Discussion on the Draft Personal Data Protection Bill 31st August 2018

American Chamber of Commerce in India
Apex Chamber of US Industry in India

Discussion on the Draft Personal Data Protection Bill – 31st August 2018

On August 31st, 2018 members of AMCHAM’s ICT and Cyber Security Committees met at the IBM office to discuss the Draft Personal Data Protection Bill before sending recommendations to stakeholders. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Vivek Vasishtha, Co-Chairman – ICT Committee, AMCHAM and Executive Director and Country Leader – Government and Regulatory Affairs, IBM India. Ms. Madhvi Kataria, Deputy Director General, AMCHAM, gave the welcome remarks. Members discussed the need for clarity on data localization, storage of data and data retention. The concerns were noted and will be incorporated in the submission to be made to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). KPMG agreed to be the knowledge partner for supporting AMCHAM’s recommendations.

Membership

By joining AMCHAM India, you become part of an active and dynamic Apex Chamber of U.S. Industry in India with a membership base of more than 400 American companies in India. AMCHAM is an important voice for policy advocacy, a critical source for business intelligence, a vibrant platform for networking and expanding your business.

Launch of the 2nd Annual Passage to Prosperity: India – Afghanistan International Trade and Investment Show 30th August 2018

American Chamber of Commerce in India
Apex Chamber of US Industry in India

Launch of the 2nd Annual Passage to Prosperity: India – Afghanistan International Trade and Investment Show – 30th August 2018

On 30th August 2018 AMCHAM India as supporting partner to USAID launched the 2nd annual Passage to Prosperity: India – Afghanistan International Trade and Investment Show. Ms. Ramona El Hamzaoui, Deputy Mission Director, USAID/India welcomed partners and media representatives on the occasion which was followed by an informative video showcasing trade and business opportunities with Afghanistan. Consul General Edgard D. Kagan, Consul General, U.S. Consulate General Mumbai highlighted the significance of the trilateral initiative of the U.S., India and Afghanistan. The first session at the event saw a high profile representation and addresses by Dr. Shaida Mohammad Abdali, Ambassador to India, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Ms. Swati Kulkarni, Chief Passport Officer and Senior Joint-Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

The next segment saw an engaging and interesting conversation moderated by CG Edgard Kagan with private sector representatives of the 3 partnering chambers which included Mr. Ishmeet Singh, Western Region Committee Member, AMCHAM and Country Manager, India Mattel Inc., Mr. Atul Joshi, CEO, Oyster Capital Management & Advisory and Chairman, IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry Expert Committee on Economic Policy and Mr. Kannan, Western Region Representative, Confederation of Indian Industry. The program concluded with closing remarks by Ms. Ramona El Hamzaoui. The 2nd Annual Passage to Prosperity: India – Afghanistan International Trade and Investment Show will be held at the JW Marriott Hotel, Sahar in Mumbai from 12th -15th September 2018.

Membership

By joining AMCHAM India, you become part of an active and dynamic Apex Chamber of U.S. Industry in India with a membership base of more than 400 American companies in India. AMCHAM is an important voice for policy advocacy, a critical source for business intelligence, a vibrant platform for networking and expanding your business.

CSR Committee Meeting 30th August 2018

AMCHAM’s CSR Committee met under the chairmanship of Mr. Harish Krishnan, Managing Director, Public Affairs & Strategic Engagement, India & SAARC, Cisco Systems (India) on 30th August 2018 at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. Ms. Ranjana Khanna welcomed participants and speakers. Mr. Harish Krishnan led a discussion on the CSR signature event in June, how to collaborate as a committee on a CSR project, strategies to drive impact and scale and CSR best practice sharing site visits.

Mr. Mark White, Mission Director, USAID/India and Ms. Cheryl Williams, Director – Program Support Office, USAID/India discussed the recently signed MOU between USAID and AMCHAM to collaborate in the areas of health, energy, environment, WASH, gender and women’s empowerment and issues concerning youth. Mr. Pankaj Kamaliya, Chief Operations Officer, Gujarat CSR Authority – an initiative of the Government of Gujarat, who gave a presentation on the GCSRA, which was registered in 2015 to support industries taking up CSR in the state with proper needs assessments, connections to the local administration, project execution, create a reliable database of credible implementing agencies and set a standard for training, among other things. There was an interactive Q&A with both USAID and GCSRA followed by a vote of thanks from Mr. Harish Krishnan.

Membership

By joining AMCHAM India, you become part of an active and dynamic Apex Chamber of U.S. Industry in India with a membership base of more than 400 American companies in India. AMCHAM is an important voice for policy advocacy, a critical source for business intelligence, a vibrant platform for networking and expanding your business.

An Informal Discussion on Regulatory Policy And Economic Risks Ahead 30th August 2018

American Chamber of Commerce in India
Apex Chamber of US Industry in India

An Informal Discussion on Regulatory Policy And Economic Risks Ahead – 30th August 2018

On Thursday, 30th August 2018, AMCHAM India in partnership with FTI Consulting, organized an informal discussion on ‘Regional Policy and Economic Risks Ahead.’ The event began with a welcome by Ms. Surabhi Wahal, Regional Director – Western Region, AMCHAM India. Mr. Amrit Singh Deo, Managing Director, Strategic Communications, FTI Consulting, through his introductory remarks set the context of geo-political and economic realities, the effects of which India will soon begin to face. In the interactive session that followed Mr. Paul Downie, Chairman, Asia Pacific Strategic Communications, FTI Consulting, touched upon global trade wars, protectionism, economic sustainability, migration and economic slowdown in large developed countries and the effect that it has on emerging economies. As part of the discussion, participants also shared their views and queries. The event concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Rachid Fergati, Managing Director– Indian Sub-Continent, UPS, who thanked FTI Consulting, AMCHAM and the participants for a wonderful discussion.

Membership

By joining AMCHAM India, you become part of an active and dynamic Apex Chamber of U.S. Industry in India with a membership base of more than 400 American companies in India. AMCHAM is an important voice for policy advocacy, a critical source for business intelligence, a vibrant platform for networking and expanding your business.

5th Anti-Corruption Compliance and Risk Management Master Class 

The 5th Anti-Corruption Compliance and Risk Management Master Class was organised by AMCHAM’s Anti-Corruption & FCPA Compliance Committee at Hotel Le-Meridien, New Delhi on August 29th, 2018. The welcome address was given by Ms. Madhvi Kataria, Deputy Director General, AMCHAM followed by Ms. Ritika Ratti, Chairperson – Anti-Corruption & FCPA Compliance Committee, AMCHAM and Senior Director, Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer & Head of Anti-Corruption, Walmart India, who introduces the theme and gave an overview of the sessions. The special address was delivered by Mr. Robert Garverick, Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs and Environment, Science and Technology, U.S. Embassy.

In session 1, the panel discussion focused on ‘Top Trends in FCPA, UK Bribery Act & and Recent Indian Corruption Cases’ including an introduction of a hypothetical case study by Mr. Vasu Muthyala, White-Collar, Corporate & Individual Investigations, and Enforcement Partner, Kobre & Kim, Ms. Mini vandePol, Partner and Head of Asia Pacific, Global Compliance and Investigations Group, Baker & McKenzie and Mr. Sunny Mann, Partner, Global Compliance and Investigations Group, Baker & McKenzie.

Since the Government of India has made amendments in the Prevention of Corruption Act, Mr. Balwinder Singh, Senior Advisor, KPMG in India, shared updates on the same in session 2. In session 3 industry experts including Mr. Gaurav Ajmani, Associate General Counsel, Amazon, Ms. Saloni Tuteja, Director – Legal & Compliance, South Asia, Zimmer Biomet and Ms. Bhawna A. Ranganadhan, Vice President, Legal and Compliance, Genpact, discussed ‘Corruption Challenges Faced by Legal and Compliance Organizations in a Company and How Do They Mitigate These Risks?’ with Ms. Ritika Ratti as the moderator.

Mr. Suhel Daud, Assistant Legal Attaché – FBI, U.S. Embassy, spoke about the ‘Challenges Faced by Law Enforcement in the Digital Age’ in session 4 followed by Prof (Dr.) Madhu Bhalla, Vice Chair of Transparency India, who shared her perspective on the fight against corruption. The last session was a panel discussion focused on ‘Discovering Fraud (Best Practices for Investigations, Remediation, and Self-Disclosure or Not) with by Mr. Vasu Muthyala, Ms. Mini vandePol and Mr. Sunny Mann as panellists. Lastly, the concluding remarks were delivered by Ms. Ritika Ratti, Chairperson – Anti-Corruption & FCPA Compliance Committee, AMCHAM.

 

Membership

By joining AMCHAM India, you become part of an active and dynamic Apex Chamber of U.S. Industry in India with a membership base of more than 400 American companies in India. AMCHAM is an important voice for policy advocacy, a critical source for business intelligence, a vibrant platform for networking and expanding your business.

Session on Transfer Pricing and GST 28th August 2018

American Chamber of Commerce in India
Apex Chamber of US Industry in India

Session on Transfer Pricing and GST – 28th August 2018

AMCHAM’s Hyderabad Chapter organized a session on ‘Transfer Pricing and GST’ with Deloitte at the Westin Hyderabad on August 28th, 2018. The session commenced with GST wherein Mr. Amit from Deloitte spoke on the credit concerns and advance ruling and audit under GST. He touched upon the input tax credit – latest amendment in law, conditions for availing credit and other conflicting issues. He also spoke on the impact of GST on common functions performed at HO. On the topic of GST audit, he spoke on the reporting requirements and the various forms. This was an interactive session, where queries by the audience were answered. The next session was on transfer pricing which was led by Mr. Rajeshwar from Deloitte. He spoke on the recent development in transfer pricing including MAP and APA and impact of Ind-AS on transfer pricing. The session concluded with a time of networking over high tea.

Membership

By joining AMCHAM India, you become part of an active and dynamic Apex Chamber of U.S. Industry in India with a membership base of more than 400 American companies in India. AMCHAM is an important voice for policy advocacy, a critical source for business intelligence, a vibrant platform for networking and expanding your business.