World Economic Forum 2012: Some fun amid gloomy discussion at Davos

In the midst of all the serious talk about the economic challenges before Europe and the rise of emerging powers like India, China and Mexico, the World Economic Forum meeting also had its share of light moments.

While most of the non-economic and light moments are reserved for the informal meetings, known here as IGWELs (Informal Gatherings of World Economic Leaders) and the late-night elite-exclusive parties or nightcaps, a few are also taking place in public in this Swiss mountain town, wearing a blanket of heavy snowfall unseen for years.

While many sworn business rivals, known for exchanging only harsh words, could be seen hugging each other and laughing together at off-the-record parties, a few courageous ones were found having a gala time strolling on snow-laden roads of this small town. Some were also planning to go skiing.

Energy giant Royal Dutch Shell CEO Peter Voser was asked today in a press conference where does he see oil prices going. When the moderator asked Citigroup CEO Vikram Pandit to answer another question addressed to him instead, the top banker quipped that they should first listen about the oil price forecast.

While the audience erupted in a bout of laughter, the moderator said he would rather avoid the question as he was not sure if it could amount to horse-trading. At the end of the day, the question remained unanswered.

In another press conference, the PwC International Chairman was asked whether a survey conducted by PwC to gauze the confidence of business heads was outdated. The survey of over 1,200 CEOs was conducted in the latter part of December, 2011 since when the mood seems to have changed.
     
The PwC Chairman rejected the "outdated" charge and said the mood has indeed remained pessimistic and this has been confirmed in these two weeks by the CEOs of many companies being served by the consultancy and auditing major.