World Trade Expo 2017 Generate Tremendous Response

World Trade Expo 2017, a first-of-its-kind event in the financial capital of India during November 16-17, 2017, generated tremendous response from business and industry. The event was organised by  World Trade Centre Mumbai in association with All India Association of Industries. 

World Trade Expo 2017 was a great success with the participation of more than 37 countries, 4 state governments and more than 3,000 visitors representing agriculture, healthcare, technology, education, manufacturing, tourism and so on visited this unique expo. The event showcased products and services of industry clusters, start-up enterprises, women entrepreneurs, khadi and village industries. More than 15,000 B2B meetings were held which will result in various business opportunities, technical collaboration, joint ventures, exports, imports and other forms of commercial partnerships. 

The participating Ambassadors and Consul Generals expressed optimism on the evolving economic partnership with India. Diplomats from Peru, Bangladesh, Rwanda, Bolivia, Sri Lanka and Indonesia showcased various investment opportunities and tourism potential in their regions.

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Shri Suresh Prabhu in his video message lauded that World Trade Expo will bring in new benefits to trade and industry. The Indian economy which is currently USD 2.5 trillion will be the third largest economy of the world with the GDP of USD 5 trillion in next few years, he said. 

Dr. Arun Kumar Panda, Secretary, Ministry of MSME, Government of India highlighted the strength of Indian MSMEs which is around 60 million and contributes 90% to the industrial sector of the country. 

The inaugural session was also attended by Shri B. H. Anil Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of MSME, Government of India, Dr. Norbert Révai-Bere, Dean, Consular Corps in Mumbai & Consul General of Hungary in Mumbai, Shri. Vinai Kumar Saxena, Chairman, KVIC and Dr. Sonia Sethi, IAS, Additional Director General of Foreign Trade, Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Mumbai.

The event also featured a highly impactful panel discussion on ‘Women: Evolving Business’, A business talk 10X by Dr. Arunaagiri Mudaaliar , (author, world class trainer, international sportsman and successful industrialist) as well a workshop on ‘How to Start Exports’. 

Earlier in his welcome remarks, Mr. Vijay Kalantri, President, All India Association of Industries (AIAI) and Vice Chairman, World Trade Centre Mumbai said, “The 37 participating countries account for 17% of India’s total trade. There is great potential to increase this share to 25% in the course of time. This expo aims to improve India’s international trade by supporting MSMEs, industry clusters, khadi and village industries and start-up companies. The event also promotes India’s ambitious policies such as Start-up India, Digital India, Make in India and so on. World Trade Expo will be made an annual event with an aim to connect India’s MSMEs, women-owned business and start-up enterprises to the world market.”

The event was attended by diplomats of Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Russia, Botswana, Brazil, Congo, Gabon, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Georgia, Fiji, Indonesia, Hungary, Jordan, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Norway, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Rwanda, Basque Region of Spain, Lesotho and South Korea, among others. Industry bodies such as The Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry also participated in the expo.

In Photo (From Left to Right) - Mr. Vijay Kalantri, President, All India Association of Industries (AIAI) and Vice Chairman, World Trade Centre Mumbai, Dr. Sonia Sethi, IAS, Additional Director General of Foreign Trade, Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Mumbai, Shri. Vinai Kumar Saxena, Chairman, KVIC, Dr. Arun Kumar Panda, Secretary, Ministry of MSME, Government of India, Dr. Norbert Révai-Bere, Dean, Consular Corps in Mumbai & Consul General of Hungary in Mumbai