HIGHLIGHTS-Speakers at the World Economic Forum in India
NEW DELHI - The following are excerpts from what was said by participants at the World Economic Forum meeting in India's capital on Sunday.
For separate comments from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, please click on [ID:nSP414743]
MONTEK SINGH AHLUWALIA - DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF INDIA'S PLANNING COMMISSION
"The finance minister has said they want to bring the fiscal deficit down starting next year. Withdrawing stimulus means reducing the fiscal deficit. These are not two different things."
"I think we are on target for anything near 5 to 6 percent inflation. I would like it to be 5 percent rather 6 percent."
"But at the point when growth is distinctly below potential, the balance of the concern is essentially maintaining the growth rate."
"(Right) now, I don't think we are in a position where the inflation issue is anything other than something we keep a close watch on."
"The real concern on the pricing front is that you have food price inflation somewhat high. But that reflects partly the bad monsoon. I expect by the end of this financial year food price inflation will come down."
CARLOS GHOSN, CEO, RENAULT (RENA.PA) AND NISSAN (7201.T) ON GLOBAL AUTO SALES:
"It looks like we are here hitting a plateau."
"All plans of expansion and capacity can be resumed with a much more solid understanding of how this crisis will end up."
ON THE GLOBAL ECONOMY:
"I don't believe in a double-dip (recession)."
"For another dip, we have to move up. So far we haven't seen the move up. So double-dip for me is an interesting discussion, but that's not real."
"So when do we move up?" "It's very likely that we will start to move up in 2010 selectively with obviously China, India, Middle East, South America playing an important role. United States also." Continued...

