Sixth India-Arab Partnership Conference 2023 organized in New Delhi
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India and GCC Resume Free Trade Agreement Talks: Dr Ausaf Sayeed, Secretary (CPV&OIA), Ministry of External Affairs
India to Highlight Priorities, Perspectives, and Concerns of Developing Nations, including the Arab World, During G20 Presidency: V Muraleedharan, Union Minister of State for External Affairs
Winds of Shared Prosperity: Unlocking the next decade of Indo-Arab trade and partnership
Interactive Session on Sharjah International Airport Free Zone "A Strategic Business Hub in the Middle East"
Tremendous potential for Indian industry in Saudi Arabia's energy transition: Minister of Energy, Govt of Saudi Arabia
Meeting with H.E. Abdulla Bin Adel Fakhro, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Kingdom of Bahrain and accompanying delegation
Institutional Meeting with FICCI and BCCI
Saudi - India Business Council (SIBC)
Indo-Pacific Partnerships on Marine Ecology under Australia-India Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative Partnership (AIIPOIP) - Series of Masterclass on Plastic Waste Management: Masterclass III
Trade and Logistic Solutions via SOHAR Port and Freezone to Maximize Your Market Reach
UAE Golden Visa awarded to FICCI Director General
We are looking for a comprehensive agreement between the GCC region & India: Piyush Goyal
Webinar on Steering Success in Automotives to Maximize Your Market Reach
Landmark moment in India-UAE Trade & Investment relations: FICCI
Forging Ahead in Metals to Maximize Your Market Reach
India South Africa Business Forum
FICCI Webinar on Food for Thought: Setting up your Food Business in SOHAR to Maximize your Market Reach
Webinar on India Traders Market at Jebel Ali, UAE
FICCI-SOHAR Webinar: "Accessing Industrial and Logistic Solutions to Maximize Your Market Reach"
Human resource exchanges major element of India's bilateral cooperation with the Arab world: Secretary MEA
Focus on increasing investments, emerging technologies and human capital to strengthen India-Arab region relations: Secretary (CPV, OIA & Arab), MEA
Future's in India: Meet the Indian Winners of the Start-up Programmes of the World Expo 2020
Israel key contributor to Indian defence preparedness: DG (Acquisition), MoD
Interactive Meeting with Mr Sanjiv Kumar Singla, Indian Ambassador Designate to Israel
India Pavilion-Oman Health Exhibition & Conference
FICCI Business Delegation to Turkey
Irritants in the trade with Turkey to be removed soon - Suresh Prabhu
Business Delegation on Smart Mobility to Israel
India Pavilion at Oman Health Exhibition & Conference
FICCI Business delegation to Oman accompanying Shri Suresh Prabhu, Commerce and Industry Minister of India
India and UAE to engage strongly on skills harmonisation
India-UAE Skill Mapping and HR Conference in Dubai on 22 April 2018
Egypt is looking at greater investments from India: Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Hassan Shoukry
Jordan King promises hassle-free regime for visiting Indians & business persons
FICCI signs MoU with Iran Chamber Avoidance of double taxation and extension of preferential tariff will boost Iran-India trade and investment: Iran's Economy & Finance Minister
Interactive Session with Dr Masoud Karbasian, Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance of the Islamic Republic of Iran
India-Israel CEOs Forum charts a roadmap for enhancing bilateral trade to US$ 20 billion by 2022
Role of business crucial in transforming India-Israel economic ties: PM Modi India, Israel on same page on reform & technology-led growth: PM Netanyahu
12 Strategic Business MoUs worth over US$ 4.3 billion signed between Indian and Israeli Companies
Turkish President's call to prepare ground for CEPA with India, Trade, FDI & cooperation in infra projects key to deepen economic ties: PM Modi
Meeting with H.E.Thabet Elwir, Chairman, Jordan Investment Commission & Accompanying High Power delegation
Interactive Meeting with H.E. Dr. Fayez Al-Tarawneh, Hon'ble Chief of the Royal Court, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
FICCI Delegation with Power Minister visits Masdar Smart City in Abu Dhabi
5th India-Arab Partnership Conference: Partnerships towards Innovation and Information Technology Cooperation
FICCI moots joint task-force with MEA & Arab League's support to promote investments to and from India
FICCI hails India-Iran Chabahar agreement as big leap forward in bilateral ties
FICCI hails India-Iran Chabahar agreement as big leap forward in bilateral ties
FICCI Defence, Aerospace & Security Business Delegation to Israel
Bell Ringing Ceremony at Bombay Stock Exchange with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces
Sustainable irrigation system is pivotal to improve the standard of living - Water Resources Secretary
FICCI business delegation to coincide with Nirmala Sitharaman's visit to Abu Dhabi, UAE
FICCI business delegation to coincide with Nirmala Sitharaman's visit to Abu Dhabi, UAE
FICCI signs MoU with UAE for enhancing investment and business opportunities between UAE and India
FICCI expresses happiness on the nuclear deal with Iran
India-Israel Homeland Security Co-operation: Boost to the security sector
FICCI hails India-Iran Pact for development of Chabahar Port in Iran
Consultative Meeting between FICCI, League of Arab States, Officials from Ministry of External Affairs and Representatives of Arab States in India
Interactive Session on Ajman Free Zone Authority: Where Dream Becomes Reality
Interactive Session on Ajman Free Zone Authority: Where Dream Becomes Reality
Interactive Meeting with His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of The State Kuwait and the accompanying delegation
Business Seminar and Cocktail dinner reception with Economy and Commerce Minister of Israel, Mr. Naftali Bennett accompanying business delegation from Israel in IT & Telecom
India-Egypt Economic Forum: Complementarities for Growth, Special Address by H E Dr Mohamed Morsy, President of Arab Republic of Egypt
FICCI Business delegation to UAE accompanying Mr Anand Sharma, Hon'ble Minister of Commerce, Industry & Textiles, Government of India
Interactive Meeting with H E Mr Majid Namjoo, Hon'ble Minister of Energy, Islamic Republic of Iran
Singing of MoU between FICCI and Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry on the formation of Bahrain India Business Council
New Delhi, Jul 11 (PTI) Union Minister V Muraleedharan on Tuesday shared India's commitment to spotlight the priorities, perspectives and concerns of the developing nations, including the Arab world, during its G20 Presidency. The minister of State for External Affairs said despite the challenging global context, trade between India and the Arab world has escalated, currently standing at over USD 240 billion. Also Read | Public Health Groups Urge GST Council To Raise Compensation Cess on Tobacco Products. He emphasised the Arab world's significant contributions to India's energy and food security, providing approximately 60 per cent of India's crude oil imports and over 50 per cent of its fertiliser needs. Addressing the India Arab Partnership Conference organised by Ficci, the minister said shared cultural heritage through linkages of language, customs, and traditions continue to lend energy to the historical bond between India and the Arab nations. Also Read | Net Direct Tax Mop-Up Grows 16% to Rs 4.75 Lakh Crore So Far This Fiscal. "The Arab world is indeed a part of India's extended neighbourhood. Our shared views on major international developments, strong economic and commercial relations, and deep people-to-people ties form the foundation of our relations," he added. Khalid Hanafi, Secretary General at Union of Arab Chambers (UAC), emphasised the strength of the existing relations between India and the Arab world, and proposed the need to build upon these foundations, shifting the focus from merely an exchange of goods and services to a more strategic partnership and unity. He underscored the need to establish a payment system between India and the Arab world. Hanafi also advocated for a transition from traditional goods to the 4th Industrial Revolution and digital technology applications in agriculture and the management of supply chains.(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)Copyright © Latestly.com All Rights Reserved.
New Delhi, Jul 11 (PTI) Union Minister V Muraleedharan on Tuesday shared India’s commitment to spotlight the priorities, perspectives and concerns of the developing nations, including the Arab world, during its G20 Presidency.The minister of State for External Affairs said despite the challenging global context, trade between India and the Arab world has escalated, currently standing at over USD 240 billion.He emphasised the Arab world’s significant contributions to India’s energy and food security, providing approximately 60 per cent of India’s crude oil imports and over 50 per cent of its fertiliser needs.Addressing the India Arab Partnership Conference organised by Ficci, the minister said shared cultural heritage through linkages of language, customs, and traditions continue to lend energy to the historical bond between India and the Arab nations.“The Arab world is indeed a part of India’s extended neighbourhood. Our shared views on major international developments, strong economic and commercial relations, and deep people-to-people ties form the foundation of our relations,” he added.Khalid Hanafi, Secretary General at Union of Arab Chambers (UAC), emphasised the strength of the existing relations between India and the Arab world, and proposed the need to build upon these foundations, shifting the focus from merely an exchange of goods and services to a more strategic partnership and unity.He underscored the need to establish a payment system between India and the Arab world.Hanafi also advocated for a transition from traditional goods to the 4th Industrial Revolution and digital technology applications in agriculture and the management of supply chains.Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Name * Email * Website Add Comment * Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.Post Comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );
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Follow Us New Delhi, Jul 11 (PTI) Union Minister V Muraleedharan on Tuesday shared India's commitment to spotlight the priorities, perspectives and concerns of the developing nations, including the Arab world, during its G20 Presidency. The minister of State for External Affairs said despite the challenging global context, trade between India and the Arab world has escalated, currently standing at over USD 240 billion. He emphasised the Arab world's significant contributions to India's energy and food security, providing approximately 60 per cent of India's crude oil imports and over 50 per cent of its fertiliser needs. Addressing the India Arab Partnership Conference organised by Ficci, the minister said shared cultural heritage through linkages of language, customs, and traditions continue to lend energy to the historical bond between India and the Arab nations. "The Arab world is indeed a part of India's extended neighbourhood. Our shared views on major international developments, strong economic and commercial relations, and deep people-to-people ties form the foundation of our relations," he added. Khalid Hanafi, Secretary General at Union of Arab Chambers (UAC), emphasised the strength of the existing relations between India and the Arab world, and proposed the need to build upon these foundations, shifting the focus from merely an exchange of goods and services to a more strategic partnership and unity. He underscored the need to establish a payment system between India and the Arab world. Hanafi also advocated for a transition from traditional goods to the 4th Industrial Revolution and digital technology applications in agriculture and the management of supply chains. PTI RSN SHW Share this article If you liked this article share it with your friends.they will thank you later
AMN India and the Arab world trade relations have stood the test of time and even during the COVID-19 pandemic and global geopolitical conflict it continues to grow.Addressing the 6th India- Arab partnership conference in New Delhi today, Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan said the trade between India and the Arab world stands at 240 billion dollars. He said, India’s wide-ranging partnerships with Arab countries are robust. He added that they have traditionally enjoyed close and friendly relationships and shared cultural heritage.The Minister also said, new India is moving ahead with the mantra of reform, perform and transform in every sector adding that India has emerged as the fastest-growing major economy in the world. Highlighting initiatives including Startup India, Digital India and Production Linked Incentive Scheme for the manufacturing sector, he said the government is continuously working to improve the business environment in the country. Mr. Muraleedharan also said, India’s innovation ecosystem is best in the world which is being reflected in the growing number of startups.Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Email * Website اے ایم این / نئی دہلی ہندوستان کے قومی سلامتی کے مشیر (این ای ... بہار سرکار نے پہلی بار زہریلی شراب کے سانحے میں مرنے والوں کے ... ریلوے کی وزارت نے اعلان کیا ہے کہ سبھی ریل گاڑیوں میں اے سی چی ... AMN / WEB DESK Thailand continued to be favorite destination for foreign tourist, as the country has welcom ... Around 500 people have successfully climbed the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest. During the curre ... “Please don’t make it a competition” – Indian chef, Lata Tondon who held the Guinness record Hilda Bac ... AMN / WEB DESK Budding Photographer from New Delhi Mohsin Javed's Photographs were selected for the F ... AMN / Guwahati Press Club of Assam (PCA) demands a modern multi-media centre in Guwahati for the benefit of ... AMN / WEB DESK Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will soon transfer its Small Satellite Launch Vehi ... AMN / WEB DESK India's upcoming lunar mission Chandrayaan-3 will be launched from Sriharikota this week. Mi ... @Powered By: Logicsart
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Updated: Jul 11 2023 7:59PM New Delhi, Jul 11 (PTI) Union Minister V Muraleedharan on Tuesday shared India's commitment to spotlight the priorities, perspectives and concerns of the developing nations, including the Arab world, during its G20 Presidency. The minister of State for External Affairs said despite the challenging global context, trade between India and the Arab world has escalated, currently standing at over USD 240 billion. He emphasised the Arab world's significant contributions to India's energy and food security, providing approximately 60 per cent of India's crude oil imports and over 50 per cent of its fertiliser needs. Addressing the India Arab Partnership Conference organised by Ficci, the minister said shared cultural heritage through linkages of language, customs, and traditions continue to lend energy to the historical bond between India and the Arab nations. "The Arab world is indeed a part of India's extended neighbourhood. Our shared views on major international developments, strong economic and commercial relations, and deep people-to-people ties form the foundation of our relations," he added. Khalid Hanafi, Secretary General at Union of Arab Chambers (UAC), emphasised the strength of the existing relations between India and the Arab world, and proposed the need to build upon these foundations, shifting the focus from merely an exchange of goods and services to a more strategic partnership and unity. He underscored the need to establish a payment system between India and the Arab world. Hanafi also advocated for a transition from traditional goods to the 4th Industrial Revolution and digital technology applications in agriculture and the management of supply chains. PTI RSN.Please log in to get detailed story. Press Trust Of India (PTI) is India's premier news agency, with a reach as vast as the Indian Railways'. It employs nearly 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every city and small town in India. Collectively, our journalists put out more than 1,000 stories and 250 photographs including graphics every day to feed the appetite of the diverse subscribers, who include the mainstream media, the specialized presses, research groups, companies, and government and non-governmental organizations. The Press Trust Of India Ltd.PTI building 4, Parliament Street, New Delhi-110 001© PTI 2021, All Right ReservedDesigned by: 4c Plus
Unsubscribe to continueThis is a subscriber only feature Subscribe Now to get daily updates on WhatsAppHe underscored the need to establish a payment system between India and the Arab world. Union Minister V Muraleedharan on Tuesday shared India's commitment to spotlight the priorities, perspectives and concerns of the developing nations, including the Arab world, during its G20 Presidency. The minister of State for External Affairs said despite the challenging global context, trade between India and the Arab world has escalated, currently standing at over USD 240 billion. He emphasised the Arab world's significant contributions to India's energy and food security, providing approximately 60 per cent of India's crude oil imports and over 50 per cent of its fertiliser needs. Addressing the India Arab Partnership Conference organised by Ficci, the minister said shared cultural heritage through linkages of language, customs, and traditions continue to lend energy to the historical bond between India and the Arab nations. "The Arab world is indeed a part of India's extended neighbourhood. Our shared views on major international developments, strong economic and commercial relations, and deep people-to-people ties form the foundation of our relations," he added. Khalid Hanafi, Secretary General at Union of Arab Chambers (UAC), emphasised the strength of the existing relations between India and the Arab world, and proposed the need to build upon these foundations, shifting the focus from merely an exchange of goods and services to a more strategic partnership and unity. He underscored the need to establish a payment system between India and the Arab world. Hanafi also advocated for a transition from traditional goods to the 4th Industrial Revolution and digital technology applications in agriculture and the management of supply chains.First Published: Jul 11 2023 | 10:15 PM ISTCOVID-19Personal FinanceVirtual RealityEnvironment
Union Minister V Muraleedharan on Tuesday shared India's commitment to spotlight the priorities, perspectives and concerns of the developing nations, including the Arab world, during its G20 Presidency. The minister of State for External Affairs said despite the challenging global context, trade between India and the Arab world has escalated, currently standing at over USD 240 billion. He emphasised the Arab world's significant contributions to India's energy and food security, providing approximately 60 per cent of India's crude oil imports and over 50 per cent of its fertiliser needs. Addressing the India Arab Partnership Conference organised by Ficci, the minister said shared cultural heritage through linkages of language, customs, and traditions continue to lend energy to the historical bond between India and the Arab nations.''The Arab world is indeed a part of India's extended neighbourhood. Our shared views on major international developments, strong economic and commercial relations, and deep people-to-people ties form the foundation of our relations,'' he added. Khalid Hanafi, Secretary General at Union of Arab Chambers (UAC), emphasised the strength of the existing relations between India and the Arab world, and proposed the need to build upon these foundations, shifting the focus from merely an exchange of goods and services to a more strategic partnership and unity. He underscored the need to establish a payment system between India and the Arab world. Hanafi also advocated for a transition from traditional goods to the 4th Industrial Revolution and digital technology applications in agriculture and the management of supply chains.(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Email: info@devdiscourse.com Phone: +91-720-6444012, +91-7027739813, 14, 15 © Copyright 2023
India has invited members of the 22-nation League of Arab States to invest in the country, notably in the industrial and infrastructure sectors, while also calling upon them to benefit from the ‘Make in India’ programme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“We invite both your public sector and private sector companies to invest in India,” Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said here on Wednesday, inaugurating the 4th India-Arab Partnership Conference.
The conference is being organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in association with the ministry of external affairs and the League of Arab States (LAS).
FICCI Senior Vice President Jyotsna Suri and Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Commerce and Industry Abdulmohsen Al-Medaj were present at the conference. “The Indian growth story will be incomplete without the participation of friends like the Arab League,” the minister noted, while expressing happiness that the businesses of the two sides were actively exploring multiple avenues for partnerships.
“Our trade statistics indicate that our mutual economic dependency is growing,” she said, and pointed out that India’s bilateral trade with Arab countries reached $185 billion in 2013-14, a jump of nearly 25 per cent over 2010-11.
Sitharaman also gave several concrete examples of India-Arab world partnerships.
With India being the largest importer of Jordanian phosphatic products, a $800 million project between Indian Farmers and Fertilisers Cooperation and Jordan Phosphate Mines Company was ready for formal inauguration, she said.
Similarly, the Oman-India Fertiliser Company project was a landmark to ensure supplies of urea to India - a joint venture promoted by two Indian fertiliser cooperatives and the Oman Oil Company.
It comes against the backdrop of the first senior officials’ meeting between India and the 22-member league here earlier this month which discussed expanding business relations, especially in energy and information technology.
Pointing to the Arab world’s strategic ties with India based on being neighbours across the Arabian Sea, Saudi Arabia’s Commerce Minister Tawfiq Fawzan Al Rabiah told the conference that “India is one of the biggest trading partners of Saudi Arabia. Relations between India and the Arab world have a long history”.
“The Indian rupee was a currency in the Gulf till not very long ago. Geographical closeness has given a new dimension to our relations. Urdu and Indian culture are very popular in the Arab world,” he added.
Saudi Arabia is India’s largest supplier of crude oil and the fourth biggest trading partner. Bilateral trade amounted to $48.75 billion in 2013-14. India is the 5th largest market for Saudi products and is, in turn, the seventh largest source of imports to that country.
India has invited members of the 22-nation League of Arab States to invest in the country, notably in the infrastructure space, while also calling upon them to benefit from the ‘Make in India’ programme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“We invite both your public sector and private sector companies to invest in India,” Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said onWednesday, inaugurating the fourth India-Arab Partnership Conference.
“The Indian growth story will be incomplete without the participation of friends like the Arab League,” the minister said, while expressing happiness that the businesses of the two sides were actively exploring multiple avenues for partnerships.
“Our trade statistics indicate that our mutual economic dependency is growing,” she said, and pointed out that India’s bilateral trade with Arab countries reached $185 billion in 2013-14, a jump of nearly 25 per cent over 2010-11.
Sitharaman also gave several concrete examples of India-Arab world partnerships.
With India being the largest importer of Jordanian phosphatic products, a $800 million project between Indian Farmers and Fertilizers Cooperation and Jordan Phosphate Mines Company was ready for formal inauguration, she said.
The Oman-India Fertilizer Company project was a landmark to ensure supplies of urea to India – a joint venture promoted by two Indian fertiliser cooperatives and the Oman Oil Company.
The conference is being organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in association with the Ministry of External Affairs and the League of Arab States.
The conference comes against the backdrop of the first senior officials’ meeting between India and the 22-member league in Delhi earlier this month.
Saudi Arabia’s Commerce Minister Tawfiq Fawzan Al Rabiah said that “India is one of the biggest trading partners of Saudi Arabia. Relations between India and the Arab world have a long history”.
“Rupee was a currency in the Gulf till not very long ago. Geographical closeness has given a new dimension to our relations. Urdu and Indian culture are very popular in the Arab world,” he added.
Saudi Arabia is India’s largest supplier of crude oil and the fourth biggest trading partner. Bilateral trade amounted to $48.75 billion in 2013-14.
Some of the specific areas for discussions at the conclave include pharmaceuticals, food and energy security, notably from renewable sources, healthcare, tourism, banking, human resource development, education, research and technology development.
She said the second meeting of the India-Egypt Joint Trade Committee was held earlier this month to discuss an action plan to increase trade between the two countries.
Giving Egypt’s example as an indicator of India’s constant efforts to increase its engagement with the Arab world, Sitharaman said: “I am also happy to convey that the 7th India-Oman joint commission meeting concluded successfully with both sides agreeing for enhanced cooperation in various fields.”
Government of India, today made an impassioned plea to the Arab public and private sectors to cash in on the opportunities for doing business in India and invited them to come and invest in this country.
Inaugurating the two-day 4th India-Arab Partnership Conference here organised jointly by FICCI and the Ministry of External Affairs, Union minister of Commerce, Nirmala Sitharaman said, "The Indian growth story would be incomplete without the participation of friends like the Arab League."
According to a statement by FICCI, the minister noted with satisfactionthat India and the Arab world are directing their economic relations towards long standing commitments. "Today, our business communities are actively exploring multiple avenues to establish sustainable partnerships."
The minister further said, "Our trade statistics indicate that our mutual economic dependency is growing as the bilateral trade between India and Arab countries has reached US$ 185.6 billion in 2013-14 which is 24.3% of the total trade of India with the world from US$ 103.8 billion in 2009-10 which was 22% with the world."
Sitharaman noted that there lies tremendous potential for technical transfer between India and the Arab nations.Arab business entities could look at joint ventures with Indian companies.
For example, with India being the largest importer of Jordanian Phosphatic products, a Joint Venture project JIFCO between Indian Farmers & Fertilizers Cooperation Limited (IFFCO) and Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC) with investment of US$ 850 million is ready for formal inauguration.
Similarly, Oman-India Fertilizer Company Project (OMIFCO) is an important landmark for ensuring sustained supplies of urea to India.This is a joint venture project promoted by IFFCO and Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO) from the India side and the Oman Oil Company (OOC) on the Omani side.
At the inaugural session, FICCI signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of Arab Businessmen.
Anil Wadhwa, Secretary (East), India's ministry of external affairs, said over the last decade India had witnessed a steady increase in mutual investments and trade with Arab countries. This growing trend has created a real opportunity for India and the Arab countries to embark on a mutually rewarding journey of growth and prosperity.
India has invited members of the 22-nation League of Arab States to invest in the country, notably in the infrastructure space, while also calling upon them to benefit from the 'Make in India' programme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"We invite both your public sector and private sector companies to invest in India," Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said here Wednesday, inaugurating the 4th India-Arab Partnership Conference.
"The Indian growth story will be incomplete without the participation of friends like the Arab League," the minister noted, while expressing happiness that the businesses of the two sides were actively exploring multiple avenues for partnerships.
"Our trade statistics indicate that our mutual economic dependency is growing," she said, and pointed out that India's bilateral trade with Arab countries reached $185 billion in 2013-14, a jump of nearly 25 percent over 2010-11.
Sitharaman also gave several concrete examples of India-Arab world partnerships.
With India being the largest importer of Jordanian phosphatic products, a $800 million project between Indian Farmers and Fertilizers Cooperation and Jordan Phosphate Mines Company was ready for formal inauguration, she said.
Similarly, the Oman-India Fertilizer Company project was a landmark to ensure supplies of urea to India - a joint venture promoted by two Indian fertiliser cooperatives and the Oman Oil Company.
The conference is being organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in association with the ministry of external affairs and the League of Arab States (LAS).
It comes against the backdrop of the first senior officials' meeting between India and the 22-member league here earlier this month which discussed expanding business relations, especially in energy and information technology.
Pointing to the Arab world's strategic ties with India based on being neighbours across the Arabian Sea, Saudi Arabia's Commerce Minister Tawfiq Fawzan Al Rabiah told the conference that "India is one of the biggest trading partners of Saudi Arabia. Relations between India and the Arab world have a long history".
"The Indian rupee was a currency in the Gulf till not very long ago. Geographical closeness has given a new dimension to our relations. Urdu and Indian culture are very popular in the Arab world," he added.
Saudi Arabia is India's largest supplier of crude oil and the fourth biggest trading partner. Bilateral trade amounted to $48.75 billion in 2013-14. India is the 5th largest market for Saudi products and is, in turn, the seventh largest source of imports to that country.
Some of the specific areas for discussions at the conclave include pharmaceuticals, food and energy security, notably from renewable sources, healthcare, tourism, banking, human resource development, education, research and technology development.
Member countries of the Arab League, home to over 7 million Indians and with a collective GDP of nearly $3 trillion, are a major destination for India's exports. Their investments to India have crossed $3.5 billion since April 2000.
Sitharaman also said the second meeting of the India-Egypt Joint Trade Committee was held earlier this month to discuss an action plan to increase trade between the two countries.
Giving Egypt's example as an indicator of India's constant efforts to increase its engagement with the Arab world, Sitharaman said: "I am also happy to convey that the 7th India-Oman joint commission meeting concluded successfully with both sides agreeing for enhanced cooperation in various fields."
Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce and Industry Abdulmohsen Al-Madaj on Wednesday highlighted the bilateral historical ties with India terming them as "distinguished and set on solid basis of friendship and mutual understanding." Al-Madaj made the statement at the opening session of the 4th India-Arab Partnership Conference that kicked off in New Delhi today, adding that Kuwait and India have worked hard to deepen relations.
He referred to the visit by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to New Delhi in June 2006, during which he confirmed that the Kuwaiti-Indian ties are age-old historical and based on a solid historical ground.
On bilateral trade, Al-Madaj said that it dates back to three centuries, when the Kuwaitis realized that their bid to transform their country into a trade hub in the Gulf area can be attained through interacting with trade activities in the Indian Ocean, according to a statement by the Kuwaiti embassy in India.
The Commerce and Industry Minister also referred to a visit by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah to India in November 2013 which "opened a new and fruitful chapter in the growing relations with India." Kuwait is looking forward to the 3rd Joint Ministerial Committee with India to be convened by the end of the year, in a bid to promote economic, trade, technical and scientific cooperation.
According to Al-Madaj, India is among Kuwait's top 10 trade partners. He invited Indian companies and investors to take part in the ambitious development plans in Kuwait.
Addressing the session, India's Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman underscored the importance of cementing the Indian-Arab economic and trade ties.
She urged the Arab and also foreign businessmen to invest in India, saying their rights are guaranteed and safeguarded by the government.
Sitharaman called for promoting efforts to enhance exporting India's technological expertise to the member states of the Arab League, in a bid to enhance joint trade and investments as.
According to Sitharaman, bilateral trade between India and the Arab World hit USD 185.6 billion in the FY 2013-2014.
The two-day 4th India-Arab Partnership Conference, held under "New Horizons in Investment, Trade and Services," aims at enhancing the flow of investment between India and the Arab World.
Three Partnership Conferences were held in 2008, 2010 and 2012 to stimulate trade and investment ties between both sides.
The 4th Conference is organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, in association with the Ministry of External Affairs of India, League of Arab States, the General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Arab Countries and Federation of Arab Businessmen.
Ministers of Commerce and Industry from Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Palestine are taking part in the event together with delegations from other 18 Arab states and heads of diplomatic missions in New Delhi. Senior businessmen, investors and industrialists, Arab, Indian and others are also attending.
During the opening session, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry signed two MoUs with the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and the Federation of Arab Businessmen.
The 4th India-Arab Partnership Conference got underway here Wednesday.
In keeping with its status as India's largest source of crude oil, and its 4th biggest trading partner, Saudi Arabia is the partner country at the conference.
Aiming to provide a platform for Indian and Arab businessmen to explore new opportunities, the conference is being organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in association with the Ministry of External Affairs and the League of Arab States (LAS).
Other collaboration partners include the Federation of Arab Businessmen (FAB) and the General Union of Arab Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Agriculture (GUCCIA).
It comes in the backdrop of the first senior officials meeting between India and the 22-member league here earlier this month which discussed expanding business ties, especially in energy and information technology.
Pointing to the Arab world's historical and now strategic ties with India based on being neighbours across the Arabian Sea, Saudi Arabia's Commerce Minister Tawfiq Fawzan Al Rabiah told the conference that "India is one of the biggest trading partners of Saudi Arabia. Relations between India and the Arab world have a long history".
"The Indian rupee was a currency in the Gulf till not very long ago. Geographical closeness has given a new dimension to our relations. Urdu and Indian culture are very popular in the Arab world," he added.
Saudi Arabia is India's largest supplier of crude oil and the fourth biggest trading partner. Bilateral trade amounted to $48.75 billion in 2013-14. India is the 5th largest market for Saudi products and is, in turn, the seventh largest source of imports to that country.
Some of the specific areas for discussions at the conclave include pharmaceuticals, food and energy security, notably from renewable sources, healthcare, tourism, banking, human resource development, education, research and technology development.
Member countries of the Arab League, home to over 7 million Indians and with a collective GDP of nearly $3 trillion, are a major destination for India's exports. Their investments to India have crossed $3.5 billion since April 2000.
Inaugurating the conference, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the second meeting of the India-Egypt Joint Trade Committee was held earlier this month to discuss an action plan to increase trade between the two countries.
Giving Egypt's example as an indicator of India's constant efforts to increase its engagement with the Arab world, Sitharaman said: "I am also happy to convey that the 7th India-Oman joint commission meeting concluded successfully with both sides agreeing for enhanced cooperation in various fields."
India's trade with the region in 2013-14 amounted to over $185 billion, accounting for around nearly a quarter of its global trade, Sitharaman said.
Capital gains tax is a major hurdle in promoting Saudi investments in India, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Tawfiq Fawzan Al Rabiah said here on Thursday.
“The issue of taxation of capital gains continues to be a major impediment in promoting Saudi investment in India, and I call on the Indian authorities to explore relaxation of this issue.
“I would also like to emphasise the importance of the activation of the Saudi Indian Joint Fund,” he said at the India-Saudi Arabia Business Forum at FICCI.
The proposed $750-million joint fund is likely to focus on development of infrastructure and promote joint exploration and production of hydrocarbons.
FICCI President Sidharth Birla said the two countries need to explore fresh frontiers of cooperation to diversify the trade basket.
The two countries inked four MoUs (memorandum of understanding) at the Business Forum to strengthen bilateral trade.
Saudi Arabia is India’s fourth largest trade partner. The bilateral trade between the two countries stood at $43.19 billion in 2012-13.
India's largest automobile company Tata Motors is exploring the possibility of setting up a manufacturing plant for Jaguar and Land Rover in Saudi Arabia, the Gulf kingdom's industry minister said on Thursday.
Addressing an India-Saudi Arabia Business Forum meeting here, Saudi Arabia Commerce and Industry Minister Tawfig Fawzan Alrabiah said the proposed plant would be the third largest for manufacturing of high-end Jaguar and Land Rover cars.
The minister said the plant is proposed to be set up eastern province of Saudi Arabia.
The forum meeting was organised jointly by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Council of Saudi Chambers.
Alrabiah said Tata Group's other companies including Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Tata Steel are also having significant business engagements with Saudi Arabia and have shown commitment to expand it further.
Tata Steel won an order last year to supply high-quality rails for a new high speed rail line linking the two holy cities of Makkah and Al Madinah, the minister said.
He pointed out that Tata Consultancy Services recently launched an ‘all female services center’ in Riyadh in collaboration with General Electric, and Saudi Aramco.
Addressing the forum meeting FICCI president Sidharth Birla said India and Saudi Arabia need to explore fresh frontiers of cooperation in sectors like IT and IT enabled services, auto components, automobiles, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, oil and gas, refineries and metals, with a view to diversify the trade basket.
Saudi Arabia is India's fourth largest partner with bilateral trade of over $43 billion in 2012-13. Saudi Arabia is also India's largest crude oil supplier accounting for about one-fifth of total imports in 2012-13.
Capital gains tax is a major hurdle in promoting Saudi investments in India, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Commerce and Industry Tawfiq Al Rabiah said today.
"The issue of taxation of capital gains continues to be a major impediment in promoting Saudi investment in India, and I call on the Indian authorities to explore relaxation of this issue.
"I would also like to emphasise on the importance of the activation of the Saudi Indian Joint Fund," he said at the India-Saudi Arabia Business Forum at FICCI here.
The proposed USD 750-million joint fund is likely to focus on development of infrastructure and promote joint exploration and production of hydrocarbons.
Saudi Arabia's Minister of Economy & Planning Mohammed Al-Jasser invited Indian businesses to invest in their mining sector which has remained relatively undeveloped.
FICCI President Sidharth Birla said the two countries need to explore fresh frontiers of cooperation in sectors like IT & ITES, auto components, automobiles, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, oil and gas, refineries and metals so as to pave the way for diversification of the trade basket.
The two countries inked four MoUs (memorandum of understanding) at the Business
Forum to strengthen bilateral trade. The MoUs seek to establish a local manufacturing facility for oil drilling products, set up a logistic and shipping network between India and Saudi Arabia and supply basmati rice and industrial equipment to Saudi Arabia.
India-Saudi Arabia trade relations have witnessed a steady growth in the last few years. Saudi Arabia is India's fourth largest trade partner. The bilateral trade between the two countries stood at USD 43.19 billion in 2012-13.
Saudi Arabia is also India's largest supplier of crude oil, accounting for 17 per cent of the country's requirements, and is one of the major markets in the world for Indian exports.
Several Indian companies have established collaborations with Saudi companies and many are working the areas of designing, consultancy, financial services and software development.
Saudi Arabia is destination to more than 1.86 per cent of India's global exports and is also the source of 6.35 per cent of India's global imports.
Iran will continue to increase imports from India despite a recent deal with Western powers that has eased economic sanctions against it in exchange for curbing its nuclear ambitions.
“A team of senior officials from Iran, who visited India recently, assured us that the West Asian nation is serious about continuing to engage more with India as we had stood by them in its time of trouble,” a Commerce Ministry official told Business Line.
The assurance has put to rest speculation that Iran may look at other trading partners more earnestly now that the sanctions regime was ending.
The key reason for the apprehension of a cutback in imports from India, according to industry observers, was India’s stance at the time of sanctions. India, seemingly under the US pressure, had drastically reduced crude oil imports from Iran, while nations such as China had sustained imports within the permissible limits.
The P5 plus One grouping of the major Western powers last month agreed to relax economic sanctions worth $7 billion in return for Iran’s promise to curb some of its nuclear activities. Iran will be watched (for any escalation in nuclear activity) for six months after which a permanent solution will be worked out, according to the deal.
Exports Doubled
India’s exports to Iran have more than doubled over the last two years and is likely to cross $5 billion this fiscal, aided chiefly by intensive business-to-business interactions by the two Governments. In fact, to sustain business even during sanctions, India and Iran had put in place a rupee payment mechanism for continuing oil trade. This was because foreign banks had refused to deal with Iran fearing action by the US.
Both nations had then started a joint effort to increase India’s exports to Iran so that the rupee payment for oil deposited in Iran’s account could be gainfully utilised. India imports petroleum products worth over $10 billion from Iran.
Payment mechanism
There has been buzz recently that Iran wants to do away with the rupee mechanism, while India sought for full payment of oil imports in the rupee. At present, India makes 45 per cent of its oil payments in rupees, which Tehran uses to purchase items such as rice, soyameal, tea, pharmaceuticals, and automobile parts. India pays the remaining trade balance in euros, but this too had been hit due to sanctions.
On whether India would seek full rupee payment for oil imports, Minister of State in the Ministry for Petroleum & Natural Gas Panabaaka Lakshmi had informed the Lok Sabha earlier this month that there was no such proposal.
According to Ajay Sahai, Director-General, Federation of Indian Export Organisations, every month letters of credit worth Rs 2,500 crore are being opened (by banks on both sides that are part of the rupee payment mechanism) which demonstrates that things are on the right track. “We are optimistic that exports to Iran would be to the tune of $5.5 billion this year,” Sahai said.
A delegation of Indian exporters led by FICCI is at the moment in Iran as part of the ongoing efforts to step up exports.
Hailing Iran’s nuclear deal, experts said it would not just ease India’s problem of sourcing crude oil but help boost bilateral trade with Iran.
“Western sanctions on Iran did hurt India’s interests. So, the deal is a positive,” said Meena Singh Roy, research fellow at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA). “For one, it will aid crude imports from Iran. For another, it will lead to cooperation on the Chabahar port front and better trade relations.”
Bilateral trade witnessed good growth over the last decade, up from around $6 billion in 2005-06 to around $15.9 billion in 2011-12, barring the sanctions-related slump in 2012-13 to $14.9 billion.
“India can now pursue its interest in energy security and also in Afghanistan besides other regional issues,” said C Raja Mohan of the Observer Research Foundation.
Naina Lal Kidwai, president of industry body FICCI, said, “We will also see possibilities for exporting our manufactured and other goods.”
The country's corporates today said the deal between Iran and six world powers, including the US, will help in sourcing of oil imports from the Persian Gulf state and boost trade with India.
"India has maintained strong historic links with Iran and any step that makes it easy for Iran to engage economically with the rest of the world would help us in sourcing of oil imports from Iran," FICCI President Naina Lal Kidwai said.
"We will see possibilities for exporting our manufactured goods to Iran including pharma, IT, electronics, automobile spare parts and food processing. This relief will benefit Indian companies in promoting bilateral trade between India and Iran which at present is around USD 15 billion," she said.
Capping four days of negotiations, representatives the US, the UK, Russia, China, France and Germany (P5+1 group of nations) reached an agreement with Iran in Geneva yesterday.
Under the deal, Iran agreed to give better access to inspectors and halt some of its work on uranium enrichment. But Iranian negotiators insisted they still had a right to nuclear power.
In return, there will be no new nuclear-related sanctions on Iran for six months.
"The deal would not only reduce India's import bill as energy prices ease, but also make a big difference to inflation, which has remained bane of the Indian economy for the last six years, more so at the retail level," Assocham President Rana Kapoor said.
Iran will also stop enriching uranium beyond 5 per cent, the level at which it can be used for weapons research, and reduce its stockpile of uranium enriched beyond this point.
Iran will also receive sanctions relief worth about USD 7 billion on sectors including precious metals.
"The deal will go a long way in augmenting India's trade with the Persian country. Exporters were fighting shy of dealing with the Iranian buyers even in regard to the items beyond sanctions, largely because there was so much uncertainty over the payment transfer in the backdrop of sanctions," EEPC India Chairman Anupam Shah said.
India can export a large number of items to Iran , if unhindered access is provided in that market, including high-tech machinery, automobiles, components besides the agri products, Shah said.
The agreement -- described as an "initial, six-month" deal -- includes "substantial limitations that will help prevent Iran from creating a nuclear weapon," US President Barack Obama said in a nationally televised address.
India is likely to resume paying Iran in Euros after a historic accord between western super powers and the Persian Gulf state made it easier to import crude oil from one of its biggest suppliers.
India's total exports to Iran were merely USD 3.7 billion in 2012-13, much less than potential, under the impact of sanctions.
The saffron, dry fruits, clothes and handicrafts at the Afghanistan Products Exhibition had even well-dressed office-goers taking a break from their busy schedules to haggle for a bargain on Tuesday.
The three-day exhibition currently on Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) will conclude on Wednesday.
It features a wide variety of products from across Afghanistan such as Kandahar in the South, Kabul in the East, Herat in the West and Mazar-i-Sharif in the North.
But not all conversations here were about trade.
A well-dressed gentleman in a stall could be heard asking the trader about bombings in Afghanistan and the Taliban menace, before finally deciding to find out the cost of the saffron from Herat. “Rs 300 for 1 gram,” the trader said.
This idle curiosity did not go well with many traders. “I am so tired. People have been asking me irrelevant questions since morning,” a trader selling carpets said.
The visitors to the exhibition had a tough time conversing with the Afghan traders as most of them only spoke their native language. Some traders though sprang a surprise and spruced up their conversations with a few Hindi words.
A 100-member strong business delegation from Afghanistan had arrived in the capital last Thursday to participate in the India International Trade Fair (IITF) and in an attempt to draw investors to Afghanistan.
The delegation, which has members from Exports Promotion Agency of Afghanistan (EPAA), Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA) and Afghanistan Chambers of Commerce and Industries (ACCI), was looking for investment and tie-ups in agriculture, construction and mining sectors.
Some of them set up stalls at FICCI while others are taking part in the IITF currently on in Pragati Madian.
Speaking about the business opportunities, Sadaat Naderi, a businessman in the mining sector, said, “Afghanistan is an untapped market with a wealth of minerals waiting to be exploited.”
According to Mohammad Qurban Haqjo, CEO of ACCI, the Afghan government is supporting any foreign direct or indirect investment, and has recently introduced incentives such as low taxes, free land in industrial parks and no barriers to outflow of business earnings.
Addressing the key question of security, the minister for agriculture in Afghanistan said violence was largely localised to regions outside the cities. He said cities were the focus of businesses and were very peaceful.
“The latest bomb blast in Kabul happened six months after the last,” he said. “This could happen in any country.”
Afghanistan will soon issue multi-entry visas to Indian entreprenaurs, its ambassador to India said Tuesday.
Ambassador Shaida Mohammad Abdali Tuesday said that the process of issuing multiple-entry visa to the Indian business community intending to invest in Afghanistan is likely to be completed shortly to help the country tap the myriad opportunities.
The Afghan envoy was addressing a conference on Doing Business with Afghanistan organised by FICCI and the external affairs ministry.
The ambassador said the transition process in Afghanistan would enable it return to a secure atmosphere in which overseas investments would be well protected.
Assuring Afghanistan that India’s pledge for $2 billion as humanitarian aid was just the beginning of a process to reach out to the provinces and districts of the Afghan people, the government on Monday stressed on the close links and trade ties between the two countries and said India has an “open arms approach” to Afghanistan.
Addressing a conference, external affairs minister Salman Khurshid said Indian business saw big opportunities in Afghanistan’s stability. “We have an open arms approach to Afghanistan, our destinies are interlinked.”
Khurshid was addressing the conference on ‘Doing Business with Afghanistan’ jointly organised by MEA, FICCI, and Afghanistan’s ministry of foreign affairs. The conference was partnered by Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and supported by the Export Promotion Agency of Afghanistan and the Afghanistan Investment Support Agency.
He said India, which has $2 billion worth development projects in Afghanistan, has no exit policy with regard to the country and would stay as long as it was needed. Indian business looked forward to the future gains of Afghanistan becoming the major stepping stone to connect to Central Asia and beyond into Europe, he said.
Afghan Deputy Minister of Trade Mozammel Shinwari said 2015 will be the ‘year of investment’ in Afghanistan. “In 2015, Afghanistan will become a member of the World trade Organisation, there will be a new Government there and political and security transition will have happened. That will be decade of transformation and development,” he said at a conference on ‘Doing business with Afghanistan’, organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and industry chamber FICCI. Inviting Indian industry to invest in Afghanistan, the Minister said there were a number of sectors in which opportunities existed. Terming Afghanistan as the “land of opportunity”, senior Government officials said that agriculture, mining, services including banking, IT and telecommunication, energy, logistics and transportation were all areas in which investment opportunities existed. Besides, products of South Asia, including India, could easily enter Central Asia through Afghanistan, officials said.
Reflecting its commitment to help Afghanistan stand on its feet, New Delhi is hosting a three-day international conference on ‘Doing Business with Afghanistan’ and an exhibition of Afghan products which got under way today.
“We have an open arms approach to Afghanistan, our destinies are inter-linked,” External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said while inaugurating the event today. He said India, which has invested $2 billion in Afghanistan, has no exit policy with regard to Afghanistan and would stay there as long as it was needed.
Afghanistan Finance Minister Hazrat Omar Zakhilwal dismissed ‘doomsday predictions’ about his country’s future after the withdrawal by international troops in 2014 as totally flawed.
“Afghanistan in 2014 and beyond will be more stable, unified and prosperous,” he said, adding one should not compare his country with what it was 10 years ago.
The three-day event includes a high-level interactive ministerial segment, panel discussions on sector-specific issues covering mining, energy, agriculture and food processing, infrastructure, logistics and select services.
Organised by industry body FICCI with the support of both the Indian and Afghan governments, the conference is being attended by ministers, senior government officials, business leaders and academicians.
Representatives of international development and financial institutions and global business associations from 19 countries, are attending the conference. Alongside the conference, an exhibition of made-in-Afghanistan products and structured business-to-business meetings is also being held.
New Delhi will seek to enhance ties with Kuwait in diverse sectors like energy security, trade and investment, during the first-ever visit by a head of the government of the oil-rich country to India in a decade.
Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, who will arrive here on November 7 for a four-day visit, will hold talks during which he will be accompanied by a delegation comprising the deputy prime minister and foreign minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al- Sabah, minister of commerce and industry Anas Al-Khaled and the deputy prime minister and minister of oil Mustafa Al-Shamali. They will hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. A high-level business delegation consisting of CEOs of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) would be also accompanying members of Kuwaiti business chambers, while leading business companies are also part of the delegation.
Kuwait has 12 areas of cooperation with India including in long-term oil export, the fertilisers sector, upstream and downstream activities, and research activities. During the visit, both sides are expected to explore the enhancement of cooperation in energy and other sectors through mutually beneficial investments in oil exploration, refineries, petrochemical complexes and fertiliser plants.
Finance minister P Chidambaram, external affairs minister Salman Khurshid and commerce minister Anand Sharma will call on the Kuwaiti leader.
This visit will be the first head of government-level visit from Kuwait to India since the post of Crown Prince and Prime Minister was bifurcated in the Gulf nation in 2003. “The last high-level visit to Kuwait from India was in 1981 when the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had visited,” said Syed Akbaruddin, official spokesperson of MEA.
Akbaruddin said that Kuwait is amongst India’s largest suppliers of oil. “We import something in the vicinity of 10-12% of our oil imports. The total bilateral trade between Kuwait and India is around $17 billion dollars, of which $15 billion is oil,” he said. “We have a very large Indian community in Kuwait, it is the largest expatriate community there, about 700,000 people strong,” he added.
Terming the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber as extremely significant, Kuwaiti ambassador to India Sami Al-Sulaiman said the visit would provide the opportunity for both countries to discuss their bilateral diplomatic and economic relations threadbare. Sheikh Jaber will also attend a business luncheon meeting jointly organised by the three chambers FICCI, CII and ASSOCHAM.
During the visit of a Kuwaiti minister here in March, India had offered the country a stake in state-owned ONGC’s R21,396-crore petrochemical plant at Dahej in Gujarat and in IOC’s proposed chemical unit at Paradip.
The leader would explore options to invest in the infrastructure sector. “We would be joining the Mumbai-Delhi industrial corridor of India,” said the envoy of Kuwait.
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) is organising a two-day visit of an Indian business delegation to Kuwait from tomorrow.
A 23-member delegation will visit the oil-rich Gulf country from October 29-30, Indian Embassy in Kuwait has said.
The delegation will be led by Hiten Haresh Bhuta, CEO, CGS Infotech Ltd. It will interact with the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Kuwaiti business community on Tuesday (October 29).
A business-to-business (B2B) meet is also being organised by FICCI on the same day.
The B2B meeting would provide an excellent opportunity to meet the Indian manufacturers and exporters in a variety of fields, including heavy fabrication/ technological structures and engineering products, food processing machines, manufacturers of PVC pipes, wires and cables, and turnkey solutions for pharma, the Embassy said.
The other fields include healthcare, oil and gas, food and beverage, electrical and telecommunication, stainless steel fabrication, medical equipment, building and construction materials, civil engineering products and test equipment, real estate, logistics service provider to engineering industry and IT logistics, sports equipment, sandstone and limestone, it said.
Egypt is keen to double its trade with India to more than $10 billion from the current level of $5.4 billion. “The trade surge between India and Egypt pushes us to set up more ambitious goal of doubling this volume within the coming few years,” Egypt President Mohamed Morsy said at an event organised by industry bodies, FICCI, CII and ASSOCHAM in the capital on Wednesday. Morsy invited Indian companies to invest in areas such as business services, transport, industry, tourism, finance, banking services and capital markets.
Union Minister for Commerce, Industry and Textiles Anand Sharma also attended the India-Egypt Forum and said, “I will urge Indian companies to look at Egypt more seriously and invest in various sectors. Indian companies can also partner with Egyptian firms in sectors like infrastructure, biotechnology, energy and pharmaceuticals,” Sharma said.
The Egyptian President, who is on a four-day trip to India, said, “I would like to invite Indian companies, businessmen and investors to take advantage of the promising opportunities Egypt offers and to assure that we will provide all required facilities and create the most inducting atmosphere for investment and business practice...One of our main focus is on attracting foreign direct investment. Both countries can co-operate in areas like ICT, space science, energy, agriculture and nano-technology,” Morsy said.
Indian companies including Aditya Birla group, Dabur and Kirloskar have invested about $2.5 billion in Egypt till now.
Morsy also added that the country was looking at Indian companies to set up free economic zones to boost trade and investment. “We believe that great potentials for cooperation with our partners in the countries of the south, especially India, do exist due to its huge industrial capabilities and resounding success story in the development of SMEs and technology and software industries,” Morsy said.
Six MoUs were signed between companies from both nations.
Egypt wants to double its trade with India in the next few years from the current $5.4 billion and has invited more investments from the country in areas such as energy, agriculture, bio-technology and information technology.
Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy, in an interaction with Indian industry here, promised investors all the required facilities and a conducive investment environment in his country.
“One of our focus areas is attracting foreign direct investment.
Both countries can cooperate in areas like ICT, space science, energy, agriculture and nano technology,” Morsy said at an event organised by industry chambers FICCI, CII and Assocham on Wednesday.
The Egyptian President is on a four-day visit to India and is heading a high-level delegation comprising key ministers and business leaders.
The trade surge between India and Egypt has emboldened the Government to set up more ambitious goal of doubling this volume within the coming few years, Morsy said, adding that his country could start importing grains from India.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the event, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said India was in talks with Egypt for exporting wheat, but the terms were yet to be decided.
Sharma said at the event that he would urge Indian companies to look at Egypt more seriously and invest in various sectors.
“Indian companies can also partner with Egyptian firms in sectors like infrastructure, biotechnology, energy and pharmaceuticals,” he said.
Egypt on Wednesday said it aims to double its trade with India in the next few years from the current level of $5.4 billion and is mulling buying wheat from the subcontinent.
Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy said his country needs more grains which could be exported by India. Morsy, who is heading a high-level delegation of ministers and business leaders, is on a four-day visit to India which started on March 18.
India has been offering wheat from government warehouses to cut down surplus stocks and reduce the risk of wastage through damage by pests or weather. The government intends to export 45 lakh tonne of the grain by June this year of which 25.58 lakh tonne have already been exported.
“The trade surge between India and Egypt pushes us to set up the more ambitious goal of doubling this volume within the coming few years,” Morsy said at an event organised by industry chambers CII, FICCI and Assocham.
Inviting investments in various sectors like energy, biotechnology and nanotechnology, he said: “I would like to invite Indian companies, businessmen and investors to take advantage of the promising opportunities Egypt offers and to assure that we will provide all required facilities and create the most inducting atmosphere for investment and business practice.”
Till now, about 50 Indian companies, including Aditya Birla, Dabur and Kirloskar, have invested about $2.5 billion in Egypt.
Morsy said Egypt's location, as a bridge between Asia and Africa, is a major global trade route and combined with its skilled human resources makes it an attractive business destination for India.
Besides, the African country is looking at setting up of free economic zones by Indian companies to trade and promote its projects in the country and neighbouring ones.
Meanwhile, six MoUs were signed between Indian and Egyptian companies for exploring ways to promote ties to the level of strategic partnership.
The six agreements included an MoU in the field of plastics for setting up of a Plastic Park at Port in Egypt, cooperation in the field of engineering and vocational training and partnering for enhancement of financial and non-financial service for MSMEs in Egypt.
Seeking Indian investments in energy, biotechnology and nanotechnology and cooperation in agriculture and space, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy, on Wednesday, pushed for an ambitious goal of doubling trade with India in the next few years from the current level of $5.4 billion.
“The trade surge between India and Egypt pushes us to set up more ambitious goal of doubling this volume within the coming few years. Egypt needs more grains and these could be exported by India,” Mr. Morsy said at a function organised jointly by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) here. The Egyptian President is on a four-day visit to India.
“I would like to invite Indian companies, businessmen and investors to take advantage of the promising opportunities Egypt offers and to assure that we will provide all required facilities and create the most inducting atmosphere for investment and business practice. One of our main focus areas is on attracting foreign direct investment. Both countries can co-operate in areas such as ICT, space science, energy, agriculture and nanotechnology,’’ he said.
He said Egypt was an attractive destination for India as it could act as a bridge between Asia and Africa. Till now, about 50 Indian companies, including Aditya Birla, Dabur and Kirloskar, had invested about $2.5 billion in Egypt.
Free economic zones
“Egypt is looking into setting up of free economic zones by Indian companies to trade and promote its projects in the country and neighbouring ones,” he said.
Commerce and Industry MinisterAnand Sharma said he would urge Indian companies to look at Egypt more seriously and invest in various sectors. “Indian companies can also partner Egyptian firms in sectors such as infrastructure, biotechnology, energy and pharmaceuticals,’’ he added.
Meanwhile, six memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed between Indian and Egyptian companies for exploring ways to promote ties to the level of strategic partnership. The six agreements signed included MoUs in the field of plastics, for setting up of a Plastic Park at Port in Egypt, co-operation in the field of engineering and vocational training and partnering for enhancement of financial and non-financial service for MSMEs (micro small and medium enterprises) in Egypt.
Saudi Arabia today invited Indian companies to invest in various sectors including IT and telecom, electricity, agriculture, education and tourism.
“I invite Indian industrialists to take advantage of opportunities available in Saudi Arabia. We can do more, there are so many areas wherein you can invest,” Saud M Al Sati, Saudi Arabian Ambassador to India said at a FICCI function here.
The two countries should engage in more business and trade by cashing in on the opportunities provided by the growth prospects, he said.
“Also, we offer conducive business environment along with a number of incentives for investors,” he added.
Saudi-India Joint Business Council (JBC) Chairman, Abdulrahman Al Rabiah said the $400 million-odd investment by big Indian companies was insignificant compared with its potential.
There is a lot of room for Indian companies with their high technology and experience to share in development of Saudi Arabia, he added.
Further, Saudi Arabian Ambassador said there is a need for Saudi and Indian companies to engage more with each other and build long-term business partnerships.
Rabiah said Saudi Arabia offers a $624 billion investment opportunity in various sectors like infrastructure, petrochemicals, electricity production, telecom and IT, tourism, natural gas production, agriculture and education.
He said the governments of the two countries have done their job of facilitating two-way business engagements. “Yet, the results in terms of business exchanges are not to the level we would like to see.”
During 2011-12, the two-way trade between the two nations stood at about $37 billion. However, the trade surplus is in favour of Saudi Arabia because of huge crude oil exports to India.
India’s exports to Saudi Arabia include mineral fuels, cereals, steel, iron ore and organic chemicals, while imports comprise crude oil, plastics and its articles, fertilisers, aluminium and leather.
Saudi Arabia is offering a $ 624 billion investment opportunity in physical infrastructure, petrochemicals, electricity production, water desalination, telecom & IT, tourism, natural gas production, agriculture expansion and education and training, Chairperson of Saudi- India Joint Business Council Abdulrahman Al Rabiah said in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Addressing the 5th India-Saudi Arabia Joint Business Council meeting organized by FICCI, Al Rabiah said, “The governments of the two countries have done their job of facilitating two-way business engagements. Our relations with India go back to hundreds of years. Yet, the results in terms of business exchanges are not to the level we would like to see.”
Al Rabiah, who is leading a high-power business delegation in India from sectors such as fertilizers, pharma, housing and power, exhorted Indian companies to take advantage of the growth opportunities.
Saudi Arabia is the youngest nation in the world ( 67 per cent of Saudis are below the age of 27) which would need schools, hospitals, industries to meet their growing aspirations.”
"There is a lot of room for Indian companies with their high technology and experience to share in the development of Saudi Arabia, he said. He said that between 2000 and 2012, investments by Saudi companies in India were a mere US$ 40 billion.
India and UAE have in-principle agreed to ink Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement to boost the two-way trade, and allocate USD 2 billion for investments in infrastructure projects and in establishing strategic oil reserve in the South Asian nation.
These issues were discussed during a meeting between visiting Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan here.
"We talked about the need to have an investment protection agreement. We have in-principle agreed for that and it will be expeditiously concluded," Sharma told reporters after the meeting.
The Minister, who is heading a FICCI delegation, is here in connection with the inaugural meeting of the UAE-India High Level Task Force on Investments.
A joint statement issued later said the meeting of the Task Force on Investments focused on wide-ranging issues with a view to increasing the bilateral trade and investment and expeditious conclusion of BIPA.
Noting that the UAE business community raised issues and concerns related with their past investments, Sharma said, "I have assured them that within the limit of our laws, India will protect the investments."
The statement said assistance and support of governments would be extended for expediting the resolution of issues associated with existing investments and opportunities for new cross-border investments across a range of sectors.
UAE-based Etisalat had invested in Indian telecom venture Etisalat-DB but had to exit the country after the Supreme Court cancelled 122 linceces, including those of Etisalat-DB.
To boost investments, the statement said, it was also decided that working groups would be set up to strengthen bilateral relations and "allocate USD 2 billion for investments in infrastructure projects in India and support the establishment of a strategic oil reserve in India".
India and UAE have in-principle agreed to ink Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement to boost the two-way trade, and allocate $2 billion for investments in infrastructure projects and in establishing strategic oil reserve in the South Asian nation.
These issues were discussed during a meeting between visiting Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan here.
"We talked about the need to have an investment protection agreement. We have in-principle agreed for that and it will be expeditiously concluded," Sharma told reporters after the meeting.
The Minister, who is heading a FICCI delegation, is here in connection with the inaugural meeting of the UAE–India High Level Task Force on Investments.
A joint statement issued later said the meeting of the Task Force on Investments focused on wide-ranging issues with a view to increasing the bilateral trade and investment and expeditious conclusion of BIPA.
Noting that the UAE business community raised issues and concerns related with their past investments, Sharma said, "I have assured them that within the limit of our laws, India will protect the investments."
The statement said assistance and support of governments would be extended for expediting the resolution of issues associated with existing investments and opportunities for new cross-border investments across a range of sectors.
UAE-based Etisalat had invested in Indian telecom venture Etisalat-DB but had to exit the country after the Supreme Court cancelled 122 linceces, including those of Etisalat-DB.
To boost investments, the statement said, it was also decided that working groups would be set up to strengthen bilateral relations and "allocate USD 2 billion for investments in infrastructure projects in India and support the establishment of a strategic oil reserve in India".
A joint venture brokerage firm promoted by Geojit BNP Paribas Financial Services, Qurum Business Group (QBG) and National Securities, will start operation this month for stock broking and product distribution services for non-resident Indians (NRIs) in Oman.
The new company -” QBG Geojit -” has already received permission from Oman's market watchdog Capital Market Authority (CMA) for facilitating NRI investors in accessing Indian capital markets. "This is the first company to get CMA permission for selling foreign securities in Oman,- said a source at Qurum Business Group. QBG Geojit will mainly target NRI investors to invest in Indian equities and mutual fund schemes.
"We are facilitating trading of equities, mutual funds and other financial products listed on Indian stock markets. It will be predominantly Indian securities,- the source said, adding; "However, it can be from other markets (or products) like dollar-dominated funds.-
The official, who does not want to be named, said that Qurum Business Group already has securities business, with an established customer base. This business is now going to be shifted to the joint venture entity.
The official also said that the new joint venture will facilitate online stock trading, which is linked to the NRI client's portfolio investment scheme (PIS) deposit. Also, there is no minimum deposit requirement as the company will be authorised to credit and debit money from PIS accounts as and when NRIs carry out share trading.
It appears that Geojit will use its qualified depository participant (QDP) approval to cater to the investment needs of Indians living in Oman. Geojit BNP Paribas is a key partner in the Oman joint venture, by providing their expertise and new technology platforms.
Geojit BNP Paribas derives over 8 per cent to 10 per cent of its broking revenues from Gulf-based investors. It has over 600,000 clients and a network of 565 offices and managed assets worth Rs126 billion. Geojit also has partnerships with Al Saud Group in the UAE and Al Johar Group in Saudi Arabia.
QBG Geojit is 51 per cent owned by Geojit, 29 per cent by Qurum Business Group and 20 per cent by National Securities.
Members of an Indian investment delegation last June, said that NRIs and Omani nationals can take advantage of the newly introduced liberal investment norms of Indian government through the qualified foreign investors' route.
Any resident from the GCC countries can now directly invest in Indian equity, mutual funds, and debt markets as qualified foreign investors (QFIs). India is projected to be one of the fastest growing major economies in the world and the country's key strengths include the strong and stable growth prospects supported by a high savings and investment ratios coupled with a robust domestic demand, high degree of political stability, strong institutions, deep capital markets and a strong and competitive private sector.
Also, the yield in India's capital market is attractive in the range of 8 per cent to 9 per cent.
QFIs can invest in primary issues, secondary market, rights issue, receive bonus shares and participate in buy-back/open offer under takeover.
The Oman joint venture firm is 51 per cent owned by Geojit, 29 per cent by Qurum Business Group and 20 per cent by National Securities.
With a large number of migrants from the state working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the oil-rich country wants to set up its consulate in the city, second in the country after Mumbai.
Highly-placed sources in the General Administration Department (GAD) told STOI that officials of the state government and diplomats from Saudi Arabia were working out the details. The government has welcomed Saudi Arabia's proposal to set up its consulate in the city and has offered to allot necessary land to build their offices.
So far, five countries -- the Unites States of America (USA), the Islamic Republic of Iran, the United Kingdom, Turkey and Russia -- have their consulates in the city. The state government wants to create a 'Diplomatic Enclave' in the city where consulates of various countries could be located, sources said.
Saudi Arabia wants to set up its consulate office in the city as a large number of workers from the state, particularly Telangana region, work in private companies in the Arab state. "Though workers from Kurnool, Krishna, East Godavari and West Godavari districts also head to the Islamic state, migration from Telangana districts is high," sources said. If all goes well, Saudi Arabia would open its consulate in the city by 2013.
National Bank of Oman has joined hands with India's Reliance Wealth Management(RWM) to provide RWM's investment products to NBO customers, according to media reports.
The agreement was signed by NBO's General Manager (Retail, Private and Overseas Banking Group) Harsh Munjal and Reliance Securities Executive Director Vikrant Gurnani.
The alliance between NBO and RWM focuses on building 'tailor-made' investment product portfolios for NBO's private banking customers.
Reliance brings in its local expertise in managing India specific investments, while NBO brings the onshore support platform to facilitate client investments, the reports said.
NBO believes the next stage of expansion is to develop its reach beyond basic banking.
NBO's Head of Private Banking and Sadara Wealth Management Moosa Al-Jadidi said, "We are delighted to join hands with Reliance Wealth Management and thereby extend the portfolio of services for our esteemed customers."
RWM is part of Reliance Capital. The various financial services under Reliance Capital include life insurance, general insurance, asset management, institutional and retail brokering, housing and consumer finance, investment banking and wealth management.
Bank of Baroda, a leading Indian bank will be opening three more branches in the Sultanate of Oman by this year end, according to the senior officials.
“We are trying to expand our branch network and increase our reach across the GCC and Oman is one of the countries with fast growing branch network. Our Sohar branch is a major step towards our goal of maximum reachability”, MD Mallya, Chairman and Managing Director, Bank of Baroda told the Observer, adding, “We are exploring the possibilities of opening branches at centres like Nizwa, Duqm in the near future”.
In Oman the bank has four branches at present, one in Ruwi, one in Muttrah, another one in Salalah, and the latest one in Sohar.
Bank of Baroda is one of the India’s best public sector banks which have doubled its business in the last three years. The bank has been awarded as being the best public sector bank in India for the year 2012 apart from achieving many other important awards. The bank currently boasts of 3973 branches in India and 95 overseas offices. Present in Oman since 1976, the Sohar branch is the 96th overseas office of the Bank.
“We are accepting deposits from the customs through various deposit schemes like saving bank account, current account, fixed deposits. We also provide finance to both retail and corporate customers and are providing personal loan, car loan to individuals and to corporate customers we are financing in the form of overdraft, cash credit trust receipt, bills purchase and bills discounting. We are also offering trade finance related services like LC, and BG”, Mallya further said.
In an effort to offer value-added benefits, the BoB team in Oman will be providing the customers with deposits and loans related to personal, tourism, construction, services and manufacturing sector. additionally, the bank will introduce both transaction and remittance through mobile and ATM, payment of utility bill by ATM/Mobile/ Prepaid cards by tie-up arrangements, and introduction of debit card by affiliating with Visa and Master Cards.
Along with MD Mallya, VH Thatte, General Manager — International Operations, and KV Ramamoorthy, Chief Executive — GCC Operations were also present.
The 18-member business delegation of FICCI from India to Qatar received an overwhelming response from over 105 local companies. They discussed and exchanged valuable ideas and information about possible joint ventures. Indian is looking forward to play a significant role in Qatar's development story, the organisers said yesterday.
The two-day visit (September 8-9) of the delegation, that concluded yesterday, was organised by Indian Business and Professional Network (IBPN) working under the aegis of Indian Embassy in Doha, Qatar.
Indian Ambassador-Designate Sanjiv Arora addressed and interacted with the delegates at a dinner reception hosted by the IBPN at Radisson Blu on Saturday. Also present at the reception were P S Sasi Kumar, First Secretary at Indian Embassy; Dr R Seetharaman, Group CEO of Doha Bank; Azim Abbas, President of IBPN, and Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Obaidly, Board Member and Secretary General-Busniess Council at Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( QCCI ).
"We received more than expected response from Qatari companies and businesses. The response was so overwhelming that we had to cancel the lunch break, and the meeting continued from 9.30am to 6.30pm", Hiten Bhuta, CEO of CGS Infotech Ltd. and the head of the FICCI delegation to Qatar, told The Peninsula on the sidelines of the reception.
The delegation consisted of representatives from 16 leading Indian companies from various sectors, ranging from software, real estate, plastics, chemicals, waste water treatment and companies dealing in innovative technologies. They were here to discuss strategic partnership with potential Qatari companies.
The Indian business delegates also met with a Qatari delegation lead by senior officials of the QCCI and Qatari companies. Bhuta termed the meeting as a "great success", and assured that there will be "quick follow up" of the developments from the visit.
"About 105 local companies came to meet the Indian business delegation. Among them many were American, Turkish and Lebanese companies. We had a scheduled break for lunch from 1.30pm to 4.30pm, but due to huge response from Qatari companies, we had to cancel the lunch break and successfully accommodate all the respondents," said Abbas.
The ambassador-designate in his address said that about a year ago, we had another visiting FICCI delegation from India, and members conducted series of meeting with their Qatari counterparts and discussed issues of mutual interests. India sees a "much heightened" role to play in Qatar.
"We are all here with a view to expand business collaboration between India and Qatar. India, the fourth largest economy in the world (in PPP terms), shares strong relationship with Qatar, and we see a vivid idea of business opportunities. In today's globalised world there are opportunities far beyond bilateral relationship; it can be trilateral, quadrilateral or even multilateral," said Arora. He expressed his strong desire to work with the Qatari community closely to further strengthen the mutual ties.
R Seetharaman, in his speech, gave a detailed account of the outlook of Qatar economy, highlighting strong macroeconomic fundamentals. He also discussed the country's National Vision 2030 and investment opportunities in the wake of 2022 FIFA World Cup.
India sees a “much heightened” role or presence of Qatari companies in the country as Asia’s third largest economy embarks on a major infrastructure upgrade that calls for an investment in excess of $1tn over the next seven to 10 years.
This was emphasised by Indian ambassador-designate Sanjiv Arora while addressing a reception hosted in honour of a visiting Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) delegation at the Radisson Blu last night.
In India’s infrastructure sector alone “huge quantum” of investments is required to meet the country’s targets on power, roads, ports, airports and telecom, Arora said. Although concerns and questions are often raised about the “relative slowdown” of the Indian economy, the ambassador-designate said the country with 1.2bn people has “vast competencies and resources”.
“India has more than 70% of the population below 35. And clearly, there is an increasing level of education besides growing income levels and an emerging middle class. India’s other advantages are a really predictable and stable business environment and a strong judicial system,” Arora said.
He said the economic momentum gathered by India since its ambitious economic liberalisation programme in 1991 provides “real opportunities” for growth, trade and investments.
“Even when you talk about sluggish times, a GDP growth rate of about 7% achieved by India is really handsome; although we are concerned because we had more than 9% growth in three years in the recent past. In India, our objective is to enter the double digit trajectory in the coming years. India is a huge market- the fourth largest in the world in purchasing parity terms,” Arora said.
“India is among the largest knowledge economies in the world, and Qatar I understand, is a very strong and emerging knowledge economy. That’s a very strong commonality,” he said.
The Indian ambassador-designate also expressed his desire to work closely with the Qatari community, QIA and QCCI to strengthen the “already strong and close ties” between the two countries.
Arora said Qatar will witness more rapid growth of development as it gets ready to host the Fifa World Cup 2022 and urged Indian companies to make the best use of the opportunities available. The Indian embassy and professional bodies such as the Indian Business & Professional Network (IBPN) would provide all assistance to Indian companies in this regard.
Doha Bank Group CEO Dr R Seetharaman spoke about Qatar’s “strong economic fundamentals” in terms of macroeconomic terms – current account, fiscal and investible surplus. Qatar is one of the most competitive economies in the world. It has got huge hydrocarbon resources with economic diversification as the key.
Qatar National Vision 2030 aims to build a knowledge-based economy. The country has got political and economic stability. Huge investments-with $130bn targeted at the Fifa World Cup 2022 alone are planned.
“Clearly, there are huge opportunities in Qatar, which is among the best performing in the world currently,” Seetharaman said.
In his remarks, Hiten Haresh Bhuta, head of FICCI delegation and chief executive of the Mumbai-based CGS Infotech, said the 16 companies represented in the delegation are all firms with innovative technologies in a range of sectors such as farm products, healthcare, infrastructure development, real estate and construction, IT, transport, chemicals and petrochemicals, financial services and commodities.
He also said India is a success story notwithstanding the slowing economic conditions throughout the world.
The FICCI delegation would meet officials of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) this morning.
IBPN president Azim Abbas also spoke.
A number of Indian companies are planning to set up operations in Freezone Sohar to target regional markets, while many others have evinced interest in forming partnerships with Omani companies.
The Indian companies, part of a business delegation on a visit to the sultanate, expressed their interest at a seminar and business-to-business meeting organised by Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) on Wednesday.
The delegation's three-day visit, organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), coincided with Indian Trade Fair.
KLJ Resources Limited, a New Delhi-based company of India’s diversified KLJ Group, will invest US$30mn to set up a chemical plant in Freezone Sohar.
Speaking to Muscat Daily, Prem Prakash Soni, vice president (projects) at KLJ Resources, said that the company will sign an agreement with Freezone Sohar by the end of this month.
He said, “We were interested in 100 per cent ownership and free imports-exports, and Freezone Sohar with its suitable location provides all these incentives. The raw materials for our chemical plant are all liquid-based and the infrastructure in Sohar is well-suited.”
“The capacity of our plant in the first phase will be 100,000 metric tonnes (MT) per year. But we will initiate the second phase immediately after the first and capacity will be expanded to 300,000MT.
“We will import liquid raw material and produce different fractions of it which are used in different industries as base material. We will export to regional markets and to India and Sohar is the most suitable location for operations,” Soni added.
J B Krishna Murthy, general manager of New Delhi-based AI Metals Pvt Ltd, said that his company is planning to set up a recycling plant for plastic granules in Freezone Sohar.
“We are determined to set up a recycling plant in Oman and Freezone Sohar is our first preference. We will import scrap from all the GCC countries and all recycled products will be exported. We are planning an initial capacity of between 500-700MT per month.”
Cords Cable Industries Ltd, an Indian manufacturer of instrumentation and power cables, has also shown interest to set up a stocking facility and manufacturing unit to cater to the good demand of its products in the GCC.
Varun Sawhney, vice president (marketing) at Cords Cable, said, “We have plans to cover the entire GCC market by setting up a manufacturing unit for instrumentation cables here. But we are looking for a suitable local partner to set up a joint venture. We have done a lot of work in the GCC for steel factories, desalination plants and refineries.”
Last year, India-based Indsil Group along with its joint venture partner Muscat Overseas Group had signed an agreement with Freezone Sohar to set up four ferrochrome smelters with an annual capacity of 150,000 tonnes. Vandana Global Ltd, an Indian manufacturer of steel and ferro alloy, has also shown interest in setting up a ferro-chrome plant in Freezone Sohar.
The visiting head of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) delegation said that India foresees tremendous potential to enhance bilateral trade with Oman in a range of sectors.
Making opening remarks at an interactive session between the FICCI delegation and the local businessmen at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry yesterday, Hiten Haresh Bhuta, head of FICCI delegation and chief executive of the Mumbai-based CGS Infotech, asserted that India is a success story notwithstanding the slowing economic conditions throughout the world and the country is getting younger and younger as Indian entrepreneurs are performing well.
"India is a place to look for new opportunities in growth and development. The Government of India is introducing policies that are favourable for entrepreneurs. New areas of business are emerging and thus there is an opportunity for both the countries to elevate the partnership and strengthen bilateral trade and investment,- he explained.
Technology transfer, JVs
R. K. Ojha, a senior official from India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry, stated that there is a need to step up efforts to further increase the trade between India and the Sultanate, which has recorded at $5 billion.
The 24-strong FICCI trade delegation is in currently in Oman to explore opportunities for trade, distributorship, joint ventures and technology transfer.
The team comprises highly specialised companies that drew on India's rich seam of construction, real estate, manufacturing, industrial needs, IT, plywood, minerals, food, engineering, high-tech services among others.
J. B. Krishna Murthy, general manager of A.I. Metals, which is into manufacturing of granules, said his company would be interested in opening a factory in any free zone of Oman. Vedant Jatia, director of Modern India, said his focus would be to supply building infrastructure and construction material.
While Shaju Peter, managing director of Daftech Engineering made an appeal for business entities that would represent the company in Oman for industrial waste water treatment facility.
Quality cables
Varun Sawhney, vice-president (Marketing and Human Resources) of Cords Cable Industries, said, "We have already implemented some works for PDO here. We are looking for a partner to set up a facility in Oman to produce good quality cables.-
Prem Prakash Soni, vice-president (projects), KLJ Organics, shared the information that his company is endeavouring to put up a desalination of crude oil plant in Sohar.
Dr Jayaraj Kumar talked about a medical diagnostic damage detection device which will be a great boon to diabetics as it can detect hidden possibilities of any lurking danger due to diabetes. He said he is looking for distributorship for Oman market.
A 20-MEMBER business delegation of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) will visit Qatar on September 8, according to an Indian embassy press release in Doha on Thursday.
The delegation, to be led by Hiten Haresh Bhuta, chief executive officer of CGS Infotech Ltd, will include senior officials of companies representing a wide range of sectors including agricultural products; healthcare; education and training; infrastructure development; engineering; real estate and construction; transport; chemicals and petrochemicals; information technology; financial services; and commodities.
The two-day programme of the delegation is being coordinated by the Indian embassy with the active support of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) and the Indian Business and Professional Network (IBPN).
During its Doha stay, the FICCI delegates would interact with local companies in an effort to develop and expand business relations in various sectors.
The QCCI will organise a business event to promote wider interaction on Sunday at its premises beginning at 11 am.
An earlier FICCI business delegation had visited Qatar in September last year.
The visit of FICCI business mission is taking place in the context of the vast potential and enhanced interest on both sides to further expand business partnerships.
The Indo-Qatari trade relations have been on an upswing.
The FICCI is India’s oldest and largest apex trade and industry body, with over 250,000 members and a widespread global representation.
FICCI had last sent a business mission to the State of Qatar in September, 2011 with positive outcome for both sides.
The members of the FICCI business delegation will be available for meetings at Hotel Radisson Blu from 10.30 am on 8 Sunday
The favourable business environment prevailing in Qatar should be utilised by Indian companies, India's ambassador-designate to Qatar Sanjiv Arora has said.
"The favourable business environment prevailing in Qatar should be utilised by Indian companies," he said, while giving details of the proposed two-day visit of a FICCI delegation, according to a report by a local newspaper.
The visit is being co-ordinated by the Indian embassy in association with the Qatar Chamber and Indian Business and Professional Network (IBPN), it added.
The diplomat praised IBPN's initiatives to boost trade between the two countries, adding that it played host to a large trade team of 16 leading business groups from India in less than a year.
The FICCI team is scheduled to visit Doha on September 8 and 9, it said.
The team, led by Hitesh Bhuta, CEO of CGC Infotech Ltd, will interact with local firms and try to expand businesses in various sectors.
It will include members representing sectors like agricultural products, healthcare, education and training, infrastructure development, engineering, real estate and construction, transport, chemicals and petrochemicals, information technology, financial services and commodities.
Indian ambassador-designate to Qatar Sanjiv Arora has called on Indian entrepreneurs to avail of the existing and emerging opportunities in a vibrant economy like Qatar in the coming years.
The envoy said this while informing a group of journalists on the proposed two-day visit of a Federation of Indian Chamber and Commerce (FICCI) delegation, being co-ordinated by the Indian embassy in association with the Qatar Chamber and Indian Business and Professional Network (IBPN).
While hailing the efforts being made by Indian businesses to give a push to the products and services from India in the country, Arora said the favourable environs prevailing in the country should be utilised to the hilt by Indian companies in future.
The IBPN’s initiatives, especially in the last one year, to boost trade between the two countries came in for praise from the diplomat. He recalled that it is admirable on its part to play host to a large trade team of 16 leading business groups from India in less than a year.
At the meeting it was announced that a FICCI team, consisting of representatives of the Indian trade and industry will be in Doha on September 8 and 9.
It is led by Hitesh Bhuta, CEO of CGC Infotech Ltd, a major IT company. The team includes members representing sectors like agricultural products, healthcare, education and training, infrastructure development, engineering, real estate and construction, transport, chemicals and petrochemicals, information technology, financial services and commodities.
The team will have interaction with local firms with a view to develop and expand business in various sectors. Members will be available for one-to-one meetings at Hotel Radisson Blu between 10.30am and 12.30pm and later between 4pm and 6.30 pm.
Besides ICBF president Azeem Abbas, First secretary (Commercial) of the Indian embassy P S Sasi Kumar and Second secretary Suman Sharma were also present at the briefing.
Indian ambassador-designate to Qatar Sanjiv Arora has called on Indian entrepreneurs to avail of the existing and emerging opportunities in a vibrant economy like Qatar in the coming years.
The envoy said this while informing a group of journalists on the proposed two-day visit of a Federation of Indian Chamber and Commerce (FICCI) delegation, being co-ordinated by the Indian embassy in association with the Qatar Chamber and Indian Business and Professional Network (IBPN).
While hailing the efforts being made by Indian businesses to give a push to the products and services from India in the country, Arora said the favourable environs prevailing in the country should be utilised to the hilt by Indian companies in future.
The IBPN’s initiatives, especially in the last one year, to boost trade between the two countries came in for praise from the diplomat. He recalled that it is admirable on its part to play host to a large trade team of 16 leading business groups from India in less than a year.
At the meeting it was announced that a FICCI team, consisting of representatives of the Indian trade and industry will be in Doha on September 8 and 9.
It is led by Hitesh Bhuta, CEO of CGC Infotech Ltd, a major IT company. The team includes members representing sectors like agricultural products, healthcare, education and training, infrastructure development, engineering, real estate and construction, transport, chemicals and petrochemicals, information technology, financial services and commodities.
The team will have interaction with local firms with a view to develop and expand business in various sectors. Members will be available for one-to-one meetings at Hotel Radisson Blu between 10.30am and 12.30pm and later between 4pm and 6.30 pm.
Besides ICBF president Azeem Abbas, First secretary (Commercial) of the Indian embassy P S Sasi Kumar and Second secretary Suman Sharma were also present at the briefing.
INDEXPO Muscat 2012 will be held from September 4-6 at the Oman International Exhibition Center (OIEC) in which as many as 70 Indian business organisations will participate.
Silvar Star Corporation is organising the fifth edition of the exclusive Indian trade fair with the active support of India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO), Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), All India Association of Industries (AIAI), Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and many other Indian trade bodies.
Announcing the event at a press conference on Monday, H E J S Mukul, Indian Ambassador to Oman, said that the trade fair will involve over a hundred Indian businessmen as part of delegations anchored by FICCI and FIEO and sector-specific delegations by various specialised bodies.
“The exhibition will provide an excellent platform for exploring new business opportunities and collaborations. It will promote bilateral trade relations between India and Oman and offers a perfect gateway to reach the highly potential Oman market.”
“It is a major multi-product Indian exhibition to project India of 21st century and to showcase export capabilities and technological advancement of the country and to explore possibilities for strategic tie ups and joint ventures with GCC,” he added.
A seminar and B2B meetings will also be held on September 5 at the OCCI premises to coincide with the INDEXPO exhibition.
The event will be inaugurated by H E Ahmed bin Sulaiman bin Saleh al Maimani, Undersecretary for administrative and financial affairs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, on September 4.
Saudi Arabia on Wednesday urged India to liberalize visa rules to help tap trade opportunities between the two countries.
“We are eager to do more trade with India. Huge potential is present in both the nations as both are emerging economies,” Saudi Arabian commerce and industry minister Tawfeeq Bin Fouzan Al Rabea said at a meeting organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi.
The minister, who is leading a 35-member business delegation, listed infrastructure, information technology and education as areas holding the potential for deepening business interaction.
Al Rabea urged India to relax visa norms.
“What I heard from some of our colleagues is that they get only one month single-entry visa (from the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia),” he said, pointing out that Indian nationals are eligible for a one-year multiple entry visa to the Gulf nation.
Al Rabea’s visit and comments follow media reports that countries in the Gulf region—notably Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait—are keen to invest in Indian infrastructure projects.
With the euro zone in crisis and economic uncertainty in the US, India has become one of the top investment destinations for Gulf nations, according to Charan Wadhva, economist at the Centre for Policy Research thinktank in New Delhi.
“Previously Saudi investments were parked mainly in the US and Europe,” said Wadhwa. “We are in trouble (economically) but among the existing choices for investment, India presents a viable option given that India’s long-term fundamentals are attractive.”
Besides being one of energy- deficient India’s key sources of crude, accounting for almost 25% of imports according to commerce ministry figures, Saudi Arabia is home to a large expatriate Indian community numbering almost two million.
Both countries have been looking for opportunities to expand their trade basket, which comprises petroleum products, basmati rice, machinery, organic chemicals, artificial resin, plastic, metaliferrous ores and metal scrap.
Bilateral trade between the two nations has gone up from $16 billion in 2006-07 to $25 billion in 2010-11.
“Our bilateral trade is increasing and I see this growth continuing and more potential for co-operation and trade,” the Saudi minister added.
“India invites Saudi Arabia to invest in Indian petroleum- and gas-based mega industrial estates, fertilizers and petrochemical plants, refineries, etc.,” a statement from the commerce ministry said.
Saudi Arabia Wednesday said there is a huge potential for stepped up economic engagement with India in view of the growing uncertainties in Europe and the US, and called for a liberal visa regime for businessmen for increased trade and investment.
“There is a great potential to increase bilateral trade. There is need for more economic cooperation,” the kingdom's Commerce and Industry Minister Tawfeeq bin Fouzan Al Rabiah said here.
Al Rabiah invited Indian companies to invest in his country which, according to him, would offer opportunities of $625 billion by 2020.
Al Rabiah, who is leading a 35-member business delegation to India, said bilateral trade had risen five times in the last 10 years.
“There is a big jump in our trade. It increased to over $25 billion last year from around $5 billion 10 years ago. But I see huge potential to increase it further,” Al Rabiah said on the sidelines of the fourth India-Saudi Arabia Business Council meeting organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
Two-way trade between India and Saudi Arabia was $25.61 billion in 2010-11. The balance of trade is tilted in favour of Saudi Arabia as India imports huge quantities of oil and petrochemical products.
India imports almost 23 percent of its crude oil requirements from Saudi Arabia. The country imported goods worth $20.38 billion in 2010-11, but its exports were a mere $5.22 billion.
The visiting minister held talks with Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma aimed at boosting commercial ties.
“Economic ties between India and Saudi Arabia will constitute a very solid foundation for the development of strategic partnership. While the trade ties at present are already quite substantial, there exists immense potential for taking the bilateral trade relations to a higher level,” said Sharma.
Sharma emphasised the need for increasing the volume of trade in traditional items and diversifying the trade basket.
“India would like to participate in the petroleum and gas sectors in Saudi Arabia both upstream and downstream and invites Saudi Arabia to invest in Indian petroleum and gas based mega industrial estates, fertilisers and petrochemical plants and refineries,” the commerce and industry ministry said in a statement after the talks.
The two countries have pledged to elevate the current buyer-seller relationship to a “strategic energy cooperation”.
Addressing a meeting organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Saudi Arabian minister called for greater two-way investment flows.
“Saudi Arabia offers investment opportunities of $625 billion by 2020. We welcome Indian companies with skills and talent to take part in our development process,” Al Rabiah said.
Over 230 Indian firms have made investments of around $1.2 billion in Saudi Arabia so far. More than 50 Saudi companies are operating in India. They have invested around $230 million.
India on Wednesday expressed keen interest in participating in the petroleum and gas sectors in Saudi Arabia, including upstream and downstream. In return, it has invited Saudi Arabia to invest in the Indian petroleum and gas-based mega industrial estates, fertilisers, petrochemical plants and refineries.
Stating this during a meeting with his Saudi Arabian counterpart Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the Commerce and Industry Minister, Mr Anand Sharma, observed that the focus of the two countries should now be on investment and joint ventures to enhance bilateral trade and services.
Mr Sharma also said the two sides have to develop strategies to increase the trade volume in traditional items and diversify the trade basket.
He noted that both countries have pledged to elevate the current buyer-seller relationship into one of strategic energy co-operation.
Ease visa rules
Earlier in the day, speaking at a FICCI function, the Saudi Arabian Commerce and Industry Minister sought an easing of visa rules by India to facilitate greater movement of people between the two countries and to help boost bilateral ties.
Dr Al-Rabiah, who is accompanied by a 35-member business delegation, said there was “huge potential” for more trade with India and enhanced bilateral engagement in sectors such as information technology, infrastructure, and education.
The bilateral trade increased from $15.9 billion in 2006-07 to $25.6 billion in 2010-11.
Exports, imports
The exports to Saudi Arabia have doubled from $2.6 billion in 2006-07 to $5.2 billion in 2010-11. The main items of export to Saudi Arabia are petroleum, basmati rice, dyes, machinery and instruments, iron and steel. Imports from Saudi Arabia have jumped from $13.35 billion in 2006-07 to $20.4 billion in 2010-11. The major items of imports are petroleum, chemicals, artificial resin and plastics. India imports almost a quarter of its crude oil requirements from Saudi Arabia.
Against economic troubles in Europe and uncertainty in US, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday said it sees "huge potential" for stepping up commercial engagement with India.
However, Saudi Arabia which is home to two million Indian workforce, asked the Indian government to relax visa rules to boost bilateral trade and investment.
"We are eager to do more trade with India. Huge potential is present in both the nations as both are emerging economies," Saudi Arabia Commerce and industry Minister Tawfeeq Bin Fouzan Al Rabea said at a FICCI meeting here.
Al Rabea, who is leading a 35-member business delegation, said there are opportunities for bilateral engagement in sectors like infrastructure, IT and education.
With economic troubles affecting the entire Eurozone and the US economy giving uncertain indications, Saudi businesses are looking at India as an alternative investment and trade option, industry officials said.
Al Rabea urged the Indian Government to liberalise visa norms for its people. "... what I heard from some of our colleagues that they get only one month with single entry visa (from Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia). So, I think, we need to do something here and there, to make sure we facilitate the movement of people between the two countries," Al Rabea said.
On the other hand, Saudi Arabia gives multiple entry visa for one year. The visiting minister said that about two million Indians are working in different sectors in Saudi Arabia.
The bilateral trade has increased by about 60 per cent to USD 25 billion in 2010.
Addressing the gathering, FICCI President-elect R V Kanoria said that Saudi businessmen can explore investment opportunities in areas like bio-technology, telecommunication and automobile.
"Huge investments are required in infrastructure sector in India. India is going to invest as much as USD one trillion in next five years," Kanoria said.
India's exports to Saudi Arabia mainly comprises Basmati rice, meat, man-made yarn, cotton yarn, chemicals and machinery. Imports largely include crude oil, as India imports a quarter of crude requirement from Saudi Arabia.
"There is big sale of oil to india...Our bilateral trade is increasing and I see this growth continuing and I see more potential for cooperation and trade," the Saudi minister added.
Eyeing tremendous opportunities for bilateral engagement in sectors like infrastructure, IT and education, Saudi Arabia is seeking more liberal visa regime in India, as it will facilitate movement of people between the two countries.
“What I heard from some of our colleagues that they get only one month with single entry visa (from Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia). We need to do something here and there to make sure we facilitate the movement of people between the two countries,” Tawfeeq Bin Fouzan Al Rabea, Saudi Arabia commerce and industry minister said. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, gives multiple entry visas for one year.
Al Rabea, who is leading a 35-member business delegation to India, was speaking at an event organised by Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“There are opportunities for bilateral engagement in sectors like infrastructure, IT and education. There is big sale of oil to India as a result of which our bilateral trade is increasing and I see more potential for cooperation and trade between the two countries,” he added.
India, on its part, feels that the two countries need to shift focus to investment and joint ventures for enhancing trade as well as services. “There is a need to develop strategies for increasing volume of trade in traditional items and diversify the trade basket,” commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma said, adding that India is keen to participate in the petroleum and gas sectors in Saudi Arabia both upstream and downstream.
“Even Saudi Arabia can invest in Indian petroleum and gas based mega industrial estates, fertilisers and petrochemical plants, refineries,” he added.
Trade between India and Saudi Arabia has increased from $15.9 billion in 2006-07 to $25.6 billion in 2010-11.
Exports to Saudi Arabia have gone to $5.23 billion in 201011, imports has gone upto $20.4 billion in 2010-11.
A high-power business delegation from oil-rich Saudi Arabia, which has posted the best economic performance in the past 20 years despite the prevailing global recession, is currently visiting India to explore investment opportunities. Mr Abdulrahman Al Rabiah, chairman, Council of Saudi Chambers, is leading the 44-member delegation, according to industry body FICCI.
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