President Pranab Mukherjee has been accorded the highest honour of Cote D’Ivoirie by its President Alassane Ouattara on his maiden visit to Abidjan. It is the first such honour accorded to Mr. Mukherjee, Press Secretary to the President Venu Rajamony said. He said while Mr. Mukherjee has received number of honorary degrees, it is first such honour accorded to him by a country. Speaking after the occasion, President Mukherjee said he was accepting it with humility on behalf of the one billion plus Indians.

Mr. Mukherjee said India will remain a steadfast partner in assisting Cote D’Ivoirie in its economic development and growth. He said trade between the two nations is expected to touch USD 1 billion in the next few years. He appreciated the naming of an information technology park in Abidjan after Mahatma Gandhi calling him “a true son of India as well as Africa”.

The President said India’s public and private sector are keen to join Cote D’Ivoirie in setting up agro-based industries because of its fertile soil and agricultural and mineral resources.