News: India Inc may help set up African grid

(HT 23/03/2007) New Delhi - India could lead in setting up a pan-African satellite, fibre optic and wireless network connecting 53 countries.

A proposal to set up such a network was mooted by President APJ Abdul Kalam during his visit in 2003-04 to African countries like Sudan, Tanzania, Zanzibar and South Africa. Communications Minister Dayanidhi Maran, speaking at a Commonwealth e-partnership summit on Friday said, "The Indian ICT industry has not only managed to catch up with its more technology savvy global peers, but is also being actively sought out by companies worldwide for on-site, offshore expertise and wealth of manpower resources."

The two-day summit organised by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Commonwealth Business Council, will explore opportunities for Indian companies to collaborate in sectors like telemedicine and tele-education.

Mohan Kaul, director-general of the Commonwealth Business Council, urged Maran to take the lead, "Our President has shown a vision we can emulate and I am sure all countries will look to bridging the digital divide."

Stressing the importance of public-private partnership, Maran said: "It is our firm belief that progress in the modern world requires a strategic relationship among the government, civil society and the business community. By bringing benefits of IT to the masses, it is our endeavour to ensure that all Indians have equal access to economic opportunities within the country and outside."