A Parliamentary Delegation from Zimbabwe led by Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Advocate Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda, called on President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (December 7, 2022).
Welcoming the delegation to Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President said that relations between India and Zimbabwe are centuries old. The presence of about 9000 people of Indian origin in Zimbabwe is an important link between our people.
The President was happy to note that India’s economic relations with Zimbabwe are progressing well. The trade between India and Zimbabwe is around $200 million. Indian companies have invested about $500 million in Zimbabwe. India has provided five lines of credit to Zimbabwe, and has also set up a vocational training centre. She was also happy to note that the ITEC and ICCR scholarships from India are popular among Zimbabweans. She said that we should make more efforts to enhance our bilateral cooperation.
The President said that Parliament represents the voice of the people. There should be more interaction and exchange between our two parliaments. We have a lot to learn from each other.
The President said that India is the world’s largest democracy. Our strong and vibrant democracy starts from the grassroots level. It truly represents the people of this country. She expressed confidence that the delegation would learn more about India’s democratic systems during this visit.
A Parliamentary Delegation from Mozambique led by Ms Esperanca Laurinda Francisco Nhiuane Bias, Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic of Mozambique, called on President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (July 29, 2022).
Welcoming the delegation, the President said that she was happy to receive them at Rashtrapati Bhavan as the first international delegation after her assumption of the office on 25 July 2022. She noted that India and Mozambique enjoy close friendly relations with regular exchange of high-level visits between the two countries.
The President said that Mozambique is our strategic partner and close ally. Indian companies have invested around US$10 billion in Mozambique’s natural gas and mining sectors. The Government of India has also provided Line of Credit for different projects in Mozambique. She also noted that the Indian diaspora in Mozambique is contributing to the economic development of Mozambique.
On the occasion of Azadi ka Amrit Mahostava and 8th International Yoga Day, a Yoga Workshop was organized by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs under the guidance of Yoga Guru Dr. Surakshit Goswami on 15th June, 2022 at Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi. Dr. Satya Prakash, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs inaugurated the workshop and introducing Dr. Surakshit Goswami, highlighted the importance of Yoga in our daily lives.
Dr. Surakshit Goswami guided all the officers and employees of the ministry to practice yoga and pranayama and imparted information about increasing work efficiency by reducing stress through yoga activity during office hours.
Dr.Satya Prakash, Additional Secretary, Smt. Suman Bara, Director and all other officers/staff of the Ministry participated in the workshop.
The meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to the Ministry of Power was held in Tehri, Uttarakhand today. Union Minister for Power and NRE Shri R. K. Singh chaired the meeting. Minister of State for Power and Heavy Industries Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar was also present at the meeting. Hon’ble Members of Parliament of various political parties took part in the meeting. The MPs present were Sh. Mahabali Singh, Lok Sabha, Sh. Khagen Murmu, Lok Sabha, Dr Amee Yajnik, Rajya Sabha and Sh. Dhiraj Prasad Sahu, Rajya Sabha.
The agenda for the meeting was ‘The Need for Enhancing Hydro Capacity’. Shri R. K. Singh informed that India’s consumption of energy has been growing at an exponential pace. He stated that consumption is an index of development and hence increased energy utilization is an indicator of the evolution of our economy. The Minister highlighted the challenge of tackling climate change while meeting the increased demand for energy. He noted that the per capita emissions of India is less than a third of the world average, while for the developed nations it is four to six folds of the global mean. He also added that nearly 80% of the emission so far are contributed by the developed world. However, in the light of the Paris Agreement, the government has resolved to move towards greener energy.
The Union Minister said that India has already surpassed its target to achieve about 40 per cent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources in November 2021 against the deadline of 2030. He added that there has been exponential growth in the renewable energy capacity of India in the last seven years. He added that at 153 GW installed capacity by renewable sources, India is set to achieve its ambitious target of 500 GW of capacity from Non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. In this context, he added that hydel projects assume importance since it is a source of green and clean energy. The Union Minister said that apart from the direct benefit of clean energy, hydel projects also generate employment, give stability to the grid, improve infrastructure, help in flood management, and result in a multiplier effect on the local economy.
While outlining the challenges of implementing the hydel projects, the Minister emphasised the need to take all stakeholders into confidence and said that communication with the people affected will remain the key to success. He also said that a robust resettlement and rehabilitation plan would help in executing the projects.
Hon’ble Members of Parliament made several suggestions about various initiatives and schemes in the Ministry of Power. Shri Singh closed the meeting thanking the participants for their valuable suggestions.
Expanding trade relations with and investments in African countries is crucial to Canada’s global economic recovery, as is establishing trade partnerships in expanding economies and diversifying supply chains to ensure continued prosperity.
May 16, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada
Expanding trade relations with and investments in African countries is crucial to Canada’s global economic recovery, as is establishing trade partnerships in expanding economies and diversifying supply chains to ensure continued prosperity.
Today, Arif Virani, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, provided key take-aways from his trade visits to South Africa and Zambia, focusing on economic cooperation and trade diversification.
These visits followed the virtual trade mission of the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, to Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and South Africa in February this year.
During the trade visits, Parliamentary Secretary Virani underscored how the Canada-Africa strategy for economic cooperation supports global investments and strengthens Canada’s role as a trusted partner of African companies, industry associations and governments.
In South Africa, Parliamentary Secretary Virani participated in the Mining Indaba conference, where he emphasized Canada’s commitment to responsible business conduct and sustainable mining, which is demonstrated by the recent launch of Canada’s new Responsible Business Conduct Strategy. The strategy reaffirms Canada’s expectation that Canadian companies contribute to sustainable development and support Canada’s commitments to human rights by integrating responsible business practices throughout their operations, including international supply chains. He also discussed Canada’s efforts to support a green recovery, noting how Canadian clean technologies and expertise can help provide energy security as countries throughout the continent grapple with the impacts of climate change and seek greener alternatives.
Throughout the trip, Parliamentary Secretary Virani also focused on advancing gender diversity and women’s empowerment in every sector. In Zambia, he highlighted Canada’s leadership in international development by noting the launch of the program, Her Time to Grow.
Her Time to Grow supports women’s entrepreneurial success in climate-resilient agriculture and food security. The program—which is currently unfolding not only in Zambia, but also in Ethiopia and Ghana—is a good example of how Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, which is geared to promoting gender equity and empowering women and girls, is the most effective approach to eradicating poverty and building a more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous world.
“Canada is committed to working with companies, governments and civil society in South Africa, Zambia and across Africa to unlock the continent’s economic potential. By promoting responsible business conduct, sustainable mining and inclusive trade, we are working together to drive a strong global economic recovery.”
– Arif Virani, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development
Canada is home to almost half the world’s publicly listed mining and exploration companies. Canadian companies are active across the globe.
Canada has a well-earned reputation as a global mining leader focused on innovation and good governance, as well as environmental and social responsibility.
Canada is the world’s largest exporter of minerals and metals, exporting approximately 60 different mineral commodities to over 100 countries around the globe. These exports of minerals and metals indirectly account for 630,000 jobs. In 2020, Canadian mining assets in Africa had a total value of $36.5 billion.
South Africa, being one of Africa’s largest and most diversified economies, is a prime destination for Canadian goods and services, and the value of 2-way merchandise trade between Canada and South Africa totalled $2.2 billion in 2020.
In 2020, the value of 2-way merchandise trade between Canada and Zambia totalled $117 million, consisting of $10.6 million in exports to Zambia and $107.3 million in imports from Zambia.
Alice Hansen
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development
613-612-0482
Alice.Hansen@international.gc.ca
