Sitharaman to Inaugurate Kautilya Economic Conclave 2025

03 Oct 2025 CW Team

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will inaugurate the fourth edition of the Kautilya Economic Conclave (KEC) on 3 October. Organised by the Institute of Economic Growth, the three-day event will run from 3 to 5 October under the theme “Seeking Prosperity in Turbulent Times.”

According to the Ministry of Finance, the theme reflects both India’s growth ambitions and its success in navigating global uncertainty, turbulence and shifting geopolitics.

The sessions will cover Asia’s role as a global growth hub, the evolving BRICS framework, financial stability, and new directions in industrial policy. A key highlight will be a discussion between Jean-Claude Trichet, Honorary Governor of the Banque de France, and Sanjay Malhotra, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, on the challenges of central banking.

Other participants include Mari Elka Pangestu, former Indonesian Trade Minister; Taro Kono, member of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party; and Karan Bilimoria, member of the UK House of Lords.

The programme also features a session on “Communications: Emerging Technologies” led by Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, with discussions on AI and digital infrastructure. A plenary on global macroeconomic prudence will be chaired by P. K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister.

The conclave, conceived and sponsored by the Ministry of Finance, was launched in July 2022. Previous editions addressed themes such as “Redefining the Future,” “Navigating a World on Fire,” and “The Indian Era.” Past participants have included Anne Krueger of Johns Hopkins University, economist Nick Stern of the LSE, and Martin Wolf of the Financial Times.

Infrastructure Urban

10 Mar 2026

ABB to Invest Rs 6.25 Billion to Expand India Manufacturing

ABB recently announced plans to invest approximately Rs 6.25 billion ($75 million) in India during 2026 to expand its manufacturing footprint and research and development capabilities. The investment follows more than $35 million spent in 2025 and reflects the company’s continued focus on strengthening its ‘local-for-local’ strategy in the country.The investment will support ABB’s Electrification, Motion and Automation businesses and expand manufacturing capacity for infrastructure sectors such as renewable energy, metro rail, data centres and industrial applications. Approximately 300..

Six WOLFF Cranes Handle 60,000 m³ Concrete for German Hospital

Six WOLFF tower cranes are playing a key role in constructing a new hospital complex in Memmingen, Germany, supporting large-scale material handling for the project. The facility is being built on a 7.7-hectare site and will feature six floors, around 480 beds and a gross floor area exceeding 75,000 sq m.Building shell works began recently in February 2025. One WOLFF 6531.12 Cross crane supported early site preparation before being dismantled in autumn 2025, while five remaining cranes continue operations. Over an average deployment period of 16 months, the cranes are expected to move approxim..

REC Funds Rs 115.6 Million CSR Support for Bihar Eye Hospital

REC recently committed Rs 115.6 million under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme for the procurement of clinical and non-clinical equipment at Sankara Eye Hospital in Saharsa, Bihar. The initiative aims to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and improve access to specialised eye care services in the region.A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was recently signed between Pradeep Fellows, Executive Director (CSR), REC Limited, and Wg Cdr V. Shankar (Retd), Trustee and Executive Director of Sankara Eye Hospital, at the REC office in the SCOPE Complex, New Delhi.The support is expecte..