Event report • General Assembly

Mumbai : 42nd Annual General Meeting - IFCCI elects Mr. Sumeet Anand as its new President

20 September 2019

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Chief Guest Shri Nitin Gadkari, targets 5 crore jobs in 5 years, determined to develop and enhance French investments in India

Mumbai, September 20th 2019: Elected as President on Friday, 20th September, Mr. Sumeet Anand will represent one of India’s most active bilateral trade Chamber, the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI). The announcement comes at the 42nd Annual General Meeting of IFCCI in Mumbai in the presence of the Chief Guest Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport and Highways of India, GoI. IFCCI has played a vital role in putting India on the map amongst the network of 120+ French chamber across the world, awarded twice by the CCI France International in 2018 & 2019 as the best performing chamber around the world.

Top highlights of Shri Gadkari’s speech:

Targets 5 crore jobs in 5 years, determined to develop and enhance French investments in India
Indian Government looks at developing 5 Trillion Indian Economy
Manufacturing to start for 11-seater jet falcons in Nagpur by 2022
Development & Infrastructure is the agenda of the Government
Joint Ventures are a win-win for both countries
MSME sector growing at 49%, MSME exports growing at 40%, 50% growth in MSME Employment
Invites suggestions from French companies in India, emphasizes on friendship between the two countries

The President`s election coincides with a favorable economic context between the two countries. With over 600 established French firms in India, France is one of India’s top investors with a total stock of investments amounting to 6bn USD. This year will be remembered as an extremely dynamic and progressive year for India & France as India’s Defence Minister Mr. Rajnath Singh will be travelling to France next month, to receive the delivery of the first Rafale, which is a part of one of the most important Defence deals across the globe currently.

The announcement was made in the presence of H.E Mr. Emmanuel Lenain, Ambassador-Designate of France to India, Mr. Daniel Maitre, Minister Counsellor, Head of the Regional Economic Service for India and South Asia along with more than two hundred French and Indian business leaders. The Chamber promotes trade between India and France & has a niche network of Indian and French CXOs in the form of 15 high level Committees.

Mr. Antoine Castel, Chief Executive and Chief Country Officer of Société Générale – India gave an introduction and video presentation on the Jungle Cry Movie - which is based on an Inspiring True Story.

Sumeet Anand is the successor to Mr. Guillaume Girard-Reydet, Managing Director of Pernod Ricard India and will preside over the Chamber for two years. He will be supported by four Vice-presidents in his missions to overlook the growth of IFCCI which is currently headed by Ms. Payal S. Kanwar as the Director General.

Mr. Anand, comes with 25 years of top management consulting and general management experience. He is the Founder of IndSight Growth Partners, a leading strategy-consulting firm advising Fortune 500 & CAC 40 – SBF 240 corporations, family owned Indian groups and private equity funds. Previously, he had 15 years of CXO experience with French groups Pernod Ricard & Savencia, twice as CEO & Country Manager for India & South Asia.

He is recognized for his expertise in Indo-European business relations, especially Indo-French relations. He is the first Indian to be elected to the global Governing Committee of HEC Paris Alumni association and has also served as the Vice-President and Governing Council Member of the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce & Industry CCI France-Inde since many years. A BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt Global Responsible Leaders Fellow, he is also a Member of the Board of Advisors of AIESEC in IIT Delhi.

"As we continue to grow as a chamber, we would like to extend a heartfelt gratitude to our Sponsors for their kind support.