Amitabh Arora
BIDS GOODBYE 2020…..WELCOMES 2021
Dear Members and Friends,
A year (2020) which thrust unique challenges across the globe, is finally coming to an end. One cannot ignore that 2020 which compelled everyone to adapt to the ‘New Normal’, did bring along with it a lot of learning and opportunities, redefined our outlook speedily embracing technology and also hope (in the form of vaccine(s)) which as per news reports, is believed to be effective even in case of the new strain of the virus which otherwise is causing concern to one and all.
It is time for us now to reflect on the year which has gone by.
Although the first quarter of 2020 saw us organizing three physical events (one each in Navi Mumbai and Pune and a third one on the Analysis of the Union Budget in Mumbai with KPMG), we quickly switched gears in April and converted to the digital mode organising about 30 events in different virtual formats. These events comprised a Leadership Lecture (a talk on “Managing A Crisis” by Mr. Suresh Narayanan, CMD Nestle India which was an icing on the cake and also a Fireside Chat by our Member Advocate Rahul Rai with Mr. Gopal Subramaniam, Ex-Solicitor General of India on “COVID-19 Crisis – Legal Policy & Challenges”. Medical insights on the pandemic and tests were provided in the form of another Fireside Chat, this time between medical professionals and experts from our Member companies viz. Roche, Novartis and N.M. Medical. Our Members also had the privilege to watch their peers from different industries /sectors in a Peer Learning Series CEO/CXO Forum – “Sharing Experience: Unlock, Recovery and (Predicting) Future – a Panel Discussion with Abubaker Koya – M.D. Geberit India, Sebastien Hug, CEO Swissnex India, Kulathu Kumar – M.D. Endress+Hauser, Jaybharat Reddy – Business Head, Roche Dia, moderated by Colonel Chandhoke, M.D. Victorinox India.
2020 witnessed two major changes for the Indo-Swiss community in India:
– Firstly, Dr. Shravan Subramanyam (who was the President of SICC India for over two years handed over the reins effective 1st October, 2020 to Mr. Abubaker Koya, Managing Director, Geberit India. We are grateful to Shravan for his invaluable contribution to the growth of SICC India and wish Koya continued success in his new role.
– Secondly, His Excellency Dr. Ralph Heckner, new Ambassador of Switzerland to India and Bhutan, gave his credentials as the new Ambassador to the President of India, Shri Ramnath Kovind on October 14 this year. SICC India had the privilege to welcome and interact with Ambassador Heckner in two virtual sessions briefing him about the Chamber’s activities and the outlook of the Indian economy.
SICC India collaborated with the Swiss Embassy, for two events this year viz. i) Interface with Dr. Ralf Heckner, Ambassador of Switzerland with a Keynote address by Mr. Rajat Kathuria, Director & CEO, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations followed by a Panel Discussion on Macro-Economic Outlook of India. ii) Webinar on “Business and Human Rights” with UNDP also being one of the Partners.
Team SICC India received appreciation from several quarters for the Knowledge Sharing Sessions (with our knowledge partners which included the likes of KPMG, Legasis, ASA, ALMT, Nishith Desai, ICICI Bank, Kochhar &Co., Crowe Advisory, KNS Partners, KSK, PwC) ranging on varied topics of interest – Finance, Recent updates on Direct and Indirect Tax, Legal, IPR, Supply Chain, India and Global Economic Outlook, Investment Opportunities in India and for the one on “Sustainable and Smart Cities” (Othmar Hardegger, Hon. Consul General of Switzerland was one of the eminent Speakers).
For the first time, a Festive Bazaar was organized albeit virtually in collaboration with a NGO – Social Value Partners and Indo-German Chamber of Commerce. This served as a platform for several other NGOs which represented marginalized communities and farmers to showcase their products which could be presented as gifts for celebrating the festivals. For more information, you could visit here for the product catalog. https://sicc.ch/wp-
The year ended with Executive Committees of the regional Chapters putting their thoughts together for the Way Forward for SICC India. These meetings were a sequel to the All-India Strategy Meet (of Chapter Presidents / Vice-Presidents) chaired by President SICCI. A special mention is to be made here for the contribution of SICC West Team which had held two brainstorming sessions with its Members and SICCI is grateful to Satish Rao (M.D. Firmenich India) and Ashwani Keswani (M.D. Oetiker India) for respectively leading two Working Groups and setting out the Focus areas for SICC India for the next two years.
Before we close, we would like to give a warm welcome to our following new Members of SICC India who joined us since April, 2020:
- K&S Partners
- Advocate Mr. Rahul Rai
- MMT Realtorz
- Grandeur Business Solutions Private Limited
- Autoneum India Pvt. Ltd.
- The Union Company Motors Pvt Ltd.
- Roche Diabetes Care India Pvt. Ltd.
- Swiss Education Group
- Bizcare Advisors Private Limited
- Valuesutra Business Consulting LLP
- Cleanfix – Schevaran Systems Pvt Ltd.
- Candi Solar Pvt. Ltd.
- Chennai City Football Club Private Limited
We would like to thank Ambassador Heckner and officials of the Swiss Embassy in India especially Florin and Udit for their support to our Members during the Covid induced crisis and are similarly grateful to Othmar Hardegger, Consul General at Mumbai for always being there to help our Members. Our thanks also go out to Sebastien Hug, CEO Swissnex and Consul General Benglaru and Silvana Renggli, Dy. Consul General, Bengalaru. A special thanks to Fabian and Swiss Business Hub India for being the knowledge partner for our webinars. We remain grateful to the Board of Directors of SICC India and the Executive Committees of the SICCI Chapters for their mentoring and guidance and last but not the least, a BIG THANK YOU to each one of you for your co-operation and support to SICC India even during these trying times.
Team SICC India wishes each one of you and your families, colleagues and friends a Very Happy and a Successful, Healthy and Safe New Year 2021.
Regards,
Team SICC India
