This year marks the World Economic Forum's 50th anniversary, as well as 35 years of cooperation with India

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Textiles Piyush Goyal will head India's delegation to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos from May 23 to 25.

This event would further help reinforce India’s position as an important and relevant stakeholder in shaping the global narrative, particularly as India assumes presidency of the G-20 in 2023, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Friday.

Goyal will then visit the UK on May 26-27 May to hold discussions with UK Government and Businesses on the progress made in FTA negotiations and the way forward. During the Summit Meeting between the the Prime Ministers of India and the UK, the two leaders had set the timeline of Diwali 2022 for finalization of the FTA between the two countries, the ministry pointed out.

The Indian delegation to WEF 2022 also comprises Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Mansukh Mandaviya, and Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Housing & Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri.

The team includes chief ministers and senior ministers from Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana. They will be accompanied by senior officials.

Hari S Bhartiya, Amit Kalyani, Rajan Bharti Mittal, Ronnie Screwvala, and Salil S Parekh are among the senior industry figures that are also expected to attend the WEF discussions.

Sessions are being held at the India Lounge in accordance with the Government of India's goals, taking into account India's strategic advantage, current and forthcoming incentive framework, industrial development potential, and market opportunity, the ministry said.

The key topics that would be addressed during the sessions include policy and ease of doing business reforms, energy transition, digital economy, opportunities in National Monetization Pipeline, India as an entrepreneurial destination shaping the unicorn story, growing talents in the digital space, emphasis on innovation and research in the healthcare ecosystem.

Ahead of the Davos visit, Goyal held a pre-departure briefing session with the entire India delegation on Thursday.

This year marks the World Economic Forum's 50th anniversary, as well as 35 years of cooperation with India, providing India with a chance to demonstrate its united presence, which includes the centre and states.