Modi in Devos: India means business, PM tells top CEOs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi told CEOs of top global companies at the Swiss Alps mountain resort of Davos that India means business. He met 120 members of the International Business Forum for a round-table conference and hosted a welcome reception and dinner for global industry bosses from 18 countries.

Narrating India's growth story, the Prime Minister mentioned structural reforms done by his government over the past three and a half years to make the country business friendly. PM Modi is accompanied by several ministers, a high-powered business delegation, and two yoga instructors who are taking training sessions for the entire duration of the week-long gathering in Switzerland.

Under the tagline of "India means business", the roundtable was attended by 40 CEOs of global companies and 20 from India. They included Microsoft's Satya Nadella, Reliance's Mukesh Ambani and Airbus CEO Dirk Hoke. After the meeting, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted about Modi narrating India's growth story and presenting exciting opportunities for global business in India. 

The spokesperson also tweeted that the Prime Minister "hosted a roundtable meeting with CEOs of top global companies".

CEO of NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant described the scene at Davos, saying India's soft power was at full display while referring to Yoga classes and also the PM's meetings with global businessmen.

Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra, who had also participated at the meet, tweeted: "Let me add my compliments to you all. You did us proud with your world-beating organisational skills. Every global CEO was floored by the personal touches in your hospitality. I am proud to be on the board of Invest India."

Among the ministers accompanying the PM are Arun Jaitley, Suresh Prabhu, Piyush Goyal, Dharmendra Pradhan, MJ Akbar and Jitendra Singh. They will participate in seven roundtables on clean energy solutions, development of railway industry and skill development in a digital world.

Apart from the usual selling points like favourable demographics, a large English-speaking population and huge domestic market, Modi has been luring investors highlighting his latest reforms the Goods and Services Tax that has simplified tax structure, the bankruptcy code and announcement of a $33 billion recapitalisation plan for struggling state-run banks.

PM in action

• PM Modi met 120 members of the International Business Forum for a round-table conference  
• He hosted a welcome reception and dinner for global industry bosses from 18 countries