GreeN Growth - Asia-Pacific Business and Technology Report

specialeventspecialevent(In this photo) Mr. JS Ham, VP Samsung Electronics; Mr. K Balaji, MD, The Hindu; Mr. Gireesh Sanghi, Ex. MP and Chairman of AGA Publications; Mr. Lee Jae-sang, Director, KoreaTourism Organization; Mr. Balakrishnan, Past President of ICAI; Mr. Sivagnanam, Director, MSME Govt. of India; along with Director Indo Korea Connect Ms. Madhubala Nahar; IKBPFPresident Dr. Lakhvinder Singh; and Chairman of Adbureau Mr. M Abirchand Nahar.Indo Korea Connectby staff reporterIndo Korea Connect – The first ever platform for Koreanand Indian Companies and professionals to cometogether for networking, fellowship and business in Indiawas inaugurated in Chennai, India on June 24 at theluxurious Taj Coromandel Hotel, amongst a dazzlingarray of business stalwarts, government officials, politicians,professionals and trade and business forums.Being the first such forum of its kind,Indo Korea Connect is expected to facilitatethe objectives of the Inda-Korea ComprehensiveEconomic Partnership Agreement(CEPA) in association with the governmentof India, and MSME, joined by the WorldwideAdvisory Net.Key Objectives of Indo KoreaConnect1. To bring companies and professionalsof both countries together andenhance each other’s capabilitiesinternationally, thereby acceleratingthe mutual growth process throughthe Connect initiatives.2. To organize company specific meetingsbased on the individual companies’requirements.3. To organize support functions likecompany formation, obtaining PANnumbers, providing audit and accountfunctions, tax and investmentplanning, financial advice about India,etc.4. To help in identifying locations forfactory and office set ups in specialeconomic zones and other areas,organize the required manpower,organize business centers, organizemeetings with regulatory authorities,organize meetings with relevantIndian ministries, organize meetingswith customers if required, and facilitatefunctioning of local business.The business conference was organized togive a visible start to the initiative and thiswas achieved with flying colors as the registrationcounter was kept busy all throughoutthe conference.To showcase the solidarity toward this initiative,top brass from reputed corporationssuch as Mr. J S Ham, Vice President, SamsungElectronics India Ltd; and Mr. K Balaji,Managing Director, The Hindu; Ms. MadhubalaNahar Director, Indo Korea Connect;Mr. Sivagnanam Director, MSME Govt. of India;Mr. Gireesh Kumar Sanghi, ex. MP andChairman AGA publications (Varth Group);management representatives from RelianceMoney, Reliance Composite Insurance,Ashok Leyland, Tata Teleservices, the IPL– Amalgamation group, Korea Tourism Organization,India Tourism, PWC, KPMG, BiztechReport Asia, Standard Chartered Bank,and over 270 business owners and professionalswere present at the venue. Trade andprofessional forums such as the Indo-KoreaBusiness and Policy Forum, The Institute ofMarine Engineers India, TIE, Andhra Chamberof Commerce, Hindustan Chamber ofCommerce, Young India Entrepreneurs andGovt. Departments such as MSME, Govt. ofIndia, STPI Govt. of India and India Tourismpartnered with this initiative.While the key objective of the conferencewas to disseminate information aboutQa &Madhubala NaharDirector of the Indo Korea Connect & Worldwide Advisory Net, Ms.Madhubala Nahar is a two-time “Intellectual Women of the Year” awardrecipient for 2008 and 2009, a celebrated Chartered Accountant withover 15 years of experience, an Information Systems Auditor, a CouncilMember with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India for over 12years, a two-term committee member of the Reserve Bank of India (ApexBanking Regulator in India) State Co-ordination Committee, recipient ofthe Gov’t. of India Recognition for Academic Excellency, having received98 percent, the highest marks in pre-university, a sought-after speakerin the USA, UAE, Singapore, and Malaysia on the subjects of IFRS, DoingBusiness in India, International Taxation, and the list goes on. Indeed, thislady entrepreneur has quite a glittering profile.The Asia-Pacific Business and Technology Report got close to Ms. Naharto learn a little more about her journey so far, and also her future plans.Madam, hailing from a wellplacedbusiness family, alife of peace and luxury wasalways your surroundings. Sothen, what inspires you to putin all the hard work to do thethings that you have done overthe years?Life, as they say, needs a purpose. I rememberthat even when I pursued mymasters after marriage with two kidsin my lap, it surprised most people andraised the obvious ‘why?’ But I did clearmy Chartered Accountancy, and the restas they say is history. My inspiration hasalways been the vision to create a legacyfor future generations to come. “Withgreat power comes great responsibility”and it was only a matter of time beforeI fulfilled my purpose and delivered onmy responsibility.You’re a role model of sortsfor many women and a pioneerin starting many initiatives.How difficult is it to takethe lead?Any new venture comes with its ownshare of challenges and difficulties, butthe trick is in not getting overwhelmedby it but rather in seeing the opportunitiesand learnings in them. Perseverancewithout doubt is one of the key traits;innovation and to large extent courageare also vital ingredients.How does being called the IntellectualWoman of the Yearfeel?I am humbled by the recognition butit also calls for a great deal of introspection.One needs to channel energies forthe greater good and make sure thatone is worthy of the honor.As an established entrepreneurand a reputed businessconsultant to many MNCs,what do you think makesdoing business in India attractiveto these foreign companies?The biggest and most obvious reasonfor any consumer-driven business fromacross the globe would be the sheer sizeand depth of our consumer market,coupled with the fact that India todaycan boast of a very young and financially-growingpopulation, which makesthe Indian economy very attractive.So what are the key servicesthat MNCs look out for and18 | A-P BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY REPORTA-P BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY REPORT | 19