SELLING INDIA DOWN UNDER 

Around 250 delegates from Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua and 
New Guinea, New Zealand, India, Fiji and other Pacific islands attended PBD Sydney

(R-L) Mr Dipen Rughani, National Chair, AIBC; Mr Kumar Parakala, Partner, KPMG; H.E. Mr Suresh Shetty, Minister of Protocol and Health, Government of Maharashtra; H.E. Mr K.C. Joseph, Minister of Rural Development, Planning, Culture and NORKA, Government of Kerala; Mr Sarat Chandran, Director, Indo – Australian Chamber of Commerce, Chennai; Mr Shankar Vanavarayar, leader of the industry delegation & Co Chair of CII Family Business Sub Committee, Southern Region; Mr Deepak Sharma, Executive Vice President, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd; Mr A K Tareen, Founder Chairman, AKT Strategic Consulting; and Mr Dharmesh C Desai, Senior Vice President, Yes Bank Ltd

Creating Business Opportunities in India
Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC) organised “OIFC Diaspora Engagement Meet” during 7th Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Sydney. The event was held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre on November 10, 2013 in association with Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) and High Commission of India, Australia. The inaugural session was attended by over 250 delegates from all states and territories of Australia and from neighbouring countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Fiji and the Pacific Islands. The meet was also attended by a CII-OIFC industry delegation.

Mr Vayalar Ravi, the Hon. Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Government of India delivering inaugural speech during OIFC Diaspora Engagement Meet at the 7th Regional PBD Sydney

MoU with AIBC
During the meet, OIFC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Associate Partnership with the Australia India Business Council (AIBC), a national membership organisation to foster understanding between Australians and Indians at the backdrop of the OIFC-AIBC lunch. His Excellency Mr Biren Nanda, High Commissioner of India to Australia witnessed this ceremony. At the signing of MoU, Ms Sujata Sudarshan, CEO, OIFC said, “This is indeed a very significant development towards OIFC’s efforts of connecting with the Indian diaspora. This MoU reaffirms OIFCs commitment to support the Indian diaspora in making informed choices while deciding to initiate economic links with India.” AIBC is the unique Australian not-for-profit organisation that aims at promoting bilateral trade and expanding Australia-India commercial ties. AIBC in collaboration with OIFC will be disseminating information about opportunities in India, along with co-hosting events and connecting members to the diaspora members.

(R-L) Mr Dipen Rughani, National Chairman, AIBC, HE Mr Biren Nanda, High Commissioner of India to Australia (witnessing the occasion) and Ms Sujata Sudarshan, CEO, OIFC after signing MoU

OIFC along with AIBC and CII arranged a panel discussion on ‘Sharing Experiences: Doing Business with India”. The session was moderated by Mr Dipen Rughani, National Chairman,AIBC. The keynote address was delivered by Mr.Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs

SHARING THE EXPERIENCES
OIFC in association with AIBC and CII also arranged a panel discussion on ‘Sharing Experiences: Doing Business with India”. The session was chaired and moderated by Mr Dipen Rughani, National Chairman, AIBC. The keynote addresses were delivered by H.E. Mr. Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Government of India, H.E. Mr. Suresh Shetty, Minister of Protocol and Health, Government of Maharashtra and H.E. Mr. K.C. Joseph, Minister of Rural Development, Planning, Culture and NORKA, Government of Kerala. The panelists included Mr. Shankar Vanavarayar, leader of the industry delegation and Co Chair of CII Family Business Sub Committee, Southern Region, Mr. Sarat Chandran, Director, Indo – Australian Chamber of Commerce, Chennai, Mr. Kumar Parakala, Partner, KPMG, Mr. A K Tareen, Founder Chairman, AKT Strategic Consulting, Mr. Deepak Sharma, Executive Vice President, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd and Mr. Dharmesh C Desai, Senior Vice President, Yes Bank Ltd. These discussions and presentations focused on the enormous opportunities for Indian diaspora to engage with India in various sectors like financial services, banking and education.

An aggregate of business and industry leaders from Australia, Indian industry and the states of India attended both OIFC Diaspora Engagement Meet and OIFC panel discussion. They served as a privileged platform for interaction for all those who wanted to partner with India and the Indian diaspora spread over the continent. Through these new connections, the Indian diaspora and OIFC together can play an active role in not only capitalize on economic opportunities in India, but also help build synergies between India and Australia.

December 2013