Opening Remarks by Ambassador Sibi George at MISSP 2.0 Business Event in Zurich on February 5, 2020
Secretary General of Swissmem Mr. Raoul Keller, President of SICC Mr. Phil Reich, Business leaders, Friends of India, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good Evening,
Thank you Swissmem and Swiss India Chamber of Commerce for joining hands with the Embassy in organising this important event here in Zurich today, under the banner of MISSP 2.0.
I see that group of experts have been lined up to share updates and insights on the billion opportunities that India offers today. I thank experts from our MISSP knowledge partner T& A Consulting and our Legal & Tax Partner Rodl and Partner for their presence.
As Ambassador of India to Switzerland, I would like to recall that last few years have been excellent period in India – Swiss bilateral relations. Switzerland has emerged as one of the leading partners in India’s transformational journey. India’s Flagship Programmes like Make in India, Smart Cities, Digital India, Swachh Bharat (Clean India), Startup India, Skill India and other initiatives continue to resonate well in this land of innovation and competitive edge.
I recall the visit of a high level business delegation comprising over forty major companies that accompanied President of India to Switzerland during his State visit in September last year and the business round table jointly addressed by President of India and President of Switzerland. Another major business delegation from Energy and transport sectors visited India in October last year, accompanying the then Vice President and current President HE Madam Simonetta Sommaruga, who is also the Federal Councillor for Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications. In Davos last month, our delegation led by Minister of Commerce and Industry and Railways Mr. Piyush Goyal held a series of meetings including with HE Mr. Guy Parmelin, Vice President and Federal Councillor for Economic Affairs. We also had high level of participation from various Ministries of Government of India and Chief Ministers of various States. Some of you had meetings with the India team in Davos. I am excited to see the overwhelming response that we get in various cities of Switzerland on our outreach programme through MISSP.
Dear Friends,
I do not want to get into the technical details of the opportunities that India offers for Swiss companies. There is vast scope to combine our relative advantages, in capital, technology, science and human resources, and to work for mutual benefit.
Since this is my first address to the business leaders after the presentation of Indian budget on February 1, I plan to show a few slides to highlight some updates on the Indian economy, based on the Economic Survey released and the Budget presented last week.
- We have a projected economic growth of 6 to 6.5% for the Financial Year 2020-21.
- 6.9% average economic growth in over the last five financial years.
- By 2024, we aspire to make India a five trillion dollar economy.
- We have jumped 79 positions to 63 in 2019 from 142 in World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business
- Five new Smart cities are proposed to be developed with States in PPP mode
- US $ 1.4 trillion to be invested on infrastructure over next five years
- 100 more Airports to be developed by 2024
Dear Friends, we have a roadmap for new age. The updates are many. We are happy to share a PowerPoint presentation on the budget. India has immense possibilities, countless opportunities, I call it a billion opportunities. I invite you to partner with the MISSP 2.0 programme that we have launched specifically for SMEs in Switzerland.
I look forward to a fruitful interaction today. Once again thank you Swissmem and thank you SICC.
Thank you.
