Davos 2024: Leaders leave WEF with a hope to rebuild trust

livemint.com:

the World Economic Forum in the snow-clad resort came to an end on Friday, emergence of artificial intelligence, never-ending geopolitical tensions, and the outcome of what's in store when half of the world's population is going to elect a new government this year, including in India and the US, dominated the Swiss Promenade talks. But for the outcome of the summit as Rich Lesser, chairman of Boston Consulting Group, said, “It’s unrealistic to think that Davos — or any meeting, anywhere in the world — in one meeting can rebuild trust when it’s fragmented on so many dimensions".

But thousands of conversations between the social, private and public sectors help create “a starting point for rebuilding trust," he said. On the sidelines of the WEF, Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) released its 27th Annual Global CEO Survey.

The study showed a surge in confidence among Indian CEOs about India's economic growth, with 86% anticipating an improvement in growth over the next 12 months. The survey, encompassing insights from 79 Indian CEOs, showcases a remarkable 30% increase in optimism within the past year.

India announced a new alliance for global good, gender equity and equality, on the sidelines, with the WEF founder and chairman Klaus Schwab offering to partner this initiative with full support. The announcement was made at an India Reception, hosted by CII and attended by union ministers Smriti Irani and Hardeep Singh Puri.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday said he is resolute in leading the state to its ambitious target of becoming a $1 trillion economy as the state government secured investment MoUs worth ₹3.53 trillion ($44 billion) in Davos. The state also received an expression of interest for an