ICSI Inaugurated ICSI Middle East (DIFC) NpiOat Dubai, UAE

In an attempt to facilitate the stakeholders and expand the horizons of ICSI, the ICSI Middle East (DIFC) NPIO was inaugurated on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, at Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) with great enthusiasm.

The Inaugural Ceremony was graced by HE Vipul, Consul General of India, Dubai, Manoj Pandey, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Government of India and Nick Nadal, Vice-President, Hawkamah Institute for Corporate Governance. 

Delving into the significance of Corporate Governance globally and the role played by the professionals of this brigade, HE Vipul, Consul General of India, Dubai said, “UAE is very focused towards Corporate Governance. Such initiatives will result in great opportunities for Company Secretaries to showcase their talent, knowledge and expertise in various fields and to cater to the needs of the UAE market.  ICSI has a wealth of knowledge and experience. The Company Secretaries act as a link between corporate and Corporate Governance”.

Congratulating the ICSI for its role in promoting ease of doing business, Manoj Pandey, Joint Secretary, MCA said, “The Ministry is constantly working towards Ease of Doing Business in India by simplifying the procedures and processes. The inauguration of ICSI Middle East (DIFC) NPIO has widened their responsibility and activity base internationally.”

“Though the process of ease of doing business seems like a complete government and regulator-oriented activity, the hidden roles of the ICSI in providing realistic feedback, the practical issues and difficulties facing the corporates, the possible corrective measures and their appropriate implementation, cannot be left aside”, Pandey further added.

Nick Nadal, Vice-President, Hawkamah Institute for Corporate Governance apprised the gathering about the key areas where MENA Region and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) are working rigorously and continuously for training the board members and the professionals to have better Corporate Governance systems in place. He also apprised that an Arabic name for Company Secretary will soon be identified in various laws and regulations. He showed his deep interest in working with Company Secretaries fraternity for the growth of Corporate Governance in the region.

In his Presidential Address, CS Ranjeet Pandey, President, ICSI said that the inauguration of the ICSI Middle East (DIFC) NPIO goes a long way in portraying the commitment of ICSI to align all its initiatives with its vision to be a global leader in promoting good corporate governance.

Thanking all the stakeholders for their consistent and continued association with the ICSI Overseas Centre at Dubai since 2017 President ICSI said “Governance, especially corporate governance cannot be restricted by national boundaries, that makes the role of Company Secretaries indispensable. It is for this expansive role that the ICSI considered it fit to develop a formal set-up for our members and students in this country.”

CS Hitender Mehta, Council Member & Chairman, International Affairs Committee, ICSI and CS Manish Gupta, Council Member, ICSI, CS Bhawna Srivastava, Chairperson, ICSI Middle East (DIFC) NPIO and CS Narasimha Das, Secretary, ICSI Middle East (DIFC) NPIO were also present at the function.

The inaugural ceremony was followed by a Panel discussion on “Transforming Corporate Governance and Creating Professional Avenues” wherein views on the topic were shared by Saad Maniar, Senior Partner, Crowe Mak Limited, CS Manish Gupta, Council Member, ICSI and CS Vijay Kumar Ojha, Company Secretary, Sharaf Group & Founding Member, ICSI Middle East (DIFC) NPIO, CS GVS  Sai Arvind and CS R Lakshmanan, Founding Members, ICSI Middle East (DIFC) NPIO. CS Hitender Mehta, Council Member & Chairman, International Affairs Committee, ICSI, moderated the panel discussion.

The event received an overwhelming response from the Company Secretaries, CS Students, professionals and other distinguished dignitaries.