Indian Presence 5th Highest at WEF Meet

Davos: With as many as 120 registered participants, the Indian presence is the fifth largest at the ongoing the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in this ski resort town on slopes of the Swiss Alps, where buses are also seen carrying 'Make In India' slogans.

The US is on the top with 791 participants, followed by the UK with 283 and the host country Switzerland with 280. Germany is fourth with 126 delegates. China is behind India with 56 participants, while France has 96. The number of Russian participants is 67, while Japan has sent 89 delegates. South Africa has kept the number at 54, most of whom are part of a government delegation led by President Jacob Zuma.

Overall, there are 1,500 business leaders from across the world, including over 100 from India. There are 40 heads of states and 100 other members of governments of participating countries that include two Union ministers and two chief ministers from India.

The media and information industry tops the chart among business leaders, followed by banking and capital markets.

There are 17 per cent women. The average age is 53 years for men and 48 years for women participants here. The youngest is Alain Nteff, 22 year-old co-founder of Gifted Mom, a mobile health service provider. Former Israel president Shimon Peres at 91 is the oldest leader participating in the summit.

There are many veterans at this annual summit on this resort town, which is 1,560 metres or 5,120 feet above the sea level.

Those attending include King and Queen of Jordan as also singer Will.I.Am, who is promoting his charitable foundation i.am.angel Foundation, a charity that aims to transform lives through "education, inspiration and opportunity".

Last year, Hollywood actor Matt Damon came to promote his charity, Water.org.

This year, Swiss banking major UBS is also asking delegates to walk at least 6 kilometre each during the summit to help donate bicycles to children in South Africa to help them get to school.