Modi meets India Inc for inputs on Budget
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met top CEOS on Monday, ahead of the national budget (on February 1) and asked them to invest in creating top-ranking global enterprises within the country. The PM said he is committed to continue with the reform agenda of his government which aims to create an enabling environment for businesses with policy certainty and ease of compliance.
“Prime Minister @narendramodi interacts with leading CEOS of companies across banking, infrastructure, automobiles, telecom, consumer goods, textile, renewables, hospitality, technology, healthcare, space, electronics, etc,” official twitter handle of Press Information Bureau (PIB) said.
“This is one of the many interactions being done by PM @narendramodi ahead of the budget to receive inputs and suggestions from the private sector,” PIB said in another tweet.
The two-hour long meeting took place on the backdrop of rapidly spreading Omicron variant of Covid-19 that has spooked global markets and threatens global economic growth at a time when India has witnessed robust economic recovery after the two waves of pandemic.
After the meeting, Kenichi Ayukawa, CEO & MD of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd said: “If Mr
Modi is here, we can invest. In addition to his grand vision, PLI (Production Linked Incentive) scheme and other policy support will help development and growth of industry. So it is very positive.” “Our Prime Minister has a grand vision and ambition for India. Motor industry is fully committed to contribute to his grand vision by making India a manufacturing hub for the world, increasing exports, and increasing localisation,” he said adding that most foreign investors would invest in India because of policy certainty.
With the PM’S dynamic leadership, what was really evident today, was “a very bold and confident” India, Mallika Srinivasan, chairman and managing director of Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd said.
“The whole interaction today was about how do we take India forward. And, I think, it was a wonderful interaction. It was open and we could freely communicate our thoughts. The PM is a very patient listener,” she said.
What is most important is the PM’S focus on research, innovation and his belief in the capacity that India has to step way beyond where we are, said Rajesh Gopinathan, CEO & MD, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
“He has laid out a very clear vision statement saying that in every sector, in every industry, in every area that we are, we should be in the top five in the global rankings, and if possible, number one. That kind of attitude, that kind of tone from the top, I think, will energise the country to go way beyond our current success and strive for something much more... like getting an Olympic gold medal,” he added.
Uday Kotak, CEO, Kotak Mahindra Bank said the time has come for Indian business, Indian industry, India’s banking and the financial sector to think about scale without fear. “And I’m very enthused about the potential of India... Indian banking and finance is out there ready to support industry across... sustainability, inclusion, digital and infrastructure,” he said.
“We will grow, we will make India happen. And Indian financial sector will make India happen as per the dreams of the Prime Minister,” he added.
India is projected to grow at 9.5% in 2021 and 8.5% in 2022, highest among major economies, and ahead of China’s 8% and 5.6% growth in the respective periods, IMF said.