Modi, IMF chief set to address ‘Advancing Asia’ conference

New Delhi, March 12 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde were set to address the "Advancing Asia Conference" here on Saturday morning to take stock of the region's economic performance and challenges ahead.

Key topics to be discussed at the conference, which will conclude on Sunday, include what are the most effective drivers of growth, income inequality, gender inequality, investments in infrastructure, climate change, managing capital flows and financial inclusion.

Lagarde, who arrived here on Friday, held a brief meeting with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and described India as: "A bright spot in the turbulent times for the global economy." She added that it was only befitting that the conference was being held in New Delhi.

Earlier on Friday, the finance minister had tabled in parliament a supplementary demand of grant of Rs.69,575 crore towards increasing India's quota in the IMF that will allow it an increased voting rights in the affairs of the multilateral funding agency.