Under the theme “Empowering Investors: IPAs Pioneering Future Growth,” the conference is set to be the largest ever, bringing together over 1000 attendees, 50 Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs), and various multilateral agencies.
The conference, organized by Invest India and serving as the flagship event of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA), will be a platform for global investment promotion and innovation stakeholders. It aims to foster collaboration, trade, investments, and knowledge sharing among IPAs, international organizations, academia, the private sector, and startups.
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Textiles, Piyush Goyal on the main day of the conference on December 13, 2023, will deliver the keynote address on the Role of Trade and Investment in the Decade of Action. The Minister will also chair a closed-room roundtable of Private Equity.
Minister Goyal will launch the Experience India Centre (EIC), a showcase of India's offerings in services, technology, and products using virtual reality, augmented reality, interactive touch screens, and projection mapping.
The Experience India Centre (EIC) aims to provide delegates and participants with an immersive experience of India's rich culture, products, and services. It will feature startups representing India's emerging capabilities and global leadership, with displays such as “Bharat Today” and “Living Traditions” showcasing traditional arts like Madhubani, Katha, Warli, Mata ni Pachedi, and more.
The conference will also include sessions such as a Meeting of 'IPAs of G20 Nations,' the IPAs of G20 Compendium on Sustainable FDI, and a roundtable on “The India Opportunity: Investing in an Emerging Economy Poised for Fast-Track Growth.” Invest India may release white papers on key topics including E-Commerce, Electronics, Sustainable textiles, and Responsible AI.
Representatives from multinational companies like DP World, IKEA, Wipro, Equinor, Arduino, and trade and investment ministers from Saudi Arabia, Armenia, and Togo are also expected to address the conference.
Parallel sessions focusing on Agri-Food Processing, Energy/Infrastructure, Tourism, Automotive & Machinery, ICT/Technology, and Life Sciences will explore investment opportunities and trends within each sector across participating countries and select Indian States.
Aligned with the conference's theme, India will showcase key initiatives such as Make in India, PM Gati Shakti, and measures taken to ensure ease of doing business. The Startup-Investor Connect program will also be a highlight, providing a platform for venture capital funds and international startups to connect and explore funding opportunities.
The World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies, with over 120 member agencies representing more than 100 countries, was created in 1995 to empower and support investment promotion agencies in developing their economies and serve as a bridge between the public and private sectors.
As the conference unfolds, it promises to be a dynamic platform for shaping the future of global investment and innovation, with India taking center stage in facilitating discussions and collaborations for sustainable growth.
By Manish Poswal
