Infocomm joins Ficci, Assocham

After shunning the country's apex industry associations for several years, Reliance group company Reliance Infocomm has joined the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) as well as the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham). The company has become an associate member of Ficci and a patron of Assocham.

Reliance Infocomm was a member of Ficci for a very brief period more than ten years back, when group patriarch Dhirubhai Ambani was at the helm. But it later withdrew from the industry association.

Reliance Infocomm officials refused to comment on why the company had joined the lobbying groups now.

Meanwhile, Ficci, in a bid to expand its industry coverage and revenue sources, has roped in other major companies like Daimler Chrysler India, DLF Universal, Abhishek Industries, Gujarat Ambuja Exports, Yes Bank and United Bank of India.

It has brought in a total of 121 associate members, who will pay an annual fee of Rs 4,000 to Rs 80,000 depending on their turnovers.

Some of the pharmaceutical companies like Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Himalaya Drug and Aurobindo Pharma are also in the list of Ficci's associate members this year.

Not just more associate members, Ficci has brought in six new corporate members, now totaling 53. They pay a fee of Rs 500,000 annually. AEGON India Business Services, Birla Eastern Limited, DHL Worldwide Express, Rungta Mines, Shreya Life Sciences and Rungta Mines are Ficci's new corporate members.

Ficci is also looking at geographical expansion and will be starting a Jaipur office this week. The main focus this year will be creating an international presence, energy and environmental auditing, services and knowledge driven sectors and changing agents like pension and insurance sectors.

Also, the federation is bringing in more senior people to head its new divisions and has appointed several consultant directors, senior economists, deputy directors and research associates.