From January 27 to 28, 2021, the 4th edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Forum 2021 was held virtually from Riyadh, Capital of Saudi Arabia under the theme of “The Neo-Renaissance”. It was hosted by FII Institute. Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Harsh Vardhan addressed the FII Forum 2021.
- The forum acted as a platform for leaders, investors and policymakers to find solutions for expanding access to healthcare, train healthcare workers, remove regulatory barriers and encourage investment in advanced health technologies.
From India, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Harsh Vardhan addressed the FII Forum 2021 where he highlighted the following five big impacts of COVID-19 which are influencing global business:
- The impact of Technology and Innovation
- Importance of Infrastructure for Global Growth
- Changes coming in human resource and future of work
- Compassion for environment
- Business friendly governance with focus on whole of society and government approach
Key points from Harsh Vardhan Address:
–India launched world’s largest vaccination campaign with two indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccines viz. Covishield and Covaxin. Pune (Maharashtra) based Serum Institute of India (SII) will also supply Covishield to Saudi Arabia.
–India used it’s indigenous COVID-19 management tool ‘AarogyaSetu App’ to find COVID-19 hotspots and to alert the local administration in advance under the ITIHAS+AS patch. This app is being used by over more than 160 million Indians
–India also rolled out a special economic and comprehensive package of Rs. 2 million Cr which is equivalent to 10% of India’s GDP under Aatma-Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
–In the health sector, the fund is targeted to increase investments in Public Health and health reforms to meet challenges of current and future pandemics.
–He thanked Saudi Arabia for showing concern towards Indian minority during the Pandemic.
Recent Related News:
i.On 16th December, 2020 the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) general assembly selected the countries to host 2030 and 2034 editions of Asian Games through virtual voting. Qatar’s Doha city will be host of 2030’s edition, while the runner-up in voting, Saudi Arabia will host 2034 edition of Asian games at Riyadh city.
ii.On December 17, 2020, India pledged to contribute USD 1 Million (Approximately INR 7.35 Crores) to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Scientific Research Budget. India’s contribution is the highest ever contribution made to WADA by a third world country which includes Saudi Arabia, China and Egypt.
About Saudi Arabia:
Capital– Riyadh
Currency– Saudi riyal
Crown Prince– Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud
