Conference theme
The big story in India is growth. India’s CFOs and finance executives have had a huge influence on the quality of this growth. Within many business sectors, Indian CFOs are practising a greater degree of sound financial management and have quickly adapted themselves to the changing global environment. While this ascendancy has many causes, it has happened so gradually that few - including, perhaps the CFOs themselves - recognise its implications. One reason: the process of market reform has been slow and frustrating, what with the complete liberalisation and globalisation process taking well over a decade to reach current status (which still leaves a lot to be done). However, globalisation has also allowed finance executives to challenge set practices and adopt financial best practice as a legacy in Indian firms.
With US$12 billion in exports of services from India expected this year, 70 percent to America, Indian business process outsourcing (BPO) companies have grabbed the headlines. But while BPO is a significant, and has given the entire business sector a boost of confidence, there’s been a great amount of positive activity in banking and insurance, pharmaceuticals, auto manufacturing, and even the steel industry. In one example, Tata Iron and Steel has become one of the world’s lowest cost producers, and is selling its high-quality product to major car manufacturers, helping to improve production on Indian cars. Yet another example is the growth of pharmaceutical companies and delivery of new drugs — the Indian pharma majors and mid-cap companies are challenging the MNC’s in their own ground. This kind of story has been repeated in many industries.
India’s top CFOs play a larger role in their company’s growth and planning than their counterparts in China, Southeast Asia, or Japan. Their role is comparable to CFOs in forward-looking companies in the United States and Europe, and may even surpass some of those. These CFOs have borrowed from Silicon Valley, but not been moved by the hype and adhered to best practices in accounting transparency. They tend to be both practical and brainy, put a special emphasis on team building and know how to harness technology to support profitable growth.
In recognition of these extraordinary developments and to explore the impact of the rise of the Indian CFO, CFO Asia magazine will conduct a one-day conference in Mumbai, providing a forum for education, idea-sharing, and networking opportunities for finance chiefs throughout India. The intention is to link up knowledge of best practices in crucial areas driving Indian business today. The programme will feature special topics on banking, IT, pharma and business management. The agenda will address the CFO’s role in raising capital, interacting with investors, managing IT/R&D investment and overseeing the development of performance management techniques within companies. The conference speakers will explore the various ways in which Indian CFOs have structured their finance departments. India’s role as both a competitor and a partner to China will also be examined.
Meeting your Expectations
Here is just a tiny sample of the mass of positive feedback we received last year from those of you that attended and benefited from CFO Asia’s Rising events. Feedback which has encouraged us to put together this high-level, in-depth event for CFOs in India!
"Excellent, keep up the good job"
"Very well organised. Excellent speakers"
"One of the best seminars so far; good speakers helped by good facilitators and moderators"
"Keep up the great work!"
"The speakers from different industry sectors clearly show that they are knowledgeable and have made their respective presentations very interesting. Good information sharing!"
Who should attend?
Participants at CFO Rising India will include Chief Financial Officers, Chief Information Officers, Vice Presidents Heads and Directors of Finance, Controllers, and Treasurers. Many participants choose to attend to interact with our editors and attending business strategists, management thinkers and their peers. Our technology-focused conferences attract a quality audience from a range of industries that is second to none. This is the perfect opportunity to share information with an audience of top financial decision-makers in China. We and the speakers and look forward to welcoming you and your colleagues to October's Forum. No other event will give you such an informed insight into the major IT issues faced by CFOs in China, while showing the way forward for increased global competitiveness for your organisation!
Tom Leander, Editor-in-Chief, CFO Asia
