Economic summit to focus on India’s resurgence

New Delhi, November 24:

Over 400 companies will join the 21st India Economic Summit that will focus on the new perception of the country around the world following its emergence as a leader in areas like IT. Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh will address the closing session of summit being organised here on November 27-29 by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). “The perception about India has changed dramatically among the investing community. What were considered weaknesses in the past have now turned into competitive advantages such as the democratic system and a very young population,” Colette Mathur, WEF director for India and South Asia, told a pre-summit news conference here. This, she said, was reflected in the theme for this year’s summit — ‘A young and resurgent India: its impact on regional and global strategies’.

The mindset of the people, government, entrepreneurs and bureaucrats was totally different from what it was 10 years ago, she said, noting that India’s population was now seen as a positive asset. The 34 formal sessions at the summit will cover issues like India vis-a-vis the world till 2025, India’s economic growth, its growing civil aviation sector, foreign investment, infrastructure development, the growing knowledge-based industries and leveraging of special

economic zones. Apart from these positive aspects of India, the sessions will address issues like India’s energy security, environment, health and gender gap.