In conversation with Mr. Sunil Sood – Innovation in the Economy

By UK India Business Council (UKIBC)

In an interview with Dr Rakhi Rashmi, Barrister England and Wales, Mr Sunil Sood shares his views in bringing innovation to the economy

Prior to this new role, Sunil was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Vodafone India. Being part of the senior leadership team at Vodafone India, Sunil was responsible for the day to day operations and the P&L management for all circles in the country. He also spearheaded the new business development initiative of Mobile Commerce for the organization.

Sunil also served as the Director – Business Operations for Vodafone India before becoming COO. Sunil started his Telecom sojourn in the summer of 2000 as Vice President, Sales & Marketing for Hutch in Delhi.

1. What do you see as the major innovation opportunities in each stage of the value chain, work architecture and future constructs of development in the UK-India collaborative universes?

Using technology for enhancing efficiencies, improving access and facilitating inclusion across sectors:

– Skill Development and Education
– Financial services – banking, money transfer, micro insurance etc.
– Governance – direct benefit transfers, information & updates
– Smart cities- connected on Smart grids and information highways
– Life sciences & Healthcare – advanced technology solutions

2. Given both countries want to grow their economies through manufacturing, and related sectors such as infrastructure, services etc. should we identify areas of common interest and come up with a plan to grow our industrial economies together?

– Yes co-opting innovative, technology enabled solutions across sectors including those mentioned above will further advance opportunities for partnerships and collaboration.
– In areas of traditional collaboration – manufacturing, banking and financial services, defense, automobiles and engineering, there are opportunities for strengthening existing collaborations

3. What is the best way for developing this interaction/dialogue to its next stage happen?

– Government to Government engagements for a strategic, structured and calibrated approach to sustain collaboration in identified sectors. Also to evolve a uniform enabling framework to facilitate transfer of capital, technology, innovation etc.
– Stronger business to business engagements especially in the SME domain for manufacturing and in emerging domains enabling ecommerce
– A more active role by industry bodies to facilitate such interactions and engagements
– Dedicated working groups for each sector with representation from all interested parties – governments, industry bodies, corporates, sector experts etc. to drive forward the agenda of their specific

4. What infrastructure mechanisms could we share or exchange to make a real difference?

– Enabling Infrastructure
o laws, policies, regulations etc.
o Technology transfers

– Collaborative Infrastructure
o best practice sharing across sectors
o Building and sharing from a repository of global talent pool
o Innovations especially in the emerging digital domains

5. What emerging economic opportunities in each country can we address in partnership?

– Life Sciences and Healthcare
– Skills and Education
– Digital Innovations
– Smart Cities

6. What should the role of governments be in this interaction?

– Improve Efficiencies by use of technology
– Allow level footing market access based on bilateral agreements
– Improve Ease of Doing business index
– Improve Infrastructure


Get a free consultation with one of our India Advisers

All personal data herein are processed in accordance with UK data protection legislation. All feasible security measures are in place. You may withdraw consent at any time in the future.