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The First EuroIndia Conference took place in Paris on June 16 at the ornate Art Déco style 19th century mansion, known as 'Hotel Potocki' (hotel in French means residence!), which has been the headquarters of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Paris (CCIP) since the 1920s.
Our Emeritus Member Deepak Parekh delivered a lively and comprehensive talk on the economic and political challenges for the new Government, right after the Indian elections and the swearing-in of Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister for a second run. Mr. Parekh, who enjoys iconic status both in the Indian business circles and in the civil society, has been among the rare captains of industry who is a success story of the Indian entrepreneurial drive, particularly in the post-liberalisation era, and who also maintains a deep engagement with the government and an early proponent of true public-private partnership in seeking solutions to many of India's economic and social challenges.
Another of our Emeritus members, Bertrand Collomb, the Honorary Chairman of the world's biggest cement and building material maker, Lafarge, honoured the Centre as well as his co-Member Deepak Parekh by introducing the theme of the evening as well as the speaker. Bertrand Collomb is of the generation of Europeans who have cultivated a world view and developed an international outlook which have contributed to the global success of the businesses they have piloted, while enriching the understanding of their countrymen as to the fascinating business and social challenges in emerging economic powerhouses like India.
This momentous evening was made possible by the association of two prestigious institutions: the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Paris (CCIP) who graciously hosted the evening and the Alumni Association of the oldest and most prestigious business school of France, HEC Paris, whose members, the backbone of French business, turned up in large numbers to hear India's story firsthand from one of the most engaged actors. The Asia Centre of the Institute of Political Science, Paris (Science Po) helped us in mobilising its members for this conference.
Our co-President Colette Mathur, with her long familiarity with India and France and her personal rapport with key personalities in business, politics and society, brought in a balanced Euro-India perspective into the discussions.
The business elite of Paris had a unique opportunity to share the insights of one of India's foremost business leaders on the new political dispensation in New Delhi after the general elections and the economic outlook for India under the new government, particularly in the context of the global financial crisis and economic slowdown. Deepak Parekh's uncanny ability to knit economic, political and social issues, both domestic and international, into an expert analysis of Indian business and market outlook, held the audience in rapt attention through the evening.
His visit to Paris coincided with the Annual General Meeting of The EuroIndia Centre and enabled our members from other European locations to participate in this Conference.
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