Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), India's apex industry organization in association with the country's premier bourse, The Stock Exchange, Mumbai (BSE) will be organizing a national level Capital Market Convention. The Convention, a unique endeavour, has been scheduled between December 18 and 19, 2001 at Hotel ITC Grand Maratha, Mumbai.

The Convention will address key issues concerning the growth and sustained development of the capital markets, in the context of a wide range of reforms introduced by the market regulators and the government. It would also look at the structural and conceptual factors that influence capital market development and chart the way ahead. Aptly, the convention will have its theme as "Capital Market Reforms: For Stronger and Vibrant Markets."

Ms. Pallavi Jha, Chairperson of the Maharashtra Council, CII says, "The CII intends to highlight the critical role of the Indian corporates for proactively generating economic growth through the capital market on a sustained basis through this forum."

Dr. Manoj Vaish, Deputy Executive Director, BSE opines, "Capital Markets development is crucial for economic growth and stability and as a leading stock exchange, BSE is keen to take initiatives that will address the emerging issues of capital market development and growth which is essential for sustaining the intensity of economic reforms and the pace of growth."

Prominent persons of the Indian financial system, the securities trading industry and the corporate sector will address the two-day Convention. The business sessions will have presentations from leading professionals representing various constituents of Indian economy and finance. It will be attended by a wide cross section of leading professionals representing trade, industry, academics and the financial system in India and abroad, thereby creating a vibrant forum with wide spectrum of expertise for accelerating growth.

Through a series of interactive discussions deliberating on critical issues concerning the capital market, the Convention will conclude with a panel discussion on,"Towards Building a Strong and Vibrant Capital Market in India." These discussions will be encapsulated in a white paper that will be presented to the Finance Minister as recommendations for the ensuing Union Budget.

Also, we are pleased to announce CNBC India, the country's leading business channel, as a Media Partner for the convention.

CNBC India is a tribute to India's growing importance on the international business radar. A service of Dow Jones and NBC brought to India by the joint venture between Television Eighteen and CNBC Asia, the channel is the new Indian face of the worldwide leader in business news.

CII works to create and sustain an environment conducive to the growth of industry in India, partnering industry and government alike through advisory and consultative processes. CII is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry led and industry managed organisation, playing a proactive role in India's development process. Founded over 100 years ago, it is India's premier business association, with a direct membership of over 3900 companies from the private as well as public sectors, including SMEs and MNCs and indirect membership of 40,000 companies of over 100 sectoral Associations. With 30 offices in India, 10 overseas offices and institutional partnerships with 191 counterpart organisations in 92 countries, CII serves as a reference point for Indian industry and the international business community.

The Stock Exchange, Mumbai (BSE), India's premier stock exchange, is also the most experienced stock exchange in Asia. The Exchange, which is the largest in the world in terms of number of listed companies, has under its fold benchmark products including SENSEX, BSEwebx.com, SENSEX Futures and SENSEX Options. Infact, BSE is the first to introduce equity derivatives in the country. The BSE Training Institute (BTI) has come to be regarded as the Centre of Excellence for training programmes on capital markets.