Balaram Menon è Board Member del World Trade Center di Bangalore. Bangalore, con un tasso di crescita annuo del 10,3%, è la città Indiana che sta crescendo più rapidamente. Potendo contare su uno dei più grandi volumi di export per quanto riguarda il settore software, è anche la città che ha la più grande industria pesante nel settore aerospaziale, in quello dell’aviazione, della costruzione, delle telecomunicazioni e della difesa.
Il neonato WTC di Bangalore aspira a essere una delle punte di diamante del potenziale di crescita di questa grande città, centro nevralgico di un paese-continente che si appresta a ricoprire un ruolo di primo piano tra le potenze mondiali. Nell’intervista che Mr. Menon ci ha gentilmente concesso affrontiamo questo tema nevralgico e scopriamo cosa pensa del nostro paese e dell’ambizioso progetto lucano.

Glocalisation is one of the main keywords of the new world market philosophy. Do you think the development of this g-local economic dimension is longing to provide a renewed vision of trade relations all over the world?
Absolutely. After having achieved significant growth in the last few decades by reducing trade barriers between countries, it is now important to give due weightage to local resources, customs and culture when pursuing future growth models for separate economic regions. Such ‘Glocalisation’ will help sustain the growth momentum achieved so far, as a ‘One fit for all’ model cannot integrate and enable local participants to function in the development process as equal partners. Trading partners must use their respective insightful local knowledge, and marry it with a global perspective.

Your primary goals as a Board member of this brand new WTC Bangalore are to develop trade in India by enhancing import/export dynamics and improve the international trading capacity. What can you tell about this ambitious project of yours?
I believe that trade is not mere exchange of physical goods. Trade is the culmination of a series of interactions that precede the signing of a deal and thereafter its follow up through continued dialogue in an enabling environment. User experience is a key factor. We have hence created, in addition to the 32 storied World Trade Center building, a host of other facilities within the 40 acre property integrated complex. (Please visit www.wtcbangalore.org for details). In the years to come it is my vision that WTC Bangalore becomes a hub for most players in international commerce in this economic region and that the way we run the Center would encourage all members/users, whether individual, trade bodies, corporations or the Government to feel that they all share in its ownership.

Do you think that a stronger connection between Italy and India could come useful for both realities? What do you think about our country and about this Basilicata project?
The name Italy conjures many fascinating visions for me. Indians and Italians have had trading and cultural relations for a very long time in history. The more people to people exchange and contact we can achieve the faster we can spur the growth in trade between our two countries in the coming years.

Have you ever been to southern Italy before? Do you already know something about Basilicata, the region of Italy we’re longing the world to know more about?
This is my first visit to southern Italy and eagerly looking forward to attending the Basilicata programme.

What is your insight of Italy’s potential in India?
While Italy and India have a long history of trading and investment, as a percentage share of national data, this is minimal on both sides and does not reflect the potential that exists. In 2009-10 it stood at € 5.15 [US$ 7.26] billion. Trade is presently largely in Heavy engineering, Infrastructure and other capital goods. There are many other areas that our two countries can trade in. As the recovery from the recession continues, the target of achieving US$ 10 billion in the next few years looks promising. We need to supplement efforts by focussed initiatives. This is where I expect programmes like the Basilicata project can have a significant impact particularly in building on our respective Tourism and soft skill sectors.

What do you expect from this incoming? Would you have any suggestions to enhance such a high-flying project?
I expect to learn a lot from my interactions with a cross section of people from the region that has been planned. I hope to bring back with me ideas and opportunities for Indian business to consider and explore.