Round Table with World Bank
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On the dais, from left, are Mr. Sushil Bahl, Senior Specialist, World Bank; Mr. Pradeep Kumar, Managing Director & CEO, Euclid Infotech (P) Ltd.; Mr. Ajay Sahai, Director General, FIEO; Dr. R K Dhawan, Chairman, FIEO (NR); Mr. Joel A Turkewitz, Head Procurement, World Bank; Mr. Navratan Samdria, Past President, FIEO; Mr. Sunil Trikha, Chief General Manager, EXIM Bank, and Mr. Subhash Goyal, Managing Committee Member of FIEO. |
FIEO organized a Round Table with the World Bank on 15th May, 2007 at New Delhi to apprise the Indian service providers of the potential and scope of the projects funded by IBRD & IDA. A large number of service providers in the fields of engineering, infrastructure, construction, insurance, travel etc. took part in the meet.
While initiating the meeting, FIEO Director General Mr. Sahai spoke about the burgeoning export of services from the country. "Services export from India has increased from 16.3 bn US dollars in 2002 to 73 bn US dollars in 2006 and the country is now ranked as the 10th largest exporter of services," said Mr. Sahai.
FIEO Northern Region Chairman Dr. R. K. Dhawan in his welcome address highlighted the potential of Indian services in sectors such as engineering, construction, infrastructure, healthcare etc.
The World Bank official Mr Joel A Turkewitz, who heads Procurement Division, pointed out that the main mission of the World Bank was to help developing countries and their people to reach the ‘millennium development goals’ by working with their partners to alleviate poverty. He informed that during the financial year 2006, assistance worth US$ 1416 m was provided to India by the World Bank Group which was 6% of the total commitment of the Bank.
Mr. Joel gave valuable tips to the participants on how to be a successful bidder for World Bank projects and advised them to visit the website of the Bank for tracking opportunities.
Mr Sunil Trikha, Chief General Manager, Exim Bank informed the participants about the financial assistance provided by his Bank to Indian service providers. He also briefed the participants about the Exim Bank scheme through which the successful bidder of international tender could get financial support of 50% of the cost of an overseas project.
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| Mr. Joel A Turkewitz addressing the gathering. |
A view of the participants. |
Other important dignitaries who addressed the meet were Mr. Navratan Samdria, Past President, FIEO, Mr. Subhash Goyal, Managing Committee Member, FIEO, Mr. Sushil Behl, Senior Specialist, Mr. Pradeep Kumar, Managing Director & CEO, Euclid Infotech Pvt. Ltd. and Mr. Mayank Mishra, Regional Head, ICICI Lombard General Insurance.
The World Bank provides policy advice, technical assistance and promotes knowledge sharing services. It provides funds for development projects and programmes in countries in Asia, Africa, Central America, Latin America and other parts of the world. The basic lending instrument of the Bank consists of investment lending and development policy lending. It mainly works with the governments of the member countries in providing loans and developmental help.
