Webinar : Indo-French Smart City Summit

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IFCCI in association with the Consulate of France in Bombay, Business France, AFD and the Club Smart City (managed by the Embassy of France in India) organized an interactive discussion on the opportunities, challenges and expectations to understand the smart cities with an insight on to work together at the multilateral level to promote peaceful international relations and address global issues like climate change, waste water management and mobility.

Ms. Payal S. Kanwar, Director General, IFCCI welcomed all the dignitaries, speakers and distinguished participants to be a part of this insightful event. She was pleased to mention that India and France share a deep and trustful bilateral relation and have also signed a strategic partnership to promote its partnership at its highest level

Ms Sonia Barbry, Consul General, Consulate of France in Mumbai, delivered the opening remarks and spoke about how IFCCI as a chamber is operating and the initiatives being taken. She also highlighted how India and France share a close bond in terms of strong economic and financial presence of French companies. As they invest in here in India and are heavily engaged in “Making in India”.

Ms Clémence Vidal De La Blache, Deputy Director, AFD, India illustrated the Activities of AFD in India with a focus on Maharashtra. Indo-French institutional cooperation in the field of Urban development and smart cities has been one of the pillars of our economic partnership. France, with its companies and with the support of French Agency of  Developpment (AFD) is committed to accompany India’s transition and make it more sustainable.

Mr Rahul Kapoor, Director Smart Cities Mission, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India shared his special address by Thanking the French cooperation for being involved in the Smart City Mission of Govt of India.

The session then headed to its panel discussion by Government authorities on the topic ‘Views on the impact of COVID-19 on the Smart City Sector and the cuttingedge issues, strategic solutions, investment strategies and urban planning, smart mobility, infrastructure development, etc.’ This discussion was moderated by Mr Maxime Du Bois, Regional Economic Department for India and South Asia, Embassy of France to India

The round of Panelists included:

• Ms Aditi Garg, CEO, Indore Smart City,
• Mr Swayan Chaudhuri, EX-CEO, Imagine Panaji Smart City
• Mr Nilkantha Poman, Joint CEO, Pimpri Smart City
• Dr Sanjay Kolte, CEO, Pune Smart City
• Mr Chaitanya Y. Bhatt, Deputy Municipal Commissioner, Surat Municipal Corporation

This engaging discussion covered the views of individual, Frost & Sullivan s and the opportunities to explore in the Smart City Sector. It also had its own challenges which were brought up by the panelist while explaining the possible ways out to encourage smart city planning and development.

Mr Bhushan Gagrani, Principal Secretary, Urban Development Department Government of Maharashtra shared his special remarks as he leads the urban development sector in the state. Mobility being an important sector more than 25 French organizations are taking part in metro development projects in India.

Mr Aurélien Sostaponti, Head of Industry and Cleantech Department, Business France highlighted the Activities of Business France in the Smart Cities Sector. As their key misson is to promote Trade relations between France and India and seek potential partners and new markets in India while helping India businesses to grow and identify potential French suppliers, commercials and technical partners

Mr Aymeric de Reynies, CEO, Credit Agricole India explained the Role of Banks in the Smart City Sector: Green Bonds

The session then headed to its 2^nd panel discussion with Mr Kaushik Madhavan, Vice President – Mobility being the moderator for the topic “Future of Smart City and Green Mobility”

The Panelist being:

• Mr Ravin Mirchandani, Executive Chairman, Ador Powertron
• Mr Alain Spohr, Managing Director for India & South Asia, Alstom
• Mr Piyush Kataria, CFO, FM Logistic India
• Ms Sulajja Firodia Motwani, Founder & CEO, Kinetic Green Energy & Power Solutions Limited

This interesting and insightful discussion was followed by a round of Q&A

Mr. Bruno Bronquard, Regional Director, IFCCI delivered the vote of thanks and congratulated all the government officials for all the efforts and constant support extended to the industry. He also thanked our event partners and sponsors without whom this event wouldn’t have been a huge success.