November 12, 2001

'24'

SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR LEADS DELEGATION TO MAURITIUS AND SOUTH AFRICA

TO INAUGURATE INDIA PAVILION AT ITU TELECOM AFRICA – 2001

INDIAN TELECOM MAJORS TO FOCUS ON INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT ITU AFRICA

    In an effort to leverage India’s prowess in telecommunications, Minister of State for Communications Shri Tapan Sikdar is leading an official delegation to Mauritius and South Africa from November 10-16, 2001. The key objective of the visit is to synergise investment opportunities for Indian companies in South Africa and Mauritius. Shri Sikdar is scheduled to inaugurate the India Pavilion and participate in the India Day celebrations at the ITU Telecom Africa Forum 2001 at Johannesberg.

    Earlier, during the first leg of his visit, Shri Sikdar had extensive discussions with the Mauritian Minister for IT&Communications, Mr. Dilchand Jiha. Both Ministers discussed at length the proposed colloboration between the two countries regarding computerisation of Mauritian Post. The Department of Post, India has received a request from Republic of Mauritius Postal Services for a proposal for computerisation of Mauritius Post. Mauritius Post reqeusted for providing them a customised version of’Meghdoot Postal Software’ to computerise their postal operations including parcel services, financial services, welfare payments and pension payments etc. apart from technical and training assistance for their staff. A techno commercial proposal was forwarded to Mauritius Post through the Department’s postal desk in Telecommunication Consultants India Ltd. on 3rd August 2001. The Department of Posts received the response from Mauritius Post and its proposal is under active consideration by the Technical Advisors of Mauritius Post. Both countries are likely to sign an MoU in this regard.

    The Mauritius IT & Communication Minister evinced keen interest to set up an educational institute to train IT professionals with India’s help. Shri Sikdar assured his counterpart that the matter would be taken up with the concerned IITs. Another area of discussion was on Mauritius keen interest in opening up its basic cellular operations and is looking for collaborative partners.