New EU trade body FEBI elects office bearers, aims to galvanise EU-India businesses

New EU trade body FEBI elects office bearers, aims to galvanise EU-India businesses

New Delhi, July 8, 2024: The Federation of European Business in India (FEBI), the official Chamber of EU businesses in India, supported by EU Delegation in India and the Embassies of the EU Member States, has held its first Annual General Meeting, marking a significant milestone in its new journey. The meeting formalised the Board of Directors with 14 elected members and confirmed key office bearers.

Mr. Rémi Maillard (President and Managing Director of Airbus in India and South Asia) will lead FEBI as its first President, with Mr. Sanjay Tiwari (Public Affairs Advisor to Maersk India Pvt. Ltd.) and Mr. Oscar Esteban (President, Indo-Spanish Chamber of Commerce), elected as Vice-President and Treasurer respectively. The inaugural AGM was held in New Delhi on July 4, 2024.

Mr. Hervé Delphin, Ambassador of the EU to India and Honorary President of FEBI said: "EU-India relations have been on an ascending trajectory, with a growing economic footprint. Over 4500 European companies are present in India, providing 6.5 million direct and indirect jobs. The EU is India's largest trading partner in goods, with trade amounting to EUR 123 billion in 2022-23, and ranks among the top three investors in India. Ongoing negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between the EU and India hold promise to enhance trade flows and economic cooperation significantly. FEBI will bring a very much needed business perspective that will contribute to the further expansion and bringing together of the EU-India economic and trade eco-system. It will be a true force multiplier."

FEBI will maintain close and constructive relations with Indian and European authorities, acting as a credible intermediary between government and businesses and an advocacy place for pro-business policies and solutions. Currently, FEBI boasts a membership of 73 companies representing a diverse cross-section of EU Member States across 10 sectors in India, including Aerospace, Automotive, Agri-food Products, Chemicals & Pharma, Consumer & Luxury Goods, Finance & Insurance, Telecom & ICT & Digital Trade, Machinery & Capital Goods, Energy & Renewables, and Transportation & Logistics. More companies are in the process of joining FEBI.

"It is as much an honour as a responsibility to helm FEBI as its inaugural president. FEBI will serve as a bridge between Europe and India to deepen bilateral trade and investment. India's rapid expansion holds significant potential for European companies to grow here in a symbiotic way. We will work with our Indian and EU
stakeholders and industrial partners to ensure that trade opens more opportunities, thereby helping both regions to grow and thrive together. I thank my colleagues at FEBI for putting their trust and confidence in me," said Mr. Rémi Maillard after his confirmation as President of FEBI.

FEBI's Board of Directors include:

• Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director, Airbus in India and South Asia
• Sayeed Ahmed, CEO/ Director, Biesse India Pvt. Ltd.
• Aditya Narain Sinha, Vice President & Director, ALAR Group, Business Development, International Seaport Dredging Pvt. Ltd. (DEME Group Belgium)
• Stefan Leser, Managing Director, Groz Beckert Asia Private Limited
• Susanne Gun Elisabeth Pulverer, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA India Pvt. Ltd.
• Sanjay Tiwari, Public Affairs Advisor to Maersk India Pvt. Ltd.
• Shekhar Bhide, VP-Customer Services & Corporate Affairs, Mercedes-Benz India Pvt. Ltd.
• Ashutosh Sharma, Executive Director, Mondragon Corporation, India,
• Deepak Sharma, Managing Director & CEO, Schneider Electric India Private Limited,
• Payal S. Kanwar, Director General, Indo-French Chambers of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI)
• Stefan Halusa, Director General, Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC)
• Claudio Maffioletti, Secretary General, Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IICCI)
• Oscar Esteban, President, Indo-Spanish Chamber of Commerce, CEO of SIS-Prosegur and Business Director of Prosegur for Asia
• Kamal Bali, President & Managing Director, Volvo Group in India, Chairman, Swedish Chamber o Commerce India (SCCI).

About FEBI: The Federation of European Business in India (FEBI) is the official Chamber of EU businesses in India, supported by EU Delegation in India and the Embassies of the EU Member States. FEBI's mission is to articulate the collective business business interests of EU companies in India and facilitate the growth in trade and investment between the EU and India.