Bangalore: Experts discussed how markets in China, India and the Middle East are currently poised for economic growth whilst carefully emphasising the necessity to recognise the risks ahead at the CHIME Investment Summit 2010 held at the ITC Maratha in Mumbai on December 13th and 14th.

These sentiments came across loud and clear through keynote presentations, interactive panel discussions and round-tables attended by a variety of high-level investors, partners and industry specialists.

Reserve Bank of India Director for Prices and Monetary Research, Dr Mridul Saggar said: “Global recovery is slowly gaining strength, but still remains fragile. Incremental data from the US economy is good, though the November employment data suggests that turnaround in labour markets is still a far cry.”

In regards to the need for credible reforms, Dr Saggar noted that: “Regulators in advanced economies are just not doing enough to force de-leveraging, curb excessive risk taking and windfall gains and to restructure financial sector and market practices.”

Dr Saggar’s opening keynote presentation on the macro-economic outlook on the emerging markets along The New Silk Road was followed by an interactive panel discussion on ‘Investing in India the Indian way’. Four panellists took different standpoints on the issue, shedding light on the different viewpoints that need to be factored in when looking to invest in India.

An enlightening keynote on the relevance of using proxies and re-routing your investments into India followed, delivered by Future Capital Holdings Vice Chairman and Managing Director V. Vaidyanathan.

The summit also highlighted investment opportunities in various sectors of the country, including those in the energy sector of rural India as noted in a keynote presentation delivered by Rural Electrification Corporation Chairman and Managing Director Dr J. M. Phatak.

A tête-à-tête session entitled ‘Your cue for entering the Middle East: Rapid developments in privatisation and globalisation’ delved into the shift in focus from oil-based industries to non-oil areas, such as construction and tourism, the political and socio-economic reforms in the pipeline, and regional capital markets and investment opportunities in the Middle East.

Summit partners played a vital role in delivering informative keynotes whilst the value of one-to-one business meetings and round-table discussions were greatly enhanced by the presence of the Rural Electrification Corporation, ANT Trust & Corporate Services, AQ International, Chemanol (Methanol Chemicals Company), IGE Resources AB, Apex Fund Managers, Azure Capital Advisors, Future Capital Holdings, Indowind Energy, Prime Holding, Cipher Capital and Enfinity.

Interactive round-table sessions marked the end of day one of the summit, followed by a networking cocktail reception that saw investors, investees and partners alike, find common ground in a less formal yet business-conducive environment.

Day two kick-started with an interactive panel discussion on the public role of private enterprise – understanding political transformation, market liberalisation, privatisation and public opinion of a foreign nation state before investing. Moderated by NMDC Ltd Chairman and Managing Director Rana Som, the session became one of the highlights of the initiative.

This was followed by keynote presentations by State Bank of India Chief Economist Dr Brinda Jagirdar on the impact of the global financial crisis on The New Silk Road and by ANT Trust and Corporate Services Director for International Business Development Itzik Amiel on cross-border growth and investment strategies.

Big Bang Ventures Partner Herman Delatte delivered an intriguing presentation on innovation in private equity, providing case studies and behind the scenes insight on typical VC fund profiles and portfolio companies.

Interactive round-table sessions brought the summit to a close Tuesday afternoon, highlighting the New Silk Road’s potential as growth nodes in Asia show prospects for excess returns in the long run. However, investors of these emerging markets took into account uncertainties whilst retaining confidence in the growth stories of China, India and the Middle East.

CHIME Investment Summit 2010 media partners Wall Street Journal Asia, Business Wire India and CNBC TV18 attended and covered the summit in addition to summit’s associated partners – the Indo-Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industries and the Indian Angel Network.