The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry and CENERS-K (Centre for East and North East Regional Studies, Kolkata) organized the third edition of Economic Summit "Eastern Union - A Brave New World" on 22nd January 2020 at The Westin, Kolkata.

The Conference theme was conceptualized to offer a forum to deliberate upon the idea of forming "The New EU - an Eastern Union", an alliance of countries that form an integral part of the 'Indo Pacific' region. The overarching objective of the Economic Summit was an amalgamation of CENERS-K's focus as a think-tank working towards the geo-strategic, geo-political and geo-economic development of Eastern and North Eastern India and BCC&I's outreach activities for economic integration with the South East, East and Asia Oceania region of the world. The Summit also deliberated on India's connect with China in the economic integration with South East Asia and also the crucial role of Bangladesh.

The Summit commenced with the formal Welcome Address by Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, PVSM, AVSM, VM,(Retd), President, CENERS-K and Honorary Chairperson, Strategic Initiative Committee, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Shri Jagdeep Dhankar, Hon'ble Governor of West Bengal, formally inaugurated the Session by Lamp Lighting Ceremony. Hon'ble Governor, during his Inaugural Address, stated that the successful implementation of 'Look East' and 'Act East' policy are the key towards this initiative because trade requires a frictionless environment. The Consumer Potential of this region is immense. In the venture of expanding business ample importance should be given to the structural aspect, transport, connectivity and proper educational infrastructure for the semi-skilled or unskilled labour of this region. Connectivity between West Asia and East Asia is also important for progress of trade. The Opening Session was also graced by Dr. Sanjaya Baru, Writer, Policy Analyst; Mr. B B Chatterjee, President, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Mr. Aniruddha Lahiri, Vice President CENERS-K and Former President, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Dr. Sanjaya Baru, during the Keynote Address, said that in the modern era of diplomacy people to people connection is more important along with Government to Government Connection and Business to Business connection. He also mentioned that even after 30 years of reform the level playing field of business is missing. Dr. Baru cited the example of China and how it emphasizes on Education and Infrastructure which in turn creates level playing field for trade. India should also focus in investing in the ASEAN countries and to create a background for this new initiative along with 'Look East' & 'Act East' a new lookout of 'Think East' is necessary, said Dr. Baru. He has put a lot of emphasis on the role of Japan due to its technological superiority and also suggested that India should learn from these countries on how to improve its infrastructure and allocate sufficient amount of resources into areas like education and vocational Training. Dr. Baru also mentioned that the hard reality is that, in this region, India is not seen as a key player.

The Session on 'The Politics of the New-EU' was addressed by Dr. Prasenjit Bose, Economist ; Mr. Subir Bhaumik, Former BBC Correspondent, Writer and Columnist; Lt. Gen. J R Mukherjee, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd), Vice President (Operations), Centre for East and North East Regional Studies, Kolkata CENERS-K and Shri Swapan Dasgupta, Member of Parliament and Senior Journalist. Mr. Paranjay Guha Thakurta, Journalist, Author, Documentary Film Maker, moderated the Session.

The Summit featured a Panel discussion on "Exploring - The New EU: The market and its potentialities", graced by Mr. Emranul Huq, Managing Director (Current Charge), Dhaka Bank Limited and Dr. Alok Roy, Former President, The Bengal Chamber and Chairman, Medica Group of Hospitals and the Session was moderated by Mr. Aniruddha Lahiri, Vice President CENERS-K and Former President, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The programme also included a Panel discussion on "Diplomacy as the Driving Force for - The New EU" which was moderated by Lt. Gen. J R Mukherjee, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd), Vice President (Operations), Centre for East and North East Regional Studies, Kolkata CENERS-K and the Panelists were: Mr. Andrew Ford, Consul-General, Australian Consulate-General, Kolkata; Dr. Harish Mehta, Editor-in-Chief, The Calcutta Journal of Global Affairs CENERS-K; Major General A N M Muniruzzaman, NdC, PSC (Rtd), President, Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies and Mr. Masayuki Taga, Consul General of Japan, Kolkata.

The Session on Regional Security for 'The New EU' was addressed by Mr. Jayanta Chowdhury, Former DGP Assam Police and Ex Director General, NSG; Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd); Lt General (Dr) J.S. Bajwa, PVSM, UYSM, SM (Retd) CENERS-K and Vice Admiral Pradip Kumar Chatterjee, PVSM, AVSM, NM (Retd). Mr. Anil Mukerji, Chief Executive and Managing Member, Tollygunje Club moderated the Session.

Dr. Rajat M. Nag, Distinguished Fellow, National Council of Applied Economic Research, Delhi and Emerging Markets Forum, Washington, DC graced the Session on 'Thought Leadership for the New-EU' and the session was moderated by Dr. Debashis Chakraborty, Faculty of Economics, Co-Editor, Foreign Trade Review, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade.

Brig. Niladri Shankar Mukherjee, SM, VSM (Retd.) Governing Council Member, CENERS-K concluded the session.