MasterCard’s chief executive Ajay Banga and PepsiCo’s outgoing CEO Indra Nooyi were among a small group of top corporate leaders who were hosted by US President Donald Trump for dinner at his private golf club in New Jersey to know their viewpoint on the country’s economy.

In a statement from the White House, it was clarified that the dinner is an “opportunity for the President to hear how the economy is doing from their perspective and what their priorities and thoughts are for the year ahead.”

Indra's spouse Raj Nooyi accompanied her, while Ajay Banga was also accompanied by his spouse Ritu Banga, according to an updated list provided by the White House. 

Among the 15 prominent business leaders attending the dinner hosted by Trump on Tuesday (7 August) were Fiat Chrysler CEO Michael Manley, FedEx president and CEO Fredrick Smith and Boeing’s chief executive officer Dennis Muilenburg. Trump’s wife Melania Trump, daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner also attended the dinner.

Trump referred Nooyi as one of the “most powerful” women in the world during the dinner. Addressing the power dinner, Trump said he is meeting with some of the top business leaders in the world. 

The pool report added that after touting GDP and job numbers, Trump predicted economic growth in the next quarter to be in the fives.

Also Read: Indian origin Indra Nooyi to step down as Pepsico CEO after 12 years