Wednesday, January 25, 2006

[India] Ambani for global partnership to end poverty

From New India Press

DAVOS: Mukesh D Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries, India's premier business group, on Wednesday called on participants at the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting here to build a basis for eliminating poverty.

"There are six billion people in this world, yet most of the wealth is with a few people," said Ambani, who is also one of the co-chairs of the WEF meeting.

"Today, India and China have seven times as many mouths to feed as the US, but earn four times less."

Nonetheless, he said the world had a chance to do the right thing.

"It's in the enlightened self-interest of the global economy - rich countries, businesses and citizens - to give the other half a hand up," said Ambani.

"Technology enables us, and with creative thinking, the world has a real chance to banish poverty in 30 years," he added.

Ambani hoped the talks in Davos, being held under the theme of "The Creative Imperative", would help provide a way forward to building a global partnership.

He outlined the size of the task ahead by drawing attention to the large gaps that remained in the health, digital, shelter and energy sectors.

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