the deliberations to bring positive energy. Speakers highlighted that bilateral trade between India and Africa reached nearly eighty-two billion dollars in recent years. Indian investments across Africa stand at approximately eighty billion dollars. The Duty Free Tariff Preference Scheme now grants duty-free entry to most Indian tariff lines for least developed nations. Delegates emphasised that the growing African presence within BRICS lends immense strategic weight to South-South cooperation. The organisers noted that eastern India faces certain geographical disadvantages compared to western ports. Better strategic communication and modern logistics can drastically reduce transaction costs. Kolkata and Haldia ports offer strong maritime connections to bridge eastern trade routes with Africa. Delegates proposed direct feeder shipping lines connecting Kolkata to ports like Tema and Lagos and Lomé to cut transhipment expenses. Participants also pushed for streamlined multiple-entry business visas and single-window digital customs clearances. Mutual recognition pacts in pharmaceuticals and engineering goods will further accelerate bilateral commerce. Chamber leadership stressed that the conference will help regional firms unlock high growth opportunities across Africa.

Pic: Krishnendu Kundu