WHY INDIA IS THE NATURAL ALLY IN AFRICA'S PROGRESS?

For centuries peoples from India and Africa have carried on maritime trade leading to cultural exchanges. India-Africa Partnership is guided by similar vision and path, identical values and shared dreams specially while addressing the global challenge of poverty.

India arrived on the international arena following its spectacular economic progress since its liberalization and opening up its economy in the early nineteen nineties.
Today, it is the second fastest growing economy in the
world attaining a rate of 8-9% sustained over a period of years. This has opened up many avenues for it to go
beyond its boundaries to help out fellow developing
countries in the spirit of South-South cooperation.

To help bridge the resource crunch which many African countries are facing, the Indian Prime Minister announced a US $ 5.4 billion soft Line of Credit spread over five years at the first India-Africa Summit held in Delhi in April 2009. (The next summit is slated to be held in Addis Ababa in April 2011, where Africa Union headquarter is based) This facility, channeled through EXIM Bank of India for financing projects and other infrastructure activity through Indian companies, has proved to be very popular with African countries. South-South cooperation is not a myth but is here to stay and play a very important role in emerging market growth. India is as much a continent as it is a country offering these opportunities.

In consonance with this opportunity, we have proven expertise in identifying developmental bottle-necks and specifically designed customized solutions along with funding options. Today, we have the bandwidth to cater to the requirement of most sectors that fuels the economic development of nations namely energy, agro processing, ethanol, water management and urban transport - especially railways. With services ranging from site development, techno feasibility studies, design, construction and project management, OIA has evolved to become a knowledge driven company most apt to partner with.

In completing a US $65 million Power Project in Ethiopia, we have established an unmistakable track record for success in such challenging projects. Our company has received special recognition for delivering an excellent performance as a Contractor and being a good collaborator from Electricidade De Mozambique (EDM) for the successful completion of our Rural Electrification Project in Mozambique. They were highly impressed by OIA's tireless effort, high level of service standards and professional approach in executing the above project within the stipulated time frame.


THE NEXT FRONTIER: FOOD SECURITY

The spectre of food scarcity looms large in the horizon. As and when the world has witnessed food crises in the past, it is usually the continent of Africa that has witnessed the maximum starvation deaths in history. Our experiences across the world have shown that with the necessary precautions and commitment, the Green Revolution can play an important role in fighting hunger in Sub-Saharan Africa, where it is estimated that approximately 206 million people suffer from hunger and malnutrition.

The key to finding success in Africa would be in how we are able to replicate the Indian experience of the Green Revolution in Africa? This is a process that seeks solutions to increase the levels of agricultural production and productivity through the use of improved seeds, fertilizers, production instruments, farm technologies adapted to the local reality, agricultural mechanization, animal power, construction and exploitation of dams for irrigation and for watering for livestock, among other actions. It is a multi-dimensional strategy aimed at fighting hunger and poverty, with its final goal being to achieve increased competitiveness and sustainable agricultural production and productivity.

It is my conviction that the food crisis in Africa can be averted and companies such as OIA are ideally suited for creating sustainable home-grown models of agricultural revolutions in partnership with proactive governments.


OUTLOOK

The outlook for Africa is promising. Yet we know that there are many seemingly insurmountable hurdles that are in our way. Clearly, our clients have placed their trust in us. It is a matter of pride that OIA was appointed as the Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) Contractor for the prestigious sugar projects at Finchaa & Tendaho in Ethiopia worth more than USD 497million. Further more, OIA has also been awarded a project by the Mashkour Sugar Company in Sudan for the execution of a large sugar project.

I am heartened by the determination and conviction of every member of the OIA team for their grit and acumen in delivering success in every project we undertake. Ultimately, our quest towards delivering lasting solutions, that uplift the quality of life and the prosperity of a nation, is what drives us. I thank all stakeholders in supporting OIA in this endeavour.



Ambassador V. B. Soni
Chairman