FICCI - IIFA Global Business Forum
10 June, 2005, Amsterdam

In collaboration with the India International Film Academy (IIFA), FICCI organised a Business Forum coinciding with the IIFA Awards on 10th June in Amsterdam. Ms Karien van Gennip, Minister for Foreign Trade, Government of Netherlands inaugurated the Business Forum. President, FICCI Mr Onkar S Kanwar delivered the Welcome Address and laid out a roadmap for enhancing Indo-Dutch trade and investment collaboration. Nearly 400 delegates from Netherlands and adjoining European countries participated. FICCI led a 50 member strong business delegation from India which included prominent names such as Mr Kiran Karnik, President, NASSCOM, Mr K S Money, Chairman, APEDA, Mr Lalit Suri, MP & Chairman, FICCI Tourism Committee and Bharat Hotels Ltd and others. The sectors covered at the Business Forum were :

i) Trade and Investment
ii) Entertainment
iii) Information Technology
iv) Food Processing
v) Tourism & Civil Aviation

Seminar on: "Visualizing the Effects"
29 August, 2005, Chennai

FICCI in association with VES ( Visual Effects Society ) , Los Angeles has formed FICCI VEC ( Visual Effects Community). FICCI VEC is being Chaired by Mr. N Madhusunan. During the Seminar FICCI VEC was formally launched by Yash Chopra, Chairman, FICCI Entertainment Committee. President FICCI delivered the welcome Address. Oscar winners Tim McGovern and George Merkert came all the way from USA to respresent VES, LA and to make presentations during the seminar.

The following sessions were held:

1. Areas of Co-operation between Indian and US Visual Effects Industry

2. Illustrated Case Study on VFX in Hollywood Movies

3. Illustrated Case Study on Vikram Betal, Animated full length feature film

In addition to President, Mr. Kanwar, Vice President, Mr. Poddar and past President Mr. A C Muthiah also attended the seminar. Mr. Tim McGovern, Director, Director, Visual Effects Society (VES) and Co- Chair VES Awards; Los Angeles, USA, presented the letter of support from VES to FICCI VEC. The letter was presented to the Secretary General.

All the leading production houses and studios participated in the seminar.

Seminar on " Future of Print Media "
27 September, 2005, Mumbai

Indian print media sector is witnessing an upheaval in recent times. Launch of newspaper in new territories, foreign collaborations, public issues are the order of the day in this sector. To better understand these developments, FICCI scheduled a One-Day Seminar on "Future of Print media" on Tuesday, 27th September, 2005 at Hotel Taj Lands End, Mumbai to discuss the various issues & opportunities facing this sector. The Seminar was inaugurated by Mr S K Arora, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and prominent media persons both from the editorial and business side participated.

The various panel discussions scheduled at this seminar were :

1. Print Media : Fund Manager / Investment Banker / VC Perspective
2. The Business Dynamics of Print Media
3. The Content Challenge

The theme presentation on " Trends in Print Media : Global, Asia Pacific, India & Regional " was done by Deepak Kapoor, Executive Director & Leader- Entertainment & Media Practice, Price Waterhouse Coopers, India

Seminar on: Chindia : Compete or Colloborate
30th Sep 2005, Delhi

Half a day Seminar was organised at Federation House on 30th September 2005. The Chinese Ambassador H E Mr. Sun Yuxi, delivered the Keynote Address on " How to do a win win business in Chidia" The panel discussion " What can India & China learn from each other" was Chaired by Dr. Amit Mitra. The panallist were Vijay Thadani, President NIIT and Jorg Wolff, Resident Representative to IndiaKonrad Adenauer Foundation. The participants included business people from wide spectrum of Industries having business interest in China and India.

FICCI Networking Luncheon Session
18th October 2005, Cannes, France

We had scheduled a FICCI Networking Luncheon session at MIPCOM 2005, the biggest Animation & TV market. The session was scheduled at prestigious Hotel Carlton, Cannes, France. The session showcased the potential and promise of the Indian Animation Industry. People were invited from various studios from USA, Canada, Europe, Australia and Asia. It provide the Indian companies with the unique opportunity of business networking and lead generation. The endevour was very well recieved not only by the Indian Studios but also by global counterparts. MIPCOM authorities are very pleased with FICCI's initiative and have expressed their willingness to extend all possible support to FICCI in increasing activities at MIPCOM.

Interactive Luncheon Session with Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman & CEO, Sony Corporation
21st October, 2005, Mumbai

FICCI organised an Interactive Luncheon Session with Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman & CEO, Sony Corporation. Accompanying Sir Stringer were Mr Michael Lynton, Chairman, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Mr Michael Grindon, President, Sony Pictures International Television.

The Senior Vice President, FICCI, Mr Saroj Kumar Poddar delivered the Welcome Address. The meeting was well attended with CEOs from the corporate sector and leading lights of the entertainment industry.