India Business Forum

The India Business Forum (IBF) was launched in Riyadh on 17 November 2007, two chapters of the forum viz IBF(Riyadh) and IBF(Dammam) are in operation since that date. The objective was to bring together Indian businesspersons, Indian companies in Saudi Arabia and Saudi companies doing business with India, provide them a platform to discuss issues of mutual concern and find ways and means to address them. The Forum would also enable them to share economic and commercial information and benefit from each others’ experience. It would serve as a representative body for interaction with Saudi businesspersons, business bodies and importantly, various government institutions. In doing so, the Forum’s basic objective remains promoting India’s economic and commercial activities in Saudi Arabia and to work towards increasing trade and commercial linkages between the two countries.
During the last IBF meeting held on 18 August 2008, the IBF chartered out a calendar of events for the next six months, which include power point presentation by specialist members on select topics, organizing periodical seminars and workshops and inviting guest speakers from SAGIA Chamber of Commerce etc. to speak to members on specialized issues. The IBF also widened the ambit of its objectives, which include creating an awareness of local business laws for the benefit of the Indian business community, to assist all interested and potential investors into Saudi Arabia and to explore business opportunities for Saudi investors in Indian and Indian investors in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES:-

• to promote Saudi Arabia-India bilateral commercial & economic interests.
• to provide a platform to Indian business persons, Indian public sector undertakings, Indian private sector business institutions, institutions having business ties in India, Saudi business bodies and Saudi business persons to share commercial and economic information and address matters of mutual concern and interest;
• to interact with apex business organizations in India such as Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Confederation of Indian Industry, Export Promotion Council for promotion of Indian business interests in Saudi Arabia and vice versa; and
• to interact with the Saudi business persons, business bodies and Government of Saudi Arabia.
• Membership of the Forum is open to Companies and Individual Members.
• Certain issues /difficulties faced by the members of the business community may be discussed during IBF meetings. Important issues requiring Embassy’s intervention with the Saudi authorities could be taken up during the Indo – Saudi Joint Commission meetings as well as with the other concerned Saudi authorities.
• To chalk out a calendar of events of IBF which among other things could include lectures on specific subjects /interaction with Saudi dignitaries.
• Constant interaction with the visiting Indian business delegations/other dignitaries etc.
• Indian professionals may be invited to give talks in their areas of expertise.

The Forum has a constitution defining its structure and objectives. The Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr. Rajeev Shahare, is the ex-officio chairman of the Forum. A Managing Committee consisting of representatives of both public and private sector companies oversees its day-to-day functioning.

The Forum will meet every 2nd Tuesday of each month. Those interested in IBF activities may kindly send their comments and other inputs to com@indianembassy.org.sa.