Diplomats of seven African countries have invited Coimbatore's trading and industrial community to invest in their countries in different sectors including textiles. The diplomats were speaking at a meeting organised by the Confederation of Industry (CII) in Coimbatore on “Africa Seminar Series – the Land of Unexplored Potential”. Two of them particularly highlighted the textiles and apparel sector where Indian companies can invest in their countries.

Mali's ambassador, Niankoro Yeah Samake said Coimbatore was of special interest to his country because cotton was a major export product of the country and Coimbatore a hub for textile industry. In February next year, a trade mission from India will visit Mali to explore opportunities in different sectors including cotton in that country.

Minister Counsellor and Charge d' Affairs of the Ethiopian Embassy Molalign Asfaw pointed out that Ethiopia has registered double digit growth for more than a decade and over 600 Indian companies have registered in the country. Of these, 250 have started operations. He said the country has 12 industrial parks and offers several tax incentives to investors and there are enough opportunities for textiles and apparel industries.

Diplomats from Uganda, Botswana, Tanzania, Zambia and Mauritius also spoke at the meeting.