Shri Subhash Chandra Garg, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance, Government of India led the Indian Delegation to the G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) Meeting held in Washington D.C. on 19^th and 20^th April 2018. The Main Agenda of the Meeting was to discuss prospects and vulnerabilities of global economy, harnessing future of work for inclusive growth and take stock of progress made under G20 Compact with Africa Initiative.

In his address, Secretary (EA), Shri Garg highlighted that the digital age technologies have profound implications for policies concerning every aspects of the economy. It also has enormous implications for emerging markets and developing countries. He expressed that the response to such a transformation will have to shift from ‘catch up’ growth to adoption/adaption of digital technologies for development and growth.  Secretary (EA) informed that India has started adopting policies and programmes for transforming systems of delivery of services using digital technologies and connecting every Indian with digital technologies and access through Adhaar and other such means. While citing the example of expanding Mobile Data Access, he mentioned that India is now the largest consumer of mobile data in the world with 11 gigabytes mobile data consumption per month. He informed that India is investing in digital technologies, encouraging private sector to adapt these technologies and also addressing the taxation related issues by introducing equalisation levy.

The Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Shri Garg also participated in the Development Committee Ministerial Lunch Session focused on Rising Public Debt Vulnerabilities in Low-Income Developing Countries. He stressed that in addressing the Sustainable Development Goals, the increasing debt burden in LIDCs is, clearly, a massive hindrance. LIDCs face challenges centered on equitable growth, resilience, finance and partnerships, and leveraging external public and private finance. To mitigate the growing debt concerns of LIDCs, he strongly urged that the IMF and World Bank, and other international organizations must develop and articulate a clear strategy for enhancing public debt transparency on both the debtor and creditor side. The scope of strengthening bilateral and regional financing agreements was also stated by him as important.

The Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Shri Garg is currently on an official tour to Washington D.C. to attend the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank and other associated meetings. He is accompanied by Mr. Urjit Patel, Governor, RBI and other senior officials.

Digital technologies adoption urged: equalisation levy and enhanced public debt transparency prioritized for developing countries' finance policy. Digital technologies require a policy shift from catch-up growth to active adoption and adaptation, with India implementing Aadhaar-enabled digital service delivery, expanding mobile data access, encouraging private-sector uptake, and addressing taxation via an equalisation levy. Separately, rising public debt vulnerabilities in low-income developing countries necessitate enhanced public debt transparency on both debtor and creditor sides, clearer multilateral strategies, and strengthened bilateral and regional financing arrangements to support equitable growth and sustainable development.