Ambassador’s Speech 2010 Speech Archive 2009-06
Address by Ambassador at the meeting between H.E. Mr. Girma Birru,
Minister of Trade & Industry and the India Business Forum
18 February 2010
Your Excellency,
Mr. Girma Birru, Minister of Trade and Industry
Mr. Abi Woldemeskel, Director General, Ethiopian Investment Agency
Mr. Tewodros Tefera, Deputy Director General, Ethiopian Revenue and Customs Authority
Mr. Mayur Kothari, Convenor, India Business Forum
Dear Friends and Members of the India Business Forum
It is indeed a great honour for us that the Hon’ble Minister of Trade and Industry is here with us today. He is here with a very senior delegation of officials from various departments and ministries of the Government of Ethiopia. This speaks volumes of the seriousness that the Government attaches to promoting investments from India.
It is a matter of great pride for us that India is one of the largest investors in this country. The total private investment, encompassing 489 projects, amounts to US$4.3 billion. Of this, approximately US$1 billion has already come in or is in various states of implementation.
Ethiopia is, without a doubt, a favoured destination for Indian investment. While we are very happy about it, it is important that we also understand reasons for it.
On one level, there is the cultural affinity of which all of us are well aware. I have been here for less than six weeks and I can tell you that my family and I have felt at home in this country from the very first day itself. The sights, the colour, the smells – they all remind us of home. It is, therefore, only natural that Indian entrepreneurs would have a preference for basing themselves in this country.
But, Indian investors are also hard nosed business people. They would not be investing good money only for reasons to do with warmth, goodwill and psychological comfort. The Indian business community tells me that the other important reasons for their having chosen Ethiopia is political stability, sound macroeconomic policies and good governance.
One important factor of good administration is being responsive and transparent. It is in this context that our meeting today with the Hon’ble Minister and his high powered delegation is important. It will allow the Indian business community to raise whatever concerns they have. It will also allow the Hon’ble Minister to acquaint himself first hand with the issues that concern the Indian investor community.
Mr. Minister, we understand very well that it may not be possible for you to resolve all issues today. Your willingness to consider all of them and your willingness to resolve all those that can be resolved means a lot for the India Business Forum. It means a lot, Mr. Minister, for the confidence of the Indian investor community.
I would also like to take this opportunity to say a few words to the India Business Forum. The Indian community in this country has always done India proud. They have contributed to the social and economic development of this country. The Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Addis Ababa was set up with contributions of the Indian community about 50 years ago. I have no doubt that Indian companies investing in Ethiopia will always keep their corporate social responsibility uppermost in their mind. It is by doing so that each Indian investor will also be an effective Ambassador of India.
I do not want to take more time as I do not want to come between the Hon’ble Minister and the India Business Forum. I would, however, like to conclude on a personal note by mentioning that the Hon’ble Minister Mr. Girma Birru was the first Minister I met after I took over my assignment in Addis Ababa. He is, without a doubt, one of the most important Ministers for us and I will consider myself privileged if I can enjoy his goodwill and his guidance during my term of tenure in this country.
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Ambassador’s Speech at Republic Day Flag-Hoisting
on January 26, 2010
at Embassy of India, Addis Ababa
Dear countrymen
On the happy and auspicious occasion of the 60th Republic Day of India, I extend my warm greetings and congratulations to all members of the Indian community residing in various parts of Ethiopia. I also take this occasion to extend my friendly greetings and best wishes for the happiness and prosperity of our Ethiopian brothers and sisters.
I will now read out to you some excerpts from the Address to the Nation by Her Excellency the President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil.
My fellow citizens,
On the eve of our 61st Republic Day, I extend my warmest greetings to all of you across the country and also to those living abroad. To the members of our Armed Forces and Para-military forces who guard our frontiers and to our internal security forces, I extend my special greetings.
26th January, this year marks the completion of six decades of working, striving and, all along, being guided by the principles and objectives of the Constitution that was framed after careful deliberations and adopted in 1950. I often recall the speech of Mahatma Gandhi at the launch of the Quit India Movement on 8th August, 1942, where he said that power, when it comes, will belong to the people of India. The wish of the Father of the Nation found expression in the very opening words of the Constitution – We, the people of India. This was a strong affirmation that the impulses of the nation and its future would be guided by its people. They would reflect their aspirations and choices, through democratic means. They would also enjoy the fundamental rights that guarantee their freedoms and dignity. Today, is a reminder that upholding the values, determining the direction and propelling the growth of our nation is a task that must be fulfilled by every citizen of the country. In the first decade of the 21st century, India witnessed transformational changes. It also emerged as a force driving change in the world. Our achievements and experiences have, indeed, brought the nation to a definitional stage, where the promise of a bright future as a developed and progressive nation is for us to claim, as we all work together with conviction and commitment. However, as we overcome deficiencies and convert our strengths into an energetic force, we must remain deeply conscious of what we must preserve and what we must change.
I will now come to the concluding part of the President’s Address. The complete Address has been circulated.
Dear Countrymen, Brothers and Sisters,
As some of you may be aware, I arrived in Addis Ababa to take up my assignment in the first week of January. I would like to assure you that in discharging my duties, I will always keep in mind the best interests of our countrymen who are resident in this country. I also invite you to not hesitate ever in bringing to the Embassy’s attention any problems that you may be facing. It will always be our endeavour to be of assistance to Indian nationals and those of Indian origin.
I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome in our midst members of the Indian Army Training Team who have been in this country since August 2009. I also welcome the two ITEC experts who are here to provide advice to the local government on issues relating to water management.
In conclusion I would like to say that in the few days that I have been here, I have been struck by the warmth and affection that nearly all Ethiopians have for India. I am fully aware that, to a very significant extent, this is because of the contributions made by the Indian community for the socio-economic development of this country. I would like to specially thank the teachers and professors who have made the name of India synonymous with that of education and learning. All the Ministers that I have met have, without fail, recognized their contribution. The educators have now been joined by another group of our countrymen – businessmen and industrialists who are investing in this country. Once again, the Ministers and senior dignitaries that I have met have also highlighted to me the importance of the contribution that is being made by them. They also deserve a special word of thanks.
Friends, Brothers and Sisters,
I thank you all for being here today. I invite you to partake the refreshments before you leave the Embassy premises.
JAI HIND.