India and Ethiopia are expected to sign the avoidance of double taxation agreement during the forthcoming visit of the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, to the African state.
Briefing newspersons on the Prime Minister's Africa visit, the Secretary (West), Mr Vivek Katju, said that the Prime Minister will visit Ethiopia from May 23 to May 26 not only to participate in the second India-Africa Forum summit but also undertake a bilateral visit.
Tanzania visit
The bilateral visit will be the first by an Indian Prime Minister to the African nation. After visiting Ethiopia, Dr Singh will travel to Tanzania, Mr Katju added.
“The President of Equatorial Guinea in his capacity as the Chairperson of the African Union will co-chair the Summit along with the Prime Minister. Fifteen African countries will participate in the Summit on behalf of the African continent,” Mr Katju said.
The countries participating in the summit include Libya, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Algeria and Burundi.
India has been a partner in Ethiopia's development process and has extended Lines of Credit amounting to around $700 million, a large part being for the development of the sugar industry, the Secretary said.
Pointing out that Tanzania was an important partner of India in Africa, Mr Katju said that India-Tanzania trade was at over $1.1 billion during 2010.