75 Indian companies organize mega trade show in Sudan
Aug 13, 2006 (NEW DELHI) — Around 75 companies in the fields of power, oil and gas, textiles and agriculture are taking part in an exclusive Indian mega trade show in Khartoum this month to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties with Sudan.
The single-country show, organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham), comes at a time when several Indian firms have won multimillion- dollar contracts in Sudan in power, oil and gas and pipeline projects.
The Aug 22-26 exhibition-cum-business investment seminar, to be held at the Khartoum International Trade Fair ground, is supported by Sudan’s Federation of Chambers of Commerce.
“One of the largest trade delegations, comprising 200 participants and about 75 exhibitors, to the Arab world will be participating in the show,” D.S. Rawat, secretary general of Assocham, told IANS.
“Besides a few large-sized firms, about 90 percent would be medium and small companies representing sectors such as agriculture products and machinery, food processing, education, light and heavy engineering, textiles, apparels, housing and petroleum among others.”
Several public sector companies, including ONGC Videsh, Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL), Indian Railways subsidiaries IRCON and RITES and the Gujarat State Petroleum Corp, would also take part.
“Many of the companies are aspiring to register a presence in Sudan with an eye on infrastructure development there as well as in neighbouring countries,” said Abdul Khalique, adviser to Assocham.
ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) has the largest Indian investment in Sudan – about $2 billion – which is fetching not only good returns by way of revenue but also crude supplies.
Earlier this year, BHEL bagged the largest power contract worth $457 million to set up a 500-MW power plant and transmission network in Sudan.
Several other Indian companies are in the race for major power and infrastructure projects awarded through competitive bidding in Sudan.
Among these are Angelique International, which recently bagged a $41.9-million power transmission project, and Hyderabad-based Progressive Construction Ltd, which won a 100-km road contract.
Others like Mohan Energy, Lucky Exports and KEC are in the race for various other projects.
“A lot more opportunities lie ahead for Indian companies because Sudan is quite inclined to have more collaboration with India,” an official source said.
Besides investment and project contracts, Indian trade with Sudan has also been witnessing considerable growth.
While Indian exports to Sudan have risen from $115.96 million in 2003 to $317.84 million in 2005, imports have jumped from $33.17 million to $307.77 million in the same period.
“The exhibition and investment seminar is expected to give a further boost to bilateral ties while providing opportunities for more Indian companies keen to establish a presence in the African region,” said Rawat.
(IANS/ST)