Historic India–Arab Chamber launch signals shift to innovation, SMEs and strategic trade
Beyond oil: India–Arab partnership enters new era with IACCIA formation
India and the Arab world have taken a major step toward reshaping their economic partnership with the launch of the India & Arab Countries Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (IACCIA), marking a modern revival of one of history’s oldest trade corridors.
The new platform was unveiled at a high-level ceremony attended by diplomats, policymakers, and business leaders, symbolizing a unified push to deepen economic cooperation and future-proof trade relations between the two regions.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Siddeek Ahmed, Co-Chair of the Indo-Arab Council at FICCI and Chairman and Managing Director of ERAM Holdings, outlined what he described as a “new growth path” for bilateral ties — one driven by innovation, technology, and sustainability.
He said the long-standing trade relationship, traditionally centered on energy and commodities, is now evolving into a broader strategic partnership. Emerging sectors such as renewable energy, digital infrastructure, food security, and advanced manufacturing are expected to anchor the next phase of collaboration, gulfnews.com reports..
“We are moving beyond the traditional buyer-seller relationship,” Dr. Ahmed said. “The Arab world is not only an energy partner but also a key collaborator in technology and supply chain resilience, offering Indian businesses a strategic economic hedge amid global uncertainty.”
The launch also underscored the strong diplomatic foundations supporting economic ties. Among the prominent attendees were India’s Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment, Kirti Vardhan Singh, and Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, both of whom stressed the importance of structured platforms like IACCIA in addressing global trade disruptions, tariff barriers, and shifting economic policies.
The formal signing of the memorandum of understanding officially operationalized IACCIA as a vehicle to strengthen business-to-business engagement, reduce trade bottlenecks, and build greater mutual trust.
For Dr. Ahmed, the chamber’s creation represents the culmination of years of advocacy for deeper integration. His call for a “new growth path” signals that the next phase of India–Arab relations will be defined not only by trade volumes, but by the value of shared innovation and strategic cooperation.
