Joint BBA – SSCI lunch seminar:

Seminar on India’s terrorism threat and its impact on doing business

On Thursday 30 April the BBA co-hosted a lunch seminar on security with the Swedisch Chamber of Commerce in India (SCCI). Around 40 participants gathered to listen to Dr. Ajai Sahni, Executive Director of the Institute for Conflict Management in New Delhi and Mr. Kris Van den Briel, President South Asia of the security service provider company Securitas.

Dr. Sahni provided a general assessment of the security situation in the subcontinent and talked about lessons learnt from past terror attacks, different patterns of threat in urban and rural industrial areas, and shared some intelligence insights on possible future security threats.

He pointed out the fact that there has been a decline in terrorist attacks 2001-2008 but stressed the need to have a responses now and that one cannot expect development without security. He also said that business in general is not affected by terrorism but stressed the importance of learning how to protect yourself. This is, according to Dr. Sahni the government’s job and it should not be in the hands of private sector. The priority for the private sector should instead be to exercise a collective pressure on the government.

Mr. Van den Briel focused on security measures for companies and addressed the following questions: How far should companies go in firming up their security measures? How can companies build in security in their day to day operations? What are the limits of private security and why is a more systemic approach to security in India needed?

Mr. Van den Briel started his presentation by pointing out that terrorist attacks are aimed at a state, prevention is key and is to be in the hands of states. He said that the state has the ultimate responsibility but there is an individual responsibility as well.

Furthermore one should start working out a plan preferably before an attack takes place and not right after one. He then proceeded to give certain advices on how one should react and protect oneself. Mr. Van den Briel also pointed out the importance of not being afraid and instead try to be rational. He said that the economic downturn posed a higher security risk and social unrest is more dangerous. Preventing other risks helps you prevent terrorism.

After an Q & A –session the seminar was followed by a lunch where all participants got a chance to interact and discuss the subject.

(text provided by SCCI)