Indian Companies in EthiopiaIndian Companies in Infrastructure ProjectsLack of adequate infrastructure and facilities is regarded as a major constraint in Ethiopia’s development. In the past 7-8 years, the Ethiopian authorities have taken various initiatives and embarked on major projects in the infrastructure sectors like roads, power, telecommunications, railways, water resource development, oil and gas exploration. Several Indian companies have been participating in these projects to share their skills and expertise and be a partner in Ethiopia’s development. Roads: Several Indian companies from the public and the private sector have secured contracts for road construction and consultancy works, and the Ethiopian authorities have welcomed greater participation of Indian companies. IRCON International is the first, and so far the only Indian company, in road construction. In August 2004, it was awarded contract for the sector Dera-Chole-Magna in southeast part of Ethiopia. Total value of project is US$ 31.3 million, to be executed in 42 months. Besides, there are well known Indian companies like the Consulting Engineering Services (India) Limited, International Consultants and Technocrats Pvt. Ltd., RITES, SPAN Consultants, and LEA Associates South Asia Pvt. Ltd., which are executing various road consultancy projects. Power: Power is an important area for economic development and improving lives of people, specially in rural areas. Indian companies have secured several projects related to power transmission, distribution and sub-stations. KEC International Limited is the leading Indian company in power projects. It had earlier completed two power projects of 66 kV-130 kV transmission lines in 1996 in Mekelle, and in 2000-03 in Jimma. Since August 2004, it has been awarded several power distribution and transmission projects worth US$ 157 million, including six projects awarded since April 2005. Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL), a Government of India enterprise, was awarded a contract by EEPCO in August, 2005 for a 230 kV sub-stations. It has also shown interest in the areas of hydropower, coal and gas based power generation. IRCON has been awarded contract for 66 kV extension of 9 substations in different parts of Ethiopia in 2005. In October 2005, Kalpataru Power Transmission Ltd. was awarded a power transmission project for the Alamata-Combolcha-Cotobe-Kaliti 230 kV overhead transmission line. Jyoti Structures Ltd. has executed three 132 kV turnkey projects for power transmission. Mumbai-based M/s Enercon India Power Development was invited by EEPCO for a wind-based power project. Kirloskar Oil Engines has supplied generator sets of varying capacity to Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation, Ministries of Education and Health, Oromia Water Resources etc. Telecommunications: Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC) has undertaken extensive measures and drawn ambitious programmes to increase number of subscribers and improve quality of service. Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd. (TCIL), a Government of India enterprise, has been active in Ethiopia in executing turnkey projects in this sector. During February 2001-June 2004, it completed 10 contracts for the ETC valued at US$ 18 million. In 2005, it provided short-term training in technical courses to ETC officers at ALTTC, Ghaziabad. It is executing project to supply VSAT antenna, solar power systems, and collaborating with other companies like Ericsson and Huawei for GSM projects, towers in telecommunication projects. It has also been awarded contract to supply equipment like digital satellite receivers and IDR modems. TCIL is the designated agency from India to execute the Pan-African e-Network Project for tele-medicine, tele-education and VVIP connectivity in all countries of Africa. Ethiopia is the first beneficiary of this programme. TCIL has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ethiopian Information and Communication Development Agency (EICTDA) signed on 12th January 2006 in Addis Ababa to start a Pilot Project for tele-medicine and tele-education in Ethiopia. The total cost of US$ 2.13 million will come as a grant from India. The pilot project is already under an advance stage of implementation. Addis Ababa University and the Black Lion Hospital will be the nodal centers for tele-education and tele-medicine respectively, with remote centers located at Alemaya University and Nekempt Hospital. Water and Water Resources: Water and Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS), a Government of India enterprise, has completed some consultancy projects in the micro-dams, small irrigation and water resources sector. In 2004, it completed four projects for feasibility study and design of some micro-dams and for irrigation. Intercontinental Consultants and Technocrats (ICT) is presently doing feasibility studies of three irrigation projects for the Ministry of Water Resources. Oil and Gas: Representatives of the Gas Authority India Ltd. (GAIL) have visited Addis Ababa to explore possibilities of gas exploration and various downstream projects. GAIL has been short-listed as one of the seven companies on the basis of letters of EOI to develop gas fields in Calub and Hilala. The bids are to be submitted in July 2006. BHEL is exploring possibilities of putting up coal-based and gas-based power plants in Ethiopia. In the past, Indian companies like Petroleum India International (PIL), Assam Company Limited had also shown interest in this sector. link on mineral Private sector Indian investment is on the rise in Ethiopia. Details of companies which have invested in Ethiopia are at link below: |