By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that in the Global Investors Meet, (GIS), scheduled in Indore from October 8 to 10, 20 countries would participate, including six countries’ involvement as partners. This time, emphasis would not be on signing MoUs in GIS Indore, but on creating favourable conditions for setting up industry, he said.
Chouhan said that 71 big industrialists have consented to participate in the Meet. At the Investors’ Meet, a report regarding the MoUs done in the previous Meet would be submitted. Chouhan said that those countries consented to be partners in the Meet are- Australia, Canada, South Africa, Mexico, Austria and the United Kingdom, (UK). A team from Dubai is shall be participating in the GIS.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressing businessmen and investors associated.
Addressing a Press conference Chouhan, after his return from his three-day visit to Dubai, termed the tour as a success. He claimed that several proposals came across during the visit and he would make efforts to materialise most of them.
Chouhan said that international flights for Dubai is likely to commence from Indore in the current year. The commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh, Indore may become the first city in the state to get an international flight. “We had talks with Emirates Airlines and its officials showed keen interest to start an international flight from Indore to Dubai,” he said, adding, that another air service, Air Arabia, which is comparatively cheaper, is also in initial talks. He said there is a proposal wherein Air Arabia will start a flight from Dubai to Indore and Indore to Sharjah.
The international flight services also includes cargo services from the city, keeping in view the fact the city and its adjoining areas are the hub of industries whose exports turnovers from the region to Gulf and other countries run into crores of rupees.
According to Chouhan, entrepreneurs from Middle East and NRIs have also shown interest in food processing, health services, education, diamond, precious stones exploration and smart city projects. During the visit, he said, a proposal was also received for an international university near Bhopal.
He revealed there are several private banks in Dubai which give loan at 4% interest rate. “These banks have shown interest in Madhya Pradesh and if this happens, it would benefit the state.” He said any decision in this regard would be taken after talking to the Centre.
Chouhan also said there is a great demand of state’s Basmati and wheat and entrepreneurs in Dubai have shown interest in agriculture sector. Meanwhile, on the third and last day of the Dubai visit, a high-level delegation from the state led by Chief Minister Chouhan had held important discussions on investment promotion. The discussions were held with businessmen and investors associated with diamond business at Dubai Multi Commodity Centre, (DMCC), and EMAAR Group. Besides, discussions were also held with Air Arabia on starting its operations in Madhya Pradesh and at networking lunch with Dubai-based NRIs on investment in Madhya Pradesh.
The important meeting at DMCC proved successful in that it was attended by over 50 big industrialists associated with business and value addition of diamonds and other gems. They were informed that Madhya Pradesh is the only diamond-producing state in the country. They were also given detailed information about Diamond and Jewellery Parks at Indore. The investors evinced keen interest towards Global Investors Summit, Indore.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressing businessmen and investors associated with diamond business at Dubai Multi Commodity Centre, (DMCC).
Another important meeting was held with EMAAR Group’s CFO Amit Jain and other officers at world’s tallest building Burj Khalifa. This group is also associated with Indore Green Project. The group consented to do survey for a project near Bhopal. Later, important discussions were held with Air Arabia on starting its operations in Madhya Pradesh.
Chief Minister Chouhan held discussions with Videocon’s Director Aniruddha Dhoot during lunch hosted by him. During the lunch, the Chief Minister met other industrialists also including IBPG’s Chairman Mohan Jasanmal and other members of group.
On the second day of the visit, the Chief Minister and the delegation had visited Masdar City and saw there the Smart City Project. Masdar University has more than half Indians. Here, the delegation met a student from Bhopal who is doing Ph. D. Presentation of Ferrari World was also made during the meeting at the Indian embassy. Ferrari World is a global-level amusement park. The MK Group managing Ferrari World is interest in investment in Madhya Pradesh. Discussions were held to develop such amusement park in Madhya Pradesh. Park’s Chairman Yusuf Ali expressed desire to visit Madhya Pradesh to explore investment possibilities. ([email protected])