Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a high-level Global Advisory Council under the State Transformation Commission, bringing together senior executives, economists, scientists and policy experts from leading international institutions and companies.
The initiative aims to leverage global expertise to accelerate the state’s economic growth and support its targets of becoming a $1 trillion economy and a developed state by 2047.
The council will advise the government on strategies to attract domestic and foreign investment, generate employment, increase exports, strengthen industrial development and improve skill development. Its areas of focus will also include technology, innovation, infrastructure and human resource development.
Former NITI Aayog CEO Parameswaran Iyer to Head Council
According to the order issued by State Transformation Commission CEO Manoj Kumar Singh (IAS: 1988: UP), former IAS officer Parameswaran Iyer (1981: UP) has been appointed chairman of the council.
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Iyer previously served as CEO of NITI Aayog and as an Executive Director at the World Bank.
The CEO of the State Transformation Commission will serve as the vice-chairperson, while its Additional Chief Executive Officer (ACEO), Akshat Verma, will function as the member secretary.
The council includes senior representatives from several prominent global organisations and corporations.
Among its members are:
- JB Park, President and CEO, Samsung Southwest Asia
- Dr. Indermit Gill, Chief Economist, World Bank
- Jai Shroff, Chairman and Group CEO, UPL Limited
- C. Vijayakumar, CEO and Managing Director, HCL
- Archana Vyas, India Country Director, Gates Foundation
Scientists, Policy Experts and Industry Leaders Also Included
The council also brings together experts from agriculture, climate policy, research, logistics and international business.
Other members include:
- Dr. Arunabha Ghosh, Founder and former CEO, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW)
- Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation
- Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh, agricultural scientist and Padma Shri awardee
- Prateek Hira, Founder and CEO, Tornos
- Suvendu Chowdhury, Vice-President, FedEx Express
- Dr. Mukesh Aghi, President and CEO, US-India Strategic Partnership Forum
Focus on Investment, MSMEs and Export Growth
One of the council’s key responsibilities will be to recommend measures for expanding employment opportunities and improving the competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
It will also advise on taking the state’s One District One Product (ODOP) initiative to the next level and developing strategies to increase exports of agricultural, horticultural and processed food products.
The council will examine opportunities for attracting domestic and international investment, identifying new industrial locations and strengthening existing industrial infrastructure.
Its recommendations will also cover emerging technologies, innovation and the adoption of effective international practices across different sectors.
Infrastructure, Skills and Global Financial Partnerships on Agenda
The council will provide recommendations on leveraging international experience to improve infrastructure, logistics, connectivity and employment-oriented sectors in Uttar Pradesh.
Education, healthcare, skill development and vocational training will also form part of its agenda, with an emphasis on preparing the state’s workforce for future economic and technological requirements.
Another important responsibility will be to explore alternative sources of financing for the state’s development programmes.
For this purpose, the council will examine potential partnerships with multilateral development banks, regional development banks, global pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, philanthropic organisations, universities and international research institutions.
It will also review the progress of major economic reforms and development initiatives and suggest ways to address implementation-related challenges.
Council to Hold at Least Two Full Meetings Annually
The Global Advisory Council will hold a minimum of two full meetings every year. Additional meetings may be convened whenever required.
Sector-specific working groups will meet quarterly to examine issues and provide recommendations in their respective areas.
The council’s recommendations will be advisory in nature and will be submitted to the state government for consideration and necessary action.
The State Transformation Commission will serve as the council’s secretariat and coordinate its functioning.
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