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India–South Africa investment & trade reliance is optimistic
By Dr Srimal Fernando
South Asia Correspondent for Foreign Exchange
As India marks 65 years of independence on 15August 2011, the country has become one of the fastest growing major economies that aspires to be the major financial, educational and transportation center of the world. Since achieving independence India experienced numerous phases of developments and changes.
Following market based economic reforms in 1991. India has rapidly risen to become a global economic force to be reckoned with. As the world’s fourth largest economy with a population of over 1.2 billion people, and a middle class of more than 400 million people India is an increasingly big player on the world stage and has transformed itself from a Third world country into one of the World's fastest growing economies.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected that the Indian economy will expand by 8.2 percent in 2011. Driven by growth, India's nominal GDP per capita has steadily increased from U$329 in 1991, when economic liberalization began to US$1,265 in 2010. India's unique and vast geography, endowed with diverse topography, the country has made it one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world. India now boasts a private sector business that is continuing to attract the interest of the foreigners.
The economy of India has taken important steps towards boosting its agricultural output. Today it ranks number two in the global farm output. Agriculture and related sectors accounts for 16.6 percent of the Gross domestic product (GDP) (est 2007). India had a very large breed of indigenous cows and buffaloes. With an estimated 86.8 million tons of annual milk production from animals, managed by nearly 70 million farmers, India is the biggest milk producing country in the world. Manufacturing sector accounts for 27.6 percent of the GDP .The Government of India has introduced policies aimed at increasing domestic oil production and oil exploration activities. The ports are the main centers of trade. Maritime and air transport network has attracted several investments in the Indian air industry in the past few years. There are more than 335 (2008 est.) civilian airports in India.
Thus, India is one of the few markets in the world which offers high prospects for growth and earning potential, in practically all areas of business, particularly in agriculture, information technology (IT) and in tourism. India is viewed as the second most favorable outsourcing destination after United States. It has also made rapid progress in electronics and offers very attractive property investment opportunities. Several avenues have been opened to get the foreign investment flow in to the infrastructure sector. Infrastructure in India is gaining in importance and a number of public private partnerships (PPPs), targeted at US$150 billion are in the pipeline. Tourism in India is the largest service industry. More than five million foreign tourists visit India every year. The country’s tourism industry is thriving due to an increase in foreign tourist arrivals. The remarkable growth in Indian Tourism market has benefited many support industries such as aviation, transport, hotel, medical and sports. Tourism in India is the largest service industry, with a contribution of 6.23 percent to the national GDP.
Railways provides an important mode of transport in India, transporting over 18 million passengers and more than 2 million tones of freight a day across the country. India has a network of 66,590 km of National highways connecting all the major cities and state capitals, forming the economic backbone of the country. The country has brought about revolutionary improvements in its communication system. There has also been remarkable improvement in the sphere of transport and communications during the last three decades. Industrialization process allowed growing industries such as steel, aluminum, and cement production to reduce the dependence of the economy on agriculture.
Since the 19th century, ethnic Indians have established communities in every continent including the African continent. India and South Africa have a 150 years old strong cultural relationship which is an added advantage towards strengthening the economic and trade relationship. Since 1994 the bilateral relations between India and South Africa have grown. The bilateral trade doubled from $3.18 billion in 2004-05 to $7.73 billion in 2009-10. Both nations have since developed close strategic, cultural and economic ties. Today there are close to 1.3 million Indians living in South Africa, most of them belong to fourth or fifth generation. With India as part of the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) dialogue forum, the ties further solidified South Africa's 2011 acceptance into the BRICS group. By joining the emerging economies BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) India has been actively promoting trade with South Africa in recent years. The growth of India- South Africa trade has been explosive in the last decade. India shares an extensive energy partnership with South Africa. India's largest import from South Africa is coal, which amounted to about $1.5-billion. On the other hand South Africa imported mostly information technology services and pharmaceutical goods from India. India has become the sixth largest trading partner to South Africa in the Asian region. South Africa is considered by the technocrats, where foreign capital realizes the best return on investment products from India. The two countries have decided to set a target of achieving $15 billion bilateral trade by 2015.
The Indian and South African economies continue to surprise with its very healthy growth rates The growth rates, driven by consumer spending, investment, and exports, have surpassed most predictions
Following market based economic reforms in 1991. India has rapidly risen to become a global economic force to be reckoned with. As the world’s fourth largest economy with a population of over 1.2 billion people, and a middle class of more than 400 million people India is an increasingly big player on the world stage and has transformed itself from a Third world country into one of the World's fastest growing economies.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected that the Indian economy will expand by 8.2 percent in 2011. Driven by growth, India's nominal GDP per capita has steadily increased from U$329 in 1991, when economic liberalization began to US$1,265 in 2010. India's unique and vast geography, endowed with diverse topography, the country has made it one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world. India now boasts a private sector business that is continuing to attract the interest of the foreigners.
The economy of India has taken important steps towards boosting its agricultural output. Today it ranks number two in the global farm output. Agriculture and related sectors accounts for 16.6 percent of the Gross domestic product (GDP) (est 2007). India had a very large breed of indigenous cows and buffaloes. With an estimated 86.8 million tons of annual milk production from animals, managed by nearly 70 million farmers, India is the biggest milk producing country in the world. Manufacturing sector accounts for 27.6 percent of the GDP .The Government of India has introduced policies aimed at increasing domestic oil production and oil exploration activities. The ports are the main centers of trade. Maritime and air transport network has attracted several investments in the Indian air industry in the past few years. There are more than 335 (2008 est.) civilian airports in India.
Thus, India is one of the few markets in the world which offers high prospects for growth and earning potential, in practically all areas of business, particularly in agriculture, information technology (IT) and in tourism. India is viewed as the second most favorable outsourcing destination after United States. It has also made rapid progress in electronics and offers very attractive property investment opportunities. Several avenues have been opened to get the foreign investment flow in to the infrastructure sector. Infrastructure in India is gaining in importance and a number of public private partnerships (PPPs), targeted at US$150 billion are in the pipeline. Tourism in India is the largest service industry. More than five million foreign tourists visit India every year. The country’s tourism industry is thriving due to an increase in foreign tourist arrivals. The remarkable growth in Indian Tourism market has benefited many support industries such as aviation, transport, hotel, medical and sports. Tourism in India is the largest service industry, with a contribution of 6.23 percent to the national GDP.
Railways provides an important mode of transport in India, transporting over 18 million passengers and more than 2 million tones of freight a day across the country. India has a network of 66,590 km of National highways connecting all the major cities and state capitals, forming the economic backbone of the country. The country has brought about revolutionary improvements in its communication system. There has also been remarkable improvement in the sphere of transport and communications during the last three decades. Industrialization process allowed growing industries such as steel, aluminum, and cement production to reduce the dependence of the economy on agriculture.
Since the 19th century, ethnic Indians have established communities in every continent including the African continent. India and South Africa have a 150 years old strong cultural relationship which is an added advantage towards strengthening the economic and trade relationship. Since 1994 the bilateral relations between India and South Africa have grown. The bilateral trade doubled from $3.18 billion in 2004-05 to $7.73 billion in 2009-10. Both nations have since developed close strategic, cultural and economic ties. Today there are close to 1.3 million Indians living in South Africa, most of them belong to fourth or fifth generation. With India as part of the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) dialogue forum, the ties further solidified South Africa's 2011 acceptance into the BRICS group. By joining the emerging economies BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) India has been actively promoting trade with South Africa in recent years. The growth of India- South Africa trade has been explosive in the last decade. India shares an extensive energy partnership with South Africa. India's largest import from South Africa is coal, which amounted to about $1.5-billion. On the other hand South Africa imported mostly information technology services and pharmaceutical goods from India. India has become the sixth largest trading partner to South Africa in the Asian region. South Africa is considered by the technocrats, where foreign capital realizes the best return on investment products from India. The two countries have decided to set a target of achieving $15 billion bilateral trade by 2015.
The Indian and South African economies continue to surprise with its very healthy growth rates The growth rates, driven by consumer spending, investment, and exports, have surpassed most predictions
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In Japanese language Odori means revolving and Mai means jumping, they are the two main types of traditional dances in the country. Odori dance is characterized by more earthy, extroverted movements to Mai, which has distinguished by restrained ceremonial movements. The two main Odari dances that are performed in the country are the Sparrow dance known as Suzume Odori and Bon Odori. Bon Odori dance is widely performed during the Bon festival in mid august. The oldest known dance in Japan is the kagura, a ritualistic dance that has its origins in shamanist trance dances and is still performed by young girls in Shinto shrines in the country. A collection of genuine handmade Japanese flutes are used in the ritual and festivals of the Iwami Kagura dance.
In the vast blue Pacific Ocean between the Hawaiian Islands and Australia lie some of the most beautiful, unspoiled island destinations of our planet. Proceeding westward across the Pacific from Polynesia to Melanesia and Micronesia, we find islands Fiji, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Samoan Islands, Tahiti, Tonga, Niue , Kiribati ,New Caledonia and a host of small islands. The diverse cultures of these 7000 to 10000 islands of the South Pacific have been shaped by isolation, migration and the vast ocean settings. These forces have in turn influenced the local styles of music and dance. The Pacific Islands are not just admired for its beauty but also for its fabulous dances and music. Music and dance is an integral part of the life of South Pacific islanders. Indeed, the songs and dances are woven into the very fabric of everyday life. For many South Pacific people, dance is one of the crucial threads that bind past, present and future. The Islanders are natural musicians, who love to hear and sing good music. They compose songs for every trivial occasion. This vibrant region offers the explorer, myriad of opportunities in cultures, festivals and in foods.
Fiji is the land of broad smiles, flashing white teeth; gentle relaxation with absolutely no stress .The music of Fiji represents not only its indigenous traditions but that of India, China, Europe and other Pacific islands. The most popular traditional Fijian dance is the meke in which voices and dance are combined. Different types of meke include the war dance, men’s club and spear dance, as well as the men’s or women’s fan dance. Women’s standing dance and the sitting dance are performed by men or women. Both men and women perform in the meke, and the dance is viewed as a mixed dance in which men are expected to demonstrate their virile movements, while women are expected to be graceful and feminine. Poi is another form of dance performed at fire-walking shows. Poi is now performed primarily by women, who often mix singing with the traditional poi dance movements. Fijian music styles and structures include Polynesian and Melanesian music with the variation in style between one area and another.
The Cook islands are a stunning necklace of islands. Cook Islanders have retained much of their ancient culture. Polynesian identity can be observed in its dance and drama at various events during the year, particularly during Constitutional Celebrations. Cook Islanders share a genuine care for others. Although the islanders are now Christians, the old culture lives on even now with song, and dance. The culture, traditions, arts and crafts are distinct from all other Pacific islands. Nowhere else will you feel so natural at one with the islands' way of life. Among main genres of Cook Islands music and dance are drum dancing (‘ura pa’u), choreographed group dancing (kaparima) to string band music, dance. Dramas (peu tupuna) based on island legends, religious pageants (nuku), formal chants (pe’e), celebratory song/chants (‘ute), and polyphonic choral music (‘imene tapu) or hymns are common. 
HAMBANTOTA district, a tropical land of legendary beauty and ancient irrigation systems has many facets. Her tourism attractions include sun drenched beaches, multi coloured corals, sheltered bays, serene lagoons, offshore islands and wildlife parks. 
Jaffna peninsula maintains a sense of identity with a divinely determined past moving towards a bright future. Jaffna situated 450 km North of Colombo has been a strategic location in the Northern region of Sri Lanka. The Jaffna peninsula consist of 2,587 square kilometre land area and is almost an island with a special ambience not felt anywhere else in the country.