The Europe India Chamber of Commerce held its Board of Directors and the Annual General Meeting on 29 May in Brussels. The board members discussed the importance of creating entrepreneurship and EICC providing the required assistance. The board’s assignment for next meeting was for each board member to bring at least a new member which was seen as potentially attainable. The Board meeting took place in the background of the EU-India Summit 2010 to take place in Brussels on the 21st October. Other issues that dominated the board discussions were the current financial and debt crisis in the Eurozone countries, issues related to trade and investment and economic relations between EU and India including the free trade negotiation. The board also discussed the future plan of activities of the EICC and the challenges it faces in the coming years. It was suggested that EICC must prepare itself to offer the services that no other chamber offers and in that context it was felt that its must redefine its objectives in order to become the focal point for the European companies operating in India and Indian companies in Europe. Following the discussion, it was felt that the Chamber needs to redefine its mission statement in order to address the emerging challenges and issues that confront EU-India business and how the chamber can offer its assistance. It was agreed that the chamber will redefine its policies and programmes under the vision: “EICC will be the preferred entity representing the general interests of business and industry in Europe and India to expand trade and direct investment in both directions” and initiate policy and measures within its mission: “EICC shall provide services to business and industry that will facilitate trade and investment flows between Europe and India”. The meeting endorsed the activities of the EICC and re-enforced its commitment to realize the objectives with which it was formed. It was felt that EICC become the focal point for the European companies operating in India and Indian companies in Europe. The board meeting also reviewed the Financial Statement and set goals for the coming years. The meeting was chaired by Co-Chairman Mr. Ravi Mehrotra CBE. The Board decided to co-opt the Flanders Investment and Trade in the EICC Board as an institutional member and Mr. Filippe De Potter was inducted into the board. Others who were inducted are Mr. Bob Lewis, CEO of INTEREL, Mr. Rafael de la Cuadra of FEVEC, Spain and Mr. Jorge Marti of Uría Menéndez from Spain. The Board decided that the EICC should play an effective role in the Business Forum during the Summit and work with all stake holders like BICC&I, Federation of Belgium Enterprises, Flanders Investment and Trade, Agoria and others to increase its visibility in Europe and India.
The Board approved the opening of its Office in Paris and appoint Mr. Prasad Sudhakar Deshpande as its Resident Director in France. The Office of the EICC in Paris will be located in the premises of Shere Punjab Complex and will be supported by EICC’s Associate Corporate Member and French entrepreneur Mr. Gurdial Singh. The Meeting also decided to work closely with Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) and tap the talent, resources and expertise of the Indian Diaspora in Europe to enhance EICC objectives.