The Spain India Council Foundation's second Board Meeting of 2016 took place at the headquarters of the Ministry of External Affairs and Cooperation. The activities carried out in the second half of the year were evaluated and the Action Plan for next year was introduced.
Ignacio Ybáñez, Secretary of State for External Affairs, attended the meeting and congratulated the Council Foundation on its important role in strengthening bilateral relations. He also emphasised the significant role that SICF and the other Council Foundations are acquiring in the public diplomacy strategy of the Ministry of External Affairs and Cooperation, and went on to mention that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi might be visiting Spain in 2017.
The meeting was also attended by Inmaculada Riera, Managing Director of the Chamber of Commerce of Spain. Ms Riera, who has been actively engaged in the Foundation since its inception, conveyed the Chamber's interest in becoming a SICF patron, motivated by the important work carried out by all Council Foundations, and vowed to work towards joining forces and facilitating the internationalisation of Spanish companies and Spain’s global positioning from 2017 onwards.
The 3rd edition of the SICF Award and the Action Plan 2017 were the focus of the rest of the meeting. Attendants received detailed information of the significant impact of the 3rd SICF Award ceremony, which was backed by Casa Real. The Patrons said they were eager to keep working to ensure the next edition is every bit as successful.
Regarding the Action Plan 2017, further details were given about the 2nd Spain India Forum, expected to take place in the first half of 2017. The Indian Leaders Programme, also a core activity for SICF, will focus on the 'Digital Agenda', encompassing digital connectivity,the development of a digital economy, the improvement of digital administration, strengthening trust in the digital field, R&D in IT, digital inclusion and training of new IT professionals.
The Foundation will also carry on with its regular activity, organising new dialogues and bilateral meetings, working on institutional activities, circulating information and facilitating communication between civil and official society. SICF’s Chairman and Secretary General alike called for the patron companies and organisations of the Foundation to continue to pledge their support, working together to underpin the Council Foundation’s growth both in terms of its activity and its public prominence.
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