Natural resources can be the fuel for India’s growth story:Shereen Bhan

The first-ever Global Natural Resources Conclave (GNRC), organised by Network18 and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), is commencing in Delhi today (April 5, 2017). The two-day Conclave will for the first time bring together key players from the global natural resources sector on a common platform. It is being endorsed by key ministries of the Government of India – Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Ministry of Mines and Ministry of Steel. 

There will be participation from more than 20 countries, including Canada, Australia, the UK and countries from the Middle East. Rajasthan and Jharkhand are the State Partners to this conclave that will also be attended by CXOs from public and private natural resources companies. 

GNRC will cover everything under the domain of ‘Importance of Leveraging Natural Resources Dividend’ and will also witness discussions and sessions on ‘Explore in India to Make in India,’ ‘Future of Oil & Gas’ ‘All-Round Sustainability’, ‘Disruptive Technologies’, ‘Global Best Practices’, and ‘The Indian States Perspective.’ Gina Rinehart (Executive Chairman, Hancock Prospecting), the mining magnate and Australia’s richest citizen will give the keynote address. 

Additionally, James Gordon Carr (Minister of Natural Resources, Canada), Melody Meyer (formerly with Chevron) and Indian Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Prakash Javdekar and Kiren Rijiju will share their vision for the Indian Natural Resources sector. Chief Ministers of resource-rich states of Goa and Madhya Pradesh will also join the Conclave. 

Updates on the event can be tracked using the hashtag #GNRC2017. 

In conversation with Adgully, Shereen Bhan, Managing Editor, CNBC-TV18, sheds more light on the initiative, the intense effort behind creating the Conclave, key people involved and how the network plans to take the cause message forward. Excerpts: 

What is the objective behind launching this initiative? How long did it take to ideate and create the same?
Natural resources are at the heart of any country’s economic progress. India is well positioned for a major economic lift-off and the coming months and years will see it produce and consume natural resources at a scale like never before. It is thus imperative that as a nation, we think deeply and strategically on our approach to natural resources in the coming years and decades. Network18 has been at the forefront of nurturing communities and driving thought leadership within various industries by acting as a mirror of the business environment in the country. This is the first time that a news media platform is taking an initiative to bring the Natural Resources sector into the mainstream. This Conclave, through its partnerships with Indian and international think tanks and industry bodies, will give a global overview of the sector and highlight the challenges and opportunities for India. 

How will it benefit the whole ecosystem at large?
It is a very important moment for us to lead the very first Global Natural Resources Conclave in the country. The two-day event is being endorsed by key ministries of the Government of India – Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Ministry of Mines and Ministry of Steel. There will be participation from more than 25 countries, including Canada, Australia, the UK and countries from the Middle East. Rajasthan and Jharkhand are the State Partners to this conclave that will also be attended by CXOs from public and private natural resources companies. We believe that natural resources can be the new fuel for India’s growth story and we are committed to becoming the catalyst in leading the dialogue on this sector. 

Who are the teams and key people involved in creating the whole initiative?
This initiative is being put together by the Special Projects team of Network18. Top editors and producers of the Network have been involved for more than a year to make this a reality. 

Do you think getting on board a known face or a respected organisation to promote the cause will help in getting more acceptance?
The event is being endorsed by government ministries, and countries and states rich in natural resources. Organisations such as CII and TERI have been integral to the development of this Conclave. And it is being attended by corporate chiefs from relevant companies. All these put together are the strongest ambassadors for the initiative. Having said that, there are known personalities who are associating with us such as Gina Rinehart, Mining magnate and Australia’s richest citizen and James Gordon Carr, Global natural resources policy leader. 

More than 25 countries have partnered for the Conclave. How are they and Network18 strategising to promote the cause in the respective countries?
The global nature and stature of the Conclave is meant to share learnings for India and help Indian policymakers and companies promote India as a resource-rich and business-friendly destination in the natural resources sector.

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