adminAbuz chief executive officer Mr Lucky Mlilo told Business Chronicle last week that he attended the 19th Partnership Summit for businesses held recently in India to unlock trade and investment opportunities between different companies across the world.
The summit was held under the theme, “Global Partnerships for Enduring Growth”.
The Zimbabwe delegation was led by Industry and Commerce Minister Professor Welshman Ncube.
Mr Mlilo said the Ministry of Industry and Commerce extended an invitation to Abuz and other local business organisations to attend the summit.
“I was part of the delegation that attended the partnership summit.
“It was a global meeting where business leaders from all over the world met to discuss on how they could do business. I attended representing Abuz so that if there are any of our members interested in doing business with the Indian business community, the association links them with their counterparts from that country,” he said.
“I had fruitful discussions with the Confederation of Indian Industry regional director Mr Kaushlendra Sinha, and the Africa, Gulf and Middle East deputy director Mr Aditya Ghosh.
“The discussions with the two were on establishing a business relationship between our organisations,” he said.
He said the Confederation of Indian Industry was a non-government, non-profit making, industry led and industry managed organisation.
It was founded more than 100 years ago and has a direct membership of over 7100 organisations and an indirect membership of over 90 000 companies.
“The Confederation of Indian Industry works closely with government on policy issues, enhancing efficiency, competitiveness and expanding business opportunities for industry through a range of specialised services and global linkages. They serve as a reference point for Indian industry and international business community,” he said.
Mr Mlilo said interactions were also held with the Investment Support and Promotion Agency of Turkey.
The agency, he said focused on inward investment and there were various investment areas that Zimbabweans could venture into adding that the body was available to help facilitate such projects.
“It serves as a reference point for international investors and as a point of contact for all institutions engaged in promoting and attracting investments at national, regional and local levels.”
He said he interacted with the Export-Import Bank of India assistant general manager Mr Sandeep Kumar.
The Export-Import Bank of India is the premier export finance institution of that country, set up in 1982 under the Export-Import Bank of India Act 1981.
He said that country’s government launched the institution with a mandate not just to enhance exports from India, but to integrate its foreign trade and investment with the overall economic growth.
“Since its inception, the bank has been both a catalyst and a key player in the promotion of cross border trade and investment.
“Commencing operations as a purveyor of export credit, like other Export Credit Agencies in the world, the bank over the period, evolved into an institution that plays a major role in partnering Indian industries, particularly the Small and Medium Enterprises, in their globalisation efforts, through a wide range of products and services offered at all stages of the business cycle.”
He said discussions were also held with company executives from different economic sectors.
“The summit was an excellent forum for business interactions and Abuz members stand to benefit enormously from the partnerships that can develop from these interactions,” he said.
The Partnership Summit has regularly featured heads of States and government, trade ministers, captains of industry and commerce, and global think-tanks from across the world.
The forum attracts more than 1500 delegates from all over the world.
Online Reporter