Remarks by Ambassador at the inauguration of Festival of India in Liechtenstein on November 8, 2018
Good Evening Everybody;
Your Excellency Ambassador Martin Frick, Excellencies, Distinguished guests, Members of the Indian Diaspora in Liechtenstein; Friends of India; Ladies & Gentlemen,
Let me begin by welcoming you all to this evening today. This is the second time in two months we are meeting here to participate in Festival of India. We met on September 8 when we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Liechtenstein. This year is a special year for India – Liechtenstein relations. We are also celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi this year.
I am happy to report that last month His Serene Highness Hereditary Prince visited India and had very fruitful meeting with President of India HE Ram Nath Kovind and also with External Affairs Minister HE Madam Sushma Swaraj.
I am happy to remind that today India is undergoing a profound transformation. We continue to be the fastest growing democracy in the world. We have a leadership striving to develop an economy driven by smart and sustainable cities, robust farm sector, vibrant manufacturing and dynamic service sector. And, its engines to run on world class network of rail, roads, airports and digital connectivity. In this transformed India, I see great opportunities for business houses of Liechtenstein to engage India more deeply. India’s Flagship Programmes like Make in India, Smart Cities, Digital India, Swachh Bharat (Clean India), Startup India, Skill India and other initiatives are resonating well with several companies here. We have recently launched an India Business, Start Up and Innovation Center at the Embassy of India in Berne. I would urge all Start Ups to avail this opportunity and engage with India.
I am happy to note that this year India’s rank in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business 2019 survey climbed 23 places to 77 among 190 countries surveyed, making it the only country to rank among the top 10 improvers for the second consecutive year. Last year, India saw a record jump of 30 places to reach the 100th position in the rankings. In more than four years, India’s ranking improved 65 places from 142nd in 2014 to 77th in 2018, a record for a major economy. The reforms in India included streamlining the process of obtaining a building permit and improved building quality. Starting a business was made easier through consolidation of multiple application forms and introduction of a goods and services tax (GST), while getting electricity was made faster and cheaper. Other reforms in India included strengthening access to credit as well as making it easier and faster to pay taxes and trade across borders.
During the visit of His Serene Highness Hereditary Prince to India last month President of India said that India is keen to strengthen its economic engagement with Liechtenstein. He has invited the Liechtenstein companies to take advantage of India’s growth story. I urge Liechtenstein companies to engage more deeply with India. There is a major opportunity awaiting you there. Please avail it.
I am happy to note that our bilateral engagement with Liechtenstein is growing further. Last month I was in Vaduz to sign the Mutual Agreement in the field of Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information. We remain closely engaged.
Today, it is my privilege to introduce a highly talented and renowned artists from India. Dhrupad by PadmaShri Wasifudin Dagar and his renowned team. Dhrupad is the most ancient style of Hindustani classical music that has survived in its original form. The Dhrupad tradition is a major tradition of Indian culture. I welcome Shri Wasifudin Dagar and his team to this evening.
Hope you will have a memorable evening.
Thank you.
