Global Investors Meet ends
The global meet had just a smattering of foreign investors; Indians and NRIs formed the bulk of those present on palace grounds on both days of the GIM.
It was meant to be a ‘global’ event, but that was perhaps the one thing lacking at the two-day Global Investors Meet (GIM) at Palace Grounds. The GIM attracted many Indian investors and NRIs, but not so many foreign investors were visible. While all those randomly quizzed by this reporter agreed that they got an excellent opportunity to meet the champions of industry, they were unsure if the exercise helped in gaining knowledge about ground realities. Potential investors, though, got a hearing earlier than they might have otherwise. Satish Jha, chairman of the One Laptop Per Child India Foundation, Cambridge, USA, said: “I met the chief minister and he was quick to call the chief secretary and others, asking for an evaluation of my plan. This would have otherwise been very difficult,” said a beaming Jha, who hopes to distribute laptops to children. Mohammed Sadique, chairman and managing director, Pelecan Group (builders and developers) and RichIndia forum, said, “This exercise is common abroad, but new in India. It is a useful exercise for those planning to invest.”However, Shuva Mandalm, representing a firm of solicitors with international investors said, “This too has a gestation period. We should wait nine months to see results.”