Annual Assembly – Chamber of Commerce

The Colombia-India Chamber of Commerce held its annual general assembly meeting on 4 November 2009 at the prestigious installations of the Chamber of Commerce of Bogota.  Apart from the members of the Board, approximately 70 members and representatives of Colombia and business houses attended.
 
The event was inaugurated by the Vice Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Colombia, Mr. Ricardo Duarte.  The Vice Minister referred to the increasingly active economic and commercial relationship between Colombia and India and the timely formation of the Chamber of Commerce, which provided an excellent forum for Colombian and Indian business houses to enhance further bilateral trade, investment and other activities vital for the relationship. 
 
The Ambassador of India, Shri Deepak Bhojwani, highlighted the importance of Colombia for Indian business and claimed that, although official Colombian statistics reveal investment from India of under US$2 million, the amount invested by Indian business in Colombia is well over US$800 million till date as per the understanding of the Embassy of India.  He called on the Chamber to increase its membership and  activities to provide better information to members and the business community in general about investment data, trade statistics, possibilities for exports and imports, customs related information, etc.
 
The President of the Chamber, Dr. Jaime Mantilla outlined the progress made in the first year of the setting up of the Chamber including a webpage, www.camaracolombiaindia.org, increase in membership and the financial status of the body.  The new Board was elected by acclamation.
This was another important event in the celebration of 50 years of bilateral relations between Colombia and India and comes days before the visit of the Foreign Minister and the Commerce and Industry Minister of Colombia to India.  The presence of several unaffiliated businessmen was evidence of the increasing interest in India-Colombia economic relations.