Dr Basilio Horta, President, Portuguese Development Agency, said Portugal has always been supportive of stronger trade relations between India and the EU.
Listing the priority areas of cooperation between the two sides, he said, promotion of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), addressing the challenge of climate change, facilitating better flow of information, addressing IPR issues, closer ties between the cultural organizations will ensure a closer relationship.
Mr Gomes Esteves, Vice-President, AIP-CE & CIP, said the summit offers excellent opportunity to deepen the economic ties between the EU and India.
It will help to reach out to important business partners on the either side, and added that the AIP-CE & CIP will work towards creating a level-playing field for all the stakeholders. “Both Portugal and India faced common challenges related to trade, infrastructure and climate changes and must work towards sorting out these issues.
Mr Sunil Bharti Mittal, President, CII, in his address, urged both the sides to work towards a fair and equitable trade relationship and ensure that the economic benefits reach out to the all the sections of the population.
Calling for more investment from the EU to India, Mr Mittal said the FTA must address concerns and the domestic sensitivities. He also assured that industry chambers would work together to take the India-EU partnership forward.
Earlier in his welcome address, Mr Habib Khorakiwala, President, FICCI, noted that successful completion of the India-EU FTA would go a long way towards achieving higher levels of trade and investment.
He added that a strong multilateral trading system is crucial to realize the objective of free and fair trade. He urged the stakeholders to interpret the India-EU strategic partnership as one of knowledge partnership.
The European Union has committed a financial assistance of Euro 470 million to India. The Prime Minister of Portugal, Mr Jose Socrates, in his capacity as holding the chair of the EU, announced this in his address at the Closing session.
Mr Socrates also suggested setting up of a European Centre for Business and Technology to enhance the economic and technological cooperation between India and the EU.
Confederation of Indian Industry
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