'Infra needs, comm networks need to be prioritised'

The infrastructure needs and communication networks are to be prioritised keeping in mind the environmental demands while addressing development goals, panelists at Regional Conference on 'Enhancing Port and Coastal Infrastructure' today said.

According to an official statement, the participants at the two-day conference emphasised upon devising innovative solutions that mobilise private capital, in partnership with multilateral development banks, governments, private financiers and other stakeholders.

It further said panelists representing varied fields under the chairmanship of Dredging Corporation of India Ltd CMD Rajesh Tripathi stressed on the need for developing suitable ecosystem for a flourishing shipping trade with the support facilities like ship repair and dry docking infrastructure.

The conference saw eminent delegates representing partner institutions, academia, civil society organisations and experts from various fields expressing their views on how to address Asia's infrastructure gap, the statement said.

India is hosting the third annual meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) on June 25-26, 2018 in Mumbai.

The conference was lead-up to the annual conference.