Tamil Chamber of Commerce Organizes Business Interactive Session With Delegates From Reunion Island
Chennai:
Port Wings News Network:
The Tamil Chamber of Commerce organized a “Business Interactive Session with Delegates from Reunion Island” (France), descent of Indian Origin (especially Tamils) on 26 August, 2025 at the Cosmopolitan Club, in Chennai.
Chozha Naachiar Rajasekar, President, Tamil Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the gathering. In his speech, he extended a warm welcome to the delegates from Reunion Island (France), descent of Indian Origin (especially Tamils) and encouraged them to engage in bilateral trade between India and Reunion Island (France), as well as to explore business and trade opportunities between the two nations, especially with Tamil Nadu.
He also invited the delegates to engage in further discussions with the Government of Tamil Nadu, which is prepared to assist Tamil settlers abroad in promoting their businesses. He highlighted the historical ties between the two countries, noting the migration of Indians to Mauritius and Reunion Island, particularly from 1672 to 1848, with significant numbers from Goa, Pudhucherry and Tamil Nadu.
Following the arrival of Gujarati traders, who sold food and textiles, which is now estimated that around 300,000 people of Indian descent reside in Reunion, which has a total island population of approximately 8,50,000.
He added that after 1946, the cultural, economic, and trade relations between India and Reunion Island (France) had expanded.
Bernard Robert, the Deputy Mayor of Reunion Island, encouraged members to explore trade opportunities between Reunion Island and India particularly with Tamil Nadu. He expressed a desire to foster stronger ties with India, given that 60% of the population is of Indian origin, and he aims to enhance the existing business relationship with India. He also expressed of having a prospect of signing a contract between Reunion Island and The Tamil Chamber of Commerce.
Johny Arnachellum. President of the Commission for Innovation & Digital at the Bureau de CCI Reunion, stated in his address that their visit aims to strengthen the relationship between India and Reunion Island in the sectors of agriculture, construction, food processing, and tourism.
He expressed a desire for a genuine partnership with Indian entrepreneurs in Tamil Nadu in the coming years. He urged the President of the Tamil Chamber of Commerce to collaborate with Reunion Island to explore business opportunities in education, construction, food processing, tourism and other sectors.
Rajaram Mohan Munusamy, President of GOPIO France Metropole, stated in his address that the mission of GOPIO is to establish a global Indian diaspora with branches in 70 countries. He noted that the recognition of Indians abroad, particularly in France, has increasing since 2014, thanks to the efforts of the Indian mission, which acknowledges the contributions of Indians who sacrificed their lives in the First and Second World Wars.
He also mentioned that while Indians are present worldwide, they lack a unified network. Over the past two years, GOPIO has successfully built connections with various Chambers of Commerce to explore the Indian market and identify individuals of Indian origin globally, aiming to engage them as mentors for knowledge partnership, products, and technology exchange. A brief video was shown to provide insights about Reunion Island. Following this, the members engaged in a thorough discussion with delegates from Reunion Island. B.Ravi Kumar David, Honorary Secretary, delivered the vote of thanks.
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