Team Modi to sell ‘Make in India’

As the global business elite converge on Davos for the World Economic Forum (WEF), two Central Ministers and two Chief Ministers will be pitching the Modi government’s ambitious ‘Make in India’ programme amid renewed international interest in India’s economic potential. 

The Indian contingent is being led by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and includes Power Minister Piyush Goyal and the Chief Ministers of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh along with Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian. 

Industry Secretary Amitabh Kant is also a key member of the Indian contingent. 

Mr. Jaitley, leading Team Modi from India, is expected to speak on the new leadership’s transformation of the business, political and social landscape of India. 

He would also be participating in a discussion on how India, as the world’s most populous democracy will revive and accelerate economic modernisation, growth and job creation. 

Joining Mr. Jaitley in the bid to woo the world back to India, will be Mr. Goyal and Mr. Subramanian besides more than 100 members of India’s corporate elite, pitching for flagship programmes of the new government. 

This year the famous ‘India Adda’ will be replaced by a ‘Make in India’ lounge. The ‘India Adda’ was frequented by Indian and other leaders to savour desi delicacies and do some networking. 

Tata Group head Cyrus Mistry, Reliance Industries’ Mukesh Ambani, ICICI Bank’s Chanda Kochhar, Jet Airways’ Naresh Goyal and SBI’s Arundhati Bhattacharya will also be in Davos. 

Goyal to push clean technology at Davos

Leading the Indian contingent at the annual World Economic Forum at Davos with Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Power and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal will discuss new business models that are scaling energy decentralisation and emissions reduction. 

Mr. Goyal's diary is full with 14 public sessions. Pushing clean tech will be top of his agenda with a 2021 generation target of 100 GW of solar, 60 GW of wind and 5 GW of small hydro projects, involving investments of $20 billion every year in renewables alone excluding transmission. This underlines India's intent to prioritize long-term capital for infrastructure creation. 

“It is great to see renewable sector finally getting global traction,” said Tulsi Tanti, chairman and MD, Suzlon Group, who will also be travelling to Davos. “I have never seen such interest towards India since 2009.'' 

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said he was working on 'Make in Maharashtra' programme while Mumbai would be developed into a major international finance centre. 

Noting that he has visualised 'Make in Maharashtra' programme for his state, he said the focus is on ending entire 'license raj'. Mr. Fadnavis is expected to hold one-on-one meetings with over 30 global business leaders and would be making presentations on biotechnology and sustainable food and water. 

With as many as 120 registered participants, the Indian presence is the fifth largest at the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos where buses are also seen carrying 'Make In India' slogans. 

The US is on the top with 791 participants, followed by the UK with 283 and the host country Switzerland with 280. Overall, there are 1,500 business leaders from across the world, including over 100 from India. There are 40 heads of states and 100 other members of governments of participating countries. — With inputs from agencies