Madrid: On the occasion of 60 years of India-Spain relations, the Ficci-IIFA Global Business Forum that took place here on the second day of the festival focused on the urgent environmental issues especially renewable energy which could be the key to tackle climate change.

With regard to economic and political relationships, the highlights of this year’s forum was innovation and entrepreneurship which were becoming staple features of an evolving society and bringing out tremendous changes across the world in the way that business are forming and altering the face of modern trade and industry state connectivity.

The Ficci-IIFA Global Business forum was addressed by a host of Indian and Spanish speakers including a special address by Subhash Chandra Pandey, Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, on “Lets Make in India for the World” and address by Jaime Garcia-Legaz, Secretary of State for Trade, Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Government of Spain, on “India and Spain: way forward for promoting trade and investment relations”.

This was followed by panel discussions on various subjects like “Co-operation in renewable: the only way to counter climate change imperatives” moderated by Alfredo Bonet, International Director, Spain Chamber of Commerce and “Building New Linkages in Infrastructure sector (Roads, Ports, airports and railways) between India and Spain” moderated by Maria Aparici, Deputy Director General for Trade Policy with Europe and Asia, Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness.

The other panel discussions were on “Services: Pormoting Synergies in IT, Smart Cities and Tourism between India and Spain” moderated by Arvind Thakur, CEO and Joint Managing Director, NIIT Technologies Ltd and “Soft Power, Soft Sell: cooperation in Media and Entertainment to define next 60 years of India- Spain economic relations” moderated by Luid Cueto, General Coordinator, Madrid City Hall.