Airlines from India will soon resume their operations to Africa, said Anand Sharma, Minister for Commerce & Industry, Government of India, said at the 2nd India-Africa Business Council (IABC) in Johannesburg, South Africa. Air connectivity and visa-related issues were the two major matters that were discussed at the Council, which was co-chaired by Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman and Group CEO, Bharti Enterprises. Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is the institutional partner for the Council.
"I can assure you that you will see again the resumption of flights to Africa by the Indian carriers, private also. We have identified. Jet Airways was flying until recently to South Africa. Air India will also resume flying to Africa in 2014. This has been communicated to me," Sharma was quoted as saying in a PTI report. Sharma, who is here for the third India-Africa Trade Ministers meeting, said that businessmen will travel only when there will be better air connectivity. "We have been engaged at the highest level, at the level of the Prime Minister," he added.
On liberalisation of the visa regime, Sharma said that both sides can identify the apex industry chambers that can help in this process. "India has an arrangement with many of its partner countries for long-term business visas, which are given as part of the understanding; for example we have CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) and FICCI. The partner or concerned country can also identify the apex national chambers...once they are endorsed by the chambers, the embassy or the high commission of the concerned nation can give the visas," he said.
"Similarly, the apex national chambers in Africa can give recommendation to the Indian high commission and on reciprocal terms, we will immediately grant long-term business visas," Sharma added.
On visas, Mittal said that governments of India and African nations should extend support on the matter to smoothen the movement of professionals. He proposed to provide visa on arrival to businessmen of both the sides. "I do not see any reason why visa on arrival cannot be given. Long-term, multiple-entry visas and business visas can be given. It becomes extremely difficult if the visas are given for two-three months at a time. Regular business visitors and officers of the companies they have to exhaust their passports."
