The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Amway India Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. organized the programme, “Entrepreneurship Dialog @ West Bengal” on Tuesday 5th May 2015, 5.30pm onwards at The Williamson Magor Hall in the Chamber Premises. The programme was supported by TiE Kolkata.
The programme celebrated the concept of entrepreneurship not as a career but as a way of life. ‘AMWAY INDIA & INDICUS ANALYTIC’S INDIA ENTREPRENEURSHIP REPORT 2014’ was presented in the programme. The report classifies the State of West Bengal as an “Aspirer” and highlights certain factors which can help the State to be a “Leader” in entrepreneurship.
Key Findings : The study introduces two indices that measure entrepreneurial promise across States. The first represents where States stand at present when it comes to hosting entrepreneurial activities – as viewed through the eyes of their residents. The second reflects their preparedness and potential in the coming years in terms of encouraging future entrepreneurship. Also, each index is based on three broad parameters that were obtained by aggregating a number of sub parameters in each case.
Current Entrepreneurial Confidence Index : The composite index measuring a State’s present entrepreneur-friendliness in the eyes of those surveyed, was arrived at by distilling a number of entrepreneurial characteristics and finally measuring the following three: • Entrepreneurial Attitude • Supportive Infrastructure • Proactive and Supportive Governance.
Key results : Large variations were seen in the ranking of States across the three broad parameters that were used to arrive at this index. Some States like Bihar, Jharkhand and Assam that are ranked high in entrepreneurial attitude are lagging far behind others when it comes to supportive infrastructure and proactive governance. Gujarat, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh emerged as the ‘leaders’ – perched right at the top of the Index in terms of all three parameters. Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Punjab follow the leaders as some of the ‘aspirers’. The States at the bottom – the ‘laggards’ – are Assam, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
The Future Entrepreneurial Readiness Index was constructed using the following three broad parameters, once again whittled down from a long list:
• Enabling Environment
• Growth-oriented Economy
• Forward-looking Governance
Dr. Alok Roy, President of the Chamber and Chairman, Medica Group of Hospitals gave the welcome address and set the programme off on a flying start. Shri Sadhan Pande, Hon’ble Minister-in-Charge of Consumer Affairs and Self-Help Group and Self Employment, Government of West Bengal graced the programme as Chief Guest and shared his vision on this much needed and important subject. Mr. Rajat Banerji, Head Corporate Affairs, Amway India Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. delivered the Special Address – “Amway India and Indicus Analytic’s India Entrepreneurship Report 2014”. Dr. Suryanil Ghosh, Chairperson, Bengal Chamber Entrepreneurship Development Cell, delivered the Special Address – “Recommendation for the State of West Bengal”. The Panel Discussion on “How to reposition West Bengal from “Aspirer” to “Leader” in the Entrepreneurship Index” was moderated by Mr. Sutanu Ghosh, Senior Vice President of The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Managing Director, Ghosh, Bose & Associates Pvt. Ltd.
Other speakers in the panel were:
Mr. Vasant Subramanyan , Director & CEO, Last Peak Group
Mr Deepak Daftari, Director, DD Webvision Pvt. Ltd.
Mr. Abhijit Hazra, Director, Touchstone Tie-Up Pvt. Ltd.
It was a brilliant panel that we had and each panelist spoke from his own unique experience as an entrepreneur. Mr S Radhakrishnan, President, TiE Kolkata and Past President, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry delivered the formal Vote of Thanks.