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ASSOCHAM
Delegation to Brussels and London
December
3-7, 2007
President, ASSOCHAM, Mr. Venugopal N. Dhoot, led a high level delegation to Brussels
to interact closely with the prominent Members of European Parliament (MEPs) and
other influential leaders of Europe at the ASSOCHAM-sponsored second annual India-EU
Business Summit in Brussels on December 3-4. The Europe-India Chamber of Commerce
(EICC) was the strategic partner in organising the event.
The theme of the second Business Summit this year was “EU-India Relations
and Beyond: Dynamics of Mergers and Acquisitions and the Role of Corporate Governance”.
Addressing the packed Parliament Hall with MEPs, EU officials, policy makers,
media representatives and business leaders from Europe and India, Mr. Dhoot underlined
the need to forge closer trade ties between EU and India. He added that while
India regarded EU as the largest trading partner, India accounted for only 2%
of EU`s trade. The Vice President of European Commission, Mr. Gunter Verheugen,
delivering the key-note address, strongly urged the policy makers and business
leaders in Europe to realize the growing significance of India as a strong economic
partner. He advised EU to take more effective measures for developing stronger
trade and commercial ties with India for which immense opportunities were coming
up in all sectors.
Mr. Pradeep Wig, chairman, Agri and Food Processing Committee of ASSOCHAM, underlined
the historical factors behind India`s relationship with Europe. He highlighted
the importance of such invisible elements of Indian democracy like independent
judiciary, transparent and well regulated banking institutions as part of the
basic infrastructure essential to facilitate healthy future growth.
Sri Sri Ravishankar, promoting the Art of Living all over the world, was the key-note
speaker in the inaugural session. He made a specially impressive presentation.
He pointed out the huge potential for further growth in India much of which was
yet to be tapped. Identifying excellent opportunities for promoting higher growth
in India-EU economic ties, he also underlined the need for developing stable individual
mind and healthy environment for all round progress.
Addressing the concluding session as guest speaker, Mr. Naresh Goyal, CMD Jet
Airways, dealt with the fast expanding horizon in aviation sector. Underlining
the excellent cooperation Jet Airways was receiving from EU countries in general
and Belgium in particular, he expressed confidence of implementing ambitious plans
of expanding international network of Jet Airways.
An MOU was signed between ASSOCHAM and Europe India Chamber of Commerce in the
presence of President Mr. Dhoot and large number of MEPs and business leaders.
At a special meeting between Mr. Dhoot and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, future programmes
were discussed for promoting healthy living amongst all.
More than a dozen Members of European Paliament, who spoke at the event, welcomed
the thrust of the deliberations towards boosting Indo-EU ties so as to build up
a stronger partnership beween the two great democracies. Most of them are planning
to visit India on different missions, and they all pledged strong support to any
initiative in furtherance of the cause of Indo-EU relationship.
Seminar
and Meetings on Investment in Real Estate in India, London (Dec 5-6)
A part of ASSOCHAM delegation further isited London to meet prominent businessmen,
NRIs and business associations, in order to discuss the emerging investment opportunities
in Indian real estate and other sectors. The delegation was fully briefed by Minister
(Eco) at the Indian High Commission, and provided with useful data and addresses
of relevant business houses in London. Minister (Pol) separately welcomed the
delegation at the India House over a general briefing session.
The London Chamber of Commerce organised a very fruitful interaction with the
British businessmen, including President of the Chamber, Mr. Michael Cassidy,
and other high ranking officials. Further negotiations will be taken up by the
business delegates with their counterparts separately.
Among the other important interactive sessions organised in London was the ICICI-Lombard
company`s very fruitful B-to-B meeting with the delegates where concrete investment
possibilities were identified for further negotiations between the ASSOCHAM delegates
and the business and financial institutions in Britain and Germany.
