Secretary, MCA, initiates 'India Corporate Week' at Kolkata

Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, initiates 'India Corporate Week' at Kolkata

A STRING OF PROGRAMMES TO SHOWCASE THE ROLE OF INDIAN CORPORATE SECTOR IN INCLUSIVE GROWTH

Shri R. Bandyopadhyay, Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs kick-started the 'India Corporate Week' from Kolkatta today. The day began with 'Corporate Governance Breakfast Series' ( theme: Going beyond compliance - fostering a culture of good governance) by Confederation of Indian Industries ( CII ). This was followed by a Convention on Corporate Social Responsibility - 'CSR: Going beyond compliance' - organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industries ( FICCI ) and inaugurated by Shri Bandyopadhyay. The theme for 'India Corporate Week, 2009' is 'Corporate Sector and Inclusive Growth' under which the Ministry expects corporate sector to reaffirm its commitment to the concept of inclusive growth.

The day also saw 'Investors' Awareness Programme' organised by the Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India ( ICWAI ) at Sudder Street, Jaipur, followed by holding a Seminar on ‘SMEs play important role in the Economy of the Industry’. It was held jointly by Rajasthan Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Jaipur, and ASSOCHAM. A number of events are being organized in other metros and cities across India. To observe the 'India Corporate Week', the Ministry of Corporate Affairs has joined hands with various business chambers: CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, PHD Chambers, Bombay Chambers, and the three professional institutes – ICSI, ICAI, ICWAI; and IICA and NFCG for reaching out to the stakeholders including the general public.

The aim is to showcase the contribution of corporate sector and to highlight the need for converting this growth as an aid for social development. Given the theme of the Corporate Week, three focal areas have been allotted: Corporate Governance to CII; Corporate Social Responsibility to FICCI; and Corporate Governance in SMEs to ASSOCHAM. The programmes conducted by these chambers are being focused on these specific issues. The three Institutes would be focusing on the investors’ issues besides showcasing the contribution of their respective professions towards corporate development.

To mark the culmination of the ‘India Corporate Week’, the Ministry will be organizing a concluding event on December 21, 2009 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, President of India, has consented to grace the occasion as the Chief Guest. Further, the Ministry would also be releasing ‘Compendium of India Inc.’ which would showcase the growth story of the Indian Corporate Sector. The Ministry would also release draft voluntary guidelines on Corporate Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility.