World Economic Forum plans to establish India office

New Delhi: World economic forum plans to establish permanent physical presence in India by setting up an office in the next twelve months.

“We haven’t finalized the location but this is to underline increasing importance of India on the global stage. Today, India is amongst the most important G-20 economies and this underscores Forum’s commitment to the country as a partner,” said Mr Sushant Palakurthi Rao, Senior Director, World Economic Forum.

This would be Forum’s fourth office in the world, besides China, Japan and United States. It has its head quarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Earlier known as ‘India Economic Summit’, henceforth World Economic Forum's annual gathering in India will convene as the World Economic Forum on India. “This is to reflect India’s position vis a vis the rest of the world,” he added.

This year, the meeting will take place in National Capital Region, Gurgaon, on November 6-8, under the theme From Deliberation to Transformation.

“This year, our focus would be on governance issues to influence the positive policy framework in India, human capital formation, food security, global talent pool and India’s contribution to it, Indo-Pak relationship and also a whole track would be on the South Asia’s women and girls,” said Ms Sarita Nayyar, Managing Director, World Economic Forum.

Last year, the forum had its meet in Mumbai in collaboration with the industry body CII. “This year our relationship has gone beyond event-based partnership. They continue to be our strategic partners,” Mr Rao added.

Amongst the Indian industry names, who have confirmed participation this year include, Mr Kris Gopalakrishnan (Co-Chairman of Infosys Technologies) and Mr Siddhartha Lal (CEO of Eicher Motors).