Global hub of expertise, knowledge sharing to open in Mumbai, says CM Fadnavis

The next division of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution founded by the World Economic Forum (WEF) will be set up in Mumbai, Maharashtra chief minister

The next division of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution founded by the World Economic Forum (WEF) will be set up in Mumbai, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadavis announced in Davos on Tuesday.

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in Davos. (Twitter)

Fadnavis, who is on a three-day visit to Davos to promote Maharashtra as an investment destination at the WEF 2018, said that besides the exchange of expertise, the centre will enable implementation of policies related to science and technology. The centre, comprising experts from various fields, will work towards incorporating technologies like robotics, artificial intelligence and drones into sectors like agriculture, among others.

The Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution is a San Francisco-based global hub of expertise, knowledge sharing and collaboration, says the WEF website.

The mission is to maximise the benefits of science and technology for society, it states.

The hub in India will operate as the sister centre to the one in San Francisco. It will allow policymakers and thought leaders in India to stay ahead through unique insights in new forms of governance and new technology applications and connections with cutting-edge technology innovators globally.

The CM met Sean De Cleane, the head of WEF’s Food Security initiative. “We discussed upscaling of value chains through public-private partnership to cover 25 lakh farmers, encourage innovations, use of drones, better connection with banks, financing according to the actual cropping pattern, and better insurance facilities,” said Fadnavis.

He also discussed food security, environmental sustainability and economic opportunities with Cleane, a statement issued by the CMO said.