On 13th March 2018, the Anti-Corruption & FCPA Compliance Core Committee Meeting took place at the Coca-Cola office in Gurugram. The opening remarks were given by Ms. Ritika Ratti, Chairperson – Anti-Corruption & FCPA Compliance Committee, AMCHAM and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer & Head of Anti-Corruption, Walmart India. There was an interactive discussion on the following topics: control mechanisms that can be implemented for CSR activities in India to avoid risk under FCPA or anti-corruption laws, contributory factors for India being ranked 81 in the Global Corruption Perceptions Index in 2017 vs. 79 in 2016, increasing regulatory scrutiny of bribery and corruption – is it a media hype or actual execution at the ground level, parent-subsidiary liability under FCPA, internal audits and/or internal action initiated for contravention of compliance policies/directives and how youth in India can play an important role in building a corruption-free country. Members decided that the Anti-Corruption & FCPA Masterclass 2018 should be hosted in August. The committee would begin work towards the agenda and logistics in the next meeting.

Prior to the U.S. visit, a CEOs interaction was organized with Mr. Vijay Gokhale, Foreign Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs to update him on the U.S.-India economic partnership on March 13th, 2018. He was briefed on the current scenario and the challenges faced by U.S. industry across sectors. Defence was particularly highlighted due to the forthcoming 2+2 Dialogue to be held in Washington D.C. in April.

He was accompanied by Mr. Munu Mahawar, Joint Secretary (Americas) and Dr. Rajesh Ranjan, Director (Americas). The Foreign Secretary thanked AMCHAM for arranging the interaction and suggested that this should be a regular feature to keep him apprised on developments. He offered to take up various issues raised by AMCHAM with the concerned Ministries.

On 12th March, AMCHAM’s Infrastructure and Smart Cities Committee, under the leadership of Mr. Samit Ray, Co-Chairman – Infrastructure and Smart Cities Committee, AMCHAM and Director, Government Affairs, United Technologies Corporation, organized a session with consultants to address challenges that members faced regarding smart cities. American consulting firms have been appointed by Indian Smart City SPVs as their Project Management Consultants (PMCs), however, American companies have not been able to make much progress since the smart cities mission has been launched.

The panel of experts from consulting firms who advised member companies and members from the U.S. Embassy discussed the short comings in the RFPs, contracts, appendices etc. Mr. Amit V. Singh from PWC, Mr. Sameer Jain from KPMG, Mr. Anil Kumar from CH2M Hill and Mr. Puneet Randeo from Underwriter Laboratories formed a panel of consultants to advise members on hitches experienced during the procurement process in India’s smart cities and infrastructure space.

On 9th March, AMCHAM’s Eastern Region, in association with Hyatt Regency Kolkata, organized a session on gender diversity #PressforProgress for AMCHAM Eastern Region members and guests to celebrate Women’s Day. The event was graced by eminent personalities from all walks of life who shared their experiences in their journey to success. Mr. Debdas Sen, Chairman – Eastern Region and NEB Member, AMCHAM, gave the opening remarks, Ms. Brigit Holms, General Manager Hyatt and member of AMCHAM’s Eastern Region Executive Committee, gave the welcome address.

The panel discussion was moderator by Ms. Ondrilla Dutt, CEO, Open Doors, with panelists Ms. Monica Liu, entrepreneur/restauranteur, Ms. Priya Eidnani, Senior Pilot and Trainer, Indigo Airlines, Ms. Seema Sapru, Principal, Heritage International School in Kolkata, Ms. Lisbeth Johansen, Founder of LittleBigHelp, an NGO in Denmark, and Ms. Isheeta Ganguly, an Indian/American acclaimed fusion singer and playwright. Ms. Amada Kidwai, Regional Director – Eastern Region, AMCHAM, gave the vote of thanks.

AMCHAM India, in association with Strategy Execution and Duke Corporate Education, conducted an exclusive workshop on “Design Thinking in a VUCA World” in Bengaluru, on 7th March 2018, at the J.W. Marriott. The speakers included Mr. Nikhil Raval, Managing Director, Duke CE and Mr. Ajay Parasrampuria, Design Thinker. The key takeaway was an overview of how to deploy design thinking for results in today’s VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) world. The speakers talked about how to (i) jump-start an innovation culture; (ii) visualize new or improved product and services that a company could offer; and (iii) make the offering more desirable, feasible, viable and dependable. The participants gained an understanding of executing strategy through design thinking in a VUCA environment; customer focused thinking and re-framing of what one sees; leading a collaborative process for ideation and innovation; and pitching, informing and improving ideas for success.