By IRNA,
New Delhi : India Friday asked Arab countries to invest in India to meet out its challenges in the field of enhancing agricultural productivity, guaranteeing energy security and education and skill building among young generation.
Addressing India-Arab Investment Project conclave in New Delhi today the External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee underlined the most important micro-economic challenges facing India. He said that increasing yield and productivity in agriculture sector through appropriate technological imput is India’s primary aim.
He said to ensure guarantee of energy security, India is exploring avenues for bilateral as well as multi-lateral cooperation with source countries. He said to sustain India’s contribution to make available global work force, investment is required in the field of education and skill building.
Mukherjee said that India is taking all initiatives to encourage investment from capital rich countries for infrastructure projects in the country. He said it is estimated that infrastructure alone will require an investment of more than five hundred billion dollars in the next five years.
Outlining the importance of decade old silk route between Asia and Middle East, Mukherjee said it is upto government and the private sector to work as partner in both India and Arab countries and create a more responsive investment climate to achieve benefits of new silk route in its full potential. He said there are enormous opportunities for Arab countries for profitable ventures in the areas of IT, Telecom, Auto parts, health care, bio-tech, food processing, manufacturing, construction and banking services.
The Minister expressed confidence that India and Arab world can work together for a brighter future for their following generations.
Nearly one hundred fifteen delegates from Arab countries including Investment Minister of Sudan and Chief Representative of Arab League are participating in two day conclave organised by Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
Meanwhile, Pranab Mukherjee begins a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia from Saturday at the invitation of Prince Saud Al-Faisal, External Affairs Minister of Saudi Arabia,
Mukherjee’s meeting with his Saudi counterpart will provide the opportunity for India and Saudi Arabia to discuss bilateral political, economic, commercial, consular and cultural matters and to build on their multifaceted partnership.
The visit will also provide the opportunity to both sides to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.