Dr. DJ Pandian, Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and former Chief Secretary of Gujarat delivered a fascinating presentation on ‘Possible Strategies on Building Infrastructure in India’. The session was chaired by Mr. Prakash Apte, Non-Executive Part-time Chairman of Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Member, PIC.
Dr. Pandian highlighted the role of AIIB and spoke of various projects undertaken by this international bank for regional infrastructure development. He discussed the goals of providing better infrastructure- bridging the infrastructure gap, regional connectivity (for a better flow of trade), and export of energy, and the accompanying challenges.
While speaking about the impact of the pandemic on the world, he stressed that the only way to reboot, is through investment and infrastructure which would absorb more employment. Administrative reforms were vital for economic and infrastructure development, he stressed.
Questions from the audience related to relations between India and China, and the way in which the Bank could assist infrastructure projects in the country. Dr. Pandian also spoke of the many projects that had been taken up by the AIIB in the country.
