Bhubaneswar: Union minister of state for Commerce and Industry minister has expressed her profound regret for not being able to attend the OTV’s annual convention Foresight-2017 which was held at Hotel Mayfair convention hall in the capital city here today.
Sitharaman, who was to deliver speech on ‘De-globalisation: India’s Economic Prospects in an Increasingly Protectionist World’ as the chief guest, had to cancel her programme due to hectic schedule.
“First let me express my apologies for not being there with the invited guests. Also I feel I have missed an opportunity to be there in person and interact with you and also to be able to reach out to all your viewers. However, I know every year when OTV holds such an annual gathering it does it with certain class and substantive discussions happen and the outcomes which are very important in policy making. As such as we all know that OTV and its broadcasts particularly on the news and the content of the news is something which is appreciated by many,” she said in a video message which was displayed at the convention.
Speaking about the topic which she was to deliver in her address at the convention, she said “The particular issue of what you have called as De-globalisation and what it could do to the Indian economy especially when the world is increasingly becoming protectionists. It is a very relevant topic. It is going to determine the economic growth, the jobs and the prospects for newer jobs and also the way in which the world is going to deal with one another on this matter. However, I think what is necessary for us in India now to talk about is, are we able to clearly understand the implications of such growing protectionism around the world?”
The Union minister, however, expressed her optimism in the deliberations on some of the major issues at the convention.
“I am sure your deliberations will have of some significant contribution and I look forward to hearing from you all on the outcome and also the process of the discussion itself,” she added.