Swaraj lauds Indian entrepreneurs for their philanthropic efforts

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday lauded the efforts of Indian entrepreneurs featured in the book 'The Indian Super 100' for their philanthropic activities which has made a mark on the world stage.

Swaraj is on a three-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of an invitation received from her UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Releasing the book titled 'The Indian Super 100' for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Swaraj said: "When approached with a request to release this book, I got curious to know about our achievers included in the book. As I flipped through the pages of the book, I found some familiar faces that have for long held the flag of Indian entrepreneurship high beyond the borders of our motherland. I was also happy to see some Public Sector undertakings such as Bank of Baroda and Air India as well as the names of some upcoming entrepreneurs in UAE included in the list. They are indeed making a mark on the world stage keeping in step with the changing economic realities and world order."

"I really appreciate the significance of and unique ways in which the organizations represented by The Super 100 have gone about their 'Corporate Social Responsibilities' and philanthropic activities. Their efforts towards setting up of schools and hospitals in India apart from some innovative ventures like adoption of villages and creations of self employment schemes are indeed commendable," she added.

She praised these entrepreneurs in creating employment opportunities for Indians back home to migrate helping the country's forex reserves to rise instead.

"I am told that the collective workforce of 'The Super 100' extends well beyond a million employees both directly and indirectly. Their significance lies in the fact that the employment opportunity, as harbinger of better future, still remains the predominant force behind migration of Indian workforce. On the economic front, these 100 of our fellow countrymen help generate revenues of over USD 100 billion and invest significant amounts in ventures back home in India," she said.

The External Affairs Minister was delighted at the success of the Indian community, which has thrived in the region socially and financially.

While she dedicated the publishers of the book for their painstaking efforts in bringing out this book, she also made a request of another edition which could focus on efforts by common men and women who have made selfless contribution in their own right towards the welfare of Indian expatriate community.

"I must record my appreciation for the publishers of the book for their painstaking efforts in compiling such a huge amount of information in bringing out this edition of the book. While the current book mainly focuses on entrepreneurs and professionals - prominent members of Indian Diaspora in the UAE, I would suggest you to consider an edition dedicated to those common men and women who I have been told are making selfless contribution in their own right towards the welfare of Indian expatriate community," she said.

India and the UAE enjoy strong bonds of friendship based on age-old cultural, religious and economic ties between the two nations. Economic and commercial cooperation with the UAE is a key aspect of overall bilateral relationship, with Indians emerging as important investors within the UAE and India as an important export destination for goods manufactured in the UAE.