Category: Features

Pearl of Africa

Creating a mosaic of distinct wildlife habitats & national parks; several UNESCO heritage sites; stunning landscape comprising magnificent lakes, rivers and forests; majestic mountains, plateaus & valleys; and captivating flora & fauna, Uganda may well be called a land of fairytales. Committed towards consistent growth of the people for God and the Country, it has successfully transformed itself from a troubled past to a present of stability and prosperity

By His Excellency Mr. Madhusudan Agrawal, Consul General for Republic of Uganda, Mumbai

Hailed as a pioneer in the liberalization of media in Africa, Uganda has also won praise for its vigorous campaign against HIV/AIDS, and holds a great potential of growth & development through untapped reserves of crude oil and natural gas.

Vision 2040 Uganda’s National Vision is ‘A transformed Ugandan society from a peasant to a modern and prosperous country within 30 years’. This involves changing from a predominantly low income to a competitive upper middle income country within 30 years. It is envisaged that the country will reach a per capita of USD 9,500 by 2040. The theme of the Vision is, ‘Accelerating Uganda’s Socioeconomic Transformation’. The Vision attributes, which are consistent with the principles of the constitution, are: (a) Independence and sovereignty; (b) Democracy and the rule of law; (c) Stability and peace; (d) Knowledgeable and skilled; (e) Able to exploit and use its resources gainfully and sustainably; (f) In a strong federated East Africa with an effective African Common Market and a strong African Defence Mechanism. To realize this Vision, Uganda will need to increase its GDP 30-folds in the next 30 years to attain the level of development observed in Upper Middle Income (UMI) countries. An analysis of these countries’ development paths and assessment of Uganda’s potential confirms that it is possible for the country to attain an upper middle income status within the next 30 years. The Vision is conceptualized around harnessing the opportunities, improving competitiveness and strengthening the fundamentals for transformation. The opportunities include: Agriculture, oil and gas, tourism, minerals, knowledge and ICT, abundant labour force, geographical location, water resources, industrialization and trade. On the other hand, the fundamentals include: physical infrastructure; ICT infrastructure; Science, Technology, Innovation and Engineering (STIE); and human resource. Its focus areas of development include Tourism, Agriculture, Industrialization, Oil and gas, Minerals, and Knowledge & ICT sector.

been robust over the past years and has successfully grown in terms of visitor arrivals, conference business, and investments in the tourist accommodation facilities. It is increasingly becoming a key source of livelihood and pride, helping to support families and local economies, and to build communities throughout the country. Uganda Vision 2040, the Second National Development Plan (NDP II) and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Manifesto 2016– 2021, and sector development plans emphasize water-based tourism including water sports on navigable lakes and rivers, and redevelopment of the Source of the River Nile into a world-class tourist attraction site and turn it into a modern international and domestic tourism center as priorities. Uganda’s tourism largely rides on her natural endowments which give an edge over many of the popular tourist destinations in Africa. Uganda has an abundance of diverse tourist attractions ranging from abundant and diverse wildlife, culture to landscapes and water bodies. Uganda stands out in Africa because the country has more than 50% of the world’s remaining population of mountain gorillas, over 1,060 species of birds, constituting 11% of the global population of bird species, 345 species of mammals, 86 species of amphibians, 142 species of reptiles, 1,249 species of butterflies, over 600 species of fish and over 5,406 species of flora. Uganda is also home to the source of River Nile, the longest river in the world, Lake Victoria, the largest fresh water lake in Africa and Mt Rwenzori, the legendary mountains of the moon, the only mountain in the world with a snow cap on the equator. Lake Victoria is the largest freshwater lake in Africa, with a surface area of about 68,800 sq. km shared between Kenya (6%), Uganda (45%) and Tanzania (49%). The catchment area of the lake covers 180,959 sq. km.; 15.9% of this is constituted by Uganda. Biodiversity combined with the scenic beauty of the Lake Victoria, is one of the important contributors to increased tourist arrivals in the country and the investment in the hospitality. industry. Uganda’s rich culture is also something to explore, from the captivating dances to exquisite cuisines.

My Contribution as Consul General

I have been dedicatedly working on several fronts, and some of the notable achievements include the following: Post accreditation of Hon. Consul of Uganda, Indian Vice President Shri Hamid Ansari visited Uganda in Feb 2017. Ugandan Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda visited Mumbai for inauguration of the Consulate office. Ugandan Vice President Edward Ssekandi visited India for first Uganda Investment Summit held on 8th March 2018. Letter of Intent signed worth USD 1.2 billion for investments in various sectors. Welcomed Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Uganda on 25th July 2018. Donation of Mobile Mammography Van – Hope Express – ‘Breast Cancer – Early detection saves life” to Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) in 2018

Land of Hope and Promise

Home to some of Africa’s magnificent landscapes, South Africa boasts of stunning coastlines, mountains, hills, national parks and canyons. Similarly, the diverse and exciting wildlife or serene & insightful countryside or extraordinary artwork, all tell captivating tales of a glorious past and a promising future. Add to that, lively cultural experiences and numerous activities & adventures, and South Africa becomes a must-visit destination for tourists from around the world

By Her Excellency Ms. Lerato Mashile, Consul General for Republic of South Africa, Mumbai

South Africa is the most industrialized and diversified economy in the continent of Africa, and is also one of the four upper-middle class countries in the continent. Being a highly developed economy with an advanced economic infrastructure, it is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of gold, platinum and other natural resources. Having highly developed sectors of finance, law, communications, energy and transport, it also has the continent’s largest stock exchange.

Tourism Opportunities

Having developed stunning adventure activities including white water rafting, abseiling and shark cage-diving, South Africa is considered the adventure capital of the world. Some of its main tourism destinations include the following:

Kruger National Park: It is not only one of the world’s most famous safari parks, but is also one of the oldest game reserves in South Africa. It is famous for its Big Five wildlife: lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhino, and is home to an impressive diversity of other wildlife. Visitors may also find other attractions such as bushman rock paintings and archaeological sites here, and may opt to explore a walking safari, or the vast grasslands, gallery forests, and river systems in a hot air balloon.

Cape Town: Tourists find it one of the Earth’s most breathtaking cities, surrounded by beautiful and calming nature, lying between a rugged range of mountains and the sea. Those seeking adventure and a great view of the city, go for a hike to the peak of flat-topped Table Mountain, or glide up on the cableway. Another option is to go for an hour-long hike up Lion’s Head, which would also offer the tourists a panoramic view of the city. Further, on the eastern slopes of the Table Mountain, the stunning Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – can be found.

Kgalagadi (Kalahari) Transfrontier Park: It is called a transfrontier park, as it a merger of South Africa’s Kalahari Gemsbok National Park and Botswana’s Gemsbok National Park. Being one of the largest wilderness areas in the world, it is famous for rough camel thorn trees, red sands, golden grasslands, and deep blue skies, all of which are loved by photographobsessed tourists. What makes this park more exciting is the presence of a huge diversity of wildlife, including the famous black-maned Kalahari lion, stately gemsbok with their V-shaped horns, the sprawling nests of sociable weavers, meerkats, and many birds of prey.

Table Mountain: It is called so because of its distinctive flat top. It is one of the world’s most recognisable natural icons and is one of the major tourist attractions in South Africa. Tourists may reach it either through the five-minute cable car ride or a day’s hike up to the top. Both are exciting for their own reasons. The cable cars have rotating floors and enormous windows, which offer spectacular views all around and from a magnificent height.

Robben Island: Many tourists consider it an emotional pilgrimage as Nelson Mandela was imprisoned here. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visitors may listen to formerinmates-turned-guides who offer their first-hand accounts of prison life here. Visitors may take a ferry trip to the Nelson Mandela Gateway.

Franschhoek Motor Museum: This is an exciting place for those who love vintage and modern cars, as it owns not only an impressive collection of vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and fascinating memorabilia, ranging from an 1898 Beeston motor tricycle to a high performance 2003 Enzo Ferrari supercar, but also a range of antique, veteran, vintage, post-vintage, post-45 and post-60 automobiles, all of which are organized in a chronological order, portraying the evolution of the motor car.

Stellenbosch, Western Cape: One of the most picturesque towns of South Africa, having preserved its legacy from a period of the Dutch East India Company, it offers to tourists a mosaic of farms, old oak trees and white-washed Cape Dutch dwellings

Land of Legendary People

The third-largest English-speaking country in the world, the Philippines has a rich history combining Asian, European, and American influences, with a Walled City comprising European buildings and churches. Filipinos are freedom-loving and fun-loving people, who celebrate every day. Their vibrant democracy is marked by several English national newspapers, national television stations, hundreds of cable TV stations, and thousands of radio stations By His Excellency Paul Raymund P. Cortes, Consul General in Dubai, Republic of the Philippines

Filipinos always had a rich culture and traditionally traded with the Chinese and the Japanese. The Spanish colonization in 1521 brought about the construction of Intramuros in 1571, a Walled City. In 1898, they won their independence through the efforts of leaders such as Jose Rizal and Emilio Aguinaldo after 350 years and 300 rebellions. In 1898, the Philippines became the first and only colony of the United States, following the Philippine– American War, and United States brought widespread education to the islands. The Philippines had fought with Americans during World War II, at the famous battle of Bataan and Corregidor, and also waged a guerilla war against the Japanese from 1941 to 1945, finally regaining their independence in 1946. Their long history of Western colonial rule and rich trading links brought to them diverse cultures and they have evolved into a people of a unique blend of east and west, both in appearance and culture. Warm hospitality is one trait displayed by every Filipino, and this has made them legendary people in Southeast Asia. Filipinos are emotional and passionate about life. There are two official languages – Filipino and English, and Filipino is the national language. There are eight major dialects spoken by the majority of the Filipinos: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense. There are about 76 to 78 major language groups, with more than 500 dialects. Carrying of any lighted tobacco product in public vehicles, schools, health centers, elevators, cinemas, malls and in places where fire hazards are present is prohibited in the Philippines. Smoking is also banned in recreational facilities for minors.

Tourism Policy

According to the Tourism National Strategy, an integrated sustainable tourism management plan for Central Philippines is to be formulated, identifying viable critical environmental, infrastructure and community-based projects to link and integrate the tourism development of the area. Thus, the Tourism Management Plan provides a comprehensive planning framework for the development of tourism so that it can play a key role in the development.

of the regional economy, elaborate a vision of the future direction and content of tourism development, which can help to focus and guide the actions of the various stakeholders towards a shared goal, identify areas for tourism development, related tourism facilities and supporting infrastructure, and specify the major programs, roles and responsibilities of key players, institutional arrangements and resource requirements for achieving the vision. The Central Philippines possesses a wealth of ecological and cultural attractions including pristine white sandy beaches, diverse marine life, volcanoes, forests and wetlands and heritage sites. These natural resources support a range of tourism products and facilities to include national parks, ecotourism sites, beach resorts, scuba diving, golf courses, trekking and festivals. Nature and ecotourism sites form a significant component of tourism in most of the destinations within the Central Philippines. There is a wide range of nature products which include dolphin watching, bird watching and mangrove tours. In the development of nature products, ecotourism principles are being consciously applied. The National Ecotourism Strategy formulated by the DOT and DENR has given impetus to the development of various community-based ecotourism products. Nature and ecotourism sites assisted by LGUs, NGOs and the DOT/DENR include the Olango Bird watching tour in Cebu, the Cambuhat River Cruise and the Pamilakan Island Dolphin Watching (Marine Life) tour in Bohol.

Tourism Opportunities Some of the Philippines’ main tourism activities and destinations include the following:

Scuba Diving: It attracts a lot of visitors, and is a major market driver for many coastal and marine destinations

Festivals and Events: Major festivals such as the Ati-atihan, Dinagyang and Sinulog festivals in Akian, Iloilo and Cebu are one- or two-day events which appeal both local people and international visitors.

Golfing: The Philippines is growing consistently as a tourism attraction for international golfers. Yachting & Marinas: The waters of the Central Philippines are ideal for yachting, and it is also growing consistently.

Cruising: It is well established in South East Asia, and it is steadily growing in the Central Philippines. Hiking/Trekking: The Central Philippines has the natural resource base to offer a unique experience of hiking/trekking through designated trails, informed guides and supporting tourism facilities of hotels and inns. Banaue Rice Terraces:

Banaue is often described as a place where land merges with the clouds to meet the heavens, because of its high altitude, and the rice terraces are considered the stairway to the sky. Visitors always find Banaue as adventurous and fit for cultural immersion. During the day time, visitors and locals indulge in activities such as strolling, biking, and trekking, and during the evenings, they hold campfire chats at a village or warm indoor cosseting at the lodges and inns. Banaue rice terraces are a leading tourism destination in Asia. Starting from the base of the Cordilleras, they reach up to several thousand feet high, and if its length. were to be stretched from end to end, it could encircle half of the globe. One would definitely love to relax in the spring-fed stream of Guihob and the magnificent Tappiya Waterfalls after trekking through the terraces, and shopping and buying souvenir items from the curio stores. One may also decide to go on a village visit, watch a family demonstrate their native craft and then haggle for a better price on their product.

Chocolate Hills: There is a series of 1,268 perfectly symmetrical, haycock-shaped hills, known as the Chocolate Hills, which rise some 30 meters above the ground. These are unique rock formations formed after millions of years of evolution and are the Philippines’ National Geologic Monument. These are called Chocolate Hills because of their resemblance to chocolate bonbons when their grass cover turns to brown at the onset of summer. Other hills worth visiting include Banat-I and Elly in the capital city of Tagbilaran, Himontagon in the town of Loay, Sampoangan in Calape and Ilihan in Jagna.

Boracay: It is a fascinating white beach where visitors love to walk barefoot, swing to the discos, and go for soothing massages under the shade of coconut trees. It’s a great big party place.

Cebu: It is a perfect fantasy place that offers balmy weather, pristine beaches, crystalline waters, and luxurious resorts, with a sea valley and mountains. It is also the political, economic, educational and cultural center of the Visayas, with hotels, shopping malls, entertainment halls, casinos and golf fairways.

Davao: It is the world’s largest city in terms of land area, as it covers 244,000 hectares, and is famous for agriculture-based industries, as it is a major exporter of bananas, citrus, mangosteen and other tropical fruits, is also the biggest producer of cultured flowers in the country, and is a rich source for commercial fishing.

Manila: It is the capital, and obviously the heart and soul, of the Philippines, setting the rhythm of life and blending the Oriental with the Occidental, the quaint with the modern, and the mundane with the extraordinary. It is also famous as a center for the performing arts in Asia.

Palawan: It has bountiful resources, an abundant wildlife and extraordinary natural beauty, and was once a United Nations Vietnamese Refugee Center. It boasts of skyscraping dark cliffs, a thick green forest, a white-sand beach, sparkling water and magnificently sculpted jade islands.

Vigan: It holds centuries-old edifices of a once royal city, founded in 1572 by Juan de Salcedo who patterned its design to that of Intramuros (Old Manila). It also became the seat of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia and was called Ciudad Fernandina in honor of King Ferdinand. Vigan’s 18th century Castillan architecture is evident in some 150 stone houses in the town’s Mestizo District, and some of these ancestral homes have been turned into cozy inns, museums, and souvenir shops. The majestic St. Paul’s Cathedral built by the Augustinian friars features Neo-Gothic and pseudo Romanesque motifs, and west of the cathedral is Plaza Salcedo, the oldest monument in Northern Luzon. The Archbishop’s Palace is a rich repository of religious artifacts from the Ilocos region. Visitors would also love horse-drawn calesa (rig) in the streets.

Land of Enrichment & Enlightenment

A country beautiful in terms of nature; exotic in terms of art, craft and wildlife; and positive & insightful in terms of experiences, Malaysia offers legendary tourism destinations. Delightful caves & huge caverns; gorgeous craft & artefacts; magnificent & gratifying island escapes; immensely insightful museums full of captivating objects; charming scenic vistas; and highly decorated temples & mosques; Malaysia has everything that may interest a tourist

By His Excellency Mr. Zainal Azlan Nadzir, Consul General for Malaysia, Mumbai

According to the World Bank, ‘In the past 30 years, Malaysia has successfully curtailed high poverty rates and has reduced income inequalities. Its goal is to attain high income status while ensuring that growth is sustainable.’ After attaining independence in 1957, Malaysia has transformed itself entirely from being agriculture- and commodity-based, to a powerful player in the manufacturing and services sectors. Today, it is a leading exporter of electrical appliances, electronic parts and components. One of the most open economies in the world for trade and investment, it has consistently grown and has created employment, with about 40 percent of jobs in Malaysia linked to export activities. Improving in all sectors simultaneously, it has been growing at 5.4 percent since 2010, and is expected to achieve its transition from an upper middle-income economy to a high-income economy by 2024. The government has taken targeted measures to support the poor and vulnerable, while concentrating on export-led growth, and is working on key structural constraints to maximise Malaysia’s development path.

Tourism Opportunities A thriving, multi-cultural and dynamic country, Malaysia invariably focuses on a slew of activities for tourists, and through an event-packed year of special tourism activities titled ‘Visit Malaysia 2020’ has offered to the world the best. Some of its main tourism destinations include the following:

Gunung Gading National Park: It is loved by wannabe botanists as they come to watch the world’s largest flower – Rafflesia – blooming to up to three feet in diameter. Though it has a nasty smell, they bloom all the times of a year, though the best time is November through January. The other attractions of this Park include the Sarawak Park with nice beaches, rugged mountains and hiking-fit jungles.

Manukan Island: Malaysia’s first marine national park is located here, and it is also famous for great beaches! Tourists also like to scuba dive and snorkel for its coral reefs. Having developed modern tourist facilities at the island, it is also accessible by ferry from Kota Kinabalu

Kek Lok Si Temple: Dating back to 1891, it is a relatively new temple but its youthfulness makes it very impressive. Having been carved with countless images of Buddha, it is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia and is visited by tourists from all parts of the world. The Temple of Rama IV with its 10,000 Buddha carvings is a splendid architecture that leaves all tourists fascinated. Batu Caves: These are situated near Kuala Lumpur and are full of pretty awesome Hindu art. Its three main caves are the most popular Hindu shrine outside of India, and are thronged by thousands of worshippers at Thaipusam, which is an annual Hindu festival. There is a giant statue of a Hindu god, in the Cathedral Cave, which has 272 steps. Sipadan: Located in the Celebes Sea, it is loved by divers because of its abundant marine life. It is Malaysia’s only oceanic island, and was formed by living coral atop an extinct volcano cone. It is considered a paradise for nature lovers because of its 3,000+ species of fish and several hundred different corals, including hawksbill, green turtles, manta rays, schools of barracudas and whale sharks. I must also mention that it has gorgeous sandy beaches

Redang: Tourists love this island for its white sand beaches and crystal clear ocean water in addition to snorkeling. Scuba divers also find this place attractive. In spite of its large area, visitors may explore it on foot, travelling on roads or trekking through the jungle. One of nine islands in a marine nature reserve, Redang island offers resort-style accommodation for tourists

Kinabatangan River: It is the second-longest river of Malaysia at a length of about 550 km from the mountains to Sulu Sea. It is famous for its diverse wildlife and vegetation, where Asian elephants, crocodiles, proboscis monkeys and Bornean orangutans may be seen. Actually, it is one of only two places in the world where 10 species of primates, as well as 200 bird species can be found. Other attractions here include rain forests, limestone forests, and salt & freshwater swamps.

Semenggoh Nature Reserve: Famous for its orangutan orientation program, it makes for an attractive and interesting destination for tourists. In addition, it has a thriving population of colorful exotic Malaysian birds: Bornean black magpie, yellow rumpled flowerpecker, Malaysian honeyguide and brown hawk owl

Land of Adventure & Romance

Delightful diversity, bountiful wildlife including the stupendous wildebeest, breathtaking lakes surrounded by magnificent flamingoes, large expanse of beautiful greenery, coastal treasures, captivating traditional customs, Kenya never fails to satisfy with abundance of anything and everything that may thrill a tourist. If the list has been short by any chance, tourists would also be enchanted by fish-rich coral reefs, pearly beaches, tropical islands and majestic mountains

By His Excellency Mr. Ramavtar Goenka, Consul General for Kenya, Mumbai

Building a strong future on a sturdy base of political, structural and economic reforms, which have led to a long period of sustained economic growth and social development, Kenya has been scripting its inspiring story to become one of the best economies of Africa. The relentless focus and robust support to a growing youthful population, a dynamic private sector, highly skilled workforce and improved infrastructure have helped it immensely to overcome challenges of poverty, inequality, governance and skill gaps

Tourism Opportunities Hosting numerous pre-historic sites so old that it is presumed that humankind evolved from here, and a rich profusion of diverse wildlife including the Big 5 – Lions, Elephants, Buffaloes, Rhinos and Leopards – in addition to Oryx, Antelopes, Giraffes, Impalas, Hippos, White Rhinos, and many more, Kenya is full of learning and adventure. Some of its main tourism destinations include the following:

Nairobi: Tourists love it for the variety and diversity of options it offers. One may choose to visit the National Museum, Railway Museum, Giraffe Centre, Karen Blixen, Karura Forest, David Sheldrick Trust Elephant Orphan Centre, Ngong Hills, Blue Sky Tours in Diamond Plaza, Nairobi Arboretum, Panari Sky Centre, Bomas of Kenya, Uhuru Garden, GP Karting, Village Market, Mamba Village, Paintball Fury Limited, Maasai Ostrich Farm, Paradise Lost, August Memorial Park, Kenya National Archives, KICC, Art Centres or the Nairobi National Park. It is the capital of Kenya and has seen a transformation from being simply a camp for the railway employees to becoming the capital of the country.

Eldoret: Considered one of several paradises in Africa, it is full of natural beauty completely untouched by the modern changes elsewhere. Located south of the Cherangani Hills, it is popular among tourists for its sundry attractions such as Champions Monument, Eldoret Daima Plaza, Sirikwa Holes, Wagon Hotel, Koromosho Falls and Poa Place.

Tsavo: Situated over the River Tsavo and close to the River Athi, it is popular for the Tsavo National Park containing two smaller National Parks – Tsavo West and Tsavo East. Locals call it Tsavo, which means killing, as after the elimination of slave trade in Kenya it was repeatedly crossed by the Arab slavers along with their captives

Mombasa: Holding in its heart the best tourist destinations of Kenya, it oozes a friendly atmosphere and a captivating marine life. Located on the eastern coastline, it borders the vast Indian Ocean and has thus developed several stunning beaches. Because of its tropical climate, tourists – both young and old – are able to enjoy a lot of interesting and adventurous activities.

Maasai Mara National Reserve: Counted among the world’s most spectacular game reserves, as it forms a wildlife corridor between Tanzania and Kenya, it gets its name from the graceful red-cloaked Maasai people have been living in the area for centuries grazing their animals. In local language, Mara means ‘mottled’, and the name may have its derivation from the rampant play of light and shadow from the acacia trees and cloudy skies on expanses of vast lands. Tourists would find various attractions here including the Great Migration – the time every year when thousands of wildebeest, zebra, and Thomson’s gazelle travel to and from the Serengeti. The river flowing through the Reserve, called the Mara River has abundance of hippos and crocodiles, as the entire Park offers majestic predator sightings, including those of lions, cheetahs and leopards.

Amboseli National Reserve: Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, is located here, and is another highly popular tourist Park where sighting would include large herds of elephants from a close distance, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, impalas, elands, waterbucks, gazelles, and more than 600 species of birds. Other attractions in the Park for nature lovers include different habitats such as the dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli, wetlands with sulfur springs, savannah and woodlands.

Lake Nakuru National Park: It makes a heavenly sight with thousands of pink flamingos flocking here regularly. The Lake makes for a third of the Park’s area and is one of the Rift Valley soda lakes, as it also houses more than 450 other species of birds and a rich diversity of wildlife, including lions, leopards, warthogs, waterbucks, pythons and white rhinos. Stunning landscapes make it more attractive, as tourists may check out sweeping grasslands, rocky cliffs and woodlands. The Park has protected since time immemorial the largest euphorbia candelabrum forest in Africa, which offers through its tall, branching succulents native to this region, offering a contrasting element to the arid landscapes

Lamu Island: It is a small island northeast of Mombasa, and has been inhabited by humans continuously since the 12th century. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has a rich trading history evident in its old buildings, which reflect an mixed architectural styles of the Arab world, Europe, India and the local Swahili technique. Thus, tourists may observe intricately carved wooden doors, coral stone buildings, hidden courtyards, verandas, and rooftop patios reminding of an old style of living. Offering reflections of an old lifestyle, donkeys are still used for various tasks, as they have been used since several centuries.

A country located in western Africa and situated on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, Ghana is one of the leading countries of Africa. Its prosperity is due to two reasons: it has considerable natural wealth and it was the first black African country south of the Sahara to achieve independence from the colonial rule.

It is famous for its lush forests, diverse animal life, and miles of sandy beaches along a picturesque coast. Its rich history dates back to 10,000 BCE. It had developed a great medieval trading empire located northwest of the modern-day Ghana, until its demise in the 13th century. Direct sea trade with Europe, established in the 15th century, helped it develop further. It had active trade links with the Portuguese, Dutch, British, and other Europeans. Trading mainly consisted of gold, and later cacao, the source of cocoa beans. Introduced there in the late 19th century, cacao continues to provide an important export for Ghana.

Modern-day Ghana gained its independence in 1957, and the colony’s drive for independence was led by nationalist and Pan-African leader Kwame Nkrumah, who believed that “Our independence is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of the African continent.” Inspired by Ghana, more than 30 other African countries declared their independence within the next decade.

Ghana has progressed well, especially since the 1990s, and is today considered exemplary to successful economic recovery and political reforms in Africa.

Social Progress for Women

Being a woman, I’ll highlight women-related issues here in the hope that they are addressed and solved. Social issues in Ghana range from health, sanitation, education, food security, shelter to transportation. It is the responsibility of governments to create the necessary and conducive environment for all issues mentioned above to be solved, goals achieved and progress enjoyed by the people. However, there are inequalities and unfairness, and they hold people to enjoy the benefits of some of the facilities.

The voiceless, particularly women and children, do not get fair opportunities. As a result, men always take advantage. For example, the girl-child is vulnerable and should be counseled and guided well enough to have secular education. Unfortunately, for some of them poverty leads them into falling prey to teenage pregnancy or early marriages. Some migrate to the cities to seek greener pastures, popularly called ‘Kaya aye’, meaning head porters.

Education and sensitization are required to guide the girl-child in all aspects of her life so she grows up to become a good citizen for the nation. There is this saying that if you educate a man, you educate an individual. But if you educate a woman, you educate a nation.

His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana has prioritized education, and therefore has made SHS education free for all Ghanaian Children. Though in Ghana the population of women is about 52 per cent, men dominate in the decision making process. Women are very few at higher positions. Women need to be more proactive in all sectors of the economy so there is a holistic development of the nation.

Conflicts should be avoided so we have a peaceful coexistence in this world. Conflicts and wars mostly affect women and children. There should be respect for one another for us to have a just and fair society. Women need to sit up in society, work hard, gain confidence and contribute to nation’s development.

Some traditional and cultural practices also affect the development of the girl-child, for example early marriages and fostering to extended family members. Opinion leaders and chiefs can help sensitize people to entreat the girl-child to have secular education in order to build her capacity and contribute meaningfully to society in future. Civil society and NGOs have contributed to the education of the girl child in order to complement government’s efforts. Given fair and equal opportunities, the girl-child can contribute to the development of the nation.

The few women who have been holding high positions include the Chief of Staff, Her Ladyship, the Chief Justice, Chairman of the Election Commission, and Ministers & women Members of Parliament. We commend them and acknowledge their hard work. However, women need to work harder to bridge the gap.

Progress in Economy

Ghana’s economy is a mixture of private and public enterprises. National income is derived primarily from agricultural and mineral output and only to a limited extent from manufacturing and services. Most of the cash crops and mineral products are for export.

After independence of the country, the government established a large number of state-owned enterprises in agriculture and industry. In order to make up for the local shortage of capital and entrepreneurial skills, measures were adopted to attract foreign investors to operate independently or in partnership with the government.

Under the restructuring program sponsored by the World Bank in the late 1980s, foreign companies and private entrepreneurs were encouraged to invest in private or joint private and public ventures and to assist in the rehabilitation of the economy; in general, the trend was toward increased privatization of the economy.

Beginning in the late 1990s, the government concentrated on improving economic stability and transparency, and it continued with privatization efforts. In the 21st century, Ghana is considered a model of African economic recovery and political reforms, and has qualified for substantial debt relief measures, including relief from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

Tourism Opportunities

Gorgeous beaches, interesting historical heritage, rich culture demonstrated in multiple ways, and amusing wildlife make Ghana an exciting tourism destination. Some of its main tourism destinations include the following:

Kakum National Park: The park is an undisturbed rain forest, extending over an area of 357 square km with some of the trees as high as 65 meters. The park’s fauna includes more than 550 butterfly species, 200-plus bird species (such as the Frazer-eagle owl, African grey, parrot, bee-eaters, hornbills, and knight-fishers), more than 40 mammal species (including different monkey species, red river hog and the threatened bongo and forest elephant species) and about 7 primates.

Visitors may take a walking tour or a canopy walkway through the forest or a self-guided hiking, all of which offer an opportunity to see the indigenous plant life of Ghana and the various fauna.

Wli Water Falls: Located 20 km from Hohoe in the Wli Natural Reserve, it flows throughout the year, and the water descends from a height of about 1,600 feet. It is located at the edge of the Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary, which has hundreds of fruit bats and a few monkeys and antelopes.

Aburi Botanical Gardens: It is more than a hundred years old and offers a rich collection of tropical flora that attracts different birds and butterflies species.

Ankasa Conservation Area: It is a twin Wildlife Protected Area comprising Nini-Suhien National Park and the Ankasa Resource Reserve. Being the area with the highest rainfall in Ghana, Ankasa is the richest forest in terms of botanical diversity in the country.

The Bamboo Cathedral: The spectacular Bamboo Cathedral is not a church building and has no human Bishop, a priest or a creed. The site showcases nature’s perfect architectural design, as the bamboo plants, forming a canopy, give the semblance of a cathedral over which the breeze offers a perfect opportunity for relaxation.

Bia National Park: It is bordered to the south with a 563 square kilometer Resource Reserve and is an International Biosphere Reserve Park. The reserves are situated in the transition between the moist evergreen and semi-deciduous tropical forest and cover much of the drainage for the Bia river.

Coastal Wetlands Ramsar Sites: The Ramsar sites are the relaxation and feeding grounds for over 70 water bird species. The birds flock in larger numbers and are a delight to watch. The sites also serve as the breeding grounds for about three marine turtle’s species. The ramsar sites include the Densu Delta Ramsar Site, the Sakumono Ramsar Site, and the Songor Ramsar Site.

Densu Delta Ramsar Site: This Ramsar site lies just West of Accra. The Densu River which feeds the wetland is about 116 km long.

Digya National Park: Created in 1971 with an area of 3,478 sq. km, Digya is located on a lowland peninsula west of the central shores of the Volta Lake. The vegetation of the Park is largely savannah woodland and gallery forest along the riverbanks. Mammals include elephant, buffalo, water buck, hartebeest, bush pig, baboons and five other species of monkeys.

Iraq has availed all opportunities that have come its way, and fending off numerous long-standing challenges it has rebuilt itself riding on a rise in crude oil production and improvement in the non-oil economic activities, electricity production and an expansionary fiscal policy.

Tourism Opportunities

A marvelous mix of ancient traditions and ultra-modern culture, Iraq is a fascinating tourism destination for the world. With a limitless scope of exploration, it is full of incredible experiences simply waiting to be unraveled. Some of its main tourism destinations include the following:

Erbil: The citadel of Erbil is 7,000 year old and has a magnificent history. The huge castle located in the center of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a must visit for tourists. In addition, the Erbil Civilization Museum and the Kurdish Textile Center must be visited for their historical and cultural significance.

Ur: World famous for its Biblical tales of epic floods, fearsome Babylonian kings, and now one of the most beautiful ancient ruins, Ur is visited by anyone interested in history, mystery and ambiguity. Located in the southern Iraqi deserts, it also boasts of Ziggurat, a tall structure with high walls and steep staircases that were probably used in the old times to worship the Akkadian moon gods.

Baghdad: It holds in its heart copper bazaars, Assyrian treasures in the National Museum, and monuments such as the Unknown Soldier, and the famous Abbasid Palace, which is a historic two-storey building overlooking the Tigris river. The Palace reminds of the Abbasid dynasty of the 8th to 13th centuries when it was the Golden Age of Islamic rule, and is claimed by historians to be an educational place.

Basra: One of the most fascinating destinations of Iraq, it is covered in palm forests along the Shatt al-Arab River. It is also home to some of the most famous shrines of Islam’s first imams. Established in 636 AD, it has played an important role in the early Islamic history and tourists would find the Old Mosque of Basra, also called the Imam Ali Mosque captivating, especially after its significance as the first Mosque in Islam, built outside the Arabian Peninsula.

Babylon: Imagine the historical significance of this place as it remained the center of Mesopotamia for two thousand years, and is known for both good and bad reasons. Located 52 miles south of Baghdad, it was founded around 2,300 BC and is one of the earliest cradles of civilization, where art, science and literature thrived.  It has an access to both Tigris and Euphrates rivers, and served as the capital for 10 Mesopotamian empires. It is guarded by massive walls, and used to be the largest and the most powerful city in the world at one time, attracting people, ideas, and products from all over the world, which it continues to do even today. Tourists must visit its ancient monuments including the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, which are counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This is also the place where the famed Tower of Babel cited in religious texts used to exist.

Al Kifl: This is a city situated on the banks of the Euphrates River, between Najaf and Al Hillah. It is historically significant for Iraq because the Bible prophet Ezekiel’s tomb is located here. The attraction inside the tomb is a dome that has Hebrew inscriptions mixed with floral Islamic designs.

Al Mada’in: It is an ancient settlement ruled by Sasanian, Rashidun, Umayyad, Abbasid and Buyid Empires in succession. It is considered to be built by the Iranians, and later rebuilt by King Zab, Alexander the Great and King Shapur II. It also houses the famous pilgrimage site of Salman al-Muhammadi’s Tomb, who was once the companion of Muhammad and Ali, and is also renowned by the name Salman the Persian. The mosque also holds the tomb of Hudhaifa al-Yamani and the grave of Jabir Abdullah al-Ansari.

Kirkuk Citadel and Daniel’s Tomb: Tourists must visit another historically and ethnically important Kirkuk Citadel that was established around 880 BC on top a 130-foot high mound. It is said that it was built by King Ashurnasirpal II for defense purposes, and later 72 towers were built under King Sluks’ rule. Inside the citadel, tourists would find several colorful gems including the Red Church, the Green Dome Mosque, and the blue-tiled Tomb of Daniel.

Israelis are known for original thinking and entrepreneurship which gain us the title of ‘The Start-Up Nation’. In that respect, many people say Israelis think ‘out of the box’; the way I see it – we Israelis just don’t see the box! Israel has become the Middle East’s ‘silicon wadi’ for innovation, cutting edge R&D, cyber security, smart cities and automotive technologies. It is a leading destination for global multinationals for investing in tomorrow’s technologies.

We merge our unique traditions with democratic values to create a Jewish-democratic State, as envisioned by our founding fathers in the proclamation of independence in 1948: “The State of Israel will … foster the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants; it will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel; it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or gender.”

Israel strives to live in peace with its neighbors. We believe that economic prosperity and modernization in the Middle east, combined with education and dialogue, are the keys to achieve peace. We see this change that started with Egypt and Jordan now spreading to other Arab and Muslim countries, who show growing interest in Israeli technologies, sport activities and bilateral relations with us. It gives me reasons to be optimistic about the future of our region.

Splendid & Unique

Israel is comfortably located between Africa and Asia, enjoying a splendid climate and a unique diversity of cultures and natural scenes.  All this within a small territory of just about 22,000 sq km. (roughly the size of Manipur). In just about one or two hours drive, one can change from the golden sandy beaches of Tel Aviv and its vibrant night-life scene, to the magnificent walls of Jerusalem, with its historical sites, to enjoy extreme sports or Bedouin hospitality in the desert, hike in the Galilee mountains, scuba dive in Eilat or enjoy a unique spa in  the Dead Sea, which is the lowest point on earth.

Good connectivity and the convenient proximity between one attraction to the other, make Israel a favourable destination for a growing number of tourists.  More than 4 million tourists visited Israel last year, among them more and more Indians who visit Israel both for business and pleasure. The recent opening of direct flights to Israel from New-Delhi, Goa and Kochi, in addition the long exisiting flight from Mumbai, make it easier and cheaper to go to Israel. We have an active Tourism office in Mumbai which is working constantly on attractive campaigns and the results are clear: Tourism from India registered a 21 per cent growth in 2018. Approximately 70,800 Indian travelers visited the country from January to December 2018, putting India on the 12th position in incoming tourism. we expect the numbers for 2019 to be even higher.

My Contribution as Consul General

I was privileged to serve in Mumbai at the time of the historic visit of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to India in January 2018. It was the first time an Israeli prime minister visited Mumbai. This visit accelerated our ongoing cooperation with the western states of India. It gave a great boost to the economic, cultural and technological cooperation. Soon after the visit, an agreement was signed between the Government of Maharashtra and Israel’s National Water Company ‘Mekorot’ to prepare a masterplan for the Marathwada water grid project. This will use advanced Israeli water technology  to connect 11 dams in the region to make droughts a history. During the visit, leading figures in Bollywood, including Amitabh Bachchan, Karan Johar, Aishwaraya Rai and Sara Ali Khan  gathered to welcome PM Netanyahu in a cultural programme called ‘Shalom Bollywood’, where Netanyahu invited the fraternity to come and shoot films in Israel. Indeed, recently the first clip shot in Tel Aviv with Jacqueline Fernandez and Sushant Singh Rajput for the movie ‘Drive’  was released on Netflix. We are working with the State Governments and private sector in our region to enhance the cooperation in the areas of Smart cities, smart mobility, cyber, higher education and start-up ecosystems.

Bilateral Relations between Israel & India

Israel and India enjoy a strategic partnership which is at all-times pick since the mutual visits of PM Modi and PM Netanyahu to each other’s country. But our relations go long time back, based on the historic ties between Jews and Indians, with the thriving Jewish Community here which is approximately 2000 years old. Bilateral relations were gradually but constantly evolving till full diplomatic relations established on 29th January 1992. the good cooperation expands from the G2G (Government to Government) level to the B2B (Business to Business) and P2P (People to People) levels as well. Bilateral trade has increased from USD 200 million in 1992 to USD 5.8 billion 2018. Today, many Indian companies have started investing in Israeli innovation and R&D system, particularly in the areas of IT, cyber security, smart mobility, agriculture, water management and smart cities. The number of Indian students in Israeli universities is increasing. Today, the highest number of foreign students in Israel are from India. Tourism and cultural exchanges are flourishing.

A Genuine Democracy

We are proud that Israel is a growing economy and a genuine democracy with independent press and very noisy political discourse. At the time of our independence, we had a population of 6 lakhs. Today we have crossed 9 million mark and expected to have more than 10 million people by 2024. It is not less than a miracle that a country with vast tracts of barren land, scanty rainfall, absence of fertile soil and security challenges has come such a long way and continues to thrive. We have a very vibrant culture as Jewish people in Israel have come from more than 70 countries and have brought their cuisine, music and culture with them. It has blended very well with the native Israeli culture. In the future, Israel strives to be a leading center of cutting edge research and technologies and find solutions to global problems. I invite you all to come and see this miracle called Israel with your own eyes. I guarantee you’ll enjoy the Israeli experience!

Bolivia has consistently advanced towards macroeconomic stabilization and structural reforms to maintain price stability, sustained growth and to reduce poverty. Simultaneous legislative reforms have helped bring market-oriented policies, especially in the hydrocarbon and telecommunications sectors, bringing private investment.

Tourism Opportunities

Bolivia is world-famous for several things, as it has the world’s highest ski slope in the world, the highest forest in the world, the largest salt flats in the world, and it is the only country in the world having a hotel totally fabricated of salt. Some of its main tourism destinations include the following:

Madidi National Park: Stretching from the Andes to the Amazon, in an area of more than 7,000 square miles, it is famous as one the most biologically diverse parks in the world. Tourists may find jaguars here or giant otters or the titi monkeys, which are not found anywhere else in the world. Our planet has about 9,000 species of birds, of which over 11 percent are found in the Madidi National Park.

Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos: It is an entire region of six mission towns founded by some Jesuit priests in the 17th and 18th centuries. Tourists may choose to visit all towns together in one long tour, or they may stay at each and move on gradually. All of them offer beautiful views and a style of old Spanish architecture; however, the largest and the best-known of these mission towns is San Jose de Chiquitos.

Yungas Road: It is called the World’s Most Dangerous Road and stretches from La Paz to Bolivia’s Amazon rainforest region in the north of the country. It is called the most dangerous because from La Paz, it goes up to 15,000 feet before descending around 4,000 feet to the town of Coroico. Though it is dangerous for most vehicles, it attracts mountain bikers in abundance as they love the close to 40-mile-long stretch of downhill riding.

Reserva Eduardo Avaroa: It is a Fauna National Reserve in the harsh Southwest Circuit region of Bolivia, which was built to protect the endangered vicuna and the llareta plant. It also boasts of some of earth’s most unusual landscapes, including the bright white salt flats and the rainbow-colored mineral lakes of Los Lipez, which do not support human life as they are very harsh to live in, but are still a refuge for many rare and endangered South American species including several large colonies of flamingo. Tourists visiting this place get a feeling that they have come to a strange and beautiful new planet.

Cerro Rico, Potosi: It is called the rich mountain or Cerro Rico. Once it was famous for its silver, and had attracted Spanish Conquistadors to the world’s highest city, Potosí. Adventurous tourists exploring the effect of colonization upon the indigenous people of Bolivia must visit this place. Although the silver is long gone, tin is still mined from Cerro Rico. Tourists may still visit the mines as well as the Casa Nacional de Moneda, a museum that once housed the royal mint.

Sucre: It has three other names and is also called the City of Four Names. The other three names are Charcas, La Plata and Chuquisaca. It was founded in the 1500s by Spanish colonials, and it is loved by tourists who are interested in observing the life in aristocratic Spain in the 16th century. The various attractions of the city include important historical buildings such a La Casa de la Libertad. It is the same place where Simón Bolívar wrote the Bolivian Constitution, and where you would find Bolivia’s National Library, which features documents dating to the 15th century.

Lake Titicaca:It is the highest navigable lake in the world, and is naturally one of Bolivia’s most beautiful and treasured landmarks. Visitors may savor freshly caught trucha here and may take a boat trip from Copacabana to Isla del Sol. Ancient Inca ruins may also be found here scattered throughout the island. Visitors may also go to the summit of the Stations of the Cross walk to observe the fascinating Lake Titicaca.

Tiwanaku: It is a Pre-Columbian archaeological site in western Bolivia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tiwanaku is considered one of the most important civilizations before the Inca Empire, and is today one of the world’s oldest and highest urban cities ever built. Its mysterious stone creations defying explanation and ruins of architectural structures attract a lot of tourists.

Though the world may see Bangladesh as a market of more than 30 million middle class people, riding on societal values, high resilience and a strong aspiration to progress, we have a vision to advance Bangladesh as a developing country by 2021 and a developed country by 2041.

The confidence comes from the fact that Bangladesh is no more an apparel manufacturing country, but has modernized and is quickly becoming a high-value knowledge-intensive society. Bangladesh exported 12 industrial robots to Korea in 2018, manufactured and sent 4 ships to India, sold a large quantity of refrigerators to Reliance, and boasts of 600,000 IT freelancers in the country.

Urbanizing fast, 41% of our population would be using mobile internet by 2025, and close to 50% of our population would be living in towns & cities.

Tourism Opportunities

Full of historical monuments, resorts, beaches, forests and exotic wildlife, tourists would also love angling, water skiing, river cruising, hiking, rowing, yachting and sea bathing. Some of Bangladesh’s main tourism destinations include the following:

Cox’s Bazar: Located in the far south-east of Bangladesh and spilling out into the Bay of Bengal, it is covered in salty fishing skiffs and bustling jetties, and is famous for its stunning beach which has a length of impressive 120 kilometers from north to south along the Indian Ocean. Being the third-longest beach in the world, tourists would love to surf on crashing turquoise waves and bubbling rock pools to enjoy themselves.

The Sundarbans: Located at the converging point of the mighty Brahmaputra and the scared Ganges at the edge of the Bay of Bengal, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is richly covered in spectacular wildlife. While Bengal tigers are found here stalking the mangroves, rhesus macaques swing in the canopies. Chitals and the local huts dotted around the area and hiding beneath waxy palm trees are also a great attraction.

Dhaka: This city is a jungle of a different kind, as it is full of temples, churches, mosques monuments, and colorful and aromatic bazaars. Situated along the banks of the Buriganga River, it was once a great city during the British Raj here and also during the Mughal period. Home of over 17 million people today, tourists would love to eat the curries and street food of Old Dhaka.

Saint Martin: It is the only coral island of Bangladesh and is located close to Chhera Island. Though named Zajira by some unknown Arabian sailors initially, the name was changed to Saint Martin’s Island by the British. Tourists find the sunrise and sunset, the exotic village life, sea turtle hatchery, coral rocks, and a sky full of stars at night very attractive. They may also opt for fishing, oceanic scuba diving, and walk by the sea beach.

Kuakata: Located in the southern part of Bangladesh, it has a panoramic view of the sea beach and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. It is famous for its stunning sunsets and sunrises at the wide sandy beach. Other attractions here include Fatrar Chor (part of Sundarban), Gangamati Reserved Forest, Jhau Bon (forest), Keranipara Seema Temple, Misripara Buddhist Temple, and Eco Park.

Rangamati: Located about 77 kilometers from Chittagong, it is also known as the Lake City of Bangladesh. Places to be visited here include the town, Hanging Bridge, Kaptai Lake, and Indigenous Museum, and can be accessed through a variety of vehicles from Chittagong.

Comilla: A popular tourist destination in Bangladesh, it is known for attractions such as Lalmai Hills, Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development, War Cemetery, Maynamoti Museum, Shah Shuja Masque, and Comilla Zoo.

Bandarban: Literally meaning ‘dam of monkeys’, it is one of the most fascinating tourist attractions of Bangladesh.

It is surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges and tourists may go for the largest Buddhist temple of Bangladesh, Buddha Dhatu Jadi; more Buddhist temples such as Ujanipara Vihar and Raj Vihar; Shoilo Propat Waterfall at Milanchari; Chimbuk Hill and Tribal Villages. Tourists also find peaks of Nilgiri and Thanchi breathtaking.