SICF organised a seminar in order to give Spanish SMEs an overview of the current landscape and outlook for the future, as well as the business opportunities broken down by industry and the keys to expanding into India. The event was structured around three sessions for a more dynamic format, allowing for the exchange of opinions among participants.
The Ambassador of Spain to India, Gustavo de Arístegui, and the Director of Aragón Exterior, Ignacio Martínez de Albornoz, spoke at the first session, under the title ‘The present and future of Spanish SMEs in India’. The second session, focusing on business opportunities in India, was led by Deputy Secretary General and Director General (International) of FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry), Ambika Sharma, and Caixabank’s Director in India, Peter Hansen. Afterwards, the roundtable ‘Case studies: Spanish SMEs in India’ took place. The speakers at this session were Pradeep Bhargava, Director of the Spain-India Business Circle; Alan D’Silva, partner at PwC; Mario Anibal Pastinante, VP Energy at Isolux; Roberto Maurel, General Coordinator of Miju and Tirso Vázquez, CEO of Kintech Engineering.
The seminar took place at Palacio de la Aljafería, the seat of the Aragón Regional Government, and was sponsored by Aragón Exterior, the Aragón Regional Government and CREA (Aragón Entrepreneurs Confederation).
This event is part of the Plan of Action approved by the Spain India Council Foundation during its latest Board meeting in November. Several industry seminars were also approved with a view to strengthening Spain-India relations, and the one in Zaragoza is the first in this cycle. It will be followed shortly by others focusing on financial and legal services in India.
Programme: ‘Seminar on business opportunities for Spanish SMEs in India’
June 26, 10am to 1pm - Goya Room, Palacio de la Aljafería, Zaragoza
10:00 – Opening
Opening remarks by Manuel Cacho, Secretary General of SICF
Opening remarks by Javier García, Joint Managing Director of Tata Hispano
Opening remarks by Ángel Adiego, CEO of Grupo Lacor
Opening remarks by Inmaculada Riera, MP and specialist in India
Inauguration by José Ángel Biel, President of the Aragón Regional Government (to be confirmed)
10:15 – The present and future of Spanish SMEs in India
By Mr Gustavo de Arístegui, Ambassador of Spain to India
Introduced by Ignacio Martínez de Albornoz, Director of Aragón Exterior
11:00 – Networking / Coffee break
11:15 – Business opportunities for SMEs in India (*)
By Ambika Sharma, Deputy Secretary General and Director General (International) of FICCI
Introduced by Peter Hansen, Director of Caixabank in India
12:00 - Roundtable - Case studies: Spanish SMEs in India
Moderated by Pradeep Bhargava, Director of the Spain-India Business Circle
Alan D´Silva, partner at PwC
Mario Anibal Pastinante, VP Energy at Isolux
Roberto Maurel, General Coordinator of Miju
Tirso Vázquez, CEO of de Kintech Engineering
12:45 – Closing session
Closing remarks by Antonio Escámez, Chairman of SICF
Closing remarks by Jesús Morte, Chairman of CREA
Closing remarks by Joaquim Llimona, Head of International Relations at Barcelona City Council
Closing address by Luisa Fernanda Rudi, Regional President of Aragón (to be confirmed)
Registration is mandatory, please email contacto@spain-india.org
(*) Session in English, simultaneous interpreting available
Further information
The Spain India Council Foundation will provide news coverage during the seminar, both through its website and social media (#negociosIndia on Twitter).
