Institute for Competitiveness, India hosts The Lehendakari, H. E. Patxi Lopez, President of the Basque Regional Government in New Delhi
Fostering Competitiveness in the Global Industrial Scenario: Indo –Basque Exchange
Friday, March 23, 2012 1:04PM IST (7:34AM GMT)
India Inc, particularly SME/MSMEs, intending to invest in Spain’s economic powerhouse, Basque, could see expert handholding by the Basque Institute of Competitiveness. Similarly, Basque businessmen, many of them champion SMEs/MSMEs could see similar expertise being shared with them by the Institute for Competitivenss, India. Collaborative development emerged during the course of the session on “Perspectives on Industrial Transformation and Competitiveness in the Basque Region and India: Learning Experiences and Scope for Co-operation” organized by Institute for Competitiveness, India in association with the Basque Government, Embassy of Spain and Basque Institute for Competitiveness on March 21, 2012 at Instituto Cervantes – Spanish Cultural and Language Centre, New Delhi. The Lehendakari, H.E. Patxi Lopez, President of the Basque Regional Government, Spain was the guest of honor and intended to bolster competitiveness and industry development through an Indo-Basque strategic Partnership.
The event was a meeting point for Basque Government officials and Indian corporates. They had a discussion on numerous existent opportunities within the two countries and how both the countries can benefit from them. They also came up with feasible solutions on improving their productivity and competitiveness at the strategic level by sharing and learning from one another’s experiences.
The Lehendakari, H.E. Patxi Lopez spoke on “The Basque Model: Experience with Adaptation to Globalisation” and stated “Basque Country can provide answers to lot of problems posed by India in terms of integrated transportation system, electrical vehicles, unique solutions etc. Therefore both the countries should have a strategic alliance so that they can strengthen their position in the global economy.”
Dr. Amit Kapoor, Honorary Chairman, “Institute For Competitiveness” expressed his views on India and stated “India changes at every 100 kilometers and is an aggregation of 28 different realities known as States. We should look at its weaknesses as opportunities. For example, many Indian cities like Delhi face the problem of traffic congestion and inadequate healthcare services so the Basque Country can easily help us through their services in these sectors and become a supporting hand in the long term.”
The event essentially focused on competitiveness, industrialization and regional competence of the two countries. A panel discussion was also conducted that marked the presence of many dignitaries in their respective fields. Some of them are Ms. Jyoti Bachani, Expert on innovation, California, USA, Mr. Jose Luis Curbelo, Director Orkestra, Basque Institute for Competitiveness, Mr. Udayan Dravid, Management Consultant and Mr. Sandeep Mann, CEO, Remorphing were a part of the panel discussion.
Many high level representatives from the Departments of Energy, Industry and Innovation of the Basque country like Hon’ble Minister Bernat Unde; Minister of Industry, innovation trade and Tourism, Basque Region and Ms. Elisa Robles, Director General of the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology, Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Government of Spain, Eminent experts on Clusters like Mr. Amit Kumar, Cluster Expert, GIZ, SIDBI Umbrella Program also marked their presence.
The event acted as a platform for several Indian corporates, to get an insight about the Basque Country who are looking for business prospects in the Basque Region and vise-versa. In addition, participants got a broader picture of each other’s present and future scenarios. Since clusters are the backbone of a country’s economic development with its major involvement in international trade and domestic production. So it is vital for the two countries to take this association forward and end up into a win-win situation.
More information about the event is available at:
www.competitiveness.in/lehendakarivisit/
About Institute for Competitiveness
The Institute for Competitiveness, India is an international think tank dedicated to conducting meaningful research in the core fields of strategy, economic development, productivity and prosperity. Institute for Competitiveness studies competition and its implications for company strategy, the competitiveness of nations, regions and cities, and thus generates guidelines for businesses and those in governance. The institute’s expertise lies in understanding location strategies for companies, and understanding how regions can create a sustainable environment for doing business, while enhancing productivity and income levels of people. Find out more at www.competitiveness.in.
