Dear Industry Colleagues,

Today, I am privileged to assume the role of Chairperson, FINCHAM India, from Mr. Neeraj Sharma (President & Managing Director, Wartsila India Pvt. Ltd.). I embarked upon this journey in 2018 as the Chamber’s Vice-Chairperson, and it was exciting to support and contribute to the enthusiastic efforts led by Neeraj, the Board Members and the members of FINCHAM. With the support of all of you, we have had a good start to FINCHAM.

In the coming year, it will be my endeavour along with all of you to take FINCHAM to newer heights. I am especially delighted to work with our new Vice-Chairperson, Mr. M C Suresh Kumar (Managing Director, Cargotec India Pvt. Ltd.), who has been a very active member of FINCHAM right from the beginning, and has supported all initiatives whole heartedly. 

We have achieved some significant milestones in the first year of becoming fully operational. In addition to being recognised by FINNCHAM Helsinki as an affiliate bilateral chamber in India, establishing partnerships with the largest Indian industry body-CII, to organising a CEO Roundtable, which was well received by all participants, including some of the prominent Indian IT companies such as WIPRO, Infosys, TCS and attended by the Principal Secretary(Industry & Commerce), Govt. of Karnataka. It has been our effort to regularly facilitate purposeful knowledge sessions for our members on relevant legislative and economic developments, in collaboration with experts and special guest speakers. In the coming year also, we will continue to organise such sessions. FINCHAM’s objective is to build and foster growth of a synergetic business climate for the Finnish business community in India.  Thus, in close cooperation with the Embassy of Finland, we have facilitated members’ participation in roadshows to explore business opportunities, participate in business summits, and provide interface with relevant Indian and Finnish government officials, including Mr. Manoj K Bharti (Additional Secretary, Economic Diplomacy Division, Ministry of External Affairs), Ms. Nidhi Mani Tripathi (Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry), members of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, Mr Jukka Juusti, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence and Mr. Jari Gustaffson, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs. As part of the European Economic Group (EEG), a working group of European Bilateral Chambers, FINCHAM has effectively utilised the platform for presenting sectoral concerns and recommendations. 

I take this opportunity to share with you some our new initiatives for the coming year, namely, the FINCHAM Skills/Mentorship Program, aimed at building capacities of the youth through various internship programs hosted  by the member companies; and the ‘Resilient Schools Project’, a joint CSR activity by FINCHAM members to promote water conservation in three Municipal Primary Schools of Delhi/NCR. The Chamber will further collaborate with CII for Smart Cities Conclave scheduled to be held in September. Steps are also being taken towards deepening the Nordic business collaboration. I am especially pleased to share that w.e.f. April 01, 2020, FINCHAM India’s membership is open to Indian as well as non-Finnish European companies which have business interest in Finland. 

As I assume this vital responsibility of leading FINCHAM, we are faced with unprecedented uncertainties and setbacks to the industry and the economy which are unfolding in real time due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The current global scenario makes it incumbent upon the Chamber to adequately respond to these unseen challenges with a combination of time-tested and innovative approaches. 

The current circumstances have constrained us to postpone some of our planned activities/events/physical meetings such as the trade delegation visit to Bangladesh and the Nordic Networking Event. However, it will be our constant endeavor to assist and support your business requirements and remain connected with you. 

I wish you all good health and high spirits in these trying times. 

Yours Sincerely,
Amit Gossain
Chairperson
Finland Chamber of Commerce in India
Managing Director, KONE Elevator India