Indian business delegation to visit Ghana next week

New Delhi, July 5 (IANS) An Indian business delegation of over 100 members, led by Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma, will visit Ghana next week to explore business opportunities between the two countries.

The delegation will participate in the three-day "India Show" to be held in Ghana's capital Accra and hold talks with business leaders of the West African country.

The "India Show" begins July 9.

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is organising the "India Show" in association with the government, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the industry chambers of West African countries.

Led by Vikramjit Singh Sahney, chairman and CEO of Sun Group, the FICCI delegation comprises representatives from sectors such as agriculture and allied activities like food processing and health, IT, ITES, telecom and financial services.

Business leaders from value-added manufacturing, including mining and minerals, energy, infrastructure, construction, consumer durables, pharmaceuticals, science and technology, textiles and education, will also be part of the delegation.

The "India Show" will focus on the entire West African region which constitutes the ECOWAS countries, namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo along with Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe and the Republic of Congo.

The Show, which will be a combination of exhibition and conference, will have over 100 stalls and is expected to witness the participation of over 200 delegates from more than 10 West African countries.

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Singapore's student group to visit Middle East for business opportunities - Xinhua News Agency

SINGAPORE, May 5 (Xinhua) -- In an encouraging sign of growing interest in the Middle East markets, the Singapore Management University (SMU) will be sending its largest ever group of undergraduates to the Middle East on the bi-annual Business Study Mission (BSM) to the Middle East, which is in its fifth year.

The delegation of 68 students will travel from May 7 to May 20, shuttling between United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman. At the close of the study mission, 28 students will embark on their 11- week internships in Middle Eastern companies as well as Singapore companies with business interests in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, according to SMU's press release on Saturday.

The large size of the student delegation indicates a growing interest to explore emerging markets, such as the Middle East, for business opportunities. The fervent passion towards the GCC region was underscored by the fact that the entire BSM was a student-run initiative. Interestingly, the logistical demands that come with a ground-breaking delegation size of 68 did not deter the undergraduates every single one of them took ownership of the planning and execution of the programme.

Sofia Moiz Tyebally, a second year business student said: "With the Middle East becoming increasingly significant on the global stage, it is no surprise that my classmates and I relish this opportunity to understand the intricacies of Arabian culture and more significantly, the importance of building relationships through our networking sessions with executives based in the Middle East."

During this overseas field trip, the 68 SMU student participants from various degree programs will be studying the rapidly changing business structures in the member-nations of the GCC. As the concluding component of the 14-week "Business Study Mission", the trip to the Middle East comes after an intensive curriculum of company case studies, student projects and guest lectures.

Additionally, the 14-day itinerary, initiated by the SMU undergraduates themselves with facilitation from industry players and government agencies, includes meetings and networking dinners with government officials, diplomats, and the movers and shakers of the Middle Eastern business world.

Feeling glad for the exposure BSM has given him, second year business student Pierre Peh finds the forthcoming BSM an excellent conclusion to a semester of fruitful learning. "BSM Middle East has been an enriching experience overall due to the multiple facets of learning opportunities provided. It is definitely a stepping stone in my pursuit to work in an oil company in the GCC region," he said.

Official site visits include trips to established institutions such as the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development and Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and commercial sites such as Lusail City and Capitala. Beyond the plethora of onsite activities planned, the SMU students will also be given the opportunity to interact with Singaporean entrepreneurs and business executives based in the member-nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

At the same time, this BSM is also visiting some of the universities in the Middle East such as Sultan Qaboos University and Dubai Women College to foster ties with their counterparts.

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An Easter visit brings a fresh perspective on business - Financial Times

The following students will share their business school experiences over the current academic year

Ernest Gyimah, European School of Management and Technology
Age: 26
Nationality: Ghanaian
Background: Ernest gained a first class degree in banking and finance from the University of Ghana before joining PricewaterhouseCoopers, working across Africa. He is a Kofi Annan fellow and hopes to contribute to growing small businesses in the developing world.

Mark Partridge, Foster School of Business, University of Washington
Age: 28
Nationality: Dual (US & UK)
Background: A British-American citizen Mark graduated from University College London with a degree in modern history before working as a journalist in Seattle. He hopes on graduation to work in a venture capital firm.

Mihai Danila, Insead (Fontainebleau)
Age: 28
Nationality: Romanian
Background: After graduating with a degree in international business from the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest Mihai moved to the financial sector, working with a private equity fund and most recently as an investment banker in the mergers and acquisitions department of a large Romanian bank. He believes Insead will give him the knowledge he needs to have a greater impact in developing his country's emerging economy.

Aushima Thakur, Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University
Age: 29
Nationality: Indian
Background: Aushima is a Fulbright scholar and has experience of both the corporate world and NGOs. She is keen to develop successful sustainable models for the world's poorest societies.

Aurélie Metcheka, Global MBA Essec
Age: 25
Nationality: Cameroonian
Background: Aurélie left her native Cameroon aged 19 to study at San Diego State University in the US. where she gained a BSc in accounting. She then worked in inventory control for an accessory company before opting for an MBA. She intends eventually to work in the audit department of one of the big four accountancy firms.

Hajime Sudo, Bradford University School of Management - University of Perugia: Bradford-Perugia joint MBA programme
Age: 30
Nationality: Japanese
Background: Hajime graduated from the Accounting School of Tohoku University, Japan earlier this year. He wants to become an accounting professional and believes an MBA will supply him with a broad and practical management knowledge and enhance his career portfolio.

Al Kennedy, University of Exeter Business School 'One Planet' full time MBA
Age: 43
Nationality: Irish
Background: Al has a masters in visual communication from the Royal College of Art. He has worked with leading companies on environmental projects and is keen to understand how business and brands can create sustainable strategies and innovate for social good.

Kamal Nagi, Stanford Graduate School of Business
Age: 27
Nationality: Qatari
Background: Kamal has a Masters of Engineering degree from Imperial College, London. He hopes to play a senior leadership role in Qatar’s financial and international investment future and is the first Qatari to enroll on Stanford’s MBA programme.

Karenina Loayza, MBA Cass Business School
Age: 27
Nationality: Bolivian
Background: Karenina moved from Bolivia to Wisconsin in the US at the age of 19. She holds a double degree in economics and international relations and has worked in financial publishing. She hopes to make the career switch into the finance industry.

Andrea Nowack, George Washington University
Age: 26
Nationality: American
Background: After studying for a degree in journalism and communication from the University of Oregon Andrea worked for Waggener Edstrom Worldwide in analyst relations. She also has experience as a digital marketing strategist.

Kelvin Chiu, Chinese University of Hong Kong
Age: 28
Nationality: Canadian
Background: A graduate from the electrical engineering programme at Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Kelvin has worked as a project manager for Ontario Power Generation at a nuclear plant near Toronto, Canada. On graduation he hopes to work in consulitng. He is a certified personal trainer and fitness professional.

Julia Steinberg, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University
Age: 27
Nationality: American
Background: Julia has a degree in communications from Kent State University. She has worked as a public relations manager for a clothing group for several years but opted for an MBA so that she could make a career transition into marketing and strategy.

Katie Cannon, London Business School
Age: 30
Nationality: British
Background: After studying politics at Edinburgh University Katie embarked on a career in the arts. Aware that her skill set is focused on softer skills she hopes her MBA will give her a broader perspective on business.

Brigitte Roediger, University of Stellenbosch Business School, part time MBA
Age: 26
Nationality: South African
Background: Brigitte has a degree in financial analysis and marketing communications from the University of Stellenbosch. She is the assistant brand manager at Spier Wine Farm near Cape Town and will continue to work as she studies which will allow her to repay her business school loan.

Wesley Cole, Executive MBA Cass Business School, London
Age: 29
Nationality: British
Background: A business systems manager for a recruitment company, Wesley was keen to study for an MBA, whilst continuing to work full time. He hopes to be able to develop his leadership skills and apply them to his career.

Andi Caruso, SDA Bocconi
Age: 27
Nationality: Canadian
Background: Having graduated from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, with a degree in journalism, Andi first studied acting before beginning a marketing career in the hospitality and entertainment industry. She wants to move into business development and strategy.

Suhel Banerjee, Kellogg School of Management
Age: 27
Nationality: Indian
Background: After completing his undergraduate degree in business at Calcutta University in 2005 Suhel joined Google's Hyderabad (India) office in advertising operations, before moving to Gurgaon where he became one of the founder members of the Google India sales team.

Anthemos Georgiades, Harvard Business School
Age: 28
Nationality: British
Background: After gaining degrees from Oxford and Cambridge, Anthemos spent three years as a management consultant at the Boston Consulting Group. He then worked as an economic adviser on the Conservative party's election campaign.

Abhishek Ramanathan, Australian School of Business: AGSM
Age: 29
Nationality: Indian
Background: A graduate in computers and business studies from the University of Warwick in the UK, Abhishek has worked in operations and consulting in the insurance and IT industries worldwide. He hopes to become a management consultant.

Aman Modi, IMD
Age: 30
Nationality: Indian/British
Background: Aman has a BA in accounting and a masters in banking and international finance from Cass Business School, London. With more than eight years of finance-focused experience he wants to move into general management via an MBA.

Ashish Rastogi, Indian Institute of Management Calcutta
Age: 32
Nationality: Indian
Background: For the past 10 years Ashish has worked for Infosys in various capacities in the US and India. He wants to build a career in corporate strategy and product marketing. He is studying on the Full Time MBA for executives (PGPex).

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Christie to visit Israel, Jordan for trade opportunities, will meet leaders - NorthJersey.com

In a trip billed as a "Jersey to Jerusalem Trade Mission", Gov. Chris Christie will travel to Israel during Holy Week to expand business opportunities, experience the culture and meet with world leaders. He will also spend time in Jordan with King Abdullah II.

A delegation of business and religious leaders will join Christie, his family and staff, the administration announced this afternoon. The Republican governor will be in Israel from Sunday through Thursday and Jordan until Easter Sunday.

“I think it’s important for me to continue to get a greater awareness of the world around me as a leader and someone who now has a bit of a national voice,” Christie said in an interview in Washington in late February. “I think it’s important for me to continue to open up my mind and my experience to things that are outside of the state of New Jersey.”

While travel to Israel has been a tradition for New Jersey governors since Gov. Tom Kean, Christie’s growing national profile makes a trip to the Middle East all the more significant. He first announced plans to visit Israel back in October.

The Republican Jewish Coalition is co-sponsoring the trip, along with Choose New Jersey, a nonprofit formed by business executives in 2010 to expand the state’s economy. The RJC has also sponsored similar trips for former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former President George W. Bush when he was governor of Texas.
The RJC will pay for the Christies' flight, other transportation and lodging. Members of the traveling delegation will pay for their own travel and hotel costs, but Choose NJ and the RJC will cover the cost of on-site activities, transportation and meals in Israel.  Taxpayers will pick up the tab for Christie's security detail.   
Lt. Kim Guadagno will serve as acting governor while Christie is out of the country.

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Christie to visit Israel , Jordan for trade opportunities, will meet leaders

In a trip billed as a "Jersey to Jerusalem Trade Mission", Gov. Chris Christie will travel to Israel during Holy Week to expand business opportunities, experience the culture and meet with world leaders. He will also spend time in Jordan with King Abdullah II.

A delegation of business and religious leaders will join Christie, his family and staff, the administration announced this afternoon. The Republican governor will be in Israel from Sunday through Thursday and Jordan until Easter Sunday.

“I think it’s important for me to continue to get a greater awareness of the world around me as a leader and someone who now has a bit of a national voice,” Christie said in an interview in Washington in late February. “I think it’s important for me to continue to open up my mind and my experience to things that are outside of the state of New Jersey.”

While travel to Israel has been a tradition for New Jersey governors since Gov. Tom Kean, Christie’s growing national profile makes a trip to the Middle East all the more significant. He first announced plans to visit Israel back in October.

The Republican Jewish Coalition is co-sponsoring the trip, along with Choose New Jersey, a nonprofit formed by business executives in 2010 to expand the state’s economy. The RJC has also sponsored similar trips for former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former President George W. Bush when he was governor of Texas.
The RJC will pay for the Christies' flight, other transportation and lodging. Members of the traveling delegation will pay for their own travel and hotel costs, but Choose NJ and the RJC will cover the cost of on-site activities, transportation and meals in Israel.  Taxpayers will pick up the tab for Christie's security detail.   
Lt. Kim Guadagno will serve as acting governor while Christie is out of the country.

View the original article here

Chinese visit a 'big positive' for Iowa and its businesses - Des Moines Register

Iowa business leaders say high-level Chinese visits this week could lead to more open discussions about trade and some of the hurdles that hamper it.

A whirlwind of meetings this week between business leaders and Vice President Xi Jinping and Hebei province officials is already creating business for the state. Chinese leaders signed agreements to buy $4.3 billion in U.S. soybeans, and Pioneer Hi-Bred announced that it will build a seed technology hub in Beijing this year.

Xi, who left Iowa Thursday, has invited Gov. Terry Branstad to return to China.

Debi Durham, the state?s economic development leader, said Xi?s mention of Pioneer and Principal Financial Group during his toast at a state dinner Wednesday night has sparked optimism that China will open new markets to Iowa companies, especially involving bioscience and financial services.

?When you have that level of attention, you can anticipate an intense increase in activity and increased efforts around trade,? said Durham.

Here are some observations from Iowa business leaders about this week?s visit:

William Niebur, who leads Pioneer?s China operations, said CEO Paul Schickler ?discussed key issues that we?re working on collectively,? including the adoption of genetically modified corn in China, during a private reception for Xi with Iowa leaders.

China now uses biotech cotton but so far has not adopted the use of biotechnology to grow corn, soybeans and other crops. The use of biotech helps plants better resist pests and disease and has been credited with rapidly ramping up U.S. crop yields.

Squeezing more crops out of China?s relatively limited farm-able acres is key to providing China?s rising middle class with food and feed for animals, say experts.

?The questions on biotechnology are complex and challenging, and the opinions are diverse,? said Niebur, a vice president at Des Moines-based Pioneer, one of the world?s largest seed companies. ?The dialogue is shifting, and there?s a greater realization of the imminent need and opportunity for biotechnology.?

Xi?s developing relationship with Iowa ?will provide him with the insights and enlightenment required to support his government as it moves to a biotech-based agriculture,? said Niebur.

Larry Zimpleman, chief executive of Principal Financial, said he talked with Xi about his company?s interest in entering China?s developing retirement market. The group now provides mutual fund investments with its partner, the China Construction Bank.

The partners? request to provide retirement products has been ?stuck, but we?re not exactly sure where,? Zimpleman said. He hopes the meeting with Xi will move regulators? approval along.

He said Xi?s visit is ?clearly a big, big positive? for Iowa and its businesses. ?Any business located in Iowa that goes to China will get a much more receptive audience. No question about it,? Zimpleman said.

Durham, the state?s economic development leader, said Xi?s visit and his growing friendship with Branstad will enable Iowa to expand markets, not only for farm products, but for Iowa financial services companies, biosciences and manufacturers ? from food processors to makers of wind turbines and towers.

?We obviously have a very strong partnership around trade when it comes to agriculture. But when the vice president names Principal from the podium, my hope is that the financial services market will open up to us,? Durham said.

Durham said Iowa opportunities will include increased exports to China, partnerships with Iowa companies and direct foreign investment in Iowa. ?The more those trade opportunities open up with China, the more jobs it supports in the state of Iowa,? she said. ?That?s the win-win from these trade agreements.?

R.W. Nelson, co-founder of Kemin Industries with his wife, Mary, said he hopes his visit with Hebei delegates earlier this week will help improve that company?s product registration in China.

?China has been a very good market, and it could be really be beneficial for us,? said Nelson, whose company makes human and animal nutrients. The company?s Chinese plant employs 150 and serves Kemin?s Asian market.

?We get a lot of ?yes, yes, yes,? but we?ll have to wait and see,? he said.

Mary Andringa, CEO of Vermeer, the Pella maker of farm, construction and mining equipment, said the visit gives the United States a good foundation to have difficult discussion about issues like currency and ?indigenous innovation,? guidelines China set to reduce dependence on foreign technology.

She has said relaxing restrictions on U.S. technology could help Iowa companies that have developed sophisticated farm equipment and products. ?We?ll always have issues to work through, but this is a positive place where we can build cooperation,? said Andringa, whose company has had a factory in China for five years.

Jay Byers, chief executive of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, a regional economic development group, said Xi?s visit showcases the state and its businesses.

He said Xi?s visit opens the door for ?reverse investment? in Iowa from Chinese companies looking to build factories, open distribution centers or launch other U.S. operations.

?We?re making those connections with a variety of folks who have been able to see what Des Moines and Iowa is like first- hand,? said Byers. ?We think we?re on a radar that we had not been on before.?

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Chinese visit a 'big positive' for Iowa and its businesses - Des Moines Register

Iowa business leaders say high-level Chinese visits this week could lead to more open discussions about trade and some of the hurdles that hamper it.

A whirlwind of meetings this week between business leaders and Vice President Xi Jinping and Hebei province officials is already creating business for the state. Chinese leaders signed agreements to buy $4.3 billion in U.S. soybeans, and Pioneer Hi-Bred announced that it will build a seed technology hub in Beijing this year.

Xi, who left Iowa Thursday, has invited Gov. Terry Branstad to return to China.

Debi Durham, the state?s economic development leader, said Xi?s mention of Pioneer and Principal Financial Group during his toast at a state dinner Wednesday night has sparked optimism that China will open new markets to Iowa companies, especially involving bioscience and financial services.

?When you have that level of attention, you can anticipate an intense increase in activity and increased efforts around trade,? said Durham.

Here are some observations from Iowa business leaders about this week?s visit:

William Niebur, who leads Pioneer?s China operations, said CEO Paul Schickler ?discussed key issues that we?re working on collectively,? including the adoption of genetically modified corn in China, during a private reception for Xi with Iowa leaders.

China now uses biotech cotton but so far has not adopted the use of biotechnology to grow corn, soybeans and other crops. The use of biotech helps plants better resist pests and disease and has been credited with rapidly ramping up U.S. crop yields.

Squeezing more crops out of China?s relatively limited farm-able acres is key to providing China?s rising middle class with food and feed for animals, say experts.

?The questions on biotechnology are complex and challenging, and the opinions are diverse,? said Niebur, a vice president at Des Moines-based Pioneer, one of the world?s largest seed companies. ?The dialogue is shifting, and there?s a greater realization of the imminent need and opportunity for biotechnology.?

Xi?s developing relationship with Iowa ?will provide him with the insights and enlightenment required to support his government as it moves to a biotech-based agriculture,? said Niebur.

Larry Zimpleman, chief executive of Principal Financial, said he talked with Xi about his company?s interest in entering China?s developing retirement market. The group now provides mutual fund investments with its partner, the China Construction Bank.

The partners? request to provide retirement products has been ?stuck, but we?re not exactly sure where,? Zimpleman said. He hopes the meeting with Xi will move regulators? approval along.

He said Xi?s visit is ?clearly a big, big positive? for Iowa and its businesses. ?Any business located in Iowa that goes to China will get a much more receptive audience. No question about it,? Zimpleman said.

Durham, the state?s economic development leader, said Xi?s visit and his growing friendship with Branstad will enable Iowa to expand markets, not only for farm products, but for Iowa financial services companies, biosciences and manufacturers ? from food processors to makers of wind turbines and towers.

?We obviously have a very strong partnership around trade when it comes to agriculture. But when the vice president names Principal from the podium, my hope is that the financial services market will open up to us,? Durham said.

Durham said Iowa opportunities will include increased exports to China, partnerships with Iowa companies and direct foreign investment in Iowa. ?The more those trade opportunities open up with China, the more jobs it supports in the state of Iowa,? she said. ?That?s the win-win from these trade agreements.?

R.W. Nelson, co-founder of Kemin Industries with his wife, Mary, said he hopes his visit with Hebei delegates earlier this week will help improve that company?s product registration in China.

?China has been a very good market, and it could be really be beneficial for us,? said Nelson, whose company makes human and animal nutrients. The company?s Chinese plant employs 150 and serves Kemin?s Asian market.

?We get a lot of ?yes, yes, yes,? but we?ll have to wait and see,? he said.

Mary Andringa, CEO of Vermeer, the Pella maker of farm, construction and mining equipment, said the visit gives the United States a good foundation to have difficult discussion about issues like currency and ?indigenous innovation,? guidelines China set to reduce dependence on foreign technology.

She has said relaxing restrictions on U.S. technology could help Iowa companies that have developed sophisticated farm equipment and products. ?We?ll always have issues to work through, but this is a positive place where we can build cooperation,? said Andringa, whose company has had a factory in China for five years.

Jay Byers, chief executive of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, a regional economic development group, said Xi?s visit showcases the state and its businesses.

He said Xi?s visit opens the door for ?reverse investment? in Iowa from Chinese companies looking to build factories, open distribution centers or launch other U.S. operations.

?We?re making those connections with a variety of folks who have been able to see what Des Moines and Iowa is like first- hand,? said Byers. ?We think we?re on a radar that we had not been on before.?

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Beckingham to visit Rajkot

Vimukt Dave / Mumbai/ Rajkot January 12, 2012, 0:47 IST

In a bid to explore business opportunities with the tier-II town of Rajkot, Peter Beckingham, the British Deputy High Commissioner for Western India will be leading a team to Rajkot on January 12 and 13, 2011.

The team will comprise senior trade and investment advisors from UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) based in the British Deputy High Commission in Mumbai and British Trade Office (BTO) in Ahmedabad as well as a Mumbai representative from International Business Wales (IBW).

While in Rajkot, Beckingham will meet leading companies, senior government officials and business personalities, apart from leading an interaction by the delegation with members of the Rajkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry (RCCI) and the Rajkot Engineering Association (REA).

"I am delighted to be visiting Rajkot which has a twinning arrangement with Leicester and people from the region have strong links with the UK. Rajkot is one of the leading growth centres in Western India and the one where the UK hopes to increase its business presence and interests," said Beckingham.

"Many engineering goods and commodities items exports from Rajkot and Saurashtra are exported to UK. Among them are auto parts, casting parts and refractory bricks, groundnuts and sesame seeds that form main export items. There are many business opportunities in UK but as compared to China and USA, the country is conservative in trade with India and takes long time in decision-making," said Sunil Lakhani, ex joint secretary, REA.

The visit to Rajkot is a continuation of an outreach initiative started by UKTI to reach out to Indian companies outside major metros in order to explore opportunities for business collaborations between UK and Indian industry. The initiative is also aimed at working with Indian companies to realise their global aspirations, by assisting them to establish their presence in the UK.

 Discussion Board / User Comments  

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