Europe meets India : Economic and Political Dimension of the EU-India Strategic Partnership – Challenges and Opportunities
8-9 November 2006, Brussels
The Europe India Chamber of Commerce (EICC) in association with Indian Merchants’ Chamber (IMC), Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India
(ASSOCHAM) and Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) organized a High level Conference “Europe meets India: Economic and Political Dimension
of the EU-India Strategic Partnership – Challenges and Opportunities” held in Brussels on 8-9 November 2006. The Conference was organized with the support
of the Embassy of India, Brussels. The inauguration of the Conference took place in the Hotel Sheraton on 8 November and the business sessions were held
in the European Parliament on 9 November.
The Conference was attended by industrialists and business leaders from Europe and India, representatives of multinational corporations, European Parliamentarians,
officials of the European Commission, representatives of various diplomatic Missions and also representatives of various Chambers of Commerce. Some of
those who addressed the conference are the EU Commissioner for Energy Mr. Andris Piebalgs, Commerce and Industry Minister Mr. Kamal Nath, Mr. Sam Pitroda,
chairman of India's National Knowledge Commission, Mr. Ravi K Mehrotra, Chairman, Foresight Group, Mr. Sanjay Dalmia, Chairman of Dalmia Group of Companies,
Members of European Parliament Ms. Neena Gill, Ms. Erika Mann and EICC Chairman Mr. Nirj Deva.
The Conference brought together the global business stakeholders including Ministers and senior government officials from India to highlight, discuss
and debate various business opportunities that are appearing on India’s horizon. The Conference discussed, within the context of growing EU-India relations,
economic and business climate in India in, current state of the Indian economy and key market trends and developments, what steps India should take to
attract foreign investment and business dealing, financing operations in India including corporate experiences in doing business in India, etc. Further,
the Conference examined the tremendous opportunities that lie on both sides of the continents – Europe and India - for promoting trade and investment,
the institutional weakness in India’s investment policies including tariff structure and need for India and the European Union to strengthen the existing
partnership framework by making trade and investment as the corner stone for EU-India relations. The energy security and energy cooperation with the EU
was the focus of the business session of the event among other trade and investment issues.
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