Infrastructure is biggest enabler for growth; Time to look at 8 per cent growth: Rajkiran Rai G, MD, NaBFID
Mumbai : Mr Rajkiran Rai G, MD, NaBFID said that infrastructure is the biggest enabler for growth and to support this, we must create the right financial enablers, ensuring long-term funds flow into long-term infrastructure. “Projects need to be designed in a way that encourages banks and other institutions to participate in financing. It is time that we need to look at 8 per cent growth or more and infrastructure will be the biggest enabler. We have the capability along with the appetite for infrastructure lending,” he added.
Addressing the Valedictory session at FIBAC 2025 on 26th August. Infrastructure is biggest enabler for growth; Time to look at 8 per cent growth. Mr Rai stated that NaBFID is an institution which is created to create infrastructure in the country, and we are working in that direction. “We need to stabilize and create systems which will throw a lot of projects and there is enough capital to lend,” he added. Mr Rai further stated that today, almost 70 per cent of the new projects are in the road sector, transport, logistics along with the renewable energy sector.
Other sectors, he stated, like data centres or hospitals, urban infrastructure along with irrigation also are witnessing growth but further investment is required for their development. “We need to design projects in such a way that banks and other institutions will be interested to lend,” he added.
Mr Atul Kumar Goel, Chief Executive, IBA said that the economic model of India is very promising. India is among the fastest-growing economies, driven not only by strong consumption but also by rising infrastructure investment and government capital expenditure, he added.
Mr Debadatta Chand, MD & CEO, Bank of Baroda said that Indian economy is robust and resilient. While current geopolitical developments may cause short-term effects, the market is likely to recover within three to six months. For long-term growth, India must actively explore new and significant markets beyond its traditional geographies, he stated.
Mr Rajneesh Karnatak, MD & CEO, Bank of India said that RBI’s initiative to launch the Unified Lending Interface (ULI) is set to bring significant operational efficiency. Much like UPI transformed payments, ULI has the potential to be the next game changer, he added.
Earlier during the session on Mr Shaji KV, Chairman, NABARD while addressing the session on ‘Embracing new capabilities: Cyber risk to climate risk’, said that agriculture sector is impacted with the climate risk. The government is working on the carbon market framework to support the farmers in mitigating the risks associated with climate change. “NABARD is working to partner with agriculture department and fisheries department to setup a voluntary carbon market framework to further support the farmers,” he added.
Mr Shaji further stressed that the accuracy of data in the agriculture sector is important to calculate the pricing related to climate related risks.
Mr Atul Kumar Goel, Chief Executive, IBA delivered the vote of thanks and expressed his gratitude towards RBI Governor Mr Sanjay Malhotra along with other esteemed speakers and delegates who participated in the two-day FIBAC 2025.
