JEDDAH, 18 April 2004 — A Saudi-India CEO Forum is being formed by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce & Industry (CSSCI). With branches in both the Kingdom and India, it is essentially for CEOs in order to improve and strengthen economic and industrial cooperation between the two countries.
“The idea is to discuss and identify specific areas of investment and joint ventures in both countries,” CII’s principal adviser A.C. Patankar told reporters over the weekend. Patankar held meetings with senior executives of CSCCI in Riyadh and Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry and discussed an agenda for action India also has similar forums in the United States and the UK, he pointed out.
Aside from boosting two-way investments, specific projects for joint cooperation, joint venture collaborations and third country projects will be dealt with on a regular basis. Human resource development, industrial and professional training and development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are also part of the plan.
“All these figured during my meetings in Riyadh and Jeddah and the response was tremendous, especially for India’s specialized fields of training and SMEs,” Patankar said.
He also met CSCCI President Abdul Rahman Jeraisy and Dr. Suhail H. Sawan, director general, economic and social development, Makkah region and top executives of both Saudi Cable and Xenel Co.