Swedish Chamber of Commerce India

Q: Please give a little introduction about yourself, how you came into this role as Sandvik India’s Managing Director.
A. I have being working in Sandvik for the past 5 years in different capacity. I was head of SMT tube division in Ahmedabad before I moved to Pune beginning 2011 to head Sandvik Materials Technology division in India . I was fortunate to be part of global team in evolving Sandvik global strategy which got released in sep 11 .

I have background of production engineering with 23 years of work experience spanned across companies like GE ,ABB & Endress+Hauser. I have diverse competence in technology , Production engineering ,operation management and in the last 10 years in strategic management role .I have international stint in ABB ,Sweden.

With this diverse background and experience ,I was offered the role of Managing Director with a clear ambition to lead Sandvik India to next level.

I am married to Dr Seema who is a biotechnologist and we are proud parents of Naishadh & Nishigandha

Q. How do you see India’s position as a preferred destination for new Swedish companies expanding out of Sweden ?
A. Emerging nations in general and BRIC in particular constitute the focus of world economic growth Asia is now the second home market for many Swedish companies including Sandvik. India growing at 7-9% in GDP is second fastest economy in the world, operating on democratic – largely free market concepts. Most of the large Swedish companies have already set base here. The environment is conducive for the next generation of NEW Swedish companies to come in –as there is a growing demand for Swedish technology on a wide spectrum particularly in SME, Energy, Water Management, Forestry and Environment and other sectors where Sweden is advanced and globally competitive.

Q. How do you think India can get the maximum benefit of the Swedish companies expanding in Asia?
A. India needs both technology and capital to support its developmental efforts. Sweden can also contribute in enhancing India’s innovative capabilities in applied sciences-as Sweden has world’s largest per capita innovative capacity. Economy and trade will both benefit. India can also become a base for Swedish companies for doing business in SE Asia, Central Asia, Middle –East, Africa and Australia, as it is strategically located with large availability of educated, IT savvy ,and English educated manpower.

Q. How have you perceived the growth of Swedish companies in India?
A. Excellent in one word. Hope IKEA will now come in.

Q. According to the Swedish Chamber of Commerce India’s latest Business Climate Survey, the Swedish companies are expanding vastly in India. What do you think of this?
A. This is only natural, as discussed above, besides, many Swedish companies set base early like Sandvik-and picked up the nuances of local culture. Prudent investments and proper strategies helped in utilizing the large potentials of Indian economy. Policies on taxing, repatriation and trade helped. Sweden needs to look into its Nuclear policies to participate in the ambitious Indian nuclear energy programme.

Q. What is your perception of The Swedish Chamber of Commerce India and how do you see the Chamber’s contribution to the Swedish Business Community?
A. It is as yet in an early stage of development as compared to say Indo-US or Indo-German chambers. But it is growing and helping the newcomers particularly-through networking and relation building.

Q: As the Sponsor of the Year of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce India, what are your expectations from the Chamber ? How would you like to promote Sandvik through the Chamber?
A.Focus on few important sectors like SME, Water Mangement, Environment etc. will be useful.
Sandvik with 50 years already in India can be projected as one of the success story of Swedish enterprise. The current Global strategy of Sandvik AB places India at a high platform-which could be promulgated to other industries through the campaign planned for this year.

Q. Finally, what activities should be undertaken by the Chamber to ensure support to the Swedish Business community?
A. Bring up the image of Sweden both to business community in India and the public in general. Building communication bridges between Swedish and Indian SME’s will be particularly beneficial. Organising visit of delegations both ways on specific areas are required. Equally important is to build a proper, commercial and business image of India among Swedish business communities and population. Supporting bothway Tourism could be another possibility. Interaction with Govt. agencies to smoothen business interests would be helpful.