CII to set up offices in SA, Italy and Brazil

The Confederation of Indian Industry is expanding its presence abroad in line with India Inc's rising global aspirations.

Last week, the industry chamber reopened its office in Japan and next year it plans to set up regional offices in South Africa, Italy and Brazil.

The CII has decided to have presence in the four countries to lobby for Indian businesses, considering the fact that in recent years business ties between India and these countries havegrown substantially.

A large number of Indian corporates like the Tatas owned Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited, have established a strong presence in countries like South Africa and Brazil.

India has been working towards strengthening its business and political ties with South Africa, Brazil and Italy. In September, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh led a business delegation from India to both Brazil and South Africa.

Italy, which has been on the radar of India's trade promotion agenda of late, will be sending a trade delegation to India in mid-February.

About 300 to 400 companies will be part of the business delegation headed by Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi.

As part of this international policy, the chamber has appointed Supriya Banerji, in-charge of the CII's policy and advocacy cell, to head the CII's international division.

This move is significant considering the fact that Banerji was previously heading the CII's international division and was based in the UK for close to eight years.

Besides its international expansion, the CII will continue to focus on the US, China, Africa and Singapore where the chamber already has a significant presence.

Next year, the CII will take 60 business delegations from India to other countries. This is an increase from the 30 outbound missions that the chamber led in 2006 to Europe, Africa, Americas, Gulf, ASEAN, South Asia and China.

"Most of the CII's work has an international dimension to it. As for hosting inbound missions, the confederation planned to host around 1,000 foreign business visitors from across 35 countries in January," Banerji said.

Do you want to discuss stock tips? Do you know a hot one? Join the Stock Market Discussion Group