India successfully built best digital economy, finance architecture in world: Nobel winner Spence
Noida (PTI): Noting that India is a major economy with the highest potential growth rate right now, Nobel laureate economist A Michael Spence said the country has successfully developed by far the best digital economy and finance architecture in the world.
Spence, who was awarded the Nobel prize in Economic Sciences in 2001, shared his views during an interaction with students and faculty at the Bennett University in Greater Noida on Monday.
"The major economy with the highest potential growth rate right now is India. India has successfully developed by far the best digital economy and finance architecture in the world. It is open, competitive and delivers services of an inclusive kind to a vast array of territory," the Nobel laureate said, according to a statement issued by the varsity.
Spence also pointed out that the world is experiencing a "kind of regime change in the global economy".
Tracing the evolution of the global economy after World War II, Spence said that the 70-year-old global system is "breaking down" due to pandemics, geopolitical tensions, climate shocks, etc.
Emphasising that the global system -- built on economic criteria like global supply chain centred around efficiency and comparative advantage considerations -- is undergoing a rapid transition, he pointed out that "in a shock-prone world, it doesn't make sense to have single sourcing".
With the centre of gravity shifting steadily towards the East, there is a fundamental change in the global economy whereby supply chains are getting diversified and global governance is becoming more complicated than ever before, he added.
Despite the challenging time, he said what gives optimism is the affirmative answer to the question: whether we have counter-measures to enhance human welfare?
He also outlined the enormous progress in science and technology which can contribute to enhancing human welfare, including generative AI, revolutions in biomedical life sciences and massive energy transitions.
He cited the example of competitive pricing of solar energy and quoted the cost of DNA sequencing having reduced from USD 10 million dollar earlier to USD 250 now. However, he added there is downside to this technological growth, and emphasised on its availability to both big and small businesses alike.
"We now have incredibly powerful scientific and technological tools that, if we use correctly, can be used to essentially deliver wellbeing and opportunity to a wide range of people," said Spence, who was recognized for his analysis of markets with asymmetric information.
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Binny Bansal steps down from board of PhonePe
New Delhi, Nov 22: Flipkart's co-founder Binny Bansal has stepped down from the board of PhonePe, the fintech company said on Friday.
PhonePe also announced the appointment of Manish Sabharwal as an Independent Director and Chair of its Audit Committee.
In this role, Sabharwal will be instrumental in upholding the integrity and effectiveness of PhonePe's financial reporting, internal controls, and risk management practices, he company said in a release.
"PhonePe also announced that Flipkart's co-founder, Binny Bansal has stepped down from its Board of Directors. Binny acquired PhonePe in 2016 and has been on its Board since then," the release said.
Commenting on the board rejig, Sameer Nigam, CEO and Founder of PhonePe said, "I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Binny Bansal for being one of PhonePe's earliest and staunchest supporters. His active engagement, strategic guidance, and personal mentorship have profoundly enriched our discussions. Binny will be missed!"
Nigam further said that Sabharwal's depth of understanding of India's macro economy, coupled with his leadership in shaping India's policies for education, employment, and employability will be invaluable as PhonePe continues to work ahead towards shared vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Sabharwal is Vice-Chairman of Teamlease Services, India's largest staffing and human capital firm.
Bansal played an instrumental role in Flipkart's acquisition of PhonePe way back in 2016 and had been on its board since then (the payments firm separated from Flipkart in 2022).
