The Indo-Spanish Chamber of Commerce (ISCC) hosted a grand celebration of its achievement of crossing the line of the 100-MEMBER Mark. Since its inception in 2018, and barring the two years of covid, this triumph has come as a great accomplishment for ISCC in a very short span of time.
The Celebrations preceded the most anticipated Annual General Meeting of the Chamber on September 20, 2024 at The Roseate Resort, New Delhi. The event featured an impressive lineup of distinguished guests including Ambassadors of Spain, Peru, Chile, Uruguay in India and nearly hundred top brass of various member companies from Spain and India. The gathering reflected the growing importance of bilateral relations between India, Spain and a wider international community. The event also featured the most awaited signing moment of partnership between ISCC and IMC Chamber of Commerce & Industry (one of the oldest in the country, established in 1907).
H.E. Mr. Juan Antonio March Pujol, Ambassador of Spain, delivered a compelling address that emphasized the deepening strategic and economic ties between India and Spain while highlighting areas of cooperation in technology, and sustainable development. He also emphasized the need to increase ISCC’s geographical presence and to create an Ibero-America chapter within the ISCC. He further wished the Chamber to achieve 200+ member mark by the year 2025.
Other distinguished speakers included Ms. Sonia Prashar, Secretary General of the Federation of European Business in India (FEBI), the newly created EU chamber of commerce in India. She shared valuable insight into the role of European businesses in India’s economic growth, and the instrumental support ISCC brought to the creation of FEBI and the outstanding role ISCC has within.
Mr. Victor Hugo Sinovas, Economic & Commercial Attaché of the Embassy of Spain also followed with a detailed analysis of the Indian economy and the current business landscape and investment opportunities for the Spanish companies in India, expressing the full and continuous support of the Economic and Commercial office of the Spanish Embassy in India to ISCC.
The presence of the Ambassadors of Peru, Chile and Uruguay underscoring the ISCC’s role as a facilitator of global partnerships and international business diplomacy, and Mr. Kriti Das Thokchom, Under Secretary (Europe West) from the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India further elevated the occasion. Their presence symbolized the Chamber’s expanding influence and the growing interest of Latin American countries in strengthening trade relations with India.
A pivotal moment of the evening was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between ISCC and IMC Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mumbai. This agreement marks a significant milestone in fostering cross-border trade and investment between India and Spain, as well as promoting business collaboration across multiple industries, facilitating the contact and exchange between Spanish and Indian companies in Mumbai.
IMC Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mumbai came into existence in 1907 and served the interests of the Indian business community and also took part in several key political movements pre-independence. In recognition of the Chamber’s contribution to nation building, Mahatma Gandhi accepted honorary membership in 1931, the only Chamber which has this distinction. The Chamber currently presents the voice of its membership base of over 5000 direct members, over 400,000 businesses and establishments across India from diverse industry sectors as indirect members, and affiliation with nearly 150 trade associations. The Chamber’s core function is to provide policy input and to promote interests of industry and economic growth of India.
Indo Spanish Chamber of Commerce, on the other hand, is the official Chamber of Commerce of the Government of Spain in India, endorsed by the the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise. ISCC is the only business aggrupation of Spanish companies in India. The aim of the Chamber is creating a forum in which sharing experiences, exchange and contacts, promoting the economic relations between the Spanish and the Indian business communities, building and setting a framework in which to join efforts to solve common issues, and promote the Spain brand. Because of that, the Indo Spanish Chamber of Commerce embraces Spanish companies already doing business in India, and those interested in entering into businesses in India, and Indian firms who wish to do business with Spanish firms or in Spain.
Overall, while the Celebrations concluded with a vibrant networking session over a sumptuous spread of gourmet food and signature cocktails, offering members and guests the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions and explore business ventures, the previous Annual General Meeting commemorated the Chamber’s achievements and set the stage for continued growth and international cooperation in the years to come.
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