We have a special section this issue called Chambers. It focuses on activities undertaken by Indian chambers of commerce in catalyzing internal trade and making it a critical component of overall economic activity. Business chambers like FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM, FIEO and several others are continuously interfacing with the top leadership in Government in order to reorient policies that reduce hindrances—there is so much talk about revisiting the implementation of GST, for instance, these days as the micro and small entrepreneurs are particularly hard-pressed for working capital after paying tax upfront. Boosting growth in infrastructure, manufacturing and exports remain perennial challenges that it is left to industry bodies to lobby hard for policies that facilitate ease of doing business.

On our cover is Mr Narinder Wadhwa, Founder and Managing Director of the SKI Group, a premier financial services house, who is an active member of several of India’s leading industry bodies. He is on the National Executive Committee of FICCI, ASSOCHAM and ANMI. Since FICCI reaches out to over 250,000 companies and ASSOCHAM to about 450,000 members, Mr Wadhwa’s position in the organization speaks volumes about how self-made entrepreneurs like him are at the cutting-edge of India’s economic robustness. At ASSOCHAM, Mr Wadhwa is Chairman of National Council for Capital Market.

The SKI group itself was founded in 1989 by Mr Wadhwa, a senior Chartered Accountant and Law Graduated, is Mr R S Wadhwa, a retired IRS officer with decades of experience in the financial markets. The group has grown from a small broking house to a leading investment services organization with an acknowledged industry leadership.

In a key political interview, we have one with Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Mr Anant Gangaram Geete, who responds to questions on a range of issues, including ones that relate to Maharatna PSU BHEL’s ground-breaking achievements and closure of weak CPSEs.

We’ve a detailed section on country coverage with deep insights into nations cutting across continents.

Happy reading.

(sayantanc@gmail.com)