Palanivel leads big delegation to Indian diaspora meet in Cochin

COCHIN (India), Jan 7 — MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel is leading a 220-member strong delegation to the 11th “Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2013,” the world’s largest annual gathering of people of Indian origin aimed at enhancing networking and reinforcing commercial linkages.

“It will be an excellent opportunity for Malaysian businessman keen to expand their footprint into India and consolidate Malaysia-India economic ties as almost 2,000 participants are set to converge on the capital of the southern Indian state of Kerala,” MIC treasurer Datuk Jaspal Singh said today.

Palanivel will deliver a paper at the Indian diaspora gathering. — File pic

There are approximately 25 million people of Indian origin residing outside India, and Malaysia has the largest Indian diaspora after the United States.

He told Bernama that that there would be various sessions for investment and project opportunities in view of presentations by several Indian states hosted by their chief ministers.

Palanivel, who is also minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, will deliver a paper entitled “Overseas Indians and India” where he would touch on the importance of strengthening the bond between India and overseas Indians.

The three-day conference, on the theme “Engaging Diaspora: The Indian Growth Story,” which starts today, would be officiated by Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh tomorrow. 

Among those in the Malaysian contingent are MIC vice-president Datuk Seri S. Subramaniam and Special Envoy to India and South Asia Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated every year to cherish the contributions of the overseas Indian community to India’s development and commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa.

January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate this occasion since it was on this day in 1915 that Gandhi — the greatest Pravasi or person of Indian origin — returned to India from South Africa, led India’s freedom struggle and changed the lives of Indians forever.

Besides MIC leaders and officials, the delegation includes businessmen, non-governmental organisations, youths, Indian university student leaders as well as members of the media.

Jaspal said the gathering would allow businesses to quickly access available opportunities, as well as, form partnerships with other companies in India and vice-versa by sharing trade and investment expertise.

“You get to expand your business via the outreach of the Indian diaspora,” he said.

The main benefit of the conference is that it provides a fantastic platform to network as there would be various sessions on technology and innovation, tourism, trade and investment, young Indians, health and education as well as social issues.

Malaysia’s trade with India is set to soar with the completion of the Malaysia-India Comprehensive Economic Co-operation Agreement in July last year.

Last year, total trade increased 32.7 per cent over 2010 to reach US$12.54 billion (RM38.9 million), with Malaysia’s exports rising 34.6 per cent from US$6.5 billion in 2010 to US$9.2 billion last year. — Bernama