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‘In 10 years it has
gone from a
developing country
to an emerging
country – the
phrasing has
changed, people are
recognising it as a
potential super
power’
“We take on one product and we will not take on a competitive
product in the same portfolio. That’s the commitment we provide
to the Irish companies.
“We’ve had lots of meetings and we’re in talks with at least
three other companies, potentially five. We need the commitment
from the brand and we need them to understand that
they’re dealing with a new market, and a very different style of
market. And that’s sometimes difficult for them to get their
heads around – it’s not the US style. You’re not just going in and
getting a distributor and everything flows from that. You need
the brand commitment that they are interested in India.”
Bhargava sees India as a vital and growing market for Ireland
in the future. “When I first came here 11 years ago, India was
very much a third world country in the minds of the west. In 10
years, it has gone from a developing country to an emerging
country – the phrasing has changed, people are recognising it as
a potential super power, if not a super power.
“Hopefully a lot more will happen between Ireland and India
so the links will get closer and closer,” she concludes. “The world
for me then gets smaller and smaller.”
RITA SHAH, managing director
of Shabra Group, was part of a
delegation of 22 Irish companies
that travelled to India on a trade
and education mission in April.
She tells Grainne Rothery about
the trip
On a mission
FOR RITA SHAH, CO-FOUNDER AND MANAGING
DIRECTOR OF MONAGHAN-BASED SHABRA PLAS-
TICS AND PACKAGING, THE SIGNIFICANCE OF
DEVELOPING HER COMPANY’S CONNECTIONS
WITH INDIA RUNS DEEPER THAN SIMPLY TAKING
ADVANTAGE OF FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITY.
Although she was born and raised in Kenya and came to
Ireland in the mid 1980s, Shah has Indian grandparents on
both sides and many of her relations continue to live in India.
“It’s been a country I always wanted to be associated
Issue 2 Spring/Summer 2011 INNOVATION IRELAND REVIEW 77