Indian Chamber Presents International & Luxembourg Plans for 2023

The Indian Business Chamber of Luxembourg (IBCL) recently presented its agenda for 2023; Chronicle.lu caught up with Aditya Sharma, IBCL President, to learn more about the the chamber's activities in 2022 and its plans for the new year.

Chronicle.lu: What were some of the highlights at IBCL in 2022? Did most/all events go ahead in person, amid eased COVID-19 restrictions?

Aditya Sharma: IBCL highlights in 2022 were: renewing the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the World Trade Center, Mumbai; receiving prestigious bilateral accreditation by the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce; expanding the scope of events to geopolitical dimensions such as the energy expanding operations of IBCL in India by holding an event in Mumbai during the summer break in Luxembourg; close co-operation with the Indian Embassy with active participation in three in-person events in Brussels; supporting the British & Irish Film Festival Luxembourg (BIFFL) with a special screening of "Continuing Traditions", rendering a musical connection between India and Europe.

Chronicle.lu: Have membership and/or event numbers changed following the end of COVID-19 restrictions in Luxembourg?

Aditya Sharma: Our members stood by us during the COVID time. In turn, IBCL offered monetary concessions, a flexible arrangement to accommodate members passing through the difficult months during 2020 to 2022. We now see a resurgence in business activity and a renewed confidence among members in IBCL. Our net membership base has primarily stayed the same.

Indeed, our in-person events numbers dropped in response to prolonged COVID protocols, members' need to focus on re-building business and a general shortage of auditoriums due to major renovations at the Chamber of Commerce. However, we have bounced back in 2023 and are adopting innovative ways to overcome the shortage of auditoriums.

Chronicle.lu: What does 2023 have in store for IBCL and its members? Approximately how many events do you plan to organise next year?

Aditya Sharma: IBCL is seeing a robust increase in activity, both in India and Luxembourg. During the first quarter of 2023, we offer three opportunities to attend major trade events at concessional rates under the IBCL banner, thereby offering a broader choice to members to kick start new operations and deepen their ties with the business community in India. The business delegation to India of 10 to 18 February 2023 shall be followed by the CII India Europe Business & Sustainability Conclave in New Delhi from 28 February to 1 March 2023, in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs. Members shall have the further option of attending India's premiere India Engineering Sourcing Show 2023 in Chennai from 16 to 18 March 2023. Appropriate new partnerships are being forged with the leading trade bodies of India to forge a deeper relationship to create long-term synergy.

UP Investors' Summit, 10 to 12 February 2023, Lucknow, UP, India: The State of Uttar Pradesh has a consumer base of 250 million people and is the third largest economy in India with a high rating on ease of doing business. IBCL met the Ministerial Delegation of the State of Uttar Pradesh on 12 December 2022 and was invited to bring a trade delegation to the Summit in the State capital of Lucknow from 10 to 12 February 2023, to be inaugurated by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in the presence of Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Belgium Chamber of Commerce may join the event under the IBCL umbrella. Select delegation members may have the opportunity to participate in Benelux roundtable. The Summit shall create an opportunity to interact with leading business houses and senior decision makers from the Government of India in addition to local officials in Uttar Pradesh.  

7th Global Business Summit (GBS), 17 to 18 February 2023, New Delhi: The CEOs/Chairman of the Board of international companies in the delegation shall have the option to extend their stay and attend the 7th edition of the Global Business Summit (GBS) on 17 and 18 February 2023, in New Delhi, to be addressed by Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi and global corporate leaders. The registration charges of €1,200 per head shall be waived for IBCL-nominated attendees.

Responsible Renewable Energy Summit 2023, 8 February 2023, Delhi: The delegates arriving earlier shall have an option to attend the Responsible Renewable Energy Summit 2023 on 8 February in Delhi. Complimentary registration on Eventbrite. The flight fare, stay and local conveyance shall be borne by delegates. The meals during the summit days shall be hosted by the organisers. No PCR test or COVID-19 vaccination certificate is required for travellers originating the journey in Europe. The offer is open to paid IBCL Members for 2023. Those interested in joining should transfer €90 per delegate (non-refundable) to IBCL by 24 January 2023.

Our website shall also acquire enhanced features to allow members the option to display their products and services to the audience in India and vice versa. They shall also have the option to make online payments and instant registration to our upcoming events. The second and fourth quarters shall focus on in-person events in Luxembourg. In the first quarter, we shall launch our quarterly newsletter organised around the industries our members operate in. Our members shall also have access to our newly created position of IBCL India head, based in New Delhi, who could provide the facility of in-person representation of our members.

Chronicle.lu: What can you tell us about your upcoming anniversary event?

Aditya Sharma: To celebrate our 14th anniversary, IBCL shall launch a bi-annual edition of its signature event, "Luxembourg Dialogues", at a prominent venue in Luxembourg in mid-April or early May 2023. It shall be an afternoon event from 17:00 to 19:30, followed by networking drinks and dinner. The event shall focus on the macro issues of strategy, energy, economy, sustainable development, climate change and geopolitics across Industries in the context of Europe and India, having an influence on the profitability of corporates.  

Efforts are on to bring a business delegation from the partner chambers in India to the event, possibly accompanied by a government minister. We shall also introduce the "CEO-of-Honour" address by a very senior CEO from Europe/India who will share his/her insights on strategic and economic pointers that young CEOs should consider while planning expansion in and beyond Europe.  

For more information about IBCL's upcoming events, see https://ibcl.lu/upcoming-events/.