· The World Economic Forum’s 33rd India Economic Summit is taking place in New Delhi from 3-4 October under the theme Innovating for India: Strengthening South Asia, Impacting the World.
· The two-day meeting will convene leaders from government, the private sector, academia and civil society with the aim of accelerating the adoption throughout South Asia of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and making the most of the region’s distinctive demographic dividends.
· More than 800 leaders from 40 countries are taking part, with strong participation from start-ups and innovative policy-makers, and a focus on technology.
· For more information on the summit, visit http://wef.ch/ies19
New Delhi, India, 1 October 2019 – The World Economic Forum is holding its 33rd India Economic Summit in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Government of India and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on 3-4 October in New Delhi. The summit will host more than 800 leaders from 40 countries, including business, senior public figures and leading representatives from civil society, arts and culture, science and academia.
The theme of the summit is Innovating for India: Strengthening South Asia, Impacting the World. Prominently featured in the programme will be: South Asia’s economic outlook, emerging technologies (including, artificial intelligence and drones), India’s environmental reforms, infrastructure, gender parity, start-up unicorns, education and skills.
India’s and South Asia’s role is critical to the sustainability of global economic growth and, if this is to be Asia’s century, the region’s role will be indispensable. More than ever before, the world needs to engage with India and South Asia, while the region must expand its leadership on a range of global initiatives. The programme will also underline South Asia's relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and highlight how the two regions, defined by their demographic and digital dividends, will shape the world's collective future.
The summit will be co-chaired by Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh; Shobana Kamineni, Executive Vice-Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise, India; Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance of Singapore; Shailendra Singh, Managing Director of Sequoia Capital India; Sania Mirza, UN Women Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia and Indian sportsperson; Gillian Tans, Chairwoman of Booking.com. The co-chair press conference will take place at 08.45 on 3 October at the meeting venue in New Delhi. It will be livestreamed on the Forum’s website.
“Over the course of the Forum’s 35-year engagement with India, we have seen the country’s global profile rapidly rise,” said Børge Brende, President, World Economic Forum. “This week, leaders from across the world are coming to New Delhi to tackle the big issues of today and collaborate on how to seize the opportunities of tomorrow. Inclusive growth, the environment and innovation are some of the strategic regional issues to be discussed. We are looking forward to a productive meeting.”
“We are delighted to partner with the World Economic Forum and the CII on the India Economic Summit,” said Dr. Guruprasad Mohapatra, Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. “As this is the 35th year of Forum’s engagement in India and the 50th year of its founding, it is an opportune time to take this relationship to the next level. With over 800 participants from 40 countries and a strong group of co-chairs, I am certain that the Summit will be an important platform to discuss India’s narratives on regional and global challenges and showcase it as an attractive investment destination.”
“Propelled by a strong reforms process and proactive global agenda, India today stands at an opportune inflection point to emerge as a pole in the geopolitical and economic arena,” said Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). “Importantly, India has taken a definitive stance for fostering human development, technology and sustainability, leveraging its demographic advantage. Indian industry is a key engine of India’s development process, and CII partners and supports its contribution to the country’s growth journey.”
Senior government officials from India and South Asia will participate in the summit. They include Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India; Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises of India; Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Minister of Railways of India; Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Minister of Steel of India; Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State (IC) of Civil Aviation, Housing and Urban Affairs of India and Minister of State of Commerce and Industry; and Rajiv Kumar, Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog.
The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship in partnership with the Jubilant Bhartia Foundation will announce the winner of the 2019 India Social Entrepreneur of the Year award on 3 October. Social entrepreneurs fill a unique role in modern economies, applying innovative thinking and disruptive technology to meet demands that traditional businesses or governments cannot serve. Ten of the world’s leading social enterprises will be represented at the India Economic Summit.
The World Economic Forum is also committed to giving a voice to the next generation of leaders. Reflecting this, 60 of these top Global Shapers and Young Global Leaders will participate in the India Economic Summit.
Notes to Editors
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