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Lesotho Deputy PM invites Indian investment

Staff Reporter

“African nations are looking forward to Asian countries for their development”

Indian firms urged to set up industries in Lesotho
“Restructure U.N. to make it more effective”

KOTTAYAM: Archibald Lesao Lehohla, the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, southern Africa, has called for investments from Asian nations, including India, in Africa.

Delivering his special lecture at the Centre for Indian Diaspora Studies (CIDS) under the School of International Relations, MG University, Mr. Lehohla said sub-Saharan Africa was grappling with its own special problems like the high incidence of HIV/AIDS and the challenge posed by the availability of small arms which has resulted in increase in criminal behaviour, in addition to the global problems such as climate change and economic meltdown.

The African countries are now looking forward to ensure green industrialisation by turning their own vital resources into value-added products. The Asian countries had gained much experience in development and their African counterparts which passed through distracting experiences in the 1960s, 70s and early 80s were now looking forward to these nations for their development, he said.

Seeking Asian aid for sustainable development of Africa, Mr. Lehohla invited Indian companies to locate industries there.

Transition phase

He said his country was undergoing transition and the present government was committed to deepening democracy by not repeating the mistakes of the past. Top priority was being given to provide free basic education which would soon be made compulsory. A major chunk of the country’s budget was earmarked for education, he said.

Reacting to questions on free trade, he pointed out that the process was irreversible. “Let us sit on these eggs and wait them to hatch,” he quipped.Lesotho is engaged in developing infrastructure in a big way bringing in the cooperation of neighbouring countries like South Africa and Botswana and also going in for joint management of water resources. This would move toward seamless borders and increase free movement of goods and people, he said.

His country was engaged in talks for a free trade agreement among the African nations which would eventually do away with the South Africa Customs Union which provides more than 50 per cent of the revenue for Lesotho. “The interest of each nation should be protected in international relations,” he said.

Mr. Lehohla also called for restructuring the United Nations to make the institution more meaningful and effective and said new actors should be provided space in the international arena.

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