The Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC), a public private partnership between the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) formed to facilitate the economic engagement of the Indian Diaspora with India, will be organising the first Indian Diaspora Engagement Meet of the year in Manama, Bahrain on 6th September 2014.
The Meet is proposed to be graced by the august presence of Her Excellency Mrs Sushma Swaraj, Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs & Overseas Indian Affairs, Government of India. The inaugural session of this Meet will also be addressed by His Excellency Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohd. Al Khalifa, Hon’ble Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kingdom of Bahrain and His Excellency Mr Kamal Bin Ahmed, Hon’ble Minister for Transportation & Acting Chief Executive of Economic Development Board, Kingdom of Bahrain.
OIFC gratefully acknowledged Bahrain Government’s warm invitation extended in January 2014 and is honoured to have this opportunity to deepen engagement with overseas Indians. Led by Mr Prem Narain, Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs & Chairman, OIFC, 36 delegates are visiting the Kingdom of Bahrain to acquaint the Indian community with the various investment opportunities in India and to seek inward investments from both Indian Diaspora and Bahraini Nationals.
It is for the first time that the Government of India, through OIFC is organising a programme for Indian business community and mid/high ranking Indian officials living/ working in Bahrain. Over 400 delegates from Bahrain are expected to participate in the Meet, which will include high net-worth members of Indian community in the Kingdom of Bahrain; senior or middle level Indian employees playing an important role in its operations of established Bahraini business organizations; and Bahraini entrepreneurs/businessmen.
Bahrain and India have enjoyed strong economic and trade relations spanning over several decades. The OIFC Diaspora Engagement Meet is set to create exclusive opportunities for trade ties between India and the Overseas Indian community in Bahrain and Bahraini Nationals who wish to develop their economic linkages with India.
His Excellency Dr Mohan Kumar, Ambassador of India to Bahrain said, “Delighted that OIFC has decided to have this meet in the Kingdom of Bahrain for the first time. Given the ease of doing business in Bahrain, the Meet is both timely and appropriate.”
Ms. Charu Mathur, CEO, Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC) said, “We are delighted to be back in Middle East with the Diaspora Engagement Meet and we plan to hold such platforms on an annual basis. With the renewed investor interest in India’s development, OIFC considers it is the appropriate time to organize such a meet. With the new Indian Government’s affirmed & focused policy direction and initiated action on multiple fronts, the Indian economy has shifted tracks and is looking up. Now, the Indian economy’s GDP growth for the year to come is at close to 5.5 per cent this financial year.”
Moreover, the Meet would also help the participants to understand the investment policy framework in India and how a robust investment framework with supportive policies, simple and rational procedures, strong regulations to protect investors’ interest are important.
OIFC has engaged with over 8162 overseas investors engaged with India through 29 Diaspora Engagement Meets conducted in Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Europe, Middle East, North America and South East Asia. In the GCC region, the OIFC Diaspora Engagement Meet was previously organised in Oman and UAE.
OIFC will be conducting the next business meeting at the forthcoming Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas from October 16-18, 2014 at London.
