MUMBAI, INDIA - H.E. João Cravinho, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) spoke positively of the relations between European countries and India. However, he urged the Indian government to break the walls around that deter foreign investors from doing trade with India. Although EU is the highest investor and trading partner in India the bureaucracy and taxation deter the investors from coming here. Cravinho said the Government of India needs to help people do their business and more will come to India.
The Ambassador Cravinho praised the flagship programmes of Narendra Modi Government, ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India. He feels there is a lot of opportunity for partnership in these projects. However, there needs to be more openness so that European companies can bring latest technology and fine innovations to India. 

Cravinho also appreciated Modi government’s efforts to open up investments in railways, insurance and defence. EU had wished for these reforms as they have the required expertise. 

Cravinho also lauded the government for the Clean Ganga project, saying the European rivers like Danube and Rhine too were just as dirty as Ganga. The different countries came together to clean these rivers and Cravinho attributed its success to first taking the decision to clean up and effective Governance.

Cravinho feels the Prime Minister Narendra Modi instils confidence in foreign investors, something that was missing before. The change in the environment instilled a huge transformation in the energy and dynamism that Cravinho feels was missing before.

The World Trade Centre Mumbai and All India Association for Industries organised an event for João Cravinho, who was on his last visit to Mumbai. The President of AIAI, Vijay Kalantri emphasized the need for reforms in EU, to make the relations stronger. Kalantri said India was looking forward to the Free Trade Agreement talks between India and EU. He also reiterated that the bilateral relationship entails a mutual relationship, where the EU also needs to open up for India.

The Chairman of WTC Mumbai Kamal Morarka felicitated Cravinho and bid him a warm farewell. Morarka reposed confidence in the long association with the Ambassador of EU and that he would continue to do so in future.

PHOTO (L-R): H.E. Mr. João Cravinho, Ambassador of the European Union to India along with Mr. Vijay Kalantri, President, AIAI and Mr. Kamal Morarka, Chairman WTC Mumbai at an interactive meeting organized by WTC Mumbai and AIAI

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