India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday called upon the Indian expats in Bahrain to join the country's development agenda and strengthen their engagement with 'a vibrant and strong India.'

She was speaking at the 'Diaspora Engagement Meet' organized by Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC) in Manama, Bahrain which was attended by an eclectic mix of about 400 delegates comprising overseas Indians as well as business and industry leaders from the kingdom.

Swaraj, who is on a two-day visit to the Kingdom, was joined by Bahrain's Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and Transportation Minister and acting CEO of Economic Development Board Kamal Ahmed at the meeting.

Prem Narain, the secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indians Affairs & chairman of OIFC and Chandrajit Banerjee, the co-chairman, OFIC & director general, CII also took part.

A public private partnership between the Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry and Confederation of Indian Industry, OIFC said the initiative was aimed at improving investment and catalyzing trade between the two countries.

A series of focused presentations on sectors like healthcare, medical tourism, pharmaceuticals, food processing and agri infrastructure highlighted business opportunities between India and Bahrain. Kerala presented the state’s initiatives for NRIs through NORKA-Roots.

Discussions on policy framework to facilitate investments and economic engagement with India led by the Reserve Bank of India and leading banks, was a hallmark of the programme.

For the first time, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) participated in an overseas Meet organized by OIFC. DIPP shared with the audience the new policy framework for investment into India as well as iconic infrastructure projects like the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC).

eBiz, an ambitious project of DIPP which aims to get all procedures, clearances on a common platform received much appreciation.
 
In her keynote address, Swaraj said the Modi government was firmly committed to bring back growth "and had clear policies to facilitate business environment, transparency and speed."

"The result is there before you in just 100 days. GDP growth is showing early signs of recovery. Our focus is growth with good governance and transparency with eye on manufacturing, infrastructure & trade,” she remarked.

“The huge gathering in this event signifies great hope from the Government. This is the same hope that the Indian voters showed in elections recently. A big win comes with a huge responsibility,” she added.

Welcoming the Indian diaspora eagerly, she said, "Come to India, set up industries and join our dream of growth."

"Things are changing in India and you will experience in engaging with us. The Prime Minister of India, in Japan has already said that there will be no red tape, there will be a red carpet," she added.

Addressing the conference, Kamal Bin Ahmed said the choice of Bahrain to mark the first visit of Sushma Swaraj to the GCC region underlines the value and importance of Bahrain’s relations with India.

He added that Bahrain will further support the goals outlined by the Overseas Indian Facilitation Center and focus on further strengthening bilateral trade.

"The opening of CII’s office in Bahrain will further facilitate bilateral trade and investment. India is one of the key emerging markets and has been one of the strongest bilateral trade partners of Bahrain," he noted.

Prem Narain said, "India has consistently taken significant strides to establish an environment and institutions for a sustainable, symbiotic and mutually rewarding engagement with the Diaspora."

"The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, with its various Institutions like OIFC and association with leading industry bodies has not only provided an enabling framework to facilitate economic engagement, but also positioned itself as the nodal point which Overseas Indians, Diaspora associations, stakeholders in trade, industry and governments turn to for information, partnerships and facilitation for all matters relating to overseas Indians.”

Narain pointed out that both India and Bahrain have had strong trade relations and now it was the time for business leaders from both sides to explore new opportunities and sectors for bilateral trade promotion.

"The presence of top leadership from both the countries is an assurance for a supportive and business conducive environment. A focused initiative like the Diaspora Engagement Meet is another step in this direction to strengthen the mutually beneficial engagement with Global Indians in Bahrain," he added.

As a significant step towards galvanizing bilateral ties and exploring new areas of cooperating, OIFC signed two MoUs with Bahrain Economic Development Board and Bahrain India Society.

Calling for structured engagement with the Indian Diaspora in Bahrain to link them with the India growth story,  Banerjee said: "The India-Bahrain friendship is founded on ancient connections and present-day mutual interest."
 
"During the state visit of His Majesty King Hamad to New Delhi in February this year, a new milestone in bilateral co-operation was established, and it is as a result of this vibrant relationship that OIFC is organizing its first Overseas Engagement Meet for 2014 here in Bahrain.”

Sending a clear message to the Indian diaspora along with the rest of the world exploring opportunities of economic engagement with India, Banerjee said: “With the renewed investor interest in the development of India, we would like friends in the Gulf to participate more vigorously in the Indian economy."

"We welcome all, especially the Indian community here to take the lead in engaging with this new India and deepen the engagement between both the countries," he noted.

With a prominent aggregate of business and industry leaders who attended the OIFC Diaspora Engagement Meet, it provided a suitable forum to acquaint the Indian community in the Kingdom of Bahrain and nearby countries with the various trade and investment opportunities in India which could benefit their businesses.

OIFC is now preparing for the regional 'Pravasi Bharatiya Divas' to be held in London from October 16 to 18.-TradeArabia News Service