Calls for focus on defence manufacturing

Members of the India Sweden Business Leaders’ Round Table with the Prime Minister of Sweden, Stefan Lofven, and India’s Commerce and Industry minister, Suresh Prabhu, at the meeting held on 11 October, 2017 in Stockholm.

Sweden and India have explored further strengthening of bilateral business development, especially under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

Ann Linde, Minister for Foreign Trade and European Union Affairs, highlighted the importance of investment protection, opportunities of investing in the workforce and increased potential of women in workforce during a meeting between business groups from the two countries.

India-Swedish Business Leaders’ Roundtable held in Sweden 11 October 2017, Linde also underlined the importance of Goods and Services Tax (GST) to make India a common market.

She noted that “Sambandh” is a shared word for India and Sweden meaning “connection.”

Defence manufacturing represents a strong area of bilateral cooperation between the two countries, added Jan Salestrand, State Secretary to the Minister of Defence, Government of Sweden.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said his state of Maharashtra is home to 80 Swedish companies and presents opportunities for investments in several key areas.

Top CEOs, including Leif Johansson, Chairman, Ericsson and Astra Zeneca; Alrik Danielson, President and CEO, AB SKF; Carl Bennet, Chairman, Getinge, Elanders and Lifco; Magnus Brännström, Chief Executive Officer and President, Oriflame; Henrik Gunnerling, Global Head of Purchasing, IKEA, and others shared their positive experiences in India and urged businesses to explore India as their next investment destination. fii-news.com