Purpose

Both bonds of history and geo-strategic location of the Central Asian Countries in an extended neighborhood make India's relations with them a matter of priority. The region has profound strategic and economic importance for India. Since independence of these countries seven years ago, conscious efforts have been made to strengthen and diversify relations and to bring a contemporary focus to the age-old ties. In the economic sphere, abundant natural resources of Central Asia and India's technological and scientific capabilities provide the rationale for colLabouration, notwithstanding the current problems of transitional economies in these States.

Objective

The objective of the Congress is to provide a joint platform for both India and Central Asian Countries to focus and deliberate on vital issues of economic cooperation. This should include bilateral trade, investment, technology transfer, services and education. In the proposed Congress, issues would be taken up for Central Asia as a whole and also the individual member countries – Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The objective would also be to focus on micro-level issues of business cooperation by setting up business-to-business (B to B) platforms for industry/associations/organizations in the two regions.

Bilateral Trade

Present level of bilateral trade between India and CAC is very low; during 2006 India's total trade with the whole of Central Asia was less than $ 400 million. Major product focus during the Congress will be on:

Exports from Central Asia to India: Gas, crude oil, petrochemicals, textiles (cotton/yarn/fabrics), copper, aluminium, steel, plastics and products, asbestos.

Exports from India to Central Asia: Machinery and equipment (including electrical machinery), chemicals, foodstuff, tea, pharmaceuticals, paper and paperboard, sugar and confectionery, footwear, textiles and garments.

Non-trade colLabouration or partnership would be in areas of manufacturing, joint ventures, information technology, and science and technology.

Thrust Areas/Programme

Investment Opportunities and Film/Ad production on February 11 Tourism Promotion and Human Resource Development on February 12, Pharmaceutical, Healthcare and Transportation on February 13,2009.

Participants' Profile

Industrialists; Importers; Exporters; Government Officials; Diplomats; Experts on Central Asia; Officials of International Agencies; Academicians and so on.

Steering Committee

• Chairman: Mr. J.C. Sharma, Former Secretary,
  Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
  
  
• Co-Chairmen: Mr. S.V. Bhave. Resident Commissioner,
  J&K (Govt. Sector)
  
  
• Dr. S.M Dewan, Director General, SCOPE (PSUs)
  
  
• Mr. S.K. Sinha, Director (P&M), NSIC (SMEs)
  
  
• Mr. V.C. Jain Bhabhu, Chairman, Seer India
  (Private Sector)
  
  
• Mr. Sunil Trikha, Chief General Manager
  Exim Bank (Intl)
  
  
• Mr. Naren Joshi, Chief Representative,
  ING Insurance International B.V.
  (Insurance)
  
  Also Representatives of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
  
  
• Convenor: Dr. Jagjit Singh, Founder & Executive President, IMM

Presentation of Papers by Speakers

Those interested in presenting papers on the thrust areas or the theme may send their bio-data, passport size photograph and synopsis of paper not exceeding three double-spaced, quarter size pages.

Congress Fee includes attendance, Kit & Refreshments Per Person (Non-Residential)

Kindly arrange to return the following registration form duly filled in and signed along with requisite fee for confirmation of nomination and programme. Fee can either be sent through cheque / demand draft favoring “Institute of Marketing & Management” payable at New Delhi or remittance through transfer to Current A/c No.405050189 (MICR No. 110019018) favoring “Institute of Marketing & Management” with Indian Bank, Mehrauli Institutional Area Branch, New Delhi-110016, under intimation to us.