On the occasion of celebrating 60 years of India-Spain Relations, the FICCI- IIFA Global Business Forum took place on the 24th of June, 2016 as part of the IIFA Weekend, in Madrid.
The focus of the forum was on urgent environmental issues that affect the global population especially that of renewable energy which could be the key to tackling climate change. Another topic of importance at the forum was that of ‘soft power’ and its ability to influence real, impactful and enduring changes in outlooks and inclinations.
With regard to economic and political relationships, the highlights of this year’s Global Business Forum were innovation and entrepreneurship that are becoming staple features of an evolving society and bringing out tremendous changes across the world in the way that businesses are forming and altering the face of modern trade and industry and state connectivity.
The FICCI IIFA Global Business Forum was addressed by a host of Indian and Spanish speakers including a special address by Dr. Subhash Chandra Pandey, Additional Secretary & Financial Advisor, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, on “Let’s Make in India for the World”an address by Mr. Jaime García-Legaz, Secretary of State for Trade, Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Government of Spain, on “India and Spain: way forward for promoting trade and investment relations”
This was followed by panel discussions on various matters like “Cooperation in renewables: the only way to counter climate change imperatives” moderated by Mr. Alfredo Bonet, International Director, Spain Chamber of Commerce and “Building new linkages in infrastructure sector (roads, ports, airports, railways) between India and Spain” moderated by María Aparici, Deputy Director General for Trade Policy with Europe and Asia, Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness.
The other panel discussions were on “Services: Promoting Synergies in IT, Smart Cities and Tourism between India & Spain” moderated by Mr. Arvind Thakur, CEO & Joint Managing Director, NIIT Technologies Ltd. and “Soft power, soft sell: cooperation in Media & Entertainment to define next 60 years of India-Spain economic relations” moderated by Mr. Luis Cueto, General Coordinator, Madrid City Hall.
