Asia to be engine of economic growth: Kamal Nath

Asia will be the engine of world economic growth, with countries in the region being important participants in their "own way", Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath has said. He made this comment in the keynote address as the Chief Chair at the inaugural edition of the Asian Business Leadership Forum (ABLF) Knowledge Congress, held here yesterday.

"Asia is going to be the engine of economic growth and countries in Asia will remain in their own way important participants in that growth," Nath said. "The Gulf, India and South-East Asia are amongst the fastest growing regions in the world. I am sure that this event (ABLF) will engage the best entrepreneurial minds and business talent from the regions," he added.

The forum is a business and knowledge platform that seeks to bring together the most powerful and influential voices that shape Asia's thought and define its future. Panelists from India included Naveen Jindal, Chairman & Managing Director of Jindal Steel & Power; Vikram Limaye, Deputy Managing Director of IDFC Ltd, M K Sinha, Managing Director & CEO of IDFC Alternatives, and M KV Ramarao, Executive Director of NTPC Ltd.

TKA Nair, Advisor to the Prime Minister was the moderator for the session titled, 'Defining Public-Private Partnerships in Infrastructure'. Featuring Asia's foremost business leaders and strategists, academics, representatives of corporate houses and key trade organisations, the ABLF shared insights on several critical issues.

The Knowledge Congress featured three discussions -- on industry, infrastructure and energy, with five panelists in each session.