The Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry organised two sessions with His Excellency Andre Aranha Correa do Lago, Ambassador of Brazil to India on Tuesday, 16th November 2021 from 4:00 p.m. onwards at Williamson Magor Hall, The Bengal Chamber premises.

His Excellency Andre Aranha Correa do Lago, Ambassador of Brazil to India visited The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with Mr. Pradeep Khemka, Honorary Director and Treasurer of Consular Corps of Kolkata and Director, Khemka Group of Cos. His Excellency addressed a round table meet on “Built Heritage of Settlements around Kolkata". The programme started by showcasing a short film “Europe on the Ganges”, followed by a presentation on “Architectural styles of Kolkata” by Mr. G M Kapur, Chairperson, Heritage Committee, BCC&I and State Convenor, INTACH and another on “Restoration of Danish Governor’s house in Serampore” by Ms. Gopa Sen, Proprietor, The Designers, who has worked on restoration of Danish Governor House, Serampore.

The second session was an exclusive interactive session with His Excellency Andre Aranha Correa do Lago and senior members of the Chamber and representatives from various sectors like IT, Energy and Environment, Mining, Engineering & Manufacturing, Agriculture and Rural Development, Culture and Heritage, Education, Health and Pharmaceuticals, Shipping, and Defence, on “Potential Bilateral Synergies between India and Brazil”.

H.E. Lago tried to connect the similarities between Brazil and India, how both countries adopted an essential−centric economy that have boomed in the later years by efficiently producing its own essentials for the population, cheap and standard quality food, cars, clothing etc. Both of them are not competitors but are extremely complimentary to each other. He also mentioned about India’s incredible revolution as the world leaders in the sectors of IT and Pharma.

His Excellency shared his views on how Brazil and India can work together on aspects of reducing GHG emissions, water conservation as Brazil brought a revolution in agri−tech, using innovative techniques that give the information about the right use of fertilizers and reduction in the use of chemicals. The Brazilian Ambassador was very keen to establish stronger ties between Bengal and Brazil, remembering the emotional connect of Football, especially admirers of Pele and supporters of the Brazilian national football team here in the lands of Bengal. His Excellency also announced that the Brazilian Embassy in India is going to organise a Large quiz on football with the schools of Kolkata, New Delhi. For which they are planning to bring Zico to India for the finals of that quiz. He tried to emphasize that India has a great scope in the Brazilian market for investments and collaborations. His Excellency concluded the session with the message that for both countries bilateral trade, joint ventures will be beneficial and as Brazil is working on technologies that bring social justice, India can adopt these and can work jointly towards sustainable economic development.

The programme was supported by G S Marketing Associates. It was widely appreciated by all the senior members of The Bengal Chamber and was well covered by media.