Large number of dignitaries attend Republic Day Reception hosted by the Consul General of India

Jan 27, 2009

Large number of dignitaries attend Republic Day Reception hosted by the Indian Consul General in Dubai


Consul General of India to Dubai and Northern Emirates Mr. Venu Rajamony hosted in Dubai on January 26, 2009 a grand reception to mark the 60th Republic Day of India.  The reception was attended by Members of the Royal Family of Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah, Government officials, prominent Emiratis, Diplomats and members of the Indian community.

Dignitaries who attended the reception included  H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Department of Civil Aviation and President, Emirates Group and Dubai Airports; His Excellency, Mr. Abdul Rahman Mohammad Al Owais, UAE Minister for Culture, Youth and Community Development; H.H. Sheikh Faisal Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Chairman, RAK Free Trade Zone;  H.E. Lt. Gen.  Saif Abdulla Al Saif Al Shafar, Under Secretary, UAE Ministry of Interior; Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Chairman, Dubai International Financial Centre; Mr. Ahmed Mohammad Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Dr. Salah Al Qassim, Adviser, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority; Mr. Nasser Khalifa Al-Budoor, Assistant Under Secretary, UAE Ministry of Health; Mr. Hussain Mohammed Al Mahmoodi, Director General, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Sayed Ebrahim Sharaf, President, Sharaf Group; Mr. Ilyas Abdul Wahab Galadari and Mr. Mustafa A.W. Galadari, Chairman & Vice-Chairman respectively of Ilyas & Mustafa Galadari Group; Mr. Mohammed Khammas, CEO, Al Ahli Group, etc.


Speaking on the occasion, Consul General Venu Rajamony highlighted the fact that India's growth in recent years was based on internal drivers and exports constitute only 13.5% of its GDP.  90% of investments have been from within the country.  He said despite the financial crisis India is expected to continue to grow around 7% this year.  Referring to the impact of the crisis on UAE and Dubai, Mr. Rajamony said Indians came to UAE at a time when there was no water, power, roads or skyscrapers.  They have lived and worked with the people of UAE in times of prosperity as well as adversity.   Indians will not abandon the ship just because there is a small financial down turn.  India and the Indian community both stand ready to support in every manner possible the UAE Government and its people in their efforts to tide over the financial crisis.

Pointing out that India was a close economic partner of the UAE, Mr. Rajamony said in the first three quarters of 2008, India was the number 1 destination for Dubai in terms of exports and re-exports and number 2 source country for imports.  He said the large middle class population of India amounting to around 350 million people situated at three hours flying distance from Dubai constitute an important market which can provide stimulus to the Infrastructure, Civil Aviation, Real Estate, Retail, Tourism, and Hospitality industry in Dubai.  Equally, these sectors which have helped Dubai carve an international reputation for itself are the very same sectors which hold tremendous promise for future growth in India. A thousand opportunities exist for UAE companies to invest in India and for UAE and Indian business to forge win-win partnerships.  The current financial scenario must be seen not as a crisis but an opportunity to expand relations between India and the UAE across the board and to raise the already close economic partnership to even greater heights.

The Indian Consulate presented during the Reception a fashion show by the Department of Fashion Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai involving special children; 'Prarambh' a short film made by Indian film maker Santosh Sivan for the purpose of enhancing AIDS awareness, various classical and folk dances of India (Kathak, Kuchipudi, Bhangra, Dhamaal of Haryana, Dholcholam of Manipur, Lion Dance of Sikkim); Classical music (sitar) and cuisine from various parts of the country.
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