The recently concluded 54th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting witnessed a compelling showcase by the Indian delegation, led by Smt. Smriti Irani, Hon’ble Minister of Women & Child Development, along with prominent ministers and officials. India’s robust economy, stable governance, and diverse investment opportunities across sectors took center stage at the event, captivating the attention of global political and business leaders.
The Indian Government delegation actively participated in various sessions covering crucial topics such as Education, Biofuels, Gender gaps, Renewables, Semiconductors, and Manufacturing. The representation from India underscored the country’s commitment to fostering international collaboration and highlighted the numerous investment opportunities available.
Four dedicated spaces at WEF encapsulated India’s dynamic presence:
1. India Engagement Centre: This space unfolded India’s growth narrative, emphasizing its digital public infrastructure, vibrant startup ecosystem, and burgeoning energy sector. Fireside chats on globally significant pillars enriched the dialogue, providing a comprehensive view of India’s potential.
2. Experience India Centre: Here, the technological leaps powered by New India, commitments to sustainability, inclusivity, and its vibrant culture were unveiled, creating a holistic understanding of the nation’s progress.
3. India Investment Centre: Serving as the epicenter for Government-to-Business (G2B) and Business-to-Business (B2B) networking, this space hosted roundtables, sessions, and panels on leading topics, fostering discussions on investment opportunities in various sectors.
4. We Lead Lounge: A dedicated gender lounge, “We Lead Lounge,” focused on women’s participation in various spheres of life, financial inclusion, and bridging the digital gender gap, highlighting India’s commitment to gender parity.
Throughout the five-day event, India showcased its potential in 21 sessions, inviting discussions on Manufacturing, Technology, Gender-based impact, Sustainability, Mobility, Startups, Healthcare, and AI, among other themes.
Notable Engagements: Smt. Smriti Irani engaged with leaders from Uber, Mastercard, Unilever, and the Federal Minister of the European Union. Her participation in WEF sessions and panel discussions emphasized themes such as the public-private agenda for education, protecting democracy in the digital era, and investing in gender parity. She also graced an event organized by the B20 to launch the B20 Global Institute, providing knowledge, research, and policy advocacy to global enterprises.
Sh. Hardeep Singh Puri, Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Housing & Urban Affairs, highlighted the immense opportunities in India’s hydrocarbons sector, underlining India’s commitment to energy transition and sustainable development.
Sh. Ashwani Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Minister of Railways, Communications, Electronics & IT, participated in a panel discussion on leveraging investments in infrastructure for business and societal impact. He highlighted the government’s measures to promote infrastructure creation, reforms implemented, and the role of stable economic policies in strengthening India’s infrastructure. Minister Vaishnaw also discussed AI regulations during a bilateral engagement with his Singaporean counterpart.
Sh. RK Singh, Secretary, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, showcased India’s semiconductor manufacturing potential to global investors. He emphasized the transformative potential of Indian entrepreneurship on a global stage, discussing Deep Tech and its relevance in the Indian context. Sh. Singh met with leaders from prominent companies, addressing their expansion plans in India and discussing the impact of the PM Gati Shakti program on infrastructure development.
In conclusion, India’s impactful presence at Davos solidified its position as a global economic powerhouse, showcasing resilience, innovation, and a commitment to sustainable growth. The engagement with international leaders and the discussions on diverse topics have set the stage for increased global collaboration and investment in the burgeoning Indian economy.
