[gallery size="medium" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" td_gallery_title_input="SIBN delegation's visit to India productive" ids="56711,56713,56712"] EIGHTEEN delegates from Saudi Arabia, including members of the Saudi Indian Business Network (SIBN), attended the recently-concluded Second Edition of the Global Exhibition on Services and the Saudi Arabia stall at the India Expo Center and Mart, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, was the one of the most visited. The Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry in association with Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) had organized the exhibition The delegates held fruitful meetings with corporate heads, commercial attache and cultural attache of Royal Saudi Embassy, New Delhi, PMO adviser S.S. Mahapatra and other personalities and they termed the visit a success. More than 40 countries took part in the exhibition, which was inaugurated by Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, and related seminars. It provided an opportunity for service providers to showcase their services and forge new ties. The objective of the Second Global Exhibition on Services (GES) was to provide a platform for increased trade in services and to enhance strategic cooperation and develop synergies between the Indian and global business — with India hoping to serve the world economy as a forward-looking impulse for the service Industry. "The focus was on sectors such as IT and telecom, tourism, health care, logistics, professional services, education, SMEs in Services, R&D and Space," Dr. Said Rabia said, adding, that he would be happy to join an SIBN delegation to India again to explore business opportunities. "India has great potential for trade and tourism," he pointed out while appreciating the efforts of SIBN in boosting links between Saudi and Indian businessmen. Adnan Ahmed Jameel Zagzoog urged the Consulate General of India in Jeddah to organize more such tours to India for Saudi businessmen. "But I laud the work of SIBN in trying to bridge the gap by bringing together parties from both countries through every means and opportunity," he added. Fawaz Nashar, IT Director of Chamber of Commerce and Industry Makkah, said he benefited for this trip of three days. He also acknowledged that India is on a progressive path, especially in services, but it needs to create awareness and promote itself with persistence. He said more trade visits by delegations would benefit both Saudi and Indian businessmen. Syed Majeedul Hassan, general secretary of SIBN, highlighted how India and Saudi Arabia can work jointly to promote trade between the two countries. Mir Gazanfar Ali Zaki, executive secretary of SIBN, said India is definitely a preferred choice for manpower-related services — onshore as well as offshore. There are many opportunities to invest in India and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. "Fruitful meetings were held with famous financial and business process service provider, renewal energy players, government supported skill development organization where early tie-ups are foreseen with Saudi businessmen," said Vijay Soni, treasurer of SIBN. Asim Zeeshan of SIBN said India and Saudi Arabia can work jointly to promote trade between the two countries. While Zakriya Beladi , of SIBN, was of the view: "Skill Development Ministry pavilion showcasing live presentation, seminar on pharmaceutical and business process outsourcing services were areas of interest to overseas delegates. NIESBUD and Skill development Ministry representatives also expressed their interest to support Saudi Skill development mission with their existing capabilities." Beladi, Zeeshan, both of SIBN event management, and Amjad Sharif of Indian Consulate commercial section managed and organized the GES trip. Haridas, director- CII, extended overwhelming support to the delegation and he was supported by Amit Neghi. On sideline of GES Nawazinda (NTT) group organized special B2B and interaction with business leaders in presence of PM Adviser Mahapatra, Dr. Said Rabia and SIBN delegates. Al-Abeer Group contributed in making SIBN 2016 brochure and was well supported by Air India.
