Delegates from over 20 countries attend diaspora conference
By
Li Xueying
Indian Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi lighting a traditional lamp at the start of the conference at Suntec City, as PM Lee looked on. -- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
AN ANNUAL Global Indian Diaspora Conference yesterday drew some 700 delegates from 20 countries to Suntec City.
This is only the second time that the conference, launched in 2003, has been held outside India, after New York last year.
In his keynote speech, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore is a natural gathering point for the Indian diaspora in Asia Pacific.
He noted how those of Indian descent had contributed to Singapore from its early days.
'Many early Indians started out here as humble labourers and plantation workers, but succeeding generations have made their mark in government, business and the professions,' he said.
There are now 200,000 Indian expatriates in Singapore - one of the largest communities here. Mr Lee said the recent wave of migrants from India has brought 'strong entrepreneurial spirit and energy' to Singapore.
'They have added different experiences and perspectives to our society, and boosted our efforts to develop Singapore's R&D and financial sectors,' he added.
They have also helped enhance bilateral ties. The two countries signed a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement in 2005. Since then, bilateral trade has boomed, hitting $24 billion last year. Singapore is now India's second largest investor.
The diaspora conference is an opportunity for overseas Indians - some 30 million in all - to network and find ways to cooperate.
This year's meeting was jointly organised by the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, India's Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and the Confederation of Indian Industry.
Its stellar lineup of speakers also included Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew.
President S R Nathan was guest of honour at last night's gala dinner.
Mr Goh, who addressed a lunch forum, said the accomplishments of Indians outside India boosted his confidence in their country of origin.
When he was prime minister, he had urged Singapore businessmen to venture into India, sparking a 'mild India fever' in 1993.
Singapore plans to set up an Indian Heritage Centre, which will trace the history of the community in Singapore and their contributions.
PM Lee told his audience: 'We hope that many of you will find that Singapore fits well into your plans, as a place to network and help create the new Asia that is emerging.'
Those words of welcome were music to the ears of Mr Amit Das, chairman of Das Credit Capital Global Investment Bank in Mumbai.
He is interested in joint ventures with Singapore companies to finance businesses providing education services.
'You lack human resources; we have that. Together, we complement each other,' he said.
