Algiers, Oct 15 (PTI): President Droupadi Murmu has called for deeper economic cooperation between India and Algeria, underlining that the African nation’s rapid growth and expanding economy offer many opportunities in various sectors.
The President in an address to the Algerian-Indian Economic Forum on Monday emphasised India’s rapid rise and impressive progress in ‘Ease of Doing Business’, and invited Algerian companies to join India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Make for the World’ initiatives.
“The stepping up of the India-Algeria relations is based on our shared values, common challenges, and mutual trust,” Murmu said at the event jointly organised by the Algerian Economic Renewal Council and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
The President said Algeria’s rapid growth and expanding economy offered many opportunities in various sectors and urged Indian companies to remain invested in the scope the Algerian economy presented, a statement from the President’s Office said.
Noting that overall trade between India and Algeria stood at USD 1.7 billion, the President said the economic ties between the two countries have, however, not been able to tap its full potential, adding that India would be happy to share its experiences with its Algerian partners.
President Murmu was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate. Sharing photos on her official X account, she wrote, “It is, indeed a humbling experience for me to be honoured with the Honorary Doctorate. This is an honour for my country more than for me as an individual.” “Scientific and Technological Hub, Martyr Ihaddaden Abdelhafid University of Algeria conferred Honorary Doctorate in Political Science on President Droupadi Murmu in recognition of her advocacy of science and knowledge for all social groups in India. The President thanked Scientific and Technological Hub for this honour and said that it is an honour for India more than for her as an individual,” the official X account of Rashtrapati Bhavan posted, sharing a video of the event.
Murmu also addressed the Conferment Ceremony of Honorary Doctorate where she talked about her childhood in the hinterland of Odisha.
“My childhood was full of challenges and obstacles. I did my elementary education at a local primary school and then moved to Bhubaneshwar for higher studies,” she said.
Murmu said she completed her bachelor’s from Ramadevi Women’s College in Bhubaneshwar and became the first woman from her village to graduate from university.
Before entering politics, she said she worked as a clerk and teacher. Murmu said her passion for education and empowerment has been a driving force in her life.
“I am now the first person from a tribal community and also the youngest to occupy the highest office of the Republic of India,” she said.
“A key pillar of India’s rapid economic recovery is technology-led and women-led growth. The massive digital transformation taking place in India, never seen anywhere in the world stage, has encouraged the participation of women in the workforce,” she said.
The benefits of technology, such as financial inclusion, also helped women in rural areas, she said.
The President said that education is a means not only for individual empowerment but for national development as well. With the objective to develop students as enlightened citizens and to lead India into the ‘Knowledge Economy’, India has brought several reforms in the education sector.
The goal of the new National Education Policy 2020 is to transform the education system at all levels. The policy also opens avenues for collaboration with foreign educational institutions, she said.
“India provides quality education at a fraction of the cost of western institutions to ever increasing number of students from Africa, including from Algeria. We also offer several scholarships and fellowships to African students. I invite educational institutions, governmental departments and youth of Algeria to take advantage of various initiatives of Government of India,” Murmu said.
Murmu also noted that Algeria is keen to promote dialogue with India on the digitalisation of payment systems.
The President said that India-Algeria relations are a long way from reaching their potential. She expressed confidence that the youth of India and Algeria would achieve it and they will eventually become the bridgeheads for enhancing our robust people-to-people ties.
She also referred to India’s space exploration programme and the country’s first human space flight Gaganyaan that is set to be launched next year.
Earlier, Murmu paid floral tributes to former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam on his birth anniversary.
In another programme, the President also addressed the members of the Indian community here and commended their contribution to Algeria’s economy.
“The Indian community in Algeria is a bridge taking forward India’s interests and soft power,” the statement quoted the president as saying.
On the final day of her visit to Algeria, President Murmu glimpsed the rich cultural and historical heritage of the country at the archaeological site of the ancient Roman city of Tipasa.
Dating back to 6th century BC, Tipasa served as thriving cultural and trading centre on the Mediterranean shores.
She also visited the Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania, built during the Numidian era. The Minister of Culture of Algeria, Soraya Mouloudji, and the Wali (Governor) of Tipaza, Aboubakr Boucetta, accompanied the President during the visits, the X handle of the Rashtrapati Bhavan posted, sharing some photographs of the visits.
Murmu arrived here Sunday on the first leg of her three-nation visit, making it the first-ever tour by an Indian Head of State to deepen India-Africa ties.
The President will later travel to Mauritania and Malawi. PTI PY GSP SCY SCY
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