2013
September
For the information & private circulation to SICC Members
Seminar Series: The Secret behind Swiss Innovation Chennai Bengaluru Hyderabad
SICC India Time Capsule
SWISS‐INDIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INDIA
The Swiss Consu‐ late, Bangalore, Swissnex, India, and SICC India ‐ Southern Region organised a series of Seminars in September 2013 on ’The Se‐ cret of Swiss Innovation” in Chennai, Ban‐ galore and Hyderabad. Mr. Rolf Frei, Swiss Consul General in Ban‐ galore delivered the Inaugural Address at each venue which presented Switzerland as a crucible of Innovation. Dr. Margrit Leuthold, Director, Swissnex India delivered the Keynote presentation, elucidating the reasons for Switzerland’s successful model of corporate–University interface for mutual benefit through R&D and Innovation.
The Swiss Innovation Model
Switzerland has a long‐standing tradition of supporting research and innovation. The Global Innovation Index, 2012 had ranked Switzerland Number 1 in the world based on these parameters. The R&D expendi‐ ture was estimated at 3% of GDP, two‐ thirds of which was from the private sec‐ tor. The Secret behind Switzerland’s successful innovation initiative is focus on creative thinking, well trained work‐force, excellent academic institutions, developed infra‐ structure, diverse funding possibilities and high R&D expenditures. The Seminars enabled the sharing of the Swiss experience in creating effective part‐ nerships between industry and R&D Insti‐ tutions to pursue leadership through tech‐ nological innovation.
fostering strong bonds with industry Universities: Seven principles of success Industrial Relations Program behind Swiss Innovation Production Technologies 1. Strengthen competitiveness Licensing Offering services 2. Promote mathematics and science Industrial sponsors for Research and Education Programs 3. Promote a dual education system 4. Provide funding for research Faculty : 5. Maintain open markets Research Cooperation 6. Promote international networking Serve on Boards of Companies Consultancy Roles 7. Pursue a policy of creating freedom of action © economiesuisse 2013 Students: Handholding and Advice by Corporate Experts “Innovation is not the prod‐ Industry Internships uct of logical thought, al‐ Market Places for Hiring Entrepreneurial Platforms though the result is tied to (e.g. Start‐up, Entrepreneurship Campus) logical structure.” Introduction to potential investors
‐ Albert Einstein
Cont. on pg 2
SICC India Time Capsule September 2013 Page 2
Seminar: The Secret behind Swiss Innovation—Bengaluru
Mr. Rolf Frei, Swiss Consul General in Bangalore delivered the Inaugural Address .
The Seminar was organised on September 12, 2013 at the Swissnex Conference Room in Bengaluru in co‐operation with the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
Mr. A. N. Chandramouli, Vice President of BCIC welcomed the Speakers on behalf of the organizers. Mr Chandramouli who is also the Managing Director of Starrag In‐ dia also shared the experience of his com‐ pany with regard to Innovation and R&D in an engineering sector as part of the Panel discussion. Mr. Daniel Bircher, Director‐ Operations, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) was the other Panelist who made a short presenta‐ tion of his companies interface with Innovation in the services sector.
Dr. Margrit Leuthold, Executive Director, swissnex India made the Keynote Presentation.
Mr. Raguram, SICCI, Presi‐ dent—Southern Region and India Country Manager, The Seminar was attended by 45 partici‐ Schmiedewerk Stooss rep‐ pants. Their interest in the subject was resented the Swiss Indian Chamber of Commerce. borne out in the level of interaction. Mr. Michael Enderle, Director, Swiss Business Hub India, made an intervention and shared his previous personal experience as CMD of a Swiss manufacturing company in India.
Cont. on pg 3
SICC India Time Capsule September 2013 Page 3
Seminar: The Secret behind Swiss Innovation—Hyderabad The Seminar was organised on September 17, 2013 at the FAPCCI Auditorium in Hy‐ derabad in co‐operation with the Federa‐ tion of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Com‐ merce & Industry (FAPCCI). The Seminar was attended by 70 participants. Mr. Srinivas Ayyadevara, President FAPCCI invited Swiss investment in Andhra Pradesh in the areas of pharmacy, education, IT, energy and retails sectors. The State is ranked 2nd in the country in attracting in‐ vestments. He quoted a World Bank Report that Hyderabad is ranked the second most‐easily accessible city in India for doing business. Mr Raguram, SICCI President‐Southern Region introduced the Swiss Indian Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Shyam Sunder Pasari, Chairman, International Trade Committee, FAPCCI made the Concluding Remarks.
swissnex is an initiative of the Swiss Government, which promotes public‐private ventures and plays an active role in strengthening Switzer‐ land’s leadership as a world‐class loca‐ tion for science, education and innova‐ tion. swissnex connects and facilitates collaborations between Swiss and In‐ dian academic institutions, It organises Indo‐Swiss collaborations, pro‐ motes Swiss excellence in innovation PANELLISTS and supports Swiss start‐ups in India. After presentations by Mr. Rolf Frei and Dr. Margrit Leuthold, three panelists representing Swiss companies in India, shared the practical experience of their organizations with the participants.
Mr. Vivek Save, M. D., Lonza India
Mr. Deepak Parab, CEO, Metrohm India
Mr. Ganesh Lakshmanan, Director‐India, Willemin‐Macodel Cont. on pg 4
SICC India Time Capsule September 2013 Page 4
Seminar: The Secret behind Swiss Innovation—Chennai The Seminar in Chennai was organised on September 11, 2013 at Hotel Chola Sheraton, Chennai in co‐operation with the Southern India Chamber of Com‐ merce & Industry. Dr. Margrit Leuthold and Consul General Rolf Frei made keynote presentations.
Mr. Jawahar Vadivelu, President, Southern Indian Chamber of Commerce & In‐ dustry intro‐ Mr. R. Muthu, Honorary Consul duced the host of Switzerland in Chennai ad‐ chamber and ex‐ dressed the Seminar. pressed interest of industry in the Swiss educa‐ tional and inno‐ Mr. Arun Kumar, Managing Director, vation model. Leister Technologies India and Dr. Shriram Raghavan, Evolva Biotech shared insights based on their experience.
Mr. Raguram, SICCI President—Southern Region summed up the proceedings on behalf of the organizers and participants.
SWISS‐INDIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INDIA Business World Centre 4, St. Martin Road, Bandra (W) Mumbai 400050, India email:
[email protected] Tel: +91 22 26559204 www.sicc.ch
Mr Ranjit Shahani: SICC President‐India Mr Yashovardan Saboo: President‐Northern Region Mr Dhananjay Date: President‐Western Region Mr Raguram: President‐Southern Region Mr Narasimha Rao: President‐Pune Chapter Mr Larry D’Souza: CEO‐India, SICC
An organization devoted to building business partnerships between India and Switzerland