Celebrating the special relationship between India and the UAE, Dubai Chambers hosted the India-UAE Partnership Summit at its headquarters in Deira, Dubai on 24 January 2023

Organised by the International Business Linkage Forum (IBLF) in partnership with Dubai International Chamber – one of the three chambers operating under Dubai Chambers – the event highlighted the two nations’ bilateral relations with a focus on opportunities in manufacturing and start-ups, agritech and food processing, the future of health, and fintech and investment.

As both economies predict strong growth in 2023, the Summit aimed to examine opportunities in new sectors, moving away from the current trading patterns into new areas, reflecting both nations’ desire to develop significant digital economies and ignite greater innovation.

The summit, was inaugurated by Hon. Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. During his keynote remarks, Hon. Minister said that the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has given a natural boost to key sectors such as food and agriculture products, as well as gems and jewellery. He added that “India hopes to see its exports touch US$1 trillion in the near to medium term. Our growing bilateral trade will play an will play an integral role in the UAE’s efforts to double the size of its economy by 2033. The destinies of the UAE and India have been inextricably intertwined for centuries. A closer collaboration, trust and the spirit of entrepreneurship will create limitless opportunities for our economies, our industries, our cities, and our people, now and for generations to come. This is the vision that CEPA aims to turn into reality.”

About Event

Partner: Dubai Chambers

Venue: The Dubai Chamber, Deira, Dubai

Date: 23rd – 25th January 2023

Program

Chief Guest

Inaugural

  • Rajiv Podar, Chairman IBLF, CMD Podar Enterprise
  • E. Mohammad Ali bin Rashed Lootah, PCEO, Dubai Chamber
  • Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry Government of India (Virtual Live)
  • E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy*

Launch of IBLF UAE Chapter

  • Address by: Mr. Pankaj Savara, Head, IBLF Dubai Chapter.

Felicitation & Special Recognition

  • Vote of Thanks: Mr. Dinesh Joshi, President IBLF, MD, Satyagiri Group.
  • H.E. Sunjay Sudhir, Hon. Ambassador, Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
  • H.E. Dr. Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Banna, Founder Director, DUBARCH and Former Ambassador of UAE to India (dubarch.com).
  • Mr. Yogesh Mehta, CEO, Petrochem, Trustee and Vice Chairman, Hindu Swaminarayan Temple , Abu Dhabi (petrocheme.com).
  • H.E. Essa Abdulla Al Ghurair, Chairman, Essa Al Ghurair Investment (egi.ae).
  • Moderator – Ms. Renuka Methil, Managing Editor, Forbes Africa.
  • Vote of Thanks: Mr. Sandeep Joshi, ED, IBLF.

Plenary Session 1 – Manufacturing & Startups

  • Indian start-ups raised $42 billion and added 46 Unicorns in 2021. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme is fueling the manufacturing sector in India. UAE Investors and Businessmen have been actively investing and looking at opportunities in UAE and India. The changing regulation in UAE is attracting businesses from across the world not only for trading but also for manufacturing. The Golden Visa Scheme, ease of doing business, attractive tax regime, ease of living and several other measures is making UAE a preferred choice for doing business. Businesses are flowing freely both ways. There are opportunities that need to be unearthed on both sides with entrepreneurs and investors alike.
    Opening Remarks – Mr. Kishore Musale, Chairman – Astarc Group (astarcventures.com).

    • Mr.Shrikant Badve, Managing Director, Badve Group of Industries (badvegroup.com).
    • Mr. Alaa El Huni, Chief Business officer – CAFU.
    • Ms. Harjinder Kaur Talwar, MD & CEO, Comvision India.
    • Mr. Ankur Gupta, Head – Corporate Affairs, TATA Group.
    • Moderator – Mr. Manoj Patodia, Immediate Past Chairman Texprocil (texprocil.org).

Plenary Session 2 – AgriTech and Food Processing

  • Food Security is gaining utmost importance in the new geo-political environment. Also, the new wave of veganism on one hand and organic food on the other hand, the social norms of food habits are changing drastically across continents. Technology will play a key Role in fulfilling the need for security as well as the changing landscape of food habits. Importance of Agri Tech and Food Processing is bound to grow leaps and bounds. Drones, Biomass, Technological advancements, Al are the names of the game in this industry. We will explore the entire gamut of possibilities in this sector.
    • Mr. Dirk Aleven, Founder, Food Ventures BV, Netherlands (foodventures.eu).
    • Mr. Kirti Meghnani, Group Procurement Manager, Choithrams (choithrams.com).
    • Mr. Vishal Tikku, Executive Director and Chairman of the Board, Conektr Tech FZCO (conektr.com).
    • Mr. Kartik Jalan CEO and Founder, Indicold (indicold.in).
    • Moderator – Mr. Pankaj Savara, Managing Director, Robotics ME.

Plenary Session 3 – Future of Health

  • Covid 19 has made us revisit the Health Sector to further strengthen it. The world came together as one to address the new challenge to mankind and India with its state-of-the-art facilities for research and manufacturing played a vital role. The UAE leveraged technology to be among the best countries globally in handling the pandemic. Besides research in medical field, HealthTech has taken a front seat in tracking and planning healthcare systems. This is fast changing the Healthcare landscape.
    Opening remarks: Ms. Priyam Gandhi Mody, Author and Political Communications Strategist.

    • Dr. Sunita Dube, Chairperson, Medscape India (aryanhospitals.com).
    • Mr. Veneeth Purushotaman, Group Chief Information Officer, Aster DM Healthcare (asterdmhealthcare.com).
    • Mr. Madhukar Tanna, CEO, Pharmax (pharmax.ae).
    • Mr. Sunil Thakur, Treasurer, NatHealth and Partner, Quadria Capital.
    • Moderator – Mr. Sameer Nawani, Chief Representative – India, Dubai International Chamber.

Plenary Session 4 – FinTech & Investments

  • Financial services sector is seeing a never before revolution in offerings of products and services. From the basic service of KYC compliance to offering advanced investments in derivatives, it all can be achieved on the move. Investment opportunities have doubled up with the emergence of the technological revolution in financial sector. Today money can move across borders with much more ease than before. Fintech, Trade tech, Investment tech etc open up for investment as well as cross border product offerings. Regulatory approvals in one country for products on offer in other country
    need to ease out. This is a sector which has seen stupendous growth in last 5 years despite Covid restrictions and has limitless opportunities in the emerging markets with UAE as a gateway to the Middle East and African markets.
    Opening remarks: Ms. Priya Samant, CEO and Co-Founder Abris Inc. (abris.io).

    • Mr. Mohammad Alblooshi, Head of FinTech Hive and Innovation Hub, DIFC (difc.ae).
    • Mr. Ankit Sarwahi, Managing Director, MEVP (mevp.com).
    • Mr. Bijal Doshi, Partner-Deals, Corporate Finance & Investments Bakertilly (bakertilly.com).
    • Moderator – Mr. Atul Joshi, MD – Oyster Capital and Former MD, Fitch India.

Valedictory Fireside Chat Session – Vision 2050

  • The Post COVID era is seeing a new world order where there is exploration of bilateral trade sans USD, regional trade is being strengthened and new geographies are emerging as popular business destination and hubs. The session aims at understanding how the India-UAE relationship will evolve in this changing world order and how the two sides plan on leveraging their strength to complement each other’s growth by 2050.
    Opening Remarks: Hon. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa

    • Mr. Omar Khan, Executive Director – International Offices, Dubai International Chamber.
    • Mr. Atul Nishar, Chairman Emeritus, Hexaware Technologies Ltd (hexaware.com).
    • Moderator – Mr. Darshan Hiranandani, Hiranandani Group, Managing Director & CEO, H – Energy Global.

Closing Remarks

  • Smt. Tadu Mamu, Consul (Labour, Press,Info & Culture), Consulate General of India, Dubai.
  • Mr. Sameer Tapia, Senior Partner, ALMT Legal.

Closing Remarks

  • Welcome Address
    • Mr. Dinesh Joshi, President IBLF, Chairman, SatyaGiri Group of Companies.
    • H.E. Dr. Aman Puri, Hon. Consul General of India, Dubai.

    Global Outlook – Panel Discussion

    • Mr. Kishore Musale, Chairman, Astarc Group (astarc.com).
    • Dr. Frank-Jürgen Richter, Chairman, Horasis (horasis.org).
    • H. E. Omer Gamar-Eldin Ismail, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Government of Sudan.
    • Moderator – Mr. Nayan Patel, Executive Director, Packam Controls (packam.co.in).

CEO Breakfast

Press Coverage

Pre-Event

Post-Event