Release of UKIBC Socio-Economic Impact Report
The UK India Business Council (UKIBC) is delighted to invite you to our upcoming webinar highlighting the contribution of UK industry to India’s socio-economic story, as well as the release of UKIBC's Socio-Economic Impact Report.
Led by UKIBC Chair, Richard Heald OBE, we invite you to join this interactive session to hear from Mr Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog; and Ms Shoko Noda, Resident Representative – India, UNDP, who will:
- Launch UKIBC’s first Socio-Economic Impact Report
- Discuss the initiatives, challenges, and way forward which UK industry feels would be essential for India to fulfil their sustainable development goals (SDGs)
- Share the Indian Government aspirations for India’s SDGs and the potential they see for UK industry to contribute
UKIBC launched its Socio-Economic Impact campaign with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2019 to showcase the impact and contribution UK industry is making towards the social and economic fabric of India.
Following the launch, UKIBC undertook a study with the objectives of mapping the initiatives taken by UK firms in India with India’s SDGs. Our report highlights the key findings and presents case studies of select members, showcasing their work and initiatives whilst highlighting the areas that UK businesses would be keen to intervene in.
We would be pleased to have you join us on this session. To secure your place, please register using the link below!
OUR EXPERTS
Ms Shoko Noda – Resident Representative India, UNDP
Ms. Shoko Noda has been UNDP Resident Representative in India since May 2019, when she took charge of one of UNDP’s largest country programmes globally. She leads country office activities on localizing the Sustainable Development Goals, climate action and biodiversity conservation, digital health and governance, and skilling. She is also a strong advocate for gender equality.
Between October 2014 and April 2019, she was UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in the Maldives. Effectively engaging key national interlocutors, political parties, human rights defenders, and UN member states, Ms. Noda was pivotal in taking forward both the development agenda and political dialogue during the crucial transitional post-election period.
Prior to that, Ms. Noda led UNDP’s country offices in Nepal and Mongolia. Through the course of her international career with the UN, Ms. Noda has served in diverse and challenging contexts across many geographies, from Pakistan (2005-06) to the Democratic Republic of Congo (2005), the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (2001-02), Kosovo (2000-01) and Tajikistan (1998-2000). Ms. Noda’s working career began in 1995, as a Researcher in the Behavioural Sciences Department with the Mitsubishi Research Institute Inc. in Tokyo.
Ms. Noda holds a B.A. and an M.A. in Political Science from Keio University, Japan.
Amitabh Kant – CEO, NITI Aayog
Amitabh Kant is presently CEO of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog). He is a member of the Indian Administrative Service, IAS (Kerala Cadre: 1980 batch). He is the author of Branding India-An Incredible Story and has edited “The Path Ahead- Transformative Ideas for India”. Kant has been a key driver of the “Make in India”, Startup India, “Incredible India” and God’s Own Country” initiatives that positioned India and Kerala State as leading manufacturing and tourism destinations. These campaigns have won several international awards and embraced a host of activities – infrastructure development, product enhancement, private-public partnership and positioning and branding based on extensive market research.
Amitabh Kant has been the Chairman & CEO of the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (DMICDC). The Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) is being developed by the Government of India as a global manufacturing and investment destination supported by world class infrastructure and enabling policy framework. The DMIC project is aimed at the development of futuristic, smart industrial cities in India which will converge and integrate next generation technologies across sectors. The DMIC cities will address not merely the urbanization requirements of India, but with manufacturing as the main economic base, will also contribute significantly to the economic growth of India.
In his capacity as Secretary (Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion) Govt. of India, he vigorously drove the Ease of Doing Business initiative and ranking of States on outcome parameters. These initiatives have led to India making a quantum jump in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Index and enabled Indian States to compete in the spirit of competitive federalism. He is the Chairman of the Committee to implement Digital Payment in India.
Abanti Sankaranarayanan – Chief Strategy & Corporate Affairs Officer, Diageo India
Abanti Sankaranarayanan leads the Strategy and Corporate Affairs functions at Diageo India (United Spirits Ltd), and is a member of its Executive Committee. Her responsibilities include Alcohol Policy, Regulatory & Trade matters, Market Access, Corporate Communications & Reputation and programs to address alcohol misuse, champion responsible consumption and deliver Social Impact. As head of Strategy, Abanti leads strategy development & execution for Diageo’s business in India.
Abanti has an outstanding track record of over 20 years in the consumer industry. Prior to her current role, Abanti was Managing Director, Diageo India Pvt Ltd, leading Diageo’s ambitious business mandate for international spirits in India. Under her leadership, Diageo’s brand portfolio in India delivered strong double digit growth, high market share gains and robust brand equity enhancement.
Abanti joined Diageo in June 2010 as the Marketing and Innovation Director responsible for building Diageo’s iconic global brands like Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, VAT 69 and Cîroc.
