Deepak Mohanty: Investment and its financing - what causes private
investment to remain relatively low in Asia?
Welcome remarks by Mr Deepak Mohanty, Executive Director of the Reserve Bank of India,
at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Conference on "Investment and its Financing: What
causes private investment to remain relatively low in Asia?", Mumbai, 16 December 2010.
* * *
1. Mr. Peter Bekx, Director, European Commission. Mr. Subir Gokarn, Deputy
Governor. Mr. Moreno Bertoldi, Head of Unit, European Commission. Ms. Valerie
RouxelLaxton, Head of Sector, European Commission. Distinguished representatives from the
ASEM member countries. Esteemed colleagues of central banks, representatives from
multilateral organisations, think-tanks and academia, distinguished experts and friends. I am
really privileged to have this pleasant opportunity of welcoming you all on the occasion of
ASEM Conference on behalf of the Reserve Bank of India and on my own behalf. I
understand that this is the first ASEM conference of European Commission in India. I thank
the European Commission for this opportunity.
2. I am indeed honoured to welcome you all to this lovely city of Mumbai. As some of
you may be aware, Mumbai has a unique place in Indian History and Commerce. Mumbai,
built on seven islands, was the first British Indian possession. Mumbai came as a part of the
royal dowry in 1661 to King Charles II of England on his marriage to the Portuguese
princess. It was later leased to the East India Company for £10. Today you can't get even a
square inch of land in Mumbai for that price. Today Mumbai is one of most expensive cities
in the world. Mumbai is the business capital of India and handles major share of India's
commerce. It houses the headquarters of many major banks, financial institutions, insurance
companies and stock exchanges. Mumbai's nature as the most eclectic and cosmopolitan
Bollywood
Indian city is symbolized in the presence of within the city, the centre of the
globally-influential Hindi film and TV industries. The city has valiantly faced many setbacks
and kept up its vibrancy. That is what Mumbai is! Be that as it may, I am sure, you will get an
opportunity during your stay to go around the city and experience for yourself the brisk life of
Mumbai. The Marine Drive which is just opposite this Hotel is popularly known as Queen's
necklace which you could see from the Rooftop where we will have our dinner tonight. I must
also add that the weather is very pleasant at this time.
3. Now let me turn to today's event. The Asia-Europe Meeting, generally known as
ASEM, is the embodiment of Asia-EU collaborative involvement in the endeavour of
enhancing growth opportunities in both these regions. The forum of ASEM provides a
platform for useful dialogue at various levels between Asia and Europe on almost all issues
of relevance ranging between finance, education, culture, climate, information technology
and governance. The ASEM conference series which focus on topical issues provide useful
inputs into ASEM dialogues. The ASEM conferences before, whether on finance or growth or
terrorism, have brought in insights into the issues aiding policy making both in Europe and
Asia.
4. The theme of the present conference - "Investment and its Financing: What causes
private investment to remain relatively low in Asia" is topical and could not have come at a
better time. It is particularly very important because of two main reasons. First, as we emerge
from the financial storm of the last couple of years, investment has the key role to restore
potential output to sustain aggregate demand. Second, investment growth in the emerging
economies of Asia can play a pivotal role in the multi-speed recovery of the global economy
characterized by protracted rehabilitation of over-extended balance sheets in the advanced
economies.
5. This platform, in my view, should be seen as a great opportunity to the
academicians as well as policymakers of both Asia and Europe not only to learn from each
other's experiences but also to develop a vision for the realisation of faster and smoother
growth trajectory. After every crisis, market agents, regulators, journalists and academics
generally believe and persuade themselves that this time it is different. But it never is. There
is a lot to learn from the past experiences of the crisis and the forum like ASEM conference
can be immensely beneficial in sharing them.
6. Let me now take this opportunity to discuss briefly about the format of the
Conference. We will cover the conference theme in five sessions and a panel discussion. We
begin with the keynote address by our Deputy Governor Dr. Subir Gokarn followed by the
technical sessions and discussions.
7. The first session will deal with what drives investment in Asia. The second session
will delve deep into the issues related to investment and productivity growth in Asia. The third
session will deal with credit growth and financial stability in the Asian countries. The fourth
and the last session of today will be on the ways to improve the channelling of domestic
saving to investment in Asia. We will resume tomorrow with the fifth session to discuss the
role of financial sector and credit growth on investment. This will be followed by the panel
discussion on the impact of infrastructure bottlenecks on Asian growth chaired by
Dr. Y.V.Reddy, former Governor of Reserve Bank of India.
8. Let me welcome you all once again. In the local language of Mumbai which is
Marathi: Amchya Mumbait Tumha Sarvanche Swagat Aahe. You are welcome in our
Mumbai. May these two days not only be marked with fruitful discussions but also bring
closer the Asian and European communities in this increasingly globalised world.
Thank you.