Kolkata: The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) hosted an exclusive session with former Chief Justice of India, Justice B.R. Gavai, on the theme “Indian Legal System: Investors’ Confidence & Ease of Doing Business (EoDB).” The event brought together leading legal experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss how India’s legal system can support business growth and build investor trust.

The session saw participation from key speakers including Debanjan Mandal (Fox & Mandal), Mahesh Agarwal (Agarwal Law Associates), Alapan Bandyopadhyay (former IAS officer), Prof. O.V. Nandimath (Vice Chancellor, WBNUJS), and Dr. Rajeev Singh (ICC).

Welcoming the audience, Debanjan Mandal said that ease of doing business is not just about policies or laws but about how systems work in real life. He explained that investor confidence depends on factors like speed of decision-making, clarity in rules, and consistency in implementation. He also highlighted that globally, countries compete on transparency, certainty, and ease for businesses.

Alapan Bandyopadhyay offered a broader perspective, saying that ease of doing business should go beyond rankings and include trust between the government and businesses. He emphasized that business growth should be balanced with social responsibility and fairness. According to him, India should develop its own model that combines economic growth with values like equality and compassion.

Mahesh Agarwal focused on what he called “ease of mind” in business. He said that while starting a business has become easier, maintaining peace of mind is still a challenge. He stressed the importance of certainty in laws, respect for entrepreneurs, and faster justice delivery. He noted that delays in legal processes can harm businesses and reduce confidence.

Prof. O.V. Nandimath highlighted three key needs of businesses: certainty, faster dispute resolution, and sustainability. He explained that while India has strong laws, the real challenge is in their effective implementation. Improving the capacity and efficiency of institutions is essential for better results.

Justice B.R. Gavai, in his address, emphasized that a strong legal system is the foundation of economic growth. He said that businesses depend on trust in institutions and the rule of law. He pointed out that investor confidence comes not just from laws, but from their consistent and predictable application. He also spoke about the role of digital reforms like e-courts in improving efficiency. However, he acknowledged challenges such as case backlogs and delays.

Concluding the session, Dr. Rajeev Singh thanked all speakers and highlighted that trust, transparency, and timely justice are key to building a strong business environment. He noted that a reliable legal system not only attracts investment but also supports long-term economic development.