PM Modi has the answer to how the world should restart post-Covid pandemic
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pitched India as an investment destination which not just has a vibrant democracy but also a business friendly climate and a huge market.
FollowPrime Minister Narendra Modi has pitched India as an investment destination which not just has a vibrant democracy but also a business friendly climate and a huge market.
Addressing the Bloomberg New Economy Forum, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic showed the world that cities, which are also growth engines, are the most vulnerable.
Here are highlights of his speech
* During the lockdown, many cities showed cleaner lakes, rivers and air. So many of us heard the chirping of birds. Can we not build sustainable cities where these features are norm, and not the exception?
* There were worldwide incidents of resistance against the lockdown. However, Indian cities meticulously followed this preventive measures
* Things like community gatherings, sports activities, education & recreations are not the same as before. The biggest question before the entire world is how to restart.
* The restart will not be possible without a reset. A reset of mindset, processes and practices. I think the historic reconstruction efforts after the two world wars can give us several lessons.
* The post-COVID world has to be built by nurturing this key and fundamental resource. Cities are vibrant engines of growth. They hold the power to drive the much needed change. People migrate because new cities give them work
* Post the world wars, the entire world worked on a new world order and new protocols were developed, resulting in the world changing itself. COVID has given us a similar opportunity.
* We should think on post-COVID requirements of the world. A good starting point would be rejuvenation of our urban centres
* Our cities need to be ready for convergence of physical and digital worlds. Our programmes -- DigitalIndia and Start-Up India Missions -- are helping create capacities towards this. It was a nation-wide competition, upholding the spirit of cooperative and competitive federalism.
* India and some African nations will witness biggest wave of urbanisation over next two decades
* Our 'Make In India' push had led to development of tremendous indigenous capacity for production of transportation systems. It is going to help us push our sustainable transport goals in a big way.
* Looking at conditions created by the pandemic, we introduced an affordable rental housing initiative. We created the Real Estate Regulation Act. This has transformed the dynamics of the Real Estate sector. Also, this has made it more customer-oriented and transparent.
* In today's age, empowering people to work from anywhere, to live anywhere, to plug into global supply chains from anywhere is an absolute necessity. That is why we've announced simplified guidelines for technology and knowledge enabled service sector.
* If you're looking to invest in urbanisation, India has exciting opportunities for you. If you're looking to invest in mobility, India has exciting opportunities for you. If you're looking to invest in innovation, India has exciting opportunities for you.Â
* These opportunities come along with a vibrant democracy, a business friendly climate, a huge market and a government which shall have no stone unturned to make India a preferred global investment destination
