In the Norway-India business community, we are pinching our arms, asking ourselves what actually happened last week. The Indian President was here – wasn’t he? Bringing the largest Indian business delegation to Norway ever. And – what a party it was.
It all went by too fast. I met a lot of interesting people. It was great fun. It was a 2 day major celebration of Norway-India Business relations. No wonder the hangover feeling sneak in this week. So, what actually happened? I will focus on the business program of it all, were I participated.
The Monday program: Royal opening and seminar at Innovation Norway
Official welcome of President Pranab Mujherjee by the Norwegian Royal family – outside the Royal Castle. Indian and Norwegian flags beautifying our parade street the full stretch from the parliament to the castle. I was watching the ceremony with a group from Norway India Chamber of commerce and industry (NICCI) and Indian delegates from FICCI, CII and Assocham.
Later the same day I participated in Innovation Norway’s seminar, preparing the 50 delegates for business in Norway.
The Tuesday program: High-level seminar and Roundtables at NHO
It doesn’t get better than this, at least not for us passionate about Norway-India relations. The Norwegian King, the Indian President, Ministers from both countries, business representatives from major companies in India and Norway – all in one room – honoring the relationship between my countries.
Fruitful Roundtable discussions: As part of the program I was happy to participate in the ICT/Health Roundtable with very relevant players from both the Indian and Norwegian ICT industry, organizations and Ministry. The discussions were fruitful and touched issues very relevant for Indian companies entering into Norway and for Norwegian ICT companies establishing operations in India.
– If you are a Norwegian company, how to recruit the right persons in India?
– How to quality assure smaller Indian ICT companies with niche expertise, offering services to Norway?
Highly relevant questions that some of us participating at the Roundtable already have continued discussing how to best approach in the future.
What a week. Well worth the hangover.
Read my article from the official welcome: Seen in Oslo: 50 businessmen and a President
Read my article from the Innovation Norway seminar: Innovation Norway business seminar in cooperation with NICCI
Read Sudipas excellent article from the NHO event: NICCI positions itself at the very heart of all the action