A BELFAST-BASED businessman has been appointed head of the Global Organisation of Peoples of Indian Origin (Gopio) following a convention in New York.
Lord Diljit Rana, chairman and chief executive of the hospitality and property development company, Andras House Group, has lived in Belfast since 1966 and been involved with the overseas Indian community for many years.
He promotes business links between India and Northern Ireland and has served as president of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce.
Gopio International is the representative body of 30 million people with Indian roots but who currently resident outside the nation. Recognised by the Indian government and the United Nations, it is a non-partisan, non-sectarian global organisation with chapters in several countries, including Ireland.
The body represents people of Indian origin worldwide by monitoring and addressing current critical issues of concern, and by enhancing communication between groups of Indians living in various countries.
Lord Rana, who was appointed honorary consul in Northern Ireland by the Indian government in 2004, commented: “It’s a tremendous honour to be charged with the responsibility of leading such a respected global organisation particularly at this important time for India.
“India is now a recognised global economic player which continues to achieve GDP growth well ahead of the US and Europe. India, therefore, can make an important contribution to the global economy and to accelerate recovery through higher levels of trade and investment.
He added: “A key objective for me will be to draw all the international chapters of Gopio into a more cohesive and powerful voice and lobbying organisation.
“I hope that the role will also enable me to step up my efforts to promote links in trade, inward investment and education between India and Ireland.”
Lord Rana was also a keynote speaker during a major convention debate on the current and future economic challenges facing India. Other participants included Indian government representatives and leading academics.
