Doha Bank CEO bags Pravasi Bharatiya Award

Doha Bank CEO Dr R Seetharaman received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) from the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, yesterday at the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas Convention at Bengaluru, capital of the southern state of Karnataka.
“The PBSA was conferred for his significant contribution to building closer links between India, the overseas Indian community in the GCC countries and for the welfare of the local Indian community in the region,” Doha Bank said in a statement.
“Some of the key initiatives brought by him include arranging credit and investment facilities to Indian corporates and financial institutions, facilitating average annual remittances to India over last decade, creating employment opportunities for Indians in global operations, contributing to Indian SMEs, professionals and blue-collared workers abroad, and contributing to multilateral trade and investment with India.
“Dr R Seetharaman is a recipient of multiple doctorates from the US, Europe and India including two PhDs and has provided invaluable contribution to Green Banking, Sustainability, CSR & Governance. He is a benevolent philanthropist contributing to social causes, underprivileged and people with special needs. He is also a recognised economic commentator by global financial media over last three decades.”
According to the statement, Dr Seetharaman thanked the Indian government for considering him for this award and observed that “India is poised for a giant leap from the ranks of developing countries to developed countries.”
“Indian citizens living outside India also have a responsibility in this progress and hence should look forward to contribute to the welfare of India. This can be done through remittances, investments, trade and other routes as well. I believe that the Indian diaspora in the GCC region can play an important role in the above areas and thereby promote bilateral relationships between GCC and India. This award further inspires me to contribute to the strengthening of bilateral relationships between GCC and India.”
Dr Seetharaman also shared insights on significant bilateral relationships between GCC and India. “Remittances to India from the Gulf countries in 2015-16 was $35.9bn. GCC – India trade was close to $100bn in 2015-16. Indian diaspora in the GCC region can leverage their relationships with GCC sovereign wealth funds to contribute to India’s FDI.
“India would be keen to welcome more investments and strategic support from the GCC countries especially in infrastructure, education and research, travel and tourism, agriculture and food processing.
“Co-operation should be promoted in the exchange of intelligence between India and the GCC countries about money laundering, terrorism financing and related crimes and electronic crimes. Indian companies can participate in various infrastructure projects pertaining to the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the World Expo 2020 in Dubai.”