India-Thales: Transfer of technology and developing supply chains

In Alexis Dalem's interview he discusses areas on which Thales and India have collaborated in the past and can collaborate in the future, in the defense, security and aerospace spheres, and under the Make in India policy. He laid emphasis on Thales's policy of willingness for technology transfer and production in India and their ambition to co-develop products and export from India, since they have a strong belief in India's industrial competitiveness and skilled workforce. He further applauds Modi's recent FDI changes in India as it allows for this technology transfer, enables Thales to retain a certain level of control in their subsidiaries in India and creates an investment positive business environment.

Courtesy: Gateway House

14 February 2017

Inclusiveness and SMEs: key to improving trade

BY Stormy Mildner

In Dr. Stormy Mildner's interview she highlights the high levels of benefits accrued to countries due to trade. She mentions methods that can further increase these advantages. Her perception of trade is that it involves not just the mobility of goods but also of services. She describes measures taken by the B20 such as the Business Mobility Card that will facilitate labour mobility. She ends with the founding principles, objectives and goals of the B20 and the legacy the German Presidency would like to leave behind when its term ends, namely, sustainability, inclusiveness and a future oriented approach to growth.

Courtesy: Gateway House

14 February 2017

Private Sector and Multilateral Institutions: sources of green finance

BY Amar Bhattacharya

In Amar Bhattacharya's interview he discusses the desperate need for additional finance to succeed in implementing measures for climate change mitigation. He stresses on the special need for countries like India to access capital, make this transition, and serve as an example for other emerging markets. He highlights the importance of the private sector in entering the green financing sphere as well as the need for the government to establish the blueprint and safety nets necessary to enable these private financiers to invest in green infrastructure.

Courtesy: Gateway House

14 February 2017

Market based strategies for renewable energy projects

BY Peter Wolff

In his interview, Dr. Peter Wolff discusses the pillars and objectives of Germany's Marshall Plan for Africa and the need to integrate it into the global value chain. In the sphere of renewable energy, he argues that the most effective way of establishing a solid renewable sector is through market based strategies rather than government based ones. Although in some industries public private partnerships are the best measure, in others a more corporate lead approach is better.

Courtesy: Gateway House

14 February 2017

Russia’s financial resiliency and capabilities

BY Anastasia Likhacheva

In this interview Anastasia Likhacheva discusses the impact and a few of the positive externalities of the oil price drop, sanctions and counter sanctions on the Russian economy. Despite Trump’s obvious warmth towards Russia, she doesn’t foresee any major agreements signed between the two countries due to the roadblocks that can be placed by the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Senate. She further describes the role she sees Russia undertaking in Asian financial institutions like the NDB and the AIIB in the future.

Courtesy: Gateway House

14 February 2017

Reversal of brain-drain and the importance of Innovations Clusters

BY Clas Neumann

Clas Neumann in his interview envisions the new type of globalisation that the digital economy has created. The increase in distribution of work and revolution of global supply chains. He discusses the winners and losers of the changes in the H1B visa systems, specifically the brain drain reversal, and the alterations the Indian business model needs to make to adjust to these changes. He further emphasises on the idea that for technology companies to foster and develop, their closeness to "innovation clusters" is most important. And describes the role of governments in enabling the cultivating of digital spaces and digital cities.