New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) India’s largest business chamber Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is taking a large delegation to two countries in west Africa this week, officials said Tuesday.

The 46-member business delegation will be attending the 12th CII-EXIM Bank regional conclave on India-Africa Project Partnership June 3-4. The delegation includes officials from prominent companies like Kirloskar group, Shappoorji Pallonji and Tatas.

The regional conclave will be looking at partnership at three levels – government, institutional and enterprise.

According to a senior CII official, Indian companies will be looking to explore opportunities in infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, transport and healthcare.

Thereafter, the delegation will move to Burkina Faso, the smaller, landlocked neighbour of Ghana. ‘This will be the first ever business mission to Burkina Faso,’ said the CII official.

India’s foray into the continent has been led by the private sector, which has increased trade volume from $5.2 billion in 2002-03 to $26 billion in 2007-08. According to some estimates, two-way trade may increase to $150 billion by 2012.