Avasant President and Managing Partner addresses United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

Los Angeles, USA - April 19, 2012 - Avasant President and Managing Partner APAC and MEA, Dr. Pradeep K. Mukherji was invited to participate in Global Services Forum organized by United Nations Conference on Trade And Development (UNCTAD) in Qatar, Doha on April 19, 2012. UNCTAD organized Global Services Forum as one of the pre-events of ongoing UNCTAD XIII. The event was aimed at raising the profile of services and services trade in promoting inclusive and sustainable development, the theme of the Forum was "Services, trade, and inclusive and sustainable development." As the services sector has gained increasing importance over the last decade, contributing a growing share to GDP and employment in all countries. The event brings together high level policy makers (including ministers), trade negotiators, practitioners, private sectors, services associations and coalitions, academics as well as other interested organizations to conduct robust debate on promoting inclusive and sustainable services sector development and trade. The participants discussed and debated the following: (i) Multi-faceted contribution of services to economic growth, trade, employment creation and inclusive and sustainable development. (ii) Strategies and policy measures to build services productive/export capacity and remove barriers to services export with particular focus on developing countries. (iii) 21st century issues in the services sector, highlight key sectors such as financial services, business, education and infrastructure management. (iv) Identify and share successful and innovative best fit policies, and lessons learnt that could be up-scaled and replicated. Dr. Mukherji spoke on the potential of ICT services trade and how it can be lever for sustainable and inclusive growth. He highlighted the fact that current global trade of more than 109 billion in ICT sector holds substantial potential for economic development and job creation in developing countries. He stressed the fact that ICT investments lead to economic development, social upliftment and poverty reduction in the coming years with the growth of BRICS economy and changing demography in different geographies. He further added that as the flow of trade might change in global market, texture and type of ICT services trade might change. Given the importance of services in growth potential, he stressed the need to have a special cell within the UNCTAD, to promote the growth of this sector. The participants discussed and made suggestions on capacity building trade partnership that would promote services, development and trade of developing countries. About Avasant Avasant is recognized as a next-generation management consulting, research and event management firm, servicing global clients worldwide. Avasant's clients include public, private, and non-profit organizations. Avasant's expert and experienced team of management consultants, lawyers and technology consultants, average over 20 years of deep industry experience and have collectively conducted over 1,000+ engagements in over 40 countries. As a Consulting firm, Avasant's focus and proven leadership has been acknowledged in areas covering Strategic Sourcing, Technology Optimization and Services Globalization Consulting. According to the International Association of Outsourcers (IAOP), Avasant is ranked among the "World Best Outsourcing Advisors". The Black Book of Outsourcing's has ranked Avasant as the ‘Number 1 BPO Advisor' and ‘Top 10 Full Service Advisor'. For more information about Avasant, please visit www.avasant.com About United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Established in 1964, UNCTAD promotes the development-friendly integration of developing countries into the world economy. UNCTAD has progressively evolved into an authoritative knowledge-based institution whose work aims to help shape current policy debates and thinking on development, with a particular focus on ensuring that domestic policies and international action are mutually supportive in bringing about sustainable development. The organization works to fulfill this mandate by carrying out three key functions • It functions as a forum for intergovernmental deliberations, supported by discussions with experts and exchanges of experience, aimed at consensus building. • It undertakes research, policy analysis and data collection for the debates of government representatives and experts. • It provides technical assistance tailored to the specific requirements of developing countries, with special attention to the needs of the least developed countries and of economies in transition. When appropriate, UNCTAD cooperates with other organizations and donor countries in the delivery of technical assistance. For more information about UNCTAD, please visit www.unctad.org For more information,contact Avasant LLC Voice: +1.310.643.3030 Fax: +1.310.643.3033 marketing@avasant.com contactus@avasant.com