As a memorable end to the conference the Munich municipality treated us to a small reception at the city hall and gave us the honour to stand on the balcony that is usually only reserved for high ranking dignitaries and the Bayern Munchen football club when they win the Champions League.
The first full day of the Global India Business Meet comprised of plenary and break-out sessions on a wide variety of subjects relating to India, from brand building for Indian companies to sustainability. The panels had members from successful Indian, German and American companies such as Infosys, Bajaj, Siemens and Hasbro as well as politicians and academics. In between the sessions one had the opportunity to network and meet new people.
Anand and I had the pleasure of being invited to attend the first Global India Business Meeting organised by Horasis. The two day event is held in Munich in cooperation with the Bavarian government. In attendance were mainly Indian and German CEOs as well as the Indian Minister of Commerce & Industry.
The event was opened with a dinner hosted by Bavaria in the former city palace of the Bavarian kings, the Residenz.
My first impression of South Africa was a limited but very positive one. The people are extremely friendly, the food is amazing, the climate ideal and the country developed (albeit still very much unequally so). I have also come to experience the sporting madness the South Africans have. Currently the FIFA Confederation Cup is being held as well as a rugby tour of the British and Irish Lions. The love for both the Springboks rugby team and the Bafana Bafana football team is enormous!! Next year the party will really explode as the football World Cup will descend on the country. Stadiums, hotels and infrastructure are being prepared, of which the shiny new O.R. Tambo International Airport is but one example.
The second day of the IBLF consisted of several government and business presentations, among others one by our associate Rutger Koopmans in his capacity as member of the Dutch Trade board, as well as one on one meetings between delegates. During the last two days we have spoken with Russian, South African, Swiss, Korean and Indian delegates. South Africa certainly seems like a dynamic country with a lot of opportunities.
The International Business Linkage Forum has been organised for the sixth year, this time in cooperation with the South African Department of Trade & Industry. The forum aims to bring businessmen together from around the world in order to stimulate partnerships and trade. The first day consisted of panel discussions and presentations about this year's core sectors: Mining, Hospitality & Tourism and Energy. The day ended with a gala dinner with delicious food, great wine and a swinging local band.
I've arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa where I will be attending the International Business Linkage Forum that is organised by our Indian business partners. It's my first trip to South Africa and indeed the continent of Africa itself. Unfortunately I'll not have time to see much of the city or the country, so hopefully it won't be the last visit!
As a memorable end to the conference the Munich municipality treated us to a small reception at the city hall and gave us the honour to stand on the balcony that is usually only reserved for high ranking dignitaries and the Bayern Munchen football club when they win the Champions League. 
The Global Indian Business Meeting was concluded with a networking breakfast hosted by the Bavarian government and a short tour of the old city by friendly tour guides dressed in traditional Bavarian attire.
The Bavarians are known to be a conservative people, but even their national dress gets updated now and again.
Munich is home of the Oktoberfest beer festival and the famous white sausage. Bavarians love their food!
The first full day of the Global India Business Meet comprised of plenary and break-out sessions on a wide variety of subjects relating to India, from brand building for Indian companies to sustainability. The panels had members from successful Indian, German and American companies such as Infosys, Bajaj, Siemens and Hasbro as well as politicians and academics. In between the sessions one had the opportunity to network and meet new people.
Anand and I had the pleasure of being invited to attend the first Global India Business Meeting organised by Horasis. The two day event is held in Munich in cooperation with the Bavarian government. In attendance were mainly Indian and German CEOs as well as the Indian Minister of Commerce & Industry.
My first impression of South Africa was a limited but very positive one. The people are extremely friendly, the food is amazing, the climate ideal and the country developed (albeit still very much unequally so). I have also come to experience the sporting madness the South Africans have. Currently the FIFA Confederation Cup is being held as well as a rugby tour of the British and Irish Lions. The love for both the Springboks rugby team and the Bafana Bafana football team is enormous!! Next year the party will really explode as the football World Cup will descend on the country. Stadiums, hotels and infrastructure are being prepared, of which the shiny new O.R. Tambo International Airport is but one example.
The second day of the IBLF consisted of several government and business presentations, among others one by our associate Rutger Koopmans in his capacity as member of the Dutch Trade board, as well as one on one meetings between delegates. During the last two days we have spoken with Russian, South African, Swiss, Korean and Indian delegates. South Africa certainly seems like a dynamic country with a lot of opportunities.
The International Business Linkage Forum has been organised for the sixth year, this time in cooperation with the South African Department of Trade & Industry. The forum aims to bring businessmen together from around the world in order to stimulate partnerships and trade. The first day consisted of panel discussions and presentations about this year's core sectors: Mining, Hospitality & Tourism and Energy. The day ended with a gala dinner with delicious food, great wine and a swinging local band.
I've arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa where I will be attending the International Business Linkage Forum that is organised by our Indian business partners. It's my first trip to South Africa and indeed the continent of Africa itself. Unfortunately I'll not have time to see much of the city or the country, so hopefully it won't be the last visit!
