Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to address leading business leaders from the US, EU, Middle-East, China and Pakistan at the 20th India Economic Summit starting from December 5.
The 3-day summit is also expected to see Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Commerce Minister Kamal Nath, IT and Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar putting up a concerted effort to woo global investors.
The World Economic Forum and Confederation of Indian Industry, the co-sponsors of the summit, have already sent invitations to the PM and other ministers, WEF director Colette Mathur said in New Delhi on Wednesday.
India Economic Summit is likely to be a gala event this year as many top businessmen of the world are looking towards India as a potential market for investment, she said.
"So far, CEOs of global conglomerates were eyeing China. This year, to my surprise, there is a big change and too many companies are willing to come to India," Mathur noted.
After 5-6 years, the summit is expected to see a team of Pakistani businessmen headed by its commerce minister, she said.
"It will be for the first time the summit will devote a significant time specifically for South Asian nations -- India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka," Mathur said, adding they will discuss how to make this region a dynamic economic hub by 2020.
"If they cooperate among themselves, their performance will be better," she added.
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