By Aroonim Bhuyan, IANS,
Abu Dhabi : As India seeks to attract investments in the midst of a global financial crisis, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), the annual conclave of the Indian diaspora, has assumed new importance.
Top Indian leaders will have direct interactions with prospective investors among overseas Indians at the PBD-2009, to be held in Chennai Jan 9-10 next year, according to Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi.
“Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and (Commerce Minister) Kamal Nath will have face-to-face meetings with delegates at the PBD-2009 in Chennai,” Ravi told reporters here Thursday.
He stated that the PBD-2009 will have four main sessions.
“One day will be strictly reserved for state chief ministers to address NRIs (non-resident Indians),” the minister said.
According to him, over 1,500 delegates are expected to participate in the Chennai event.
The PBD-2009 is being organised by the ministry of overseas Indian affairs in association with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Tamil Nadu government.