The Madrid offices of PriceWaterhouseCoopers, a SICF patron, hosted the presentation of the Integral Development Plan for the Indian Market. Partner Alan D’Silva welcomed the attendees by emphasising that “this is a very important moment for India. After the elections there will be many opportunities for Spain as the Indian market opens up to foreign investment in all areas of its economy.” He went on to discuss his recent visit to India and said he had been impressed by “people’s optimism and excitement around the political change.”
The Spain India Council Foundation Chairman, Antonio Escámez, introduced the speakers and emphasised the work of the Secretariat of State and its “commitment to Indian economy." He also underscored the Foundation’s work in that regard by reminding the audience of the 1st Spain-India Forum, set to take place in December under the title ‘Sustainable cities and transport networks for the generations to come’.
Next, Antonio Fernández-Martos, Director General for International Trade and Investment at the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, presented the General Plan for Development in the Indian Market. “Through these kinds of initiatives, we aim to focus our financial, promotional and institutional resources on priority markets,” he explained. According to the Director General, this strategy is based on establishing “the objectives, the opportunity sectors and the lines of action we want to pursue in India.”
Ricardo Santamaría, Head of Country Risk and Debt Management at CESCE, gave a rundown of the opportunities in India, "a powerhouse with great potential for Spanish investment.” He went on to add that the country has a “high savings and investment rate, is open to the foreign sector and enjoys positive diversification of production.”
Gustavo de Arístegui, Ambassador of Spain to India, focused his address on emphasising “the challenges India faces, such as water supply, public healthcare, education, infrastructure, energy and legal safety.” “Those are sectors,” he said, “in which Spain is a leader and has proven international expertise. That’s why there are so many opportunities for our companies.”
The event was attended by Alonso Dezcallar, Secretary General of the Spain India Council Foundation; Germán Bejarano, Head of Institutional Relations at Abengoa; José María Hernando, Head of Institutional Relations and Business Development at Navantia; Álvaro Escribano, Vice-President of Institutional Relations at Universidad Carlos III in Madrid; Guillermo Rodríguez, Director of Casa de la India and Óscar Ramos, Director of the Centre for Asian Studies at Universidad de Valladolid, among others.
More images in the Gallery
India. Integral Development Plan for the Indian Market - 2014 Strategy. Secretary of State for Trade
Cesce in India. Document drafted by Ricardo Santamaría, Head of Country Risk and Debt Management at Cesce
