New Delhi, May 1 India will host the 2011 World Marketing Congress, with a special focus on East Africa.

The two-day 38th World Marketing Congress will be organised by the Institute of Marketing and Management February 10-11 next year with the theme "Marketing Opportunities and Strategies for East Africa: A Fresh Look".

The conference will be supported by the Ministries of External Affairs, Commerce and Industry, and Home.

The event will cover seven countries — Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda — which have a total population of 210 million and a gross domestic product of $240 million. This region also has a strong Indian diaspora, most of whose forefathers had come to Africa during the colonial period.

According to a press release issued by the Institute of Marketing and Management, Kenya is the largest trade partner for India in the region, with a volume of over $2 billion, while Burundi has the smallest volume at $14.77 million.