Various Business Meetings were held as a part of the Regional Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (RPBD) over the last two days at Los Angeles, USA.  They included three panel discussions on

• Investment Opportunities in Clean & Renewable Energy Sector in India
• Technology Partnerships, Investments & Innovation through the Digital India Initiative
• Impact Investments into Social Enterprises in India

Speakers from the Indian industry & subject matter experts from US participated.  The OIFC’s Indian Business delegation included senior executives from CII, entrepreneurs/ business owners and innovators from sectors including -Manufacturing, Renewable Energy, IT and IT enabled Services, Port technologies, Social Entrepreneurs, Impact investing, Healthcare, Hospitality, Real Estate, Market entry firms who can advise on business investment laws and regulatory aspects with India. The Delegation comprised the Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs; Ambassador of India to USA; the Consul General of India in San Francisco. The OIFC delegation also included Mr Jupally Krishna Rao, Minister for Industry, Govt of Telangana, Mr IYR Rao, Chief Secretary, Government of Andhra Pradesh, and senior officials from Haryana State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIDC), Department of Industries, Government of Jharkhand and Department of NRI Affairs, Government of Kerala. The RPBD and OIFC Business Meet were organised by Ministry of Overseas India Affairs in close coordination with the Embassy of India in USA, the Consulate General of India in San Francisco; and the Indian Associations in USA. The Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC) was setup as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) between the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA), Government of India and the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) to enhance economic engagement of Indian Diaspora with India.

These business meetings between Overseas Indians, officials & business delegation from India are expected to pave the way for economic engagement of the Indian Diaspora in the US with India.

At the Business Meet, OIFC launched the India Corporate Internship initiative, which would offer 60 paid internships at 23 top Indian corporate firms from summer 2016, by funding students of Indian origin. The internships would be a window to the Indian work culture, an opportunity to connect to roots and experience working in a multi-cultural environment.

The second programme that generated interest was the announcement of OIFC’s India Fellows Programme for young Diaspora entrepreneurs at the Indian School of Business (Hyderabad). The course, specially designed by OIFC for the Indian Diaspora, focuses on the Indian economy & doing business in India.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Government of India & Chairman, Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre Mr A K Agarwal, said “The Indian Government has a keen desire to engage with the Indian Diaspora and to invite them to participate in India’s economic Growth story.” He offered the services of the Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre to facilitate Overseas Indians’ investments from USA into India.

Mr Arun Singh, Ambassador of India to USA pointed out that the Indian Americans were contributing to the US economy significantly and called on them to explore opportunities to engage in the new focus areas of the Govt of India viz Digital India, Make in India, Start up India and Renewable energy.

Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, Confederation of Indian Industry & Co-chair, OIFC noted that the Indian Diaspora in the US has contributed tremendously to shaping the brand image of India in US and the story of India is moving towards States of India.

The delegations from five States – Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala and Haryana highlighted the investment opportunities in their States and business climate.

The RPBD is an annual event organised by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA), as part of its outreach to the Indian Diaspora in various global regions. So far eight RPBDs have been held, the last in London in October 2014.

RPBD provides a unique platform and opportunity for the Government to engage with the Indian Diaspora on issues such as increasing engagement with the Indian Diaspora; Role of Diaspora in the new initiatives of the Government of India (such as Digital India, Make in India, National Mission for Clean Ganga, Swachh Bharat etc); Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Education, Skills and Vocational Training among others.

The Indian Diaspora at these meetings is briefed about opportunities for business, investments, partnerships and possibilities for their contributions in these sectors.

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