India Story Strong In A Tumultuous World

CFA Society India’s flagship 14^th India Investment Conference delved on India’s growth potential amid global challenges and a new world order.

Mumbai, 15^th January 2024: Leaders from the investment community as well as distinguished regulators and policymakers converged at the 14^th India Investment Conference (IIC) hosted by CFA Society India, in Mumbai. The discourse offered comprehensive insights relevant to the ever-evolving landscape of global markets and investment management. The agenda of the conference this year focused on the changing world order as nations witness notable shifts in economic influence and how these shifts make a stronger case for the Indian economy in an era of unprecedented uncertainty, volatility, and geostrategic considerations.

The conference kickstarted with the keynote session by Dr. Subba Rao Duvvuri (Ex-Governor, Reserve Bank of India) discussing critical insights on the changing world order, the challenges, and immense opportunities for India. He opined that youth unemployment in India is as high as 40% and we cannot reap the benefits of the demographic dividend unless we provide jobs to all. India’s share of world trade is 3% and even a 1% increase will have a very large impact on jobs and the economy. Sanjay Agarwal (Founder, MD & CEO, AU Small Finance Bank) presented the India growth story by covering points such as healthy FDI flows, better handling of inflation, sustainable growth in GDP, small credits and India becoming a factory to the world.

The conference witnessed overwhelming participation from various industry experts  including Sankaran Naren ED & CIO, ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, Shailesh Raj Bhan CIO – Equity Investments, Nippon India Mutual Fund, R Srinivasan CIO – Equity, SBI Mutual Fund, I.V. Subramaniam, CFA MD and Group Head – Equities, Quantum Advisors, Hiren Dasani, CFA Co-Head of Global EM Equity and Lead PM India Equity – Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Nithya Easwaran Managing Director, Multiples Asset Alternate Management among others.

Commenting on the occasion, Rajendra Kalur, CFA, Chairperson, CFA Society India expressed, “The conference provided a platform for discussions, insights, and opportunity to collaborate with professionals from the investment fraternity.”

Dana Day, MD – Business Development, Business Transformation and Performance, CFA Institute added, “The short-term pressures and other uncertainties present a window of opportunities for investment professionals to serve global stakeholders by thinking out of the box and solving complex problems.”

The conference covered various topics related to decarbonization and the transition to clean energy, such as the macroeconomic benefits compared to those of emerging economies and the policy framework. The session discussions also highlighted India’s foreign policy, which has recently gained recognition due to India’s nuanced handling of global conflicts, along with the US-China competition and the rise of middle powers. Discussions on India’s manufacturing sector revolved around its competitiveness by improving the focus on labour, energy, and logistics. Experts also opined that private capital expenditure, alongside public capital expenditure, will become the main driver of India’s economic growth and it is imperative that the economy’s growth benefits reach the lower-income segments considering they are the biggest growth drivers through consumption.

Arati Porwal, Country Head, India at CFA Institute, further added, “The event continues to be the leading forum for dialogue and collaboration in the investment management sector, thanks to the passion and engagement of the attendees. The speakers and the discussion inspired confidence and hope for India’s journey towards its golden decade of economic balance and prominence among the world’s top economies.”

The conference also had sessions on the importance of evaluating performance beyond numbers and a panel discussion on diverse perspectives on whether the current markets reflect Optimism or Exuberance and the importance of prudent asset allocation to achieve one’s investment objectives.

About CFA Institute

CFA Institute is a not-for-profit professional association, incorporated in Virginia, USA, with a mission of leading the investment profession globally by promoting the highest standards of ethics, education, and professional excellence for the ultimate benefit of society. CFA Institute administers the coveted programs including Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) Program and serves more than 202,000 members, as well as 160 member societies around the world. The organization provides comprehensive continuing professional development opportunities—through conferences, events, publications, and personalized virtual resources—that empower members and other constituents to practice ethically and competently in dynamic global financial markets.

About CFA Society India

CFA Society India is registered as Indian Association of Investment Professionals under Section 8 of the 2013 Companies Act. With more than 2,300 members spread across India, it is one of the premier societies belonging to CFA Institute. The membership base consists of portfolio managers, investment consultants, and other financial experts. As one of the 160 CFA Institute member societies of the CFA Institute, CFA Society India links its regional members to a globally interconnected network of investment professionals. For more information, visit www.cfasocietyindia.org or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter at @CFASocietyIndia.