Question : INCUBATION CENTRES IN AFRICA

(a) whether the Government proposes to set up incubation centres in African countries;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and

(c) the details of the funds allotted for the purpose?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SMT. PRENEET KAUR)

(a) Yes.

(b) Under the first India Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-I) ten (10) Vocational Training Centres/Incubation Centres are being established in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, Burkina Faso, Libya, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and The Gambia. Under the second India Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-II) five (05) Vocational Training Centres/Incubation Centres are being established in Zanzibar [Tanzania], Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea and DR Congo. Besides, under IAFS-II five (05) Food Processing Business Incubation Centres (FPBICs) are also being established in Uganda, Cameroon, Ghana, Mali and Angola. The location of the 10 Vocational Training Centres/Incubation Centres under IAFS-I was decided by the African Union Commission. The locations for the institutions under IAFS-II were decided by the Ministry of External Affairs in consultation with our Missions/Posts abroad and other stakeholders. These are primarily capacity building institutions which are being established in order to assist our African partners achieve their development objectives.

(c) The total allocated budget for 10 Vocational Training Centres/Incubation Centres under IAFS-I is 50 Cr (@ 5 Cr each). The total allocated budget for 05 Vocational Training Centres/Incubation Centres under IAFS-Ii is 27.60 Cr. The total allocated budget for the five Food Processing Business Incubation Centres under IAFS-II is Rs. 7.30 Cr. Thus the total fund allotted for these 20 institutions is 84.90 Cr.