The Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC) is all set to organise the 7th annual ‘OIFC Marketplace’ in Kochi from January 7 to 9, during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD).
The ‘OIFC Marketplace’ is expected to bring together the overseas Indian community with Indian policy-makers and businesses.
The IFC, a public-private partnership between the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and Confederation of Indian Industry, has been formed to facilitate the economic engagement of the Indian Diaspora with India.
“The ‘OIFC Marketplace’ is set to create opportunities for the overseas Indian community which wishes to develop economic linkages with India. In the past, such meetings have proved beneficial for the delegates comprising NRIs and Persons of Indian Origin. Many buyers and sellers have been brought together at such forums. This year, the event will chart new grounds for OIFC’s partners,” said Rajiv Mehrishi, secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and Chairman, OIFC.
Last year, there were more than 1,200 visitors and more than 500 business interactions and meetings were held between PBD delegates and OIFC Partners. “The Indian overseas community has been making its presence felt in business and politics. OIFC has been continuously working towards bridging the gap between the members of the community and their roots. The ‘Marketplace’ acts as a swift forum for the community and the partners to participate,” said Sujata Sudarshan, CEO, OIFC.
This year, the OIFC ‘Marketplace’ will have participants from various departments from the state governments of Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa and Rajasthan.