Indo-Czech Executive Round Table : Doing Business with Tamil Nadu

The “Indo-Czech Executive Round Table : Doing Business with Tamil Nadu” event held on Oct 16, 2020 was an initiative of the Southern India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI), Guidance Tamil Nadu (GoTN) and the Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic in Chennai. It was jointly organized by the Ministry of Industry & Trade of the Czech Republic and the Embassy of the Czech Republic in New Delhi.

Thiru M. C. Sampath, Hon’ble Minister for Industries, Government of Tamil Nadu, Ms. Martina Tauberova, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade for EU Affairs & Foreign Trade, Government of the Czech Republic and H.E. Mr. Milan Hovorka, Ambassador of the Czech Republic in India were the Guests of Honour. Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Managing Director, Guidance Tamil Nadu, Government of Tamil Nadu was the Key Speaker. Mr. Jiří Hansl, Director, Czech Chamber of Commerce also addressed during the event.

This webinar was held towards developing the Economic cooperation and investment opportunities between the Czech Republic and Tamil Nadu. Mr. Ar Rm Arun, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic in Chennai & President-SICCI, during his address warmly welcomed the august presence of the Hon’ble Ministers, Dignitaries and all Participants.

Mr. Ar Rm Arun briefed about the long term cooperation between the Czech Republic and India. Czechoslovakia was the 1st Country to recognize independent India in 1947. India in turn was the 1st to recognize the establishment of independent Czech Republic in 1993. Mr. Arun spoke about the Indo-Czech Friendship including the several ongoing Inter-Governmental visits and Business connect between both Countries. In particular, the Czech Republic had well assisted several decades ago in building the Steam Boiler plant for BHEL in Trichy. Mr. Arun also highlighted that the Thirukural which is sacred in Tamil Nadu has a good TN-Czech connect - Prof. Kamil Václav Zvelebil who was a Czech Scholar in Indian Literature & Linguistics, made the only translation of the Thirukural into the Czech language. Mr. Arun also conveyed that Innovative Czech Technologies in various sectors can be combined with Indian resources to achieve a successful mix that can benefit both Societies.

Dr. Neeraj Mittal, IAS, MD, Guidance Tamil Nadu spoke about the various opportunities available in Tamil Nadu for Investment & Economic growth for the benefit of Tamil Nadu & Czech Companies. Tamil Nadu is the 2nd largest economy in India contributing 8% of the National GDP. The State is well connected with International Airports and Sea Ports, highly industrialized economy with about 74 of the Fortune 500 Companies having home in Tamil Nadu. Over 50% of the State is urbanized, which is highest in the Country. Dr. Mittal also mentioned about the latest unveiling of the Electronics Hardware Manufacturing Policy and the proposed plan of unveiling an Industrial Policy benefitting Global Companies who invest in Tamil Nadu.

Hon’ble Industries Minister Thiru M. C. Sampath, Government of Tamil Nadu said that the State can be a prime destination for the Czech Republic’s Defence manufacturing as it is the only brownfield in the Country. He also conveyed that with the changing Global Pharmaceutical supply & manufacturing chains, Pharma is another Sector that Czech Republic can rely on Tamil Nadu as its alternate source for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). The Hon’ble Minister also highlighted about Tamil Nadu’s strengths in various Sectors, viz., Automobile & Auto Components, Electronics, Information Technology (IT) and IT-enabled Services (ITeS). He also encouraged that during these times of crisis, new relationships must be built and existing ones should be strengthened.

Mrs. Martina Tauberova, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade for EU Affairs and Foreign Trade, Government of the Czech Republic expressed that India is the Czech Republic’s most important partner. She said that there has been a long history of collaboration between both Countries. She also conveyed that Czech Republic and Tamil Nadu share many strengths, including the traditional industries of Engineering, Automotive, Textile and Agriculture. She conveyed that they are supporting Czech Companies to advance in the Indian market, finding partners and assisting Investment projects. She said that the ties can be further strengthened with Tamil Nadu.

H.E. Mr. Milan Hovorka, Ambassador of the Czech Republic in India informed that this roundtable event is most necessary towards establishing bilateral relations between the Czechia and Tamil Nadu, during these difficult COVID times. He also appreciated Tamil Nadu has been taking combative measures in coming out of the COVID times very soon.

Dr. Jiří Hansl, Director - Czech Chamber of Commerce said that these Roundtable events can be taken to the next level by signing MoUs and establishing joint working with Investments and Business growth between both Countries.

During the B2B session, Key Representatives of Companies from the Czech Republic & Tamil Nadu along with the Guidance Tamil Nadu Team actively participated. Discussions where held about the potential opportunities in Electronics, Pharmaceuticals, Aerospace & Defence, Automotive and General Manufacturing.

Nearly 100 participants attended this webinar including the high-profile dignitaries, members of the Guidance Tamil Nadu, Companies from various Sectors and Chamber Representatives of the Czech Republic & Tamil Nadu. Mr. Vinod Solomon, Secretary-SICCI had effectively coordinated with the representatives of Government of Tamil Nadu and the various industries. New Delhi in organising this successful Webinar.

a. The Hindu : ‘T.N. can be a key destination for Czech Republic’s defence manufacturing’

b. Business Line : TN govt digitises government-to-business interaction for approvals and services

c. Business Standard : SICCI organises online Indo-Czech roundtable    

d. New India Express : State woos Czech defence Industries