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In addition to welcoming business and political leaders to the EU India Leaders Conference, EICBI also extended invitations to select students from a few universities in Belgium. Providing these students with the opportunity to attend and participate in conference, provided them an opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of India – its strengths, challenges, and opportunities.
One of the students, Danielle Pais, put together a short note about her perspective of the conference. We have reproduced the note below.
On March 6th, I had the pleasure of attending the EU India Leaders conference, which highlighted various sectors such as agriculture, trade, automotives, and medical device technology between the EU and India. The conference took place in the heart of the EU parliament in Brussels, Belgium and was organized by Sujit Nair and the EICBI leaders. Presiding the initial introduction to the conference was former Romanian Prime Minister and current EU parliament member, Dacian Ciolos, and Mr. Lars Berg of the European Parliament. The conference was divided into three diverse panels touching on trade, technology, healthcare, and current business regulations concerning the EU-UK and India.
As a delegate, I was intrigued to learn about the current trade relationships and economic policies informing the EU-Indian relations. Each of the first panelists: Jean-Marc Fenet, Abhinav Kumar, Nicolas Kohler-Suzuki, Dr. Cristina Vanberghen shared precise information on the recently developed Trade and Technology council negotiations, similar to the FDA, between the EU and India. They discussed the potential for India’s growth in the EU market and the barriers India often faces regulation wise.
Transitioning to the automotive sector, the spotlight shifted to India's remarkable ascent to the third position globally—a testament to its burgeoning prowess in the industry. Amidst discussions on market dynamics and regulatory frameworks, it became evident that India's automotive sector held immense promise as a cornerstone of EU-India trade relations, paving the way for strategic partnerships and investment opportunities.
Panel 3 delved deeper into the realms of healthcare and exploring both the alternative medical technologies and the current medical innovations coming from India and vice versa. From variations in diabetes standards to the uses of Ayurveda, panelists navigated the complexities of regulatory frameworks and the potential for translational research. Despite hurdles in the medical device sector, including the need for innovation incentives, the overarching sentiment remained one of optimism, underpinned by the vast potential of India's healthcare market and the imperative for collaboration in addressing global health challenges.
Overall, the EU India Leaders Conference served as a catalyst and a promising platform for dialogue and collaboration, igniting a spark of innovation and mutual understanding among delegates from both regions. As we navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving global landscape, the insights gleaned from this conference serve as a guiding light, illuminating the path towards a future defined by prosperity, partnership, and shared progress.
Danielle Pais is currently pursuing a Master's degree at Ghent University.