Volume 1 - Issue 6 - EU Chambers of Commerce of India

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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE CHAMBER’S ACTIVITY
S. K. Saraf
President
Dear Readers,
It gives me immense pleasure to present to you the sixth edition of the Council's Bi-Monthly Newsletter “Business Pulse”.
In the last couple of months, the Council has tried to promote trade and business relations between India and EU through its
Event and Activities. On November 9, 2011 the Council organized Seminar on Business First – Strengthening Indo – Polish
Economic Ties with participation of Hon'ble Rafal Baniak, Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Poland and Business
Delegation. The Seminar was followed by Business to Business Meeting which proved to be very useful to the Business
Representatives attending the Seminar. On November 17, 2011, the Council along with The Indo-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber
of Commerce hosted an Interactive Meeting with H.E Mr. Gaston Stronck, Ambassador of Luxembourg to India. The
Ambassador spoke about the Current scenario in Luxembourg and the Indian-Luxembourg Financial and Economic relations
along with mutually beneficial possibilities for bilateral trade. On November 25, 2011, the Council hosted an Interactive Meeting
with H.E Mr. Janusz Wach, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Mumbai who gave an overview about the Polish Economy.
The Newsletter carries an in-depth Report on the Proceedings of all the Activities organized by the Council.
In this issue, the Council has chosen Austria as part of the country focus as it believes Austria has a lot to offer in terms of Trade
and Business Potential. The Chamber visited Austria during its Trade Delegation to Central Europe in the Month of May 2011, and
is keen on increasing the bilateral trade relations between the two regions. The Newsletter includes the Interviews of
H.E.Mr. Dinkar Khullar, Ambassador, Indian Embassy in Vienna and Mr Hans-Joerg Hoertnagal, AUSTRIAN TRADE
COMMISSIONER, Austrian Trade Commission, Austrian Embassy - Commercial Section, in the Diplomat's Corner Section.
Keeping in view the responses to our Trade Leads, we have included exciting Business and Investment opportunities from
Austria. The Newsletter also carries an Article on The Durban Deal to Combat Climate Change by Mr. Anupam Das-Purkayastha,
Director, General Carbon Advisory Services Ltd. Through the “EU & India News at a Glance” section we hope to keep you
updated on the latest and relevant news which is invaluable for doing business.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all the Member Companies of the Council and look forward to their continued
support and co-operation in the future activities organized by the Council.
Thank You!
Sharad Kumar Saraf
President
The Council of EU Chambers of Commerce in India along with
the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Mumbai and
Embassy of the Republic of Poland in India – Trade and
Investment Promotion Section organized Business first –
strengthening Indo – Polish Economic Ties on November 9,
2011 at the Sunset Lounge, Trident Hotel Mumbai. The Event
was co-organized by the Indo – Polish Chamber of Commerce.
H.E. Prof. Piotr Klodkowski,
Ambassador of Republic of
Poland to India thanked all the
present and the Chambers for
organizing the Indo-Polish Seminar.
He stated that Polish Presidency
has got new energy into EU. It is
very important for Poland to deal and tackle issues which
obstruct bilateral trade and investment between the two regions.
He mentioned that Indian Investments are growing in Poland
and Poland is also offering serving as a top class tourist
destination for India e.g. Bollywood.
Mr. S. K. Saraf, President of the
Council of EU Chambers of
Commerce in India in his address
welcomed Mr. Rafal Baniak, Deputy
Minister of Economy, Poland, H.E
Prof Piotr Klodkowski, Ambassador
of Republic of Poland to India and
Mr. Ryszard Sznajder, President of
Polish – Indian Chamber of Commerce for their presence. He
also thanked all the present at the Event. He mentioned about
the well established historic foundation for trade ties with
Poland. The bilateral trade between India and Poland grew 11
times between 1992 and 2008. He mentioned that Poland has a
strategic location and is a gateway to East Europe. It is one of the
most vibrant economies in Europe and has fared a lot better
compared to other economies of Europe. Poland offers great
business interest to India and the presence of Indian Inc's in
Poland is increasing. There are many potential business sectors
for tie-ups between India & Poland that needs to be explored.
From a business landscape trade between the two countries is
good and has a lot more potential to grow. Apart from the
traditional goods and services that are trade between the two
countries, there are many other products and services which
can be bilaterally traded. One of such significant sector is the
SEMINAR ON “BUSINESS FIRST – STRENGTHENING INDO – POLISH ECONOMIC TIES”
WITH PARTICIPATION OF HON'BLE RAFAL BANIAK, DEPUTY MINISTER OF ECONOMY OF
THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND AND BUSINESS DELEGATION
software business. Many Indian software players are setting up
shops in Poland. There is a great attraction synergy between
Polish and Indian companies for trade, business and culture.
Hon'ble Rafal Baniak, Deputy
Minister of Economy, Republic of
Poland before starting his speech
thanked all the organizers for
organizing an Event on Indo-Polish
Economic Ties. He mentioned that
Poland is considered to be one of
the leaders in EU. During the last two decades Poland
accounted for 200 million Euros Foreign Direct Investment. The
Special Economic Zones offered by Poland has been
appreciated by the Investors. India accounts for 26% of Foreign
Direct Investment in Poland. Poland recently occupied 6th
position among the top ten most attractive countries for
investments. He welcomed the Indian companies to Poland to
make strong presentations. He mentioned about the 14 SEZ's
which offer special incentives such as Tax Vacation, exemption
from real estate tax, free assistance in dealing with formalities
relation to the investment. He mentioned that the exports from
India have grown 3 times bigger over the years. He stated that
better presence of Indian companies in Poland helps to increase
bilateral trade and investment between both the countries. He
also stated that the presence of Indian companies in Poland too
is increasing e.g. Can Pack, Bella Premier Happy Hygiene Care
Pvt Ltd. He stated that both the countries should work towards
increasing the bilateral trade relations between each other. In his
concluding remarks, he invited all the Indian Companies to
Poland to take the advantages of what it has to offer.
Mr. Ryszard Sznajder, President
of the Polish – Indian Chamber of
Commerce stated about the MOU
signed between The Council of EU
Chambers of Commerce in India
and the Polish – Indian Chamber of
Commerce to promote trade and
investments between the two regions through mutual co-
operation. He mentioned that the goal of both the Chambers is
to promote and merge business between India and Poland. He
also stated that the right way to promote business and
investments between both the countries is to find some sort of
collaboration between the potential sectors of the 2 countries.
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