India Shifts Focus from Energy to AI, IoT and Semiconductors: Piyush Goyal

India is redirecting its attention from energy to advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Quantum Computing, and semiconductors. Addressing the India-Qatar Business Forum, hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday highlighted India's shift from conventional energy trade to modern technologies.

Goyal stated, "We are now looking at a new future where we will transition from energy being the hallmark of our trade to new age technologies, whether it is Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Quantum Computing, or semiconductors." "This transition is going to rest on the pillars of sustainability, entrepreneurship and energy, and technology. We have a huge startup ecosystem in India, which will be very inviting for investments coming in from Qatar," he added.

Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry in India, highlighted the positive economic prospects despite worldwide uncertainties. Enhancing industry, commerce, innovation, technology, and start-ups is a significant result that India and Qatar can attain achieved together. 

The Business forum featured three panel discussions focused on investments, logistics, advanced manufacturing, and forward-looking topics like AI, innovation, and sustainability. Given India's strength in digitalisation and Qatar's ambitious digital transformation goals, India is uniquely positioned to offer technology and scale for Qatar's digital transformation efforts. 

The conversations emphasized India's status as a gateway to South Asia and Qatar's function as a center for the Middle East. Panelists highlighted the significant potential for cooperation between India and Qatar in high-quality polysilicon manufacturing for solar grids, among other areas.