Business | Economy

Channel Sponsor

Bill Gates gives Davos forum a burst of optimism

Bill Gate's burst of optimism encouraged business and government leaders at the World Economic Forum on Friday to consider the positive things they can do.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 16:10 January 25, 2008
  • Gulf News

Davos: Microsoft chairman Bill Gates said he is donating $306 million to help millions of poor African farmers.

Gate's burst of optimism encouraged business and government leaders at the World Economic Forum on Friday to consider the positive things they can do.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has concentrated on improving health in poor parts of the world, has decided it is time to improve agriculture, Gates said.

"Why do we think agriculture is so important?" said Gates. "Of the billion people who live on less than $1 a day, three-quarters are small farmers."

But despite the optimism, the economic turbulence still lingered over the World Economic Forum's annual meeting.

Indian Finance Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram said that the threat of a global slowdown would hurt his country, one of Asia's biggest economies.

A "slowdown is a precursor to a recession and I think that is worrying," he said. "It is especially worrying to developing countries like India."

  • Rate this article
  • Average reader rating (0 votes) 0 Stars
Tools

Emailing an article to friend is a simple way to share a news item. Your friend will receive an email with your name and email address as well any personal message you choose to send.

The information you provide on this page will not be used to send unsolicited emails.

This service is not intended to encourage spam, and action may be taken against individuals who maliciously enter personal details of another individual.

Share this article

Related Articles

  1. 'Democracy essential for Mid East'

    'Democracy essential for Mid East'

    Democracy essential for the Middle East says Condolezza Rice

  2. GCC battle to control inflation

    GCC countries facing battle to control inflation says economist

  3. Davos diary: Eclectic mix of ideas takes effect

    Davos diary: Eclectic mix of ideas takes effect

  4. Blair calls for revival of Doha Round

    Blair calls for revival of Doha Round

    Blair calls for revival of Doha Round

  5. India and China take centrestage

    India and China take centrestage

  6. Prospect of recession hangs over forum

    Prospect of recession hangs over forum

  7. Open investment crucial for US economy

    Open investment crucial for US economy

More from Economy

  1. Al Tayer brings a pool of knowledge to DIFC

  2. 'We do share similar concerns'

  3. Official measures 'achieved objectives'

  4. What does it take to balance the global books?

All articles in Economy

More from Business

Gulf News
Popular in Business
Airlines in the region
Budget travel

Airlines in the region

Take a pictorial look at some of the budget airlines in GCC

Business Editor's choice