World Trade Center Bhubaneswar in association with X-Fin, The Finance Association of Xavier Institute of Management Bhubaneswar organized Union Budget Conclave 2024 to analyse the nuances and implications of Interim Budget 2024 on various aspects of Indian economy and its stakeholders by industry stalwarts and experts. The esteemed panellists highlighted both the positive and the critical aspects of the Interim Budget 2024 further providing a hopeful vision ahead through a comprehensive discussion.

The conclave kicked off with lighting the lamp and a video presentation of budget highlights. Prof. Subhakant Padhi, XIMB moderated the session and offered crucial insights into the evolution of the budget throughout the years, highlighting significant information. He then proceeded to invite the guests to take over the stage and share their insights on the Interim Budget 2024.

CA. Rajib Sekhar Sahoo, Principal Partner, SRB Associates started by talking about how financial literacy is important for everyone. He then talked about the positives of our economy and how India holds the potential to grow at even faster rates, owing to its youth. He talked about how our industrial policy needs to be progressive and futuristic while also focusing on the two strong pillars of the economy: Health and Education.

Mr. Sandeep Patnaik, Managing Director, East End Technologies Private Limited focused on entrepreneurial aspects of the budget and how perceptions regarding entrepreneurship as a career are changing. He talked about how the budget is important at the individual level. He further talked about how India is moving from a nascent economy to a mature economy. In the end, he urged students to be an employer rather than an employee.

CA. AK Sabat, Founder, A.K Sabat & Co. through his anecdotes shared his understanding of the budget functioning and shared the processes that go into the formulation of budget policies. His anecdotes shared the stories of how the budget has evolved over time. He also talked about how deductions are a planned investment.

Ms. Nimeshika Natarajan, Assistant Director, World Trade Center Bhubaneswar felicitated all the esteemed dignitaries.

The session was followed by a highly interactive and insightful Q&A Session.

The conclave was held at the Auditorium, Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar on 3 February, 2024.