$1.5-billion Indian credit to help Africa fight HIV-AIDS
Amit Baruah

NEW DELHI: India has earmarked $1.5 billion in lines of credit to
help Africa fight HIV-AIDS and other pandemics, Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh said in a message to the July 4-5 African Union
summit in Sirte, Libya.

The Prime Minister, in his communication to 53 heads of Government
in the Union, said India would encourage its pharmaceutical
companies to establish production facilities in Africa to cater for
the increasing requirement of affordable medicines and to
participate in upgrading the delivery systems.

The Government is putting together this initiative. India will link
the lines of credit to the setting up of production facilities by
its pharmaceutical firms.

As Africa moved firmly to take charge of its own destiny, the Prime
Minister promised India's active partnership in establishing
democracy and good governance, expanding education and healthcare,
building peace and democracy and bridging the digital divide.

http://www.hindu.com/2005/07/16/stories/2005071613761200.htm