IMM hosted the 35th World Marketing Congress on the theme "India & The Arab World: Partners in Progress" during January 21-23, 2008 at India Islamic Cultural Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi. The Congress was inaugurated by Hon'ble Union Minister for External Affairs, Mr. Pranab Mukharjee.

Inaugural Session: Dr. Abid Hussain, Chairman of the Congress, praised IMM for organizing the Marketing Congress year after year on the issues of National Importance. Chief Guest Hon'ble Union Minister of External Affairs, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee stressed on the historical and geographical linkages, between India and Arab World, saying that they are not only proximate neighbours but are closely bound by a sense of civilization and culture. HE Dr. Ahmed Salem Al Wahishi, Ambassador of the league of Arab State Mission, while delivering his speech as Guest of honour stated that World needs a development model to unlock its potential. Dr. Jagjit Singh, Founder and Executive President, IMM in his concluding remarks thanked the Chief Guest, and the other Dignitaries for gracing the occasion.

The keynote speakers of the Overview Session of the Congress included subject experts like Ambassador C.R. Gharekhan, Special Envoy of the PM; Mr. Harpal Singh, Non Executive Chairman, Ranbaxy; Dr. Javed Ahmed Khan of Jamia Millia Islamia and Prof. A. K. Pasha of JNU.

Technical Session I on Trading, Joint Ventures & Investment was presided over by Mr. Ajay Sahai, DG, FIEO. Mr. J.C. Srivastava, Regional Advisor, Indian Merchants Chamber; Dr. Arvind Pandalai, CMD, STC and Mr. Mohd. Slaoui, Minister Counsellor, Embassy of Morocco, gave their presentations as keynote speakers. Mr. Ajay Sahai mentioned that trade between India and the Arab World has increased by 400/% in six years (2001-2007).

Technical Session II on Gem & Jewellery was presided over by Dr. B. C. Malik, M.D; Pantech International (P) Ltd. Dr. Rajendra Bhola, Convener-Regional Sub Committee/ Technical & Education Sub Committee, GJEPC-Delhi during his presentation stated that Diamond is major player in Gem & Jewellery export and its 85% demand for cut and polished diamond is being meet by our country. Mr. Mohd. Slaoui, Minister Counsellor, Embassy of Morocco explained the potential of the particular sector in his country.

Technical Session III- Two Way Tourism Promotion- The session deliberated two-way Tourism Promotion between India & the Arab World. Dr. Sanat Kaul, ex-CMD, DTTDC; Mr. Devesh Chaturvedi, Director, Ministry of Tourism and Mr. Anil Maini, President International Marketing, Apollo Hospitals Group gave their presentations. Mr. M.P. Bezbaruah, former secretary, Ministry of Tourism while chairing the session pointed out that out bound tourists are more than in bound tourists in India which has to be looked into.

Technical Session IV-Entertainment Industry- The session was chaired by Sh. Udai Verma Addl. Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. Sh Verma mentioned that future of Entertainment Industry is very bright. Infact there is complete revolution in this sector. Mr. Bobby Bedi of Kalaidoscope as a keynote speaker stated that TV Channels have multiplied and are around 350 are present. Because of the revolution in entertainment sector mood and life of human being has changed.

Technical Session V- Banking and Insurance - HE Mr. Mohammed Ghassan Adnan Shaikho, Ambassador of Bahrain presided over the session. Mr. Naren Joshi, Chief Representative, ING Insurance International B.V. and Mr. Mahesh Nadgaudi, Territory Manager, HDFC Standard Life Insurance Co. were the keynote speakers. Chairman of the session stated that Bahrain Banking System consists of both conventional and Islamic Banks. SBI, Bank of Baroda and ICICI Bank are presently working in Bahrain. Mr. Joshi stated that India has 91 Banks, out of which 27 are in public sector, 31 are in private sector and 33 are foreign banks.

Technical Session VI - On Small & Medium Enterprises was chaired by Dr. S.M. Dewan, DG, SCOPE. Dr. Dewan mentioned about the gap between what promised and what is delivered in products in the SME sector. Mr. Jaya Seelan, CGM, NSIC; Mr. Roger Wild, Finance Director, Institute of Direct Marketing, UK and Mr. M.R. Kidwai, ex-GM, BHEL were other speakers of the session.

Technical Session VII- Pharmaceutical & Drugs - HE Ms. Ebyan Mahamed Salah, Ambassador of the Somali Democratic Republic, presided over the session, where Mr. D. G. Shah, Secretary Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance and Mr. N.D. Rajpal, Resident Director, Alembic Ltd. were the speakers. Mr. Shah mentioned that Indian Pharma Sector offers safe, effective and quality medicines know how and investment in local production.

Technical Session VIII- Designer Apparel (High Fashion) - Mr. V. C. Jain Bhabhu, Chairman, Seer (India) Ltd. chaired the session. Mr. K. Motwani, MD, Inta Gartek (India) Pvt. Ltd.; Dr. H.A. Shata, first Secretary, Embassy of Saudi Arabia; Dr. J.S. Chandan, Professor, the City University of New York and HE Mr. Carlos A. lrigoyen Forno, Acting Ambassador of Peru to India were the keynote speakers. Chairman of session stated that life itself is a celebration and designs are in the mindset and are creation of inspiration and best of experience.

Technical Session IX on Real Estate was presided over by Dr. Ajay Dua I.A.S. (R) Advisor, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce & Industry. Dr. B.P. Dhaka, COO (MP & VP-HR) Parsvnath Developers Ltd. and Mr. A.K. Zamli, First Secretary, Embassy of Palestine were the main speakers. Dr. Dua stated that the Indian real estate is growing up @ 30% and has a business of $ 15 billion and within 8 years it is likely to touch $ 90 billion. There is a shortage of 30 million houses. Hospitality Industry is growing at a rate of 27% and projected growth is 30%. 18 Real Estate Companies are listed on Indian stock exchanges and seven companies are listed on International Stock Exchange.

Valedictory Session-Hon'ble Sh. Kapil Sibal, Union Minister of Science & Technology and Ocean Development was the Chief Guest of the session whereas Hon'ble Dr. Akhilesh Das, Union Minister of State for Steel was the Guest of Honour at the Valedictory session. Hon'ble Dr. A. R. Kidwai, Governor of Haryana & National President IMM, delivered the Presidential address. Mr. Lalit Bhasin, Sr. Advocate, Bhasin & Co. chaired the session. Keynote addresses were delivered by Prop. Girjesh Pant, Professor and Chairperson, Centre for West Asia and African Studies, JNU and Dr. Nitish Sengupta IAS (Retd.) Chairman, Board for Reconstruction of Public Sector Enterprise.

The Chief Guest, Shri Kapil Sibal talked about the unfortunate situation, when the Arabs earn foreign exchange from India and invest most of it in the US. As per Sh. Sibal the partnership between two regions must have a common vision. Dr. Akhilesh Das pointed out that India can offer technology and human capital to Arab Steel plants. While delivering presidential Address Dr. Kidwai, said that India & the Arab World have one of the oldest relationships and can together make formidable group for trade, investment, economic and social cooperation. Prof. Pant made three major recommendations i.e. Establishment of India - Arab knowledge commission, focus on workshop for data mining and data development and joint R & D system and investment. Dr. Nitish Sengupta referred to benign and healthy relationship between India and Arab World. Dr. Jagjit Singh, Founder & Executive President, IMM in his concluding remarks thanked the Dignitaries, the Sponsors, the Endorsers and the audience for making the Congress a grand success and declared the theme of the 36th World Marketing Congress as "India & Central Asia: ColLabouration & Cooperation".