The first day of PBD 2005 had a plenary session titled 'India: A hub of globalization', which was inaugurated by Finance Minister P Chidambaram.
The delegates discussed issues like globalization, the diaspora's contribution to India's development and the role of PIOs.
And if there were people looking for assurance about India's commitment to liberalization, in view of Left parties supporting the government, they got it in plenty from Chidambaram.
The FM said the government believed in an investment-led growth. He even went to the extent of saying that for India, NRIs were not just nonresident Indians but also nonresident investors.
Chidambaram invited NRI investments in sectors like agriculture, irrigation, watershed programmes, rural health facilities, village schools, mid-day meal schemes, computer education programmes, rural roads and electrification initiatives.
Finance Minister P Chidambaram addressing the plenary session.
Also read: The Inauguration