Heres fostering diplomatic relations

BANGALORE: There is nothing quite like an evening of bonhomie and fellowship between key players in the foreign diplomatic community and in the state bureaucracy to generate a feel good factor about our city.Thus it was in keeping with a four-year-old annual tradition, that the Consulate of France in association with the Oberoi put together a platform designed to engage the diplomatic community of the city and key dignitaries from the Government of Karnataka in fruitful dialogue. The purpose was to explore avenues of partnership and commerce between the increasing number of foreign diplomats setting up houses in the city and the government, and to enhance the visibility and strategic importance of both Bangalore and Karnataka.The evening was preceded by a business agenda meet of the diplomatic community with key dignitaries of the Government of Karnataka present like S V Ranganath, Chief Secretary, K V Raju, Financial Advisor to the Chief Minister, K Jairaj, Additional Chief Secretary and S T Ramesh, Director General of Police. A wide range of topics from infrastructure challenges to business development and tourism promotion were discussed .“Getting used to the city has been an enjoyable albeit challenging experience and with the metro in place the roads and connectivity should definitely improve.Bangalore has so much to offer by way of cultural diversity, climate and a vibrant commerce environment,” said Consul General of Germany Rolf Saligman.Also present were V G Divakar, Joint Secretary for Protocol, Jyothiramalingam Secretary, Commerce & Industry and several others.“This was a good opportunity to explore avenues of a partnership between a growing diplomatic presence in the city and the state bureaucracy to enhance the visibility, vibrancy and business importance of both Bangalore and Karnataka,” said Consul General of Switzerland Rolf Frei.With Dominque Causse, the French Consul General playing gracious host, the evening was marked by bonhomie, animated debates on the city, its culture and nightlife and a fruitful discussion on taking the association forward.