NEW DELHI, Dec 4 (Bernama) — India is trying to engage Indians living abroad to invest in micro-financing schemes to help its rural-based industries.
India’s agenda will be floated at the three-day sixth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, a conference of the Indian diaspora living outside the sub-continent, to be held in the Indian capital beginning Monday.
“We have identified over 6,000 areas and we will create a one-window system from Delhi, where NRI (non-resident Indians) can invest and work with NGOs (non-governmental agencies) to implement projects at village level,” Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi told a news conference today, held ahead of the conference.
An estimated 25 million people of Indian origin are spread out in 110 countries around the globe and many continue to maintain strong nexus with their native land.
An estimated 1,200 participants from abroad are expected to attend the conference which Delhi is hosting for the second time.
Malaysia’s 138-strong delegation will be headed by Works Minister and MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.
A wide canvas of topics will be discussed, including protecting married women’s rights, especially those living abroad, child welfare and other current issues relating to the diaspora.
The conference tries to amass expertise and knowledge of overseas Indians and integrate them into India’s development process besides providing networking opportunities.
It was first held in 2003 aimed at promoting and sustaining the two-way relationship between India and its diaspora.