The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has called on world leaders to drive trade deals during the World Economic Forum, taking place in Davos, Switzerland this week.
“The UK economy is in good shape. Whilst the pace of growth is set to cool slightly, we can expect to see solid growth this year and next,” said John Cridland, CBI Director-General.
“However, businesses are facing a choppier global backdrop. Falling oil prices should be positive for the global economy, giving a welcome boost to household incomes and lowering costs for firms, but oil majors, exporters and producers are being hit hard. The struggling Eurozone, which is now in deflation, is likely to remain sluggish for some time and looming political challenges, with Greek elections on the horizon, could further dampen growth prospects.
“So it's all the more important that we seize opportunities for growth and investment. That means getting large international trade deals over the line - like the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), and an agreement between India and its biggest investor, the EU.”
Over 40 heads of state and government, as well as 2,500 other leaders from business and society will convene at the 45th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, from 21 to 24 January 2015 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, to discuss The New Global Context.
This context consists of 10 global challenges affecting the world today: environment and resource scarcity; employment skills and human capital; gender parity; long-term investing, infrastructure and development; food security and agriculture; international trade and investment; future of the internet; global crime and anti-corruption; social inclusion; and future of financial systems. Current affairs, such as the escalating geopolitical conflicts, pandemics, diverging growth and the new energy context are on the agenda as well.
“The World Economic Forum serves the international community as a platform for public-private cooperation,” said Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum. “Such cooperation, to address the challenges we all face, is more vital than ever before. But it requires mutual trust. My hope is that the Annual Meeting serves as the starting point for a renaissance of global trust.”
The public will get to have their say on burning issues related to the global economy, business, politics and civil society during this year’s World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2015, taking place in Davos, Switzerland this week.
Open Forum Davos 2015 will open its doors to the general public from 21 to 23 January. Upholding its tradition of stimulating dialogue among thought leaders on a range of crucial issues, Open Forum will offer six sessions on such diverse topics as immigration, religion, democracy and pandemics. Each session is designed to offer a platform for debate and interaction on controversial topics between the public and scholars, business leaders and policy-makers.
The Open Forum line-up will include:
- Kofi Annan, Chairman, Kofi Annan Foundation, Switzerland; Secretary-General, United Nations (1997-2006)
- Tony Blair, Middle East Quartet Representative
- Paul Bulcke, Chief Executive Officer, Nestlé, Switzerland; International Business Council
- John W. Hickenlooper, Governor of Colorado, USA
- Vitaliy Klychko, Mayor of Kyiv, Ukraine
- Stefan Löfven, Prime Minister of Sweden
- Guy Ryder, Director-General, International Labour Organization (ILO), Geneva
- Simonetta Sommaruga, President-elect of the Swiss Confederation and Minister of Justice and Police, Federal Department of Justice and Police, Switzerland
