Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented India as the only destination for US investors across any sector, be it urban or defence or start-up, as he spoke at the Bloomberg Global Business Forum in New York on Wednesday.
PM Modi urged US investors to “come to India” since the country presented multiple opportunities. “Your desires and our dreams match perfectly, your technology and our talent can change the world, your scale and our skills can speed up global economic growth. Your prudent method and our pragmatic mind can write new stories in management, your rational ways and our human values can show the path which the world is looking for. And if there is any gap anywhere, I will personally act as a bridge.”
“India is waiting for you…India is the only destination…I am ready to welcome you,” said PM Modi.
PM @narendramodi and @MikeBloomberg met in New York. They had a fruitful interaction which covered a wide range of subjects. pic.twitter.com/Se0yKsTOfo
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 25, 2019
He then chaired an exclusive meeting with 42 global CEOs and top executives from across 20 sectors in New York, and stressed on continued political stability in India, predictability of policy, and pro-development and pro-growth policies.
He urged global CEOs and top American executives to leverage the ”Startup India” innovation platforms to formulate solutions for the entire world on challenging issues like nutrition and waste management.
He emphasised the development of tourism, plastic recycling and waste-management initiatives, and to enhance the business of MSMEs, especially those which create more opportunities for farmers and agriculture.
“The leaders also mentioned that their companies remained committed to the growth story of India and, on the back of this, continued to grow their footprint in India,” an official statement said after the meeting.
The CEOs briefly outlined their specific plans in India and put forth recommendations to aid India’s efforts towards skill development, Digital India, Make in India, inclusive growth, green energy and financial inclusion.
The companies that participated in the meeting had a combined net worth of USD 16.4 trillion, of which their net worth in India is USD 50 billion.
The CEOs meeting attended by IBM Chairman, President and CEO Ginni Rometty, President and CEO of Walmart Douglas McMillon, Chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola James Quincey, Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson, JP Morgan Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon, CEO of American Tower Corporation and co-chair of the India-US CEO forum James Taiclet, MasterCard CEO Ajay Banga and Senior Executives from Apple, Google, Marriott, VISA, 3M, Warburg Pincus, AECOM, Raytheon, Bank of America and Pepsi.
Shell CEO Ben van Beurden said PM Modi had a very “strong and impassionate Come to India speech” and his four D’s of democracy, demography, demand and decisiveness are very powerful arguments to invest in India.
The Prime Minister’s speech was strong and comprehensive: Ben van Beurden, CEO of @Shell. pic.twitter.com/ekMI4E0nPu
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 25, 2019
“We have already been convinced years before. We are in India, it’s a very important growth country for us and we continue to invest to be a leading international energy company in India. We are well on our way to meeting the prime Minister’s expectations.”
Coca Cola chairman and CEO James Quincey said India is a big market for the beverage giant and it likes investing in the country.
Really excited to be in the Prime Minister’s investment summit, says James Quincey, Chairman and CEO of @CocaColaCo. pic.twitter.com/dbzMFFXhYD
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 25, 2019
“We think it’s not just an important market for us, it’s the 5th most important and we think it’s going to become the third most important,” he said adding that Coca Cola is very excited about continuing to invest in the country and be in line with the growth agenda for the government.
(With inputs from PTI)