FICCI Appoints Adeeb Ahamed to Steer India–Middle East Economic Engagement
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has appointed Adeeb Ahamed, Managing Director of LuLu Financial Holdings, as the chair of FICCI Arab Council for 2025-26.
Initially appointed in 2023, his continued stewardship ensures a seamless progression of FICCI's efforts to advance India's economic collaboration with the Middle East, building on two years of sectoral engagement, policy dialogue, and partnership facilitation.
As Chair, Mr. Ahamed will also serve on FICCI's National Executive Committee, contributing to the organisation's broader policy and advocacy agenda at the national and international levels.
The FICCI Arab Council plays a pivotal role in deepening India–Middle East ties. Among its recent milestones is the facilitation of a landmark MoU between Expo City Dubai and FICCI, paving the way for long-term collaboration on major events, including the Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS) 2025. The Council also played a key role in enabling investment-focused delegations from states such as Rajasthan and Assam to engage with leading UAE-based business groups. The recent opening of FICCI's Dubai office stands as another achievement, providing a permanent regional base to strengthen partnerships and advance India's economic diplomacy in the Gulf.
In the coming year, the Council will prioritise deeper engagement with young entrepreneurs and start-ups, while also focusing on facilitating access for Indian SMEs to key markets across the GCC. At the same time, it aims to create pathways for investors in the Middle East to explore emerging opportunities within India's dynamic SME ecosystem.
'Our vision is to expand participation by engaging more young entrepreneurs from across the region and giving them a meaningful stake in the dialogue. It is vital that they are not only heard, but empowered with the right platforms, networks, and resources to lead—because the future of India–Middle East cooperation will be defined by innovation, agility, and inclusive leadership,' said Mr Ahamed.
Adeeb Ahamed is the Managing Director of LuLu Financial Holdings, a leading financial services company operating across the GCC, India, and APAC regions. He also leads Twenty14 Holdings, an investment firm with a diverse portfolio in luxury hospitality. A prominent voice on digital innovation and financial inclusion, Mr. Ahamed is an active contributor to global economic discourse through platforms like the World Economic Forum.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
10 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Modi opens Kashmir rail link
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first visit to Kashmir yesterday since a conflict with arch-rival Pakistan, opening a strategic railway line to the region he called 'the crown jewel of India'. Modi launched a string of projects worth billions of dollars for the northern territory. Nuclear-armed India and Pakistan fought a four-day conflict last month, their worst standoff since 1999, before a ceasefire was agreed on May 10. 'Pakistan will never forget... its shameful loss,' the premier told crowds a month since India launched strikes on its neighbour after an attack on tourists in Kashmir. 'Friends, today's event is a grand festival of India's unity and firm resolve,' Modi said after striding across the soaring bridge to formally launch it for rail traffic. 'This is a symbol and celebration of rising India,' he said of the Chenab Bridge which connects two mountains. The Chenab span is the 'world's highest railway arch bridge', sitting 359 metres (1,117 feet) above a river. While several road and pipeline bridges are higher, Guinness World Records confirmed that Chenab trumps the previous highest railway bridge, the Najiehe in China. Modi called it 'an extraordinary feat of architecture' that 'will improve connectivity' by providing the first rail link from the Indian plains up to mountainous Kashmir. With 36 tunnels and 943 bridges, the new railway runs for 272 kilometres (169 miles) and connects Udhampur, Srinagar and Baramulla. It is expected to halve the travel time between the town of Katra in the Hindu-majority Jammu region and Srinagar, the main city in Kashmir, to around three hours. The new route will facilitate the movement of people and goods, as well as troops, that was previously possible only via treacherous mountain roads and by air.
Daily Tribune
10 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
India's central bank cuts rates more than expected to boost growth
India India's central bank cut interest rates more than expected yesterday, citing muted inflation and a need to kickstart economic growth as the impact of US tariffs weighed on the country's outlook. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lowered the benchmark repo rate, the level at which it lends to commercial banks, by 50 basis points to 5.5%. A majority of analysts had expected 25-basis-point reduction. The cut was its third in a row and comes a week after government data showed India's economy expanded at its slowest pace for four years in the fiscal year that ended in March. And while the January-March quarter showed signs of a rebound, with forecast-topping 7.4% year-on-year growth, analysts said US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs posed risks to the outlook. Easing price concerns have also allowed the RBI to concentrate on growth, with retail inflation dropping to a near sixyear-low of 3.16% in April. Bank governor Sanjay Malhotra said India's growth remained 'lower than our aspirations' in a 'challenging global environment' and that it was necessary to continue stimulating domestic consumption and investment. 'This changed growth inflation dynamics calls for not only continuing with the policy easing, but also frontloading the rate cuts to support growth,' Malhotra said. He added that the monetary policy committee had changed its stance from 'accommodative' to 'neutral', which implies a rate cut is not guaranteed at its next review meeting. The central bank also threw in a liquidity-boosting measure by cutting the cash reserve ratio, the proportion of deposits that banks must set aside with the RBI, by 100 basis points to 3%. The RBI cut rates for the first time in nearly five years in February and followed up with another reduction in April. The Indian government has forecast above-average monsoon rains, which observers say should help growth, as higher agricultural output will aid the rural economy and keep vegetable prices stable. But Trump's protectionist policies could add to growth pressures. While New Delhi is not a manufacturing powerhouse, experts believe that US tariffs will hurt billions of dollars of Indian exports across different sectors including gems and jewellery, electronics and seafood. India is hammering out the first tranche of a trade deal with Washington and negotiators have made several trips over the past three months. Local media reports say that while the White House is pushing for India to drop levies on a range of products, including agricultural produce and automobiles, New Delhi is seeking greater access for labour-intensive exports such as textiles and footwear.
Trade Arabia
2 days ago
- Trade Arabia
Burjeel Holdings to manage Adnoc's new Das Hospital
Burjeel Holdings, a leading super-specialty healthcare provider in the MENA region, listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, has signed a contract to operate and manage Adnoc's Das Hospital at Das Island. This agreement supports Adnoc's commitment to strengthening emergency preparedness, improving healthcare accessibility, and promoting community wellbeing at Das Island, a statement said. The new Das Hospital is designed to serve as the primary healthcare and emergency response hub for Das Island residents. With its advanced infrastructure and comprehensive range of services, the facility will provide round-the-clock care for Adnoc's workforce, residents, and emergency medical cases arising from nearby locations. Dr Ghuwaya Al Neyadi, SVP, Group Medical & Wellbeing, ADNOC, said: 'Through this partnership with Burjeel Holdings, Adnoc's state-of-the-art Das Hospital will provide access to top-tier healthcare and emergency services for our employees, reinforcing our Energy for Wellbeing strategy. Our people are our most important asset and Adnoc will continue to prioritize their wellbeing and foster a healthy working environment." Burjeel Holdings will oversee all clinical and administrative functions of the hospital. The facility includes a broad range of outpatient specialties—such as general surgery, internal medicine, family medicine, occupational health, ENT, dental, ophthalmology, and cardiac and pulmonary unit. It also houses a fully equipped emergency department with a minor operating room, licensed pharmacies, and a dedicated blood bank. John Sunil, Group CEO of Burjeel Holdings, said: 'We are proud to strengthen our partnership with Adnoc through the management of the new Das Hospital. This initiative reflects our continued commitment to extending advanced, high-quality healthcare to strategic and remote locations. Burjeel Holdings remains dedicated to clinical excellence, innovation, and agile operations in support of Adnoc's vision for a safer and healthier future.' Inpatient care is supported by 23 beds across male and female quarantine and critical care units, with the capability to manage both acute and chronic cases. The facility is further supported by advanced diagnostic imaging including X-ray, CT scan, and ultrasound, along with a dedicated physiotherapy and rehabilitation unit. Purpose-built for resilience and emergency responsiveness, the hospital includes a decontamination unit, ambulance bays, and a helipad to support medical evacuations from Das Island. Tele-consultation and tele-counselling services, vaccination programs, and health education initiatives will further enhance access and continuity of care. – TradeArabia News Service
