Africa-when the word comes forth, some stereotyped pictures appear in our minds. We envision Africa as a continent of tribal strife, poorest nations and states with geometrically sketched boundaries. Once upon a time Oriental thinkers perceived Africa as a 'dark continent'. But now Africa is a sublime continent beyond all these imaginations. Now many global powers are extending their interest and sphere of influence towards it. Among these China and India are worthy of mention. Bangladesh, this time, is not lagging behind. It is also looking for opportunities and thus exploring potentialities to meet the growing food insecurity and export of workers to new destinations.
The recent move of the global powers toward Africa is the phenomenon of the last few years. China, here, is one of the pioneers followed by India and Bangladesh. China's 'look Africa policy' has alarmed both the US and India. Since China's move, India consistently has been suffering from regret of 'missed opportunities'. China's move towards Africa was spontaneous; driven by its growing necessity of energy. But India's move seems, more driven by its sense of 'missed opportunities' than its actual requirements. Indian policy makers were in a hurry to conciliate the missed chances.
At this stage, a question may arise about the reasons behind these recent moves toward Africa by global powers. There may be several arguments. First of all, I think a prevailing 'power vacuum' in African continent is one of the major causes behind this development. This power vacuum has continued since the end of WWII. World powers are so much occupied with Asia and Europe that they couldn't or didn't pay any real attention towards Africa. China utilized the chance first to fill the gap up. Why China first but not the others? China is the second largest economy in this world and has the need for energy to keep up the momentum of its burgeoning economy. To meet the challenge of energy demand, China is rushing and exploring all over the world. In Africa, China is mainly investing in the energy sector. Its economy has the power to take the risk of investing in a large scale. China boasts foreign exchange reserves of more than $3 trillion, 10 times India's $307 billion, and has aggressively used state-owned development banks to invest heavily in oil, gas and other resources across the continent.
Beijing also leads the way in diplomatic terms, with 42 embassies across sub-Saharan Africa, double India's diplomatic presence of only 21 embassies, a report from the London-based Chatham House think-tank said. On the other hand, New Delhi has promised billions of dollars in development support, financing for infrastructure projects and the building of educational and training institutes, as it positions itself as the alternative to Beijing.
The present rigorous and massive engagement with Africa has some qualitative differences from the previous ones. On China, many observers are speculating that it may be thinking to shift its manufacturing industries from China to Africa. This move may help to develop its green house gas effect record. We know that among many other criticisms along with human rights issue, China is surely criticized for its green house gas record. Moreover, China's investment will strengthen its relationship with African nations. India's involvement in Africa is to reduce Chinese sphere of influence among African nations. Along with India, Bangladesh is also trying to utilize the opportunities available in Africa. Bangladesh has already started its formal procedure to lease or buy land in Uganda, Ethiopia etc.
Second prime cause concerned with the move towards Africa by global powers is more economic than political. Domestic unrest sparked by the rise of food price led many states of Africa to cultivation for increasing food production. Since 2008, when the world was hit by economic crisis, there has been a growing concern over the rise of food price. Countries like Bangladesh, South Korea and India suffered heavily during that time in coping with the rise of food price. Still the governments are in a hot water situation to hold back the domestic unrest sparked from the issue.
I shall not discuss or criticize the outcomes resulted from the move towards Africa by the global and small powers. I just want to mention some remarks made by Hillary Clinton. Ms. Clinton termed this new African era as the era of 'New colonialism'. This statement was mainly given to debilitate China's presence there. Taking notes from history She says, "We saw that during colonial times it is easy to come in, take out natural resources, pay off leaders and leave." Critics say Beijing's aid is too often tied to its investment interests and can undermine efforts to encourage fresh government in Africa because it does not demand the same kind of accountability as much Western aid. So I want to say that the African states have to be careful about their decisions taken for foreign investments. They have to know what their national interests are. Otherwise things will be worse for the already crisis prone African states.
The recent move of the global powers toward Africa is the phenomenon of the last few years. China, here, is one of the pioneers followed by India and Bangladesh. China's 'look Africa policy' has alarmed both the US and India. Since China's move, India consistently has been suffering from regret of 'missed opportunities'. China's move towards Africa was spontaneous; driven by its growing necessity of energy. But India's move seems, more driven by its sense of 'missed opportunities' than its actual requirements. Indian policy makers were in a hurry to conciliate the missed chances.
At this stage, a question may arise about the reasons behind these recent moves toward Africa by global powers. There may be several arguments. First of all, I think a prevailing 'power vacuum' in African continent is one of the major causes behind this development. This power vacuum has continued since the end of WWII. World powers are so much occupied with Asia and Europe that they couldn't or didn't pay any real attention towards Africa. China utilized the chance first to fill the gap up. Why China first but not the others? China is the second largest economy in this world and has the need for energy to keep up the momentum of its burgeoning economy. To meet the challenge of energy demand, China is rushing and exploring all over the world. In Africa, China is mainly investing in the energy sector. Its economy has the power to take the risk of investing in a large scale. China boasts foreign exchange reserves of more than $3 trillion, 10 times India's $307 billion, and has aggressively used state-owned development banks to invest heavily in oil, gas and other resources across the continent.
Beijing also leads the way in diplomatic terms, with 42 embassies across sub-Saharan Africa, double India's diplomatic presence of only 21 embassies, a report from the London-based Chatham House think-tank said. On the other hand, New Delhi has promised billions of dollars in development support, financing for infrastructure projects and the building of educational and training institutes, as it positions itself as the alternative to Beijing.
The present rigorous and massive engagement with Africa has some qualitative differences from the previous ones. On China, many observers are speculating that it may be thinking to shift its manufacturing industries from China to Africa. This move may help to develop its green house gas effect record. We know that among many other criticisms along with human rights issue, China is surely criticized for its green house gas record. Moreover, China's investment will strengthen its relationship with African nations. India's involvement in Africa is to reduce Chinese sphere of influence among African nations. Along with India, Bangladesh is also trying to utilize the opportunities available in Africa. Bangladesh has already started its formal procedure to lease or buy land in Uganda, Ethiopia etc.
Second prime cause concerned with the move towards Africa by global powers is more economic than political. Domestic unrest sparked by the rise of food price led many states of Africa to cultivation for increasing food production. Since 2008, when the world was hit by economic crisis, there has been a growing concern over the rise of food price. Countries like Bangladesh, South Korea and India suffered heavily during that time in coping with the rise of food price. Still the governments are in a hot water situation to hold back the domestic unrest sparked from the issue.
I shall not discuss or criticize the outcomes resulted from the move towards Africa by the global and small powers. I just want to mention some remarks made by Hillary Clinton. Ms. Clinton termed this new African era as the era of 'New colonialism'. This statement was mainly given to debilitate China's presence there. Taking notes from history She says, "We saw that during colonial times it is easy to come in, take out natural resources, pay off leaders and leave." Critics say Beijing's aid is too often tied to its investment interests and can undermine efforts to encourage fresh government in Africa because it does not demand the same kind of accountability as much Western aid. So I want to say that the African states have to be careful about their decisions taken for foreign investments. They have to know what their national interests are. Otherwise things will be worse for the already crisis prone African states.
This article was appeared in the Daily Star on 25th June 2011.
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