Link and Learn , the new mantra of business
By TN Ashok Diplomatic Editor
New Delhi, March 21 A high level delegation of women entrepreneurs from Chile in Latin America is currently visiting India to ‘Link and Learn’ from their counterparts in India to further trade ties, identifying common markets for business expansion and building networks.
Coming under the umbrella of ‘Mujeres del Pacifico’, meaning women of the pacific, a delegation comprising 12 women entrepreneurs from Chile is visiting India on what it calls an important mission to ‘Learn & Link with Lean India’. MujeresdelPacifico is an organisation working under the aegis of the Pacific Alliance, a Latin American Trade Bloc, comprising Chile, Mexico, Peru and Columbia.
The concept is to learn and connect with India and understand the Indian models of enterprise. They are to interact with various enterprises in India until March 27 to experience India, understand first-hand the Indian business models, with a focus on lean innovation and to develop business relationships and networks, says CP Srivastava, Indian Coordinator and Director of the India Latin America Associates.
The objective of this mission is to visit different organizations, companies, incubators, entrepreneurial businesses, and public enterprises that may be beneficial for this group. The Chilean delegations visit has been organised by the India Latin America Associates in conjunction with ProChile and Avignam group.
An interaction session was organised at Civil Services Officers Institute (CSOI), Chanakyapuri earlier where some of the Ambassadors of the LAC countries, Diplomats, Bureaucrats, Industry champions, Media representatives and Heads of social organizations participated.
Dr. Kavita Kapur, President, India Latin America Associates welcomed the delegates and dignitaries and presided over the seminar. Prem Das Rai, MP from Lok Sabha, inaugurated the seminar and briefed the delegation about the various initiatives the Modi government had launched on social and financial inclusion including Jan DhanYojana, Make in India, and initiatives on women empowerment like first women bank.
‘Women entrepreneurs from Latin America can benefit tremendously by utilizing opportunities in India – markets are opening up, low cost resources are available in plenty and finally there is a strong base of innovations’ said Dr. Kapur.
‘There has been a tremendous effort at empowering women entrepreneurs in India including setting up MUDRA a bank for small businesses’ said Prem Das Rai, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha in his inaugural address.
He looked forward to developing strong links through such interactions and congratulated MujeresdelPacifico for mobilizing and supporting small women enterprises in Chile, Peru, Colombia and Mexico.
Dammu Ravi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce said that the IT growth story of the last two decades and the biotechnology growth in the last ten years in India reflect strong fundamentals. Expansion of trade and travel is bringing India and Latin America closer. Initiatives such as ‘Visa on Arrival’ are encouraging increasing numbers of business persons and tourists to visit India.
Some Ambassadors from the LAC countries, representatives of International Finance Corporation (IFC), Grameen Foundation, FICCI and other experts addressed the delegates offering new insights into frugal and innovating India.
On 19 March, a visit of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. at Manesar was organised to demonstrate the innovative practices taking place in India in a ‘Lean’ and ‘Fugal’ manner. A series of useful and robust interactions and presentations was organised at Embassy of Chile which included School of Inspired Leadership (SOIL); Falabella; Global Innovation & Technology Alliance (GITA); Consortium of Women Entrepreneurs of India (CWEI) et al. An exposure to the inspiring work being done by Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) was also arranged.
A reception was hosted by H.E. Mr. Andrés Barbé, Ambassador of Chile to India at his residence where ambassadors, government officials, industrialists, academicians, and heads of social organisations participated.
The delegation met senior officials of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship; CMD of EON Electric, a leading family business house; Executive Director and Co-founder of NIIT; and representatives of the media and civil society.
On 21 March after witnessing the Change of Guards ceremony at RashtrapatiBhavan and going around the Mughal Gardens, it is visiting Agra and its famous archaeological monuments.
The delegation will visit Bengaluru from 22-24 March and Mumbai from 25-27 March.
It hopes to build bridges between businesses and entrepreneurs. At Bengaluru, the delegation will meet CII, CIPLA, Infosys, Biocon, Soukya (Dr Mathai’s International Holistic Health Centre), Venkatappa Art Gallery and have a relaxing cruise on Ulsoor Lake.
At Mumbai, the delegation will meet CII, Polaris, NASSCOM and NSE. A tour to Bollywood, Elephanta Caves, Mahalaxmi Temple and Crafts Museum will follow.
‘MujeresdelPacifico’ support women empowerment and are working for promoting economic development and cooperation between member countries of the Pacific Alliance, and are now focusing particularly on linkages with India. It aims to facilitate knowledge and skill development and networking opportunities, in order to foster business growth and global expansion. The purpose is to provide a leadership platform that transforms women entrepreneurs into ambassadors of social innovation and development in the region.
An MOU was signed between Consortium of Women Entrepreneurs of India (CWEI) and MujeresdelPacifico on 19 March. ‘Further strategic tie ups are expected to be inked’ said Ms Angeles Undurraga, Executive Director of MujeresdelPacifico.
The visit has created a lot of buzz in the world of business and civil society and in the social media and diplomatic media.